Maruti Alto K10 To Come Standard With 6 Airbags & Electronic Aids, Also Upto Rs. 16,000 More Expensive Than Before
Maruti Alto K10’s updated version has reached new levels of safety enhancements. The thinking man’s hatchback now gets 6 Airbags, ESP, ABS EBD as standard. This has had an impact on the prices as well. Let’s understand what this means for the potential buyers of the K10.
The Price Differences
The biggest difference it has brought to the Alto K10 is in terms of pricing. Adding safety equipment comes at a cost. The Alto K10 STD now costs Rs. 14,000 more, while LXI, VXI and VXI+ variants cost Rs. 6000, Rs. 16,000 and Rs. 10,000 more respectively. A similar pattern was noticed on the Celerio and Brezza models as well.
Overall, the Alto K10 is priced from Rs. 4.23 lakhs to Rs. 6.21 lakhs (ex-showroom).
Standard Safety Aids
The Maruti Alto K10’s standard safety kit includes rear parking sensors, 3-point seatbelts for all rear passengers, luggage retention crossbars, Electronic Stability Program, Anti-Lock Braking System and Electronic Brake Force Distribution.
Powertrain: Same As Before
Maruti hasn’t changed the engine in the Alto K10. The hatchback is powered by the same 1.0-litre engine that produces 67 HP and sends power to the front wheels via an AMT and manual Transmission. However, the engine is now compatible with E20 fuel even with the factory-CNG version.
Maruti Alto Sales Figures
Maruti has been successful with the sales figures of the Alto. To date, the budget-oriented hatchback has sold over 46 lakh units since its launch in 2000, a monumental achievement. An important statistic is also that 74% of Alto K10s are purchased by first-time car buyers.
Outlook
Maruti Suzuki adding standard safety equipment such as 6 Airbags and electronic aids signals a focus towards safety for its occupants. However, the buyers should keep in mind that these are aids and are meant to reduce the impact of an accident as opposed to eliminate it. It also shows the intention of the brand to improve its reputation and shy away from the “Tin Can” criticisms.
