Maruti 800

2021-08-26T01:15:22Z

36.68.236.99:

{{Refimprove|date=March 2009}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox automobile
| name = Maruti Suzuki 800
| image = Maruti 800 AC.jpg
| caption = Maruti Suzuki 800, the model after the 1997 upgrade
| manufacturer = [[Maruti Suzuki]]
| aka = [[Suzuki Alto]] [[Suzuki Mehran]] (Pakistan) Suzuki Maruti (Europe)
| production = 1983–2014 More than 2.7 million units built and sold
| assembly = India: [[Haryana]], [[Gurgaon]]
| class = [[City car]]
| body_style = Four-door [[hatchback]]
| layout = [[Front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout|Front-engine, front-wheel-drive]]
| engine = 796 cc [[Suzuki F engine#F8B|''F8B'']] [[Straight-three engine|I3]]
| wheelbase = {{convert|2175|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| length = {{convert|3335|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|1440|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| transmission = 4-speed [[Manual transmission|manual]] 5-speed [[Manual transmission|manual]] 3-speed [[Automatic transmission|automatic]]
| successor = [[Maruti Suzuki Alto|Maruti Suzuki Alto 800]]
| related = [[Suzuki Fronte]]
}}

The '''Maruti Suzuki 800''' is a small [[city car]] that was manufactured by [[Maruti Suzuki]] in India from 1983 to 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.livemint.com/Companies/bUcUvv3llyvnwSi4ZUX5BK/Maruti-Suzuki-stops-production-of-Maruti-800.html|title=Maruti Suzuki stops production of iconic 800|publisher=livemint.com |date=7 February 2014 |access-date=7 February 2014}}</ref> The first generation (SS80) was based on the 1979 [[Suzuki Alto]] and had an 800 cc F8B engine, hence the moniker. Widely regarded as the most influential automobile in India, about 2.87 million 800s were produced during its course of which 2.66 million were sold in India itself.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/autos/htauto-topstories/maruti-bids-quite-farewell-to-the-maruti-800/article1-1181827.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140208094341/http://www.hindustantimes.com/autos/htauto-topstories/maruti-bids-quite-farewell-to-the-maruti-800/article1-1181827.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 February 2014 |title=End of the road for India's beloved Maruti 800 |publisher=HT|date=8 February 2012 |access-date=9 February 2012}}</ref>

With over 31 years of production, the Maruti Suzuki 800 remains the second longest production car in India, next only to [[Hindustan Ambassador]].

==History==
[[File:Maruti Suzuki 800 Roma.jpg|left|thumb|Maruti Suzuki 800 second generation at rome, italy]]
In the 1980s and early 1990s, the name "Maruti" was synonymous with the Maruti Suzuki 800. It remained the best-selling car in India until 2004, when the [[Maruti Suzuki Alto]]<ref>{{cite web| title=Maruti 800 price, Maruti 800 Reviews |publisher=CarGallery.in |url=http://www.cargallery.in/newcars/maruti-800-review-and-maruti-800-price/ |access-date=20 November 2009}}</ref> took the title. It was also exported to a number of countries in [[South Asia]] including [[Nepal]], [[Bangladesh]] and [[Sri Lanka]] and was also available in Morocco and selected European markets, often sold as the Suzuki Maruti. In an elaborate ceremony held in New Delhi on 14 December 1983, then Prime Minister [[Indira Gandhi]] handed over keys of the very first car to Mr. Harpal Singh S/O Haridas Singh, who won the ownership rights through a lucky draw. The original 800 was based on the [[Suzuki Fronte#SS30|Suzuki Fronte]] SS80, but a modernized aerodynamic version using the body of the second-generation Alto ([[Suzuki Alto#CA71|SB308]]) was presented in late 1986. The introduction of this car did revolutionize the automotive industry in India. Right from its inception, it was considered as the first affordable people's car, the first modern era front wheel drive and high speed small contemporary vehicle. The delivery was against bookings done directly with Maruti Udyog Limited (A Govt. of India undertaking). The prospective owner would then have to wait for almost three years after booking till delivery. Such extended waiting times gave rise to some people indulging into black marketing and earning premiums as much as 40%. Cars produced during the early years were essentially Suzuki OEM components imported from Japan and merely assembled by Maruti Udyog Limited at the Gurgaon plant.

