Suzuki previews next Alto
Cheeky A:Wind city-hatch concept points to Suzuki's next range-openerSuzuki
has revealed a fresh new five-door city-hatch concept that previews a replacement for the Japanese small-car brand’s smallest model, the Alto.
Unveiled at yesterday’s opening of the 30th Thailand International Motor Expo in Bangkok, the Suzuki A:Wind concept will morph into a production model next year.
Suzuki has also confirmed the production version of the A:Wind will be produced in Thailand (hence its reveal in Bangkok) for export globally, potentially spelling even better value than the Indian-built Alto since Thailand is closer and has a free-trade agreement with Australia.
The Alto pioneered the growing sub-light A-segment in Australia in August 2009 and continues to be one of the country’s cheapest new cars with a starting price of just $11,790 plus on-road costs.
Painted in ‘Energy Yellow’ and ‘Panoramic Blue’, the A:Wind continues the Alto’s pint-size formula but is 100mm longer at 3600mm long.
Curiously, however, its wheelbase is 75mm shorter at 2425mm, while width is unchanged at 1600mm and height increases by 70mm to 1540mm.
Also following the Alto formula, the front-wheel drive show car is powered by a 996cc petrol engine, matched with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), and rides on 185/55 R16 tyres.
No other technical details have been revealed, but Suzuki will release more information – possibly including its plans for Australia – on Monday, when it stages the local launch of the S-Cross small SUV.
The five-seat A:Wind features a unique grille with two chrome bars stretching inside the headlights and a functional yet classy two-tone interior that Suzuki says offers more space between the front and rear seats and class-leading boot capacity.
“The A:Wind is so named because it seeks to bring a fresh wind to the A-segment as a global compact car,” said Suzuki.
The A:Wind’s reveal follows the world premiere of no fewer than four Suzuki concepts at last week’s Tokyo motor show, including the Crosshiker and X-LANDER crossover and two Hustler mini-cars.
Suzuki also revealed an SUV concept that’s even smaller than the Grand Vitara and upcoming S-Cross, the iV-4 at the Frankfurt motor show in September.
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