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Maruti Suzuki has updated the Alto 800 – a move that was in the works for a while, given that the competition is heating up (cough Kwid cough). The looks have been updated significantly, with a completely new bumper sporting a large, trapezoidal opening at the bottom. The headlamps have also got minor changes for the update, with the turn signal indicators now a prominent amber.

Maruti claims that the rear seat comfort has been improved – something that no doubt all Alto consumers will be happy about, as they also will be about the left wing mirror being standard across variants. They will also be very happy by the increase in fuel efficiency to a claimed 24.7 kpl, a 9 per cent increase. Maruti has achieved this with special coatings for the pistons and their rings to reduce friction.  The features list has also lengthened with the addition of remote locking, rear bottle holder and a map pocket for the passenger riding shotgun.

The Alto has always been the car to beat in terms of numbers, and the updates, while small and few, will help it become that much more attractive a proposition in the face of the better competition.