Maruti has good brand presence in the local market with decades of expertise in cars across difference segments in the country. The Alto 800 acted as a perfect replacement for the phased-out yesteryear's top seller '800'. Production for the Datsun Go hatchback began sometime in early February at the Renault-Nissan joint venture Oragadam plant in Chennai. The Datsun brand which has been in exile for nearly 33 years has as now sprung to life with the 'Go' hatchback launch planned by Nissan.
The 5 door Datson Go hatchback is powered by a 1.2 litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine. The fairly powered engine is mated to a 5 speed manual gearbox and delivers a fuel efficiency of around 20.6 kmpl. As per sources, the diesel version is anticipated to be launched at a later unreleased date. The hatchback is said to be based on the Nissan Micra platform, with slight change in its overall length. Overall, the vehicle is built on a light frame structure to focus on better performance and efficiency ratios. Ride quality is fairly decent with McPherson strut with double pivot lower arm suspension system for front and H-Type Torsion beam with linear damper for the rear. Moreover, the hatchback gets Speed Sensitive Electronic power steering as a standard feature.
The front seats in the Datsun Go has been designed keeping in mind the natural curve of the spine to support the pelvis and chest, thereby relieving pressure off your back. The cabin is spacious and has great noise insulation. The Go hatchback is slightly bigger than a regular hatchback and boasts of around 256 Litres of luggage space. The front seats are connected for easy sliding across the other side while navigating in tight parking spots.
Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 Vxi is powered by F8D 796 cc engine mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox, it generates a peak power of about 48 Bhp at 6000 rpm and peak torque of about 69 Nm at 3500 rpm. Features such as air conditioning, power steering and power windows come as standard in the Lxi version. Design for the car has undergone a complete overhaul in comparison to previous Alto model. The new Alto 800 is slightly taller and faster than its older counterpart.
The Alto 800 hatchback weighs around 715 kgs and with its peppier engine, it is perfect for city rides. The car is also loaded with features such as central locking, left side rear view mirror, rear spoiler, front power windows and body side moldings, driver side airbag, integrated audio system with USB port and full wheel caps. The manufacturer charges around 15,000 extra for this bulk in features.
