TOKYO — The Suzuki Alto is known in many parts of the world by various names. Soon to enter its seventh generation in Japan, the Alto is approaching its 30th birthday in the home market. To celebrate the occasion, Suzuki is displaying the next-generation Alto in near-production-ready "concept" trim at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show.
The latest iteration of the popular minicar maintains a certain simplicity inside and out, while retaining its traditional compact dimensions. Overall length is 133.7 inches, while the wheelbase has been stretched a modest 1.6 inches to 94.5 inches.
Underscoring its reputation for frugality, the new Alto sports a tiny 658cc DOHC three-cylinder engine driving the front wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission. Suzuki also plans to offer a four-wheel-drive variant.
Inside Line says: At this rate, the Alto will soon join such stalwarts as the Citroën 2CV and the VW Beetle in the global small-car pantheon. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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