Maruti is readying a mid-cycle upgrade for the Alto 800 which is expected to be launched soon. This will be the first cosmetic refresh for the Alto 800 since its launch in 2012. Spy shots of the updated Alto 800 have surfaced on the internet and show the car at a stockyard, indicating a launch in the coming days.
Also read: Maruti Alto 800 facelift exclusive review
The updated Alto 800 gets changes to its front styling. The headlight shape remains the same but the turn indicators are now in amber shade instead of the clear-lens units of the earlier car. The grille is now much smaller and looks more like a small horizontal slit just below the bonnet shut line with a prominent Suzuki logo sitting below it. The Alto 800 also gets a new front bumper with a much wider hexagonal air dam and round fog lamp inserts. The current Alto 800 has no provision for front fog lamps.
There aren’t many changes inside the cabin except new fabric design for the upholstery.
The Alto is the current leader in the segment by a long margin but with the entry of new competition in the space, namely the recently launched Renault Kwid and the upcoming Datsun Redigo – both well-styled products that target younger buyers – Maruti is under pressure to step up its game. Thus, the update for the Alto 800 is important for the Japanese carmaker to maintain its stronghold on the segment.