*Review on my journey to Ratnagiri in my Alto LXI 2007 Model.
Total KMS -- 600
Fuel Consumed --- 32 Litres
Mileage -- 18 Approx
AC Usage --- 70 %
Now here is the actual review:
*Dear readers, Alto is a proper mileage car. No matter how ur driving style is, it returns at least 15 km/ltr on 50/50 city - highways conditions with aircon on 80 %.
*Journey:
*Started around 830 am with 4 persons and luggage(30 kgs). As it was morning time... aircon was not needed. Switched on the ac around 11 am after about 60 kms. Took a break after 2 hrs driving as no one can sit in an alto for more than 1.5 hrs continuous. My whole body started paining especially the back. Its not an issue as everybody stops for some snacks in long journeys.
Did not mention earlier there were two cars my ALTO and my brothers SCORPIO. After the snacks break one person came in the alto as scorpio was full. Now the alto was 5 persons with 30 kgs luggage. Started the journey again with hot sun over head and aircon on full blast.
Well now the pulling power of alto was severely suffering with 5 persons and ac full on. Overtaking was outta question. My bros scorpio was ahead of us almost 10 kms within 20-30 mins. Still ALTO has small but powerful engine if revved hard. If at all thers a must need to overtake a lazy truck ahead then just put the 3rd gear and rev hard. i was shocked that the engine was quite responsive and within secs v were ahead of that truck.
*The Ghats:
Heres is the reviews best part. ALTO ROCKS IN GHATS AND THAT TOO WITH AC ON. I was actually amazed by its performance. There was no comparison with SCORPIO AS IT WAS INVISIBLE WITHIN SECS IN GHATS. SCORPIO HAS EXCELLENT GRIP WITH GREAT HANDLING.
But my ALTO was not slow at all. Look at its tiny 800 cc engines power. I used the third gear and was easliy able to climb the mountains. Ther was lot of engine noise as if its throat has been cut but ALTO DID IT WIHTOUT NE ISSUES.
We passed Khed and again stopped as my back started paining again . Thats the problem with alto , very very cramped ...not at all meant for long journeys. Also its proper 4 seater ...v had to fit 5th person as the scorpio was full. WE had our lunch and reached guhagar around 330 pm with 300 kms clocked. The fuel was near to half ..which indicated me that the alto is sipping very less than I expected.
In short, v went to the temple the next day and started out journey back to mumbai again. And reached home safely with 2 litres approx in the tank.
Overall
The journey was gr8 with mind blowing efficiency and performance of ALTO in ghats. I agree it is underpowered, small, cramped, bad rear suspension, excessive road noise in cabin...not at all SAFE.....BUT ITS NOT MEANT FOR THESE THINGS ..ITS JOB IS TO DELIVER FUEL EFFICIENCY ..AND IT DOES THAT PERFECTLY.
THATS THE ONLY REASON I LIKE MY ALTO.....