New Suzuki Alto Revealed In Japan And It Looks Boxier Than Before

It still looks quirky but more upmarket than the outgoing version

• Suzuki unveils new Japan-spec Alto ahead of its launch.

• It has a boxier shape with upmarket styling details for the bumpers, headlights and taillights.

• The cabin changes are subtle but significant with new 3D shapes, instrument cluster and steering wheel.

• It’ll have a mid-hybrid petrol engine with engine-idle start-stop.

• New India-spec Alto is unlikely to bear much resemblance with this new Japan-spec Alto.

The new Suzuki Alto has been unveiled ahead of its launch in the Japanese market. It gets a whole new shape with more stylish details and an updated interior as well. However, the updated India-spec Alto due in 2022 is unlikely to have much in common with the new Japan-spec model, as per usual.

Also read: Top 8 New Maruti Suzuki Launches Scheduled For 2022

It seems Japanese car buyers like their quirky designs and Suzuki has stuck with that for the new Alto as well. The overall shape of the car is a lot more boxy and sqaure-ish than the outgoing model, thanks to the upright A-pillar and flat rear-end. The window frames have been redesigned to match the boxy shape as well, but also seem to offer more visibility as a result. It also looks more upmarket thanks to the new wheels and the dual-tone paint job with the white roof.

At the front, we still have the off-centre number plate but the bumper looks more stylish with the various shapes and indents sculpted into it. The left-aligned grille slats are replaced by a conventional horizontal strip above the air dam. It also gets new headlights that have a similar shape but are better rounded. The insert inside the headlight that separates the main halogens from the turn indicators is on the same axis as the bonnet line and the chrome strip in the middle.

The rear end of the new Alto is the only thing that looks like it could be carried over to the India-spec model. The tail lamps of the outgoing model are placed low on the rear bumper but the new one gets more conventional-looking vertical units that are placed at the same height as the door handles and above the chunky new bumper.

Related: New-gen Maruti Alto Spied Again, Launch Expected In First Half Of 2022

Suzuki has given the interior of the new Japanese Alto subtle changes to enhance its overall look. Most notable is the new instrument cluster layout which still has a large analogue speedometer and a sleek digital display on the bottom right. The different sections of the dashboard seem to rise up towards the occupants giving it an energetic appeal. It has the same touchscreen infotainment system flanked by the vertical AC vents and the same central console for the climate controls and drive selector. However, there have been subtle changes to the dashboard shape that moves some controls into more symmetrical positions such as the buttons for the hazard lights and rear view monitor. The passenger side of the dashboard now features multiple storage areas and some controls too. It does get a new steering wheel with audio controls that makes it look up-to-date. It is positioned as a four-seater in that market and as such doesn’t have any accomodation for a middle passenger in the rear.

The Japanese market will be getting the option of a mild-hybrid petrol powertrain for the new Alto. Its idle-engine start stop feature will improve its fuel economy as a small city hatchback. More technical specifications of the new Alto will surface once it is launched, so stay tuned for those.

In regards to the new Maruti Suzuki Alto, it is due to be launched here in 2022 and has been spied testing multiple times. However, it is unlikely to bear any visual similarities with the Japanese version. Maruti is likely to offer the new Alto with an updated and more fuel efficient version of the current 0.8-litre petrol engine. It may also reintroduce the choice of a larger engine such as the new Celerio’s 1-litre petrol unit.