It was in April this year when Maruti Suzuki introduced the refreshed Alto with a BSVI-compliant powertrain. Back then and until recently, the pocket-friendly hatchback was available only with a petrol-powered engine. Now, the Alto is also available in two CNG-fed variants. The dual-fuel system is available in two trim levels – LXI and LXI (O). While the former is priced at Rs 4.11 lakh, the latter wears a price tag of Rs 4.14 lakh (both prices are ex-showroom Delhi).

Under the Alto’s bonnet is a 0.8-litre, 3-cylinder engine which when fed with petrol puts out 48PS/69Nm. However, the same engine produces 41PS/60Nm in CNG mode. The only transmission option currently available with the Alto is a 5-speed manual. As far as mileage figures are concerned, the Alto can return up to 22.05kmpl on petrol and 32.99 km/kg on CNG. Maruti Suzuki also confirms that while a total of five people can sit in a petrol-only variant, only four can be accommodated in variants with factory-fitted CNG kits.

As you’d expect, the list of features on the newly introduced variants will be the same as petrol-only LXI and LXI (O) variants. That means both variants get full wheel covers, AC with heater, power steering, front power windows, a digital clock, headlight levelling, ABS with EBD, driver’s side front airbag, rear parking sensors and speed alert system. The only difference between the LXI and LXI (O) trims is that the latter gets a passenger-side front airbag. Features like a music system, rear parcel tray, central locking, remote keyless entry and an accessory socket are offered only in the VXI trim.

Maruti Suzuki Alto VXI

The Alto is currently the only model in its segment to offer a BSVI-compliant powertrain. It competes with the 0.8-litre variants of the Renault Kwid and the Datsun Redi-Go, both of which share the same underpinnings and the powertrain.