Maruti Suzuki to Launch All New 800

Published: Saturday, July 23, 2011, 15:38 [IST]

Maruti Suzuki, India's leading carmaker is all set to re-launch the Maruti 800 in an all new avatar according to reports. The Maruti 800 was the carmaker's first model in India and it has a great heritage of over 25 years. The carmaker has phased out the 800 from the Metros due to emission norms.

If reports from AutoCarIndia are true, Maruti Suzuki has already developed a model that will replace the current 800. The new car will retain the Maruti 800 name and will be priced at about Rs.2 lakhs. This is about Rs.40,000 lower than the Alto hatchback.

The spy shots from AutoCarIndia show that the new Maruti 800 is slightly larger with better looking interiors. The car might be built on the Alto's platform.

The new Maruti 800 will surely pose a great threat to the Tata Nano. The price of the Tata Nano has increased considerably and it is no longer the Rs.One lakh car. The luxury version of the Nano is already costing about two lakhs. Hence the new Maruti 800 might even emerge to be the preferred choice of Nano buyers.

The Maruti 800 is a trusted name and will evoke a more positive response from buyers. It will retain the 796cc three cylinder engine but will comply with the current emission norms. Maruti Suzuki had previously expressed its interest to increase its sales in rural areas and might have developed this car. Another view is the new Maruti 800 is a response to Hyundai Motor's plans to launch a 800cc engined car.

Whatever may be the reason for Maruti Suzuki to launch an all new Maruti 800, It is the Indian car buyer who will be happy.