Maruti Suzuki K-Series Engines

K-10 Hatchbacks : Same But Different!

One engine, one segment, four cars! There is no doubting the brilliance of the K10B engine, but how does Maruti Suzuki manage to keep all four models - Alto K10, WagonR, A-Star and Estilo - thrive despite their obvious similarities? ZigWheels brings all four K10 cousins together to find out

We've heard of shared engines and the likes, but in terms of sales and the sheer number of models it supports, Maruti Suzuki's K10B engine has few parallels in the Indian automotive scenario. Powering almost the entire A-segment range of the country's largest automaker, the K10B engine which made its debut with the A-Star has gone from strength to strength, finding its way into other models and creating a prolific display of variety, which now also includes the Alto K10, the new WagonR and the Estilo.

That being said, all the four aforementioned cars lie within almost the same price range. The company has been steadfast to deny any cannibalism as such - after all no matter what model the customer goes in for, it's another sale for Maruti Suzuki and a quick trip laughing to the bank. For the buyer however, the four models present a curious dilemma - same engine, similar specs, similar sized vehicles and tightly overlapping price brackets - which one is the one for them?

The team at ZigWheels was faced with a similar predicament while answering a bunch of queries from our readers, and decided to check out the four cars back to back to see how similar they really are, and where they differ. Fortunately for the buyer, and smartly for the company, each of the four cars has a strikingly unique appeal, and the bunch makes for very different cars. Here's what we found.

A-Star: Hot hatch ahoy!

Two years ago the pint-sized Maruti Suzuki A-Star made a big statement in more ways than one and for which it was also duly rewarded the 2008 ZigWheels Car of the Year award. Not only was it the first car from Maruti Suzuki stables to employ the efficient, emission-conscious and technologically advanced three-pot K10B powerplant, it also came well-equipped with safety features like ABS, EBD and dual airbags for the first time in the A2 segment. Being the second model from the second phase of Suzuki's world strategy plan, the A-Star offered something extremely fresh and different to the Indian buyers with oodles of cool quotient and jazziness without compromising functionality.

The car looks gorgeous in flesh and its design philosophy indisputably leaves imprints on the minds of the urban crowd. Unlike the conventional tallboy design, the round and curvy form of the A-Star is young and while some might find it to be a bit quirky for their taste, it's nothing less than a well-executed design helped by equally stylish and contemporary interiors. 

And by that we mean, a very neatly done dash with the tachometer dial resting right above the instrument console. The front seats are comfy and there is enough legroom on the front, even for lanky folks. But the rear seats are cramped and there is severe lack of space in the car including a very tiny boot. This puts focus on the largest and most fundamental difference that the new hot hatch has in contrast with its cousins - the A-Star is not exactly a car for the whole family but a very enjoyable and convenient mode of transport for urban couples or college-goers to get in and go shopping or clubbing!

Although the A-Star is more of a rock star than a teeny party-hopper! And I say so because even though the K10B powerplant pumps out a modest 67PS of power and 90Nm of turning force, the power delivery of the engine and the slick transmission unit coupled packaged inside the stiff chassis make the A-Star a complete hoot to drive. Surely then, the ride quality does take a hit with the stiff setup of the car, but it is not like the passengers are bouncing over every small dip and pothole. The steering wheel too feels a bit light but as one starts to go fast especially around bends, the A-Star's sporty character truly shines through and is bound to bring a big wide grin onto the driver's face.

And then there are modern-day safety features like ABS with EBD and dual airbags too in the A-Star to compliment its dynamic nature and poise.

With such first-class credentials of being a sportier, safer and looker of a car, the A-Star does attract a sizable amount of premium over the other K10B offerings. And the fact that Maruti Suzuki is producing the A-Star here in India and selling it across the global markets as the new Alto and also as the Nissan Pixo in few other markets points to the fact that world-class quality standards are being maintained in the Indian model as well. The cheeky aesthetics of the A-Star complimented by equally buoyant interiors and fantastic handling dynamics at its competitive price-point make it one of the best small cars in its class for the young and stylish urban dwellers.

THANKS . . .