In China a company named Jinan Qingqi Motorcycle Corporation produced the three-wheeled version of the Alto (800 in India) briefly in the 90′s. The ‘Qingqi Alto Trycicle’ was manufactured with a 125cc, 12KW motorbike engine, CarNewsChina says, is “powerful enough to outrun a goat.” The central front wheel could not have grabbed more eyeballs than its 75-80k rupees starting price.

Three-wheeled cars are very popular in rural China and many car companies, despite stability issues at high speeds that pose serious safety concerns, continue to manufacture them. They serve as economical workhorses for traders in the week and double up as a family car on the weekends.

Sadly rural Chinese customers will have look in other places, as Jinan Qingi has moved on from the Qingqi Alto Trycicle to make handsome looking motorcycles.

[Source - CarNewsChina.com]

Andrew Moore, Suzuki Australia’s national marketing manager -

It’s a bit of a different market in India but we are working closely with Maruti to see any potential [products] for Australia. Ertiga is one we are looking at.

The Ertiga is not Suzuki’s first MPV as the products like the APV and Eeco (a refurbished Versa) are available in international markets. As the Ertiga is built on a global platform and features 21st century design, Australia won’t be the only country performing market studies on the Ertiga.

During the unveiling, Maruti said the Ertiga has ABS, EBD and dual front airbags. They made no mention of curtain airbags or ESP, mandatory if it has to be sold in some markets. Maruti could work further on the Ertiga to improve its safety and emission ratings. This can be done through the use of CNG or LPG kits.

Suzuki Australia sells the made-in-India A-Star as the Alto alongside vehicles such as the SX4 crossover and Jimny SUV.

[Source - CarAdvice.com.au]

• New design front grille
• New design 18-inch alloy wheels
• Unique contrasting seat fabric
• Silver colored roof rails
• Bonnet side vents
• Turn signal lamps for OVRMs
• A tailgate mounted spare wheel
• Cruise Control and keyless entry

Under the hood, the Grand Vitara SZ-T is powered by 1.9-liter, Fiat-sourced diesel engine that delivers 129 hp and a peak torque of 300 Nm. Make your deposits soon as only 500 units will be made.

Source: Carscoop.blogspot.com

India is the sole manufacturing location for the Suzuki A-Star. It is exported to countries in Asia, Europe and UK.

Before engineering the Swift EV, Suzuki Engineers conducted a study which revealed that Swift owners only travel 29 km on a daily basis. Engineers hence designed this range-extended EV to cover that distance on pure electric power.

A smaller gasoline engine kicks into action to recharge the batteries when the power in completely drained out.

According to Suzuki, this type of technology has several benefits such as:

• Smaller battery than a full EV
• Lesser costs
• Less time to fully charge

Suzuki has promised that it will apply the range-extender technology to production models in the future.

Source: AutoBlog.com

Innovation does not stop with just the impressive specifications. Suzuki’s new manufacturing techniques allow it build the Regina’s production version with better cabin space and lesser number of components, while not compromising on build quality.

The exterior design is composed of a green skin that envelopes the car. The passenger cabin volume is enhanced by thin seats and a pushed-in dashboard design.

The A-Star (Alto in Europe) was launched in late 2008 and is due for a mid-life facelift next year. In the next three-four years, Suzuki has to plan for a replacement for this global small car as competitors Hyundai, Peugeot and Toyota are said to be developing successor models of their rivals. The Regina’s dimensions and character hints at the next generation A-Star, but we’ll have to wait and see if that transition does take place.

However, VW refused to acknowledge Suzuki’s request. As a result, Suzuki has filed for international arbitration in London with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC’s) International Court of Arbitration.

The partnership turned bitter because VW did not give Suzuki access to the hybrid technology which it promised to share when forming the alliance. At the same time, VW accused Suzuki of violating the agreement by procuring diesel engines from Fiat. After the debacle, Suzuki believes it is urgent to terminate its business tie-up with VW, feeling a delay may adversely affect its cooperation with other companies.

Suzuki has also started distancing itself from VW when it comes to hybrid technologies. It is reported that Suzuki is sorting help from Mitsubishi to power their hybrid cars.

However, VW is still adamant that no legal rules compel it to sell its stakes in Suzuki. The company is prepared to go through an arbitration process that could take up to two years.

Source: TheEconomicTimes.IndiaTimes.com

However, because the Alto (F8) was doing unbelievably well in the Indian market, Maruti Suzuki chose to sell both cars side-by-side in different segments.

However, in the JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) a raised version of the A-Star is sold as an Alto. Recently, Suzuki launched a frugal version called as the Alto Eco which delivers a mind boggling 32Km/l.

The reason for this astonishing fuel economy is a new 660 cc, R06A, three-cylinder engine with 52-horses at 6,000 rpm and a peak torque of 63Nm at 4,000 rpm coupled with a Start Stop system. The engine is mated to a CVT gearbox which powers the front wheels.

The 2012 Alto Eco will be offered in Japan in two trim levels, “S” and “L” with pricing set at around 6 lakhs a pop.

Back home, Maruti Suzuki has no plans to enter sub 800 cc segment. The company is readying a brand new M800 to fight the stiff competition from Hyundai’s EON and Tata’s Nano expected to launch in 2012.

Suzuki Alto Eco Image Gallery

Source: CarScoop.Blogspot.com