Maruti Suzuki plans to relaunch Alto with K-series

Maruti Suzuki India is planning to launch a new version of its small car Alto, the highest selling model in India, with a bigger engine. According to industry sources, the company plans to launch the new Alto with a one-litre petrol engine from its latest generation of engine, the K -series.

The Alto is the best selling car model in India averaging about 20,000 units per month. It has sold about 13.5 lakh units since its launch in September 2000. The plan to launch Alto with a new engine is part of MSI's strategy to equip its models with the latest generation K-series engine.

Maruti Suzuki offers two variants of the K-series engines -- 998cc three-cylinder, 'K10B' fitted in A-star, Estilo, and the new WagonR and a 1.2-litre, four-cylinder 'K12M' petrol engine powering Ritz, Swift and Swift Dzire.