Maruti Suzuki India Limited has finally rolled out the much-awaited A-star in the country's capital. Powered by a new, light weight 998cc K10B petrol engine, A-star can offer a mileage of up to 19.59 km per litre.

The A-star car is available in three variants: LXi, VXi and the top-end ZXi. The prices in Delhi are: Model A-star Lxi City Ex-Showroom Rs 3,46,775; A-star Vxi Rs 3,74,775 and A-star Zxi Rs 4,11,775.

The A star will be available in an array of nine vibrant colours, together with three new ones. They include Desert Brown, Supreme White, Bright Red, Paradise Blue,  Sunlight Cooper Midnight Black, Healing Green, Silky Silver Azure Grey.

The A-star meets European ELV norms, which implies that 85 per cent of the car is recyclable. It is free from hazardous materials like Lead, Cadmium, Mercury and Chromium.

The car is Maruti Suzuki's eighth vehicle launched in less than 40 months. With the launch, Maruti aims to dominate the highly competitive A2 segment, where it currently has 55% market share.

The car will be produced at company's Manesar plant and will be 95 per cent indigenised.
The A-star's new KB Series engine, the first in a Maruti, is carefully designed to meet the current and forthcoming environment norms in India as well as in the advanced markets of Western countries. In India, the engine conforms to the BS-III emission norms.

The engine offers power of 67ps @ 6200 rpm and torque of 90nm @ 3500 rpm. The flat torque curve is useful while negotiating the stop-go city traffic conditions.

The engine has undergone over 250,000 km of endurance testing and over 500 hours of engine calibration and 7,500 hours of engine validation on dynamometer.

The A-star has a unique all-round gas damped suspension, making rides much more comfortable, and also reducing wear and tear resulting in a low maintenance cost.

The A-star has a front suspension frame for excellent handling. Front and rear suspensions have been fine-tuned for enhanced riding comfort with perfect handling on Indiann road conditions. Ultra high-grade steel used in coil springs provides high rigidity and agility for passenger comfort.

With regard to safety, the A star has crushable structure energy dispersing frame and a high rigidity body combined with lightness. It also has airbags.