Official! Maruti Suzuki A-Star to debut i

[gvvictor 0]

Maruti launches new a-star

http://www.vicky.in/straightfrmtheheart/maruti-launches-a-star/

[speed 0]

Finally 1st important launch of the season! Good that Maruti did not get bogged down by the slowdown demon!

Prices are on the higher side, 15-20K over Alto would have been ok.

[sgiitk 0]

Price Rs.3.47 to 4.12 lacs.

Economy 19.59 kpl (how are they accurate to the 4th significant digit sure beats me!

This is from the Economic Times (web) today.

Added: I would say that even 19.6 is suspect, highly dependent on the engine you happen to lay your hands on!

sgiitk2008-11-19 10:13:09

[vibhor 0]

MARUTI SUZUKI A-STAR FINALLY LAUNCHED!!!!!!!

 

Hi guys!!

Car market leader Maruti Suzuki India Limited unveiled the much-awaited, World Strategic Model, A-star here today. Powered by the new, state-of-the-art, light weight, 998cc K10B petrol engine, A-star is the best in class fuel-efficient car with a mileage of 19.59 kilometers per litre, as tested by ARAI, Pune, country's premier automotive research agency. Built on a brand new platform, the A-star is an excellent city car with best in class turning radius, power, flat torque (minimum gearshifts) and performance. A-star is truly a green car with no compromise. The newest model meets the European ELV norms, which implies that 85 per cent of the car is recyclable. In addition, it is free from hazardous materials like Lead, Cadmium, Mercury and Chromium. The A-star was launched in the city by Mr. RC Bhargava, Chairman, Maruti Suzuki India Limited and other senior company officials. The A-star has been designed keeping in mind aspirations of the urban economy-conscious customers, who seek best-in-class fuel efficiency, lower emission, and high quality and high performance alongwith style. It also takes the engine technology in India to the next level. A-star is the most relevant car that addresses the needs of today's customers be it India or any other part of the world. A-star is Maruti Suzuki's eighth vehicle launched in less than 40 months. It reinforces Maruti Suzuki's dominance in the highly competitive A2 segment where Maruti Suzuki holds a whopping 55% market share. Positioned in the premium A2 segment and targeted towards urban young professionals, the stylish, sporty and youthful A-star delivers a fantastic driving experience with futuristic looks. This new car, built under the slogan - small cars for big future - stems from Suzuki's commitment to make India the global hub for small cars. This car is Suzuki's fifth World Strategic Model. The A-star, produced at company's Manesar plant is being launched with a high 95 per cent indigenization levels.

A Brand New Engine and Transmission

The A-star is the first car from Maruti Suzuki to be fitted with the new KB Series engine. The K10B engine on the A-star is carefully designed to meet the current and forthcoming environment norms in India as well as in the advanced markets of the Western world. In India, the engine conforms to the present BS-III emission norms The KB series engine plant, built at an investment of Rs 1,200 Crore, is an outcome of over three years of design and development in collaboration with Suzuki Motor Corporation. The new-generation three-cylinder, light-weight aluminum K10B engine is a major initiative undertaken by the company towards offering latest technology to its customers. Maruti Suzuki engineers have put together a host of innovative technologies to enhance performance, minimise friction and provide high acceleration. The engine offers power of 67ps @ 6200 rpm and torque of 90nm @ 3500 rpm. The flat torque curve comes in handy while negotiating the stop-go city traffic conditions with ease. The engine has undergone over 250,000 km of endurance testing and over 500 hours of engine calibration and 7,500 hours of engine validation on dynamometer.

Driving Comfort

With a turning radius of 4.5 meters and a ground clearance of 170 mm, the A-star is suitable for all Indian conditions, including congested areas and potholed roads. The A-star boasts of a unique all-round gas damped suspension, making rides much more comfortable, and also reducing wear and tear resulting in a low maintenance cost. The A-star has a front suspension frame for excellent handling. Front and rear suspensions have been fine-tuned for enhanced riding comfort with perfect handling on Indian road conditions. Ultra high-grade steel used in coil springs provides high rigidity and agility for passenger comfort.

Safety

Some important safety features on the A-star include:

Crushable structure energy dispersing frame and a high rigidity body combined with lightness Airbags and ABS

The A-star's body reflects the Total Effective Control Technology (TECT) concept in the form of crushable structures that absorb impact energy and then disperse impact energy away from occupants in the event of a collision.

Aesthetics: A class apart

Interiors: The interior of A-star boasts of a refreshing mix of modernity and ethnicity. The smart tacho pod, digital trip meter, odometer, fuel gauge, clock, an integrated music system with AUX-in facility, a short-throw 6-gear shift and a sporty steering, together offer an unmatched experience. A floating cockpit design, sculpted aero-dashboard and wrap-around console add to the overall engaging sporty theme. The crimson illumination that is gentle to the eyes and has stress relieving properties, has been integrated soberly in the interiors. Exteriors: The design reflects the contemporary European tastes with apportioned cabin layouts. Besides aerodynamic looks, the car's exterior has numerous interesting features such as sweeping expressive lamps, comet shaped tail lamps, and a wide sporty grille that also offers good engine ventilation. One of the most striking features that capture attention is the highly contoured rear bumper which brings in the cool quotient to the premium A2 segment car. A-star car is available in three variants: LXi, VXi and the top-end fully loaded ZXi. An array of nine vibrant colours, together with three new ones, include

Desert Brown * Supreme White Bright Red Paradise Blue * Sunlight Cooper Midnight Black Healing Green * Silky Silver Azure Grey

* New colours

Exports

The A-star will be made in over 200 variants and exported to around 150 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, Asia, Australia and Africa. The A-star will contribute half of Maruti Suzuki's overall export target of 200,000 units by 2010-11. As announced earlier, the company plans to commence exports of A-star in early 2009, to Europe.

