Maruti Suzuki A-Star Automatic : First Drive

Taking its versatility further, MSIL has plonked in a four speed automatic gearbox in the A-Star. The fact that it was launched on Independence Day might be a coincidence, but an automatic does liberate you from the worries of having to use the clutch a thousand times a day thanks to our congested city roads-Independence indeed! Having said that, the automatic avatar of the A-Star transforms the car from an out and out peppy hatchback to more of a city slicker that is convenient and offers ease of use.

Marking this change is the tell-tale sign of the tachometer missing from the dashboard.  The automatic does take away from the peppy driving slightly and the car now offers a sober driving experience. Fire the A-Star up and shifting into drive, one will definitely notice the change. I wouldn't say it's sluggish, and I wouldn't call it peppy either, it actually feels a bit heavy, however once the car shifts up a bit of normalcy returns.  It's not something to complain about and the car performs effortlessly on the whole. Gearshifts are reasonably smooth while shifting up, however kick downs are slightly more pronounced. The automatic transmission is a decent box that does its duty well. It allows for an above average driving experience and the A-Star is reasonably quick off the mark, overtaking  does not require much effort and reaching three digit speeds isn't a monumental task either. 

The true revelation about this new A-Star variant emerges while taking it for a drive around the city. The need to constantly shift gears or heavy clutch usage has been thrown out the window and what you get is a relaxed hassle free driving experience. It is in this department that the car really shines, for the combination of a small car with a peppy engine mated to an automatic gearbox does add up to the perfect recipe for the ultimate urban hatchback.

Incidentally, MSIL has worked hard at making the A-Star automatic a great package. Apart from the automatic box, the car boasts of alloy wheels, ABS, power steering, power windows both front and back and an integrated stereo system with CD/mp3 and an auxiliary input. The driver's seat is height adjustable as well, albeit with a manual lever, but that does help when someone as tall as me has to drive this little hatch. Unfortunately the ORVMs remain manually adjustable and the tachometer is definitely missed, but then again costs have to be kept in check!

Overall the A-Star automatic works as a well rounded city car. Its cute bugsy looks have not aged, it still remains a joy to drive despite the drop in 'peppiness' and comes with decent creature comforts. Mileage, according to ARAI data is in the region of 17 kmpl, which is decent, but a definite drop from the 19.8 kmpl that the manual version offers. Space does remain a premium, after all it is a small hatchback, but the overruling fact remains that the car is well equipped to take on the urban jungle and that too with the ease of an automatic transmission. Priced at Rs. 4.35 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi, it isn't the cheapest hatchback to purchase, but it does out price its direct competition by a large margin and when you add up the difference, the little A-Star automatic works out to be a formidable package.

TAKING ON THE COMPETITION:

The A-Star automatic is pitted head to head with the Hyundai i10 Magna 1.2 Kappa automatic. Both cars are hatchbacks targeted at a young generation customer and both of them feature 4 speed automatic gearboxes, however that is where the similarity ends. In order to pipe the competition, Maruti has pulled on all stops in order to make the A-Star a value for money proposition.

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From valuable add ons such as ABS, integrated music system, alloy wheels and driver seat height adjust, to little but helpful touches such as the door ajar warning, boot lid opener, and cigarette lighter, the A-Star features them all.  The i10 on the other hand doesn't come as feature packed as the A-Star, which is a bit of a let down.

Having said that, the i10 does come fitted with a more powerful 1.2 litre Kappa engine and it also offers more interior space than the A-Star. Basic utilities such as power windows, power steering and front seat arm rests. Mileage isn’t that bad either for the i10 automatic manages to offer an ARAI certified 16.67 kilometers to the litre, which is just short of the 17 kmpl that the A-Star automatic offers, and that is despite the larger capacity engine.

Both cars have their pros and cons; however it's in the price war that the A-Star manages to triumph over the i10 Magna 1.2 Kappa AT. Priced almost Rs. 22,000/- less than the i10, the A-Star works out to be a formidable package, with the only real negative being rear seat space.