Maruti 800 is a city car manufactured by Maruti Udyog in India. It is a rebadged version of the first generation Suzuki Alto.
It used to be the largest selling car in India until the Maruti Alto recently took that title. It is also exported to a number of countries in southeastern Asia including Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, and to some South American markets (as Chile, sold as Suzuki Maruti), and was available in selected European markets between 1988 and 1992, sold as the Suzuki Maruti. The car comes in different versions including one with air conditioning and one without. It was launched in December 1984 with almost 100% imported content.
The car went through a series of facelifts and one notable mechanical change, the introduction of a 5-speed manual transmission (currently unavailable). The car has reported slipping sales in recent times, mainly due to the introduction of the more attractive Alto at a comparable price. The car produces approximately 37 bhp (28 kW) of power and runs on 12 inch (305 mm) wheels. Curb weight is 650 kg (1433 lb) and 4 passengers (including the driver) fit in comfortably. Top speed is in the region of 120 km/h (75 mph) and the frugal car is known to deliver fuel economy better than 20 km/l (47 mpg) on clear and plain roads.
Though I bought a second hand 1989 model Maruti 800 about four years back, I am proud to be the most privileged owner. I am very happy with the car. Its trouble free vehicle if one maintains it regularly. I don't think of any other vehicle and if at all if I wish to buy a new car after few years, I prefer to go for a MARUTI.
Particularly, my wife and daughter love it.
Sudhanshu Dang - Bangalore
1992 carburetor engine and the odometer reading 95,000 km. No one would give a second thougth to the vehicle again, that is if it was not a Maruti. Me; I still plan to carry on with it for as long as it lasts [which I'm hoping will be for another 1 Lac Km atleast ;) ]
I'm one guy who loves to go places and I prefer driving down, even if the destination is thousands of kms away. Good roads, smooth as silk and bad, rutty roads (as typical of interiors of India), mountainous roads, desert roads you name it ... my car's been through it. Deep in the forests and lonely isolated places I've never once been let down by my car. Nor have I ever been apprehensive going to these places alone.
All it takes is a nice little servicing from the ever friendly maruti Service Station and then you can be well assured, you'll never be in trouble.
All said and done, in all my above mentioned trips (none of which were actually less than 1500 kms at a time), there is only one instance where the car broke down. I was at a very interior place in Karnataka. The remoteness of the place can be judged by the fact that it was lunch time and we were not finding a single place to eat. The shocker's leaf springs (both broke one after the other). The absorbers were still intact so I kept driving. Didn't have to drive for long .. just 5 km from the breakdown place, even in this god forsaken place .. there it was THE MARUTI SERVICE STATION. Half an hour flat, everything was set right (they even shared their lunch with us) and we were all set to explore the mesmerizing interiors of India again.
Reminds me of the Maruti ad where the guys couldn't find food, but were able to get a Maruti Service Station in the far flung areas of Leh/Ladakh.
