06 Mar 08
Suzuki is showing its A-Star city car concept at Geneva.
The A-Star, to be built in India in partnership with local manufacturer Maruti, made its debut recently at the New Delhi Auto Expo. It's a small five-door hatchback with a new 1.0-litre petrol engine which meets the Euro 5 emissions standards and gives carbon dioxide emissions of less than 109g/km. A diesel engine is also under consideration.
Suzuki promises that the A-Star 'will prove that sporty and exciting performance can be enjoyed together with outstanding fuel economy', and from the pictures released so far, it certainly looks the part.
The A-Star, which may not continue with the Alto name, is intended for sale in Europe as well as India and production will start in December 2008. Suzuki will invest ¥200bn into its Indian factories by 2009, increase the Maruti Suzuki facility to 960,000 cars a year by 2010 and expand research and development activity in the country.
Check out the rest of our Geneva Motor Show coverage.
