Cute little Alto shows its green credentials; Suzuki.

Byline: Steve Hughes

WHEN the new Suzuki Alto goes on sale in the UK from the beginning of March it will stake its claim as being the lowest emitting five-door petrol family car on the market. The Alto is the fifth global strategic model in the Suzuki line-up and is powered by a three-cylinder 67bhp 1.0-litre engine producing emissions of just 103g/km.

The first European-specification model to be exported in three years from the Maruti Suzuki plant in Delhi, India, which is celebrating its 25-year anniversary, the Alto will join three other models in the Suzuki range boasting emissions of less than 120g/km, including the newly-introduced 1.0-litre Splash GLS variant.

With consumers paying more attention to spending as the economic climate becomes more difficult, motorists are increasingly turning to smaller cars which offer higher fuel economy in addition to lower CO2 and running costs. With an on the road price starting at pounds 6,795 coupled with an impressive combined fuel consumption of 64.2mpg and pounds 35 annual road tax (VED Band B), the stylish Alto will be a very attractive prospect for buyers.

David Seward, director of sales and marketing, Suzuki GB, explains: "There has always been a continued drive by Suzuki to offer fun and exciting products combined with value for money, and the forthcoming Alto is no different. Furthermore, being able to offer such an environmentallyfriendly petrol engine is a rare proposition as we are one of very few manufacturers to break the 104g/CO2 barrier, as EU emissions targets become even stricter."

Suzuki says it aims to attract 60,000 buyers a year in Europe for the cute newcomer.

The smallest car in its line-up, the cabin layout gives most of the limited space to the front seats but still provides enough room for two adults in the rear, albeit at a pinch.

There is also a small amount of luggage space behind the rear seats, which can be folded flat to increase the cargo area further.

The car's length is 3,500mm, the width is 1,600mm and the height is 1,470mm with a wheelbase of 2,360mm.

There is the option of five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmissions, with acceleration to 60mph in 14 seconds and a top speed of 95mph.

Safety features include front, side and curtain air bags plus electronic stability programme.

CAPTION(S):

GREEN CHIC The new Suzuki Alto, which goes on sale next month, is staking a claim to being the lowest emitting five-door petrol family car on the market.