Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai Motor, the two unconquerable giants of the Indian auto industry have got down to some real competition as Maruti Alto K10 takes on the firmly existing Hyundai i10. The face-off intensifies, all the more, in the wake of the festive fervour that is ought to generate limitless opportunities to compensate any kind of losses in the past.
Irrespective of being new to the market, Alto K10 does not give any reason, whatsoever, to get underestimated by its rivals. Among its few rivals, Hyundai i10 Magna 1.2 Kappa2 does have the potential to stand out from the rest.
Focussing on the features of both the rivals, i10 Magna Kappa2 overpowers Alto K10 by carrying features like folding rear-seat, steering adjustment and tachometer that are absent in the latter.
i10 attains a top speed of 165 kmph while Alto K10 goes upto a maximum speed of 142 kmph. Hyundai offers a 1.2 Kappa2, 4-cylinder petrol to the Magna variant whereas Maruti has assembled an all aluminium light weight K10B engine in its Alto K10 Lxi.
Displacement has been dealt with quite differently, by i10 and Alto K10, as 1197 cc and 998 cc respectively, is what they deliver. i10 generates a maximum power of 79 hp at 6000 rpm and a torque of 111 Nm at 4000rpm, whereas, Alto K10 churns a peak power of 67 hp at 6200 rpm and a torque of 90Nm at 3500rpm.
i10 1.2 Magna Kappa2 carries a 4-cylinder engine while ,on the other hand, Alto K10 Lxi offers a 3-cylinder engine. For handling and control, i10 is supported by a McPherson Strut with stabilizer bar front Suspension and Alto K10 carries a McPherson Strut with torsion type roll control device.
As far as the rear suspension is concerned, i10 has Coupled Torsion Beam Axle (CTBA) with coil spring and Alto K10 possesses a coil spring gas filled shock, absorbers with three link rigid and axle and isolated trailing arms.
For parking assistance, i10 and Alto K10 have an effective minimum turning radius of 4.7 and 4.6 respectively. To offer maximum safety, both the cars have been provided with drums at rear brakes and immobiliser. For further convenience the vehicles have tubeless tyres and both contenders have a wheel size of 13 inch.
i10 displays an overall length, width and height of 3565 mm, 1595 mm and 1550 mm whereas Alto K10 carries an overall length, width and height of 3620 mm, 1475 mm and 1460 mm. Hyundai i10 Magna 1.2 Kappa2 offers a wheel base of 2380 mm, whereas Alto K10 Lxi has a wheel base of 2360 mm that concludes that i10 offers much legroom than Alto K10.
Focussing on the control aspect, both the cars have a satisfactory ground clearance, with 165 mm and 160 mm for i10 and Alto K10 respectively.
Hyundai i10 Magna 1.2 Kappa2 is available at a price tag of around 4.02 lacs and Maruti Alto K10 Lxi can be purchased at a price of around 3.04 lacs.