Price

Introductory Prices of A-star in DELHI are:

Model A-star Lxi City Delhi Ex-Showroom (Rs) 346775 A-star Vxi Delhi 374775 A-star Zxi Delhi 411775

(Maruti suzuki)vibhor2008-11-19 10:01:53

[vibhor 0]

Guys Maruti A-star is available in 3 variants that is LXi , Vxi and the feature loaded that is ZXi!!

[thackervijay 2]

yup VIBS saw it on news today with zxi is available with abs and airbag which is cool for hatchback cars. good move by maruti to think abt safety features too.

[mehul_bhp 0]

the a-star looks like a very promising car and the pricing is good as well. the rear space is ok as well due to a wheelbase of 2360 mm which is just short of i10's wheelbase of 2380 mm. but the feather in its cap is the amazing fuel effieiciency of 19 kmpl...lets see if it really does that kind of figures !!!

[nikvint 1]

Three things are observed in A-star. 1. Compared to I-10 the weight of the car is lower. 2. The lxi model of A-star is cheaper by 40k against comparable model of I-10 Era. 3. Boot space is very low. If F.E. claims proves correct and rear seat comfort is good, it will be a block buster car. 

[mehul_bhp 0]

a-star looks like a good performer as well cause maruti quoted 0-100 kmph in 14 secs which is mind-blowing for a 1 lire engine and significantly faster than i10 1.1 !!!!

[speed 0]

19Kmpl, if true will be the key ingredient in ensuring success of A-star.

This sort of average is serious competition for Diesels.

ACI should give a TD review on forum!

[chiragoberoi 0]

was expecting a better looking

by the way,where was the launch?

[speed 0]

Are bookings on & when are deliveries begining?

I think 19kmpl image is to invite initial response or a push which would put it on a running board.

[archit 2]

Are?bookings on & when are deliveries begining?

I think 19kmpl image is to invite initial response or a push which would put it on a running board.

19 kmpl is also just to attract buyers i think

anyways god bless maruti suzuki with this promising car!

[Coolwaters 0]

i10 also gives 19+ kmpl also has more weight than astar

[speed 0]

i10 also gives 19+ kmpl also has more weight than astar

 

Nope that's not true, i10 gives ~16kmpl at the most under normal driving conditions.

[porscher 0]

isnt the a star a bit too pricey for a 3 cylinder engine ? will it be as smooth as a four cylinder ( even number of cylinders are more well balanced engines .). or will it be rough at redline ? harshness levels ? and will the power be enough to pull car and AC ? come on people . i think maruti priced it quite high for a 3 cylinder engine . it cant be as smooth as a four cylinder one . new gen engine or no .

 

[porscher 0]

isnt the a star a bit too pricey for a 3 cylinder engine ? will it be as smooth as a four cylinder ( even number of cylinders are more well balanced engines .). or will it be rough at redline ? harshness levels ? and will the power be enough to pull car and AC ? come on people . i think maruti priced it quite high for a 3 cylinder engine . it cant be as smooth as a four cylinder one . new gen engine or no .

[pulkitbhandari 0]

Hey good to see... MSIL taking out such a Jazzy car... but the specifics talk nothing of AT version to give i10 AT run for its money... Hope so it will take out in near future... it makes sense to take out AT version in India because i am sure they will do it for European & other outside India markets... anyways good show by MSIL.. lets wait and watch how this car figures out among indian people....

 

Now after A-Star has been launched with such pomp and show.. its time to move forward on other topics like Splash and Jazz (Honda) with same enthu as we did it for the sporty A-star... wat say ppl?

[thackervijay 2]

lookin forward frm ACI team to give a TD report for this new entrant frm MS soon to us.

[mehul_bhp 0]

according to the review by zigwheels a-star is a drivers car and its engine is really powerful with low nvh levels...looks like end of i10's dominance is near !!!

[sgiitk 0]

r... but the specifics talk nothing of AT version to give i10 AT run for its money... Hope so it will take out in near future... it makes sense to take out AT version in India because i am sure they will do it for European & other outside India markets

I have heard some whumpf about a small 4-speed auto transmission from Suzuki. The current 3-speed is/was pathetic as compared to the Hyundai. I hope they have a clutch lock-up in interest of economy!

[pulkitbhandari 0]

the 4 speed Auto Transmission will be launched in A-Star or Splash... any clarity on this ? 

[vibhor 0]

 

...here are the wallpapers of A-Star!!..

..for more here is the link........

http://indianautosblog.com/2008/11/iab-special-maruti-suzuki-a-star-wallpapers/

[archit 2]

i saw the real car in the news yesterday

first i thought looks are bad but now i have different opinion!!

[hsb_sx4 0]

yes, the car looks much better in reality ascompared to the pics. And it's ZXI variant is the best bet considering its safety features and equipments list.