Earlier this month the Carsales Network reported that Suzuki was expecting its new sub-light car, the Alto, to attain a four-star ANCAP safety rating -- despite the supermini scoring just three-stars in European NCAP testing.
But the news is in: The Australian-specification Suzuki Alto has indeed lived up to the importer's expectations, judged to be a four-star car in terms of overall safety.
The disparity between the European and Australian crash test results come down to the specification levels of the cars, which are higher in Australia. "The Alto tested in ENCAP was a different specification to the model which goes on sale in Australia in August," says Andrew Ellis, Suzuki Australia's Communications Manager.
"The Australian specification Alto will come standard with six airbags, including side curtain airbags. In addition, the upper specification Australian Alto will come standard with ESP," added Ellis.
When the Suzuki Alto arrives in Australian dealerships, standard features will include six airbags and in particular head-protecting side airbags. The European models come with only four airbags.
Electronic stability control or ESC is standard on top shelf Alto models in Australia as well.
Anything less than a four-star ANCAP safety rating, regardless of the size of the vehicle, is seen as a concern in modern motoring and Suzuki is understandably cheery about the recent safety ratings bestowed on its new sub-light car.
"Suzuki is proud to be the first local car company to offer a vehicle with not only the fuel economy of a hybrid at one third of the price but with such high levels of safety as well," said Suzuki Australia's General Manager, Tony Devers.
Though pricing hasn't been finalised, Suzuki has confirmed a sub-$13,000 price tag, which would make the vehicle one of the most cost effective in Australia.
The Alto goes on sale in Australia on August 1 and will be powered by a compact 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine that outputs 50kW of power and 90Nm of torque. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the vehicle is fuel consumption, which is expected to be around 4.5 litres of fuel per 100km while CO2 emissions of just 103g/km will ensure it's one of the greenest cars in the country.
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