Exports to neighboring countries commenced in 1987, and were followed by a shipment of 500 cars to [[Hungary]], with the first car arriving on 24 October 1987.<ref name=Mstory113>{{cite book | title = The Maruti Story | publisher = Collins Business | location = Noida, India | first1 = R. C. | last1 = Bhargava | author2 = Seetha | isbn = 9788172237806 | date = 2010 | page = 111 | ref = MStory }}</ref> Soon, exports to [[Czechoslovakia]] and [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia|Yugoslavia]] followed, two other markets with less restrictive homologation requirements than Western Europe. After successes there, and in spite of Suzuki's objections, Maruti Suzuki tackled more competitive markets and entered [[France]] in 1989, the [[Netherlands]] in 1990, followed by [[United Kingdom|England]], [[Malta]], and [[Italy]].<ref name=Mstory115>[[#MStory|Bhargava]], pp. 115–116</ref> In markets where Japanese cars had a quota, the 800 was sold as a Maruti, with all mention of Suzuki carefully removed – even the manuals were revised, so as not to fall afoul of the quota requirements.<ref name=Mstory115/> The 800 continued to be sold in Italy and other Western European markets until 2004, when it could no longer be made to meet emissions and safety equipment.<ref name=Mstory116>[[#MStory|Bhargava]], pp. 116–117</ref> The Maruti Suzuki had never been equipped with seat belts until exports began, meaning that such parts originally had to be imported from Japan to be fitted to export market cars, as with everything relating to building left-hand-drive cars.<ref name=Mstory113/> The Maruti also got its first catalytic converter to meet European requirements. The cleaner {{convert|35|PS|kW|0|abbr=on}} version first arrived in August 1992 and was originally reserved for Europe.<ref name=TAM94>{{Cite book | title = Quattroruote: Tutte le Auto del Mondo 1994 | publisher = Editoriale Domus S.p.A | date = 1994 | ref = TAM94 | language = it | page = 265 | location = Milano }}</ref>

== Phase-out==
[[File:First gen Maruti 800.jpg|thumb|right|First Maruti Suzuki 800 DX]]
Maruti Suzuki had begun a phase-out of Maruti Suzuki 800 beginning in April 2010. Maruti Suzuki did not have plans to upgrade it to [[Euro IV]] or [[Bharat Stage emission standards|BS IV]] emission norms. Starting in April 2010, Maruti halted sales of the car in 13 major cities: the four metros of [[Chennai]], [[Delhi]], [[Kolkata]], [[Mumbai]] and 9 other cities including [[Kanpur]], [[Bangalore]], [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]], [[Pune]], [[Ahmedabad]], [[Agra]] and [[Surat]], where the law made it mandatory for the vehicles sold to be Euro IV compliant.

Another reason cited was the relatively outdated model's declining sales. Maruti Suzuki 800 sales were down by 3.7% in April 2010, when compared with April 2009. Total sales of Maruti Suzuki 800 was 33028 for the period April 2009 to March 2010.<ref>{{cite web |title=Maruti suzuki to sales in April 2010 |url=http://www.marutisuzuki.com/Maruti-Suzuki-sales-in-April-2010.aspx |access-date=10 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511192849/http://www.marutisuzuki.com/Maruti-Suzuki-sales-in-April-2010.aspx |archive-date=11 May 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[Automobile industry in India|Indian Automobile industry]] is the [[automotive industry|seventh largest in the world]], with an annual production of over 4 million vehicles and exports of about 600,000.<ref>{{cite web
|title = SIAM statistics
|publisher = SIAM
|url = http://www.siamindia.com/scripts/industrystatistics.aspxl
}}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In 2009, India emerged as [[Asia]]'s fourth largest exporter of automobiles, behind [[Japan]], [[South Korea]] and [[Thailand]].<ref name="bloomberg1">{{cite web|last=Nair |first=Vipin V. |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=aO9LxvSmKTzE |title=Suzuki, Hyundai's Indian Car Exports Beat China's |publisher=Bloomberg.com |date=7 September 2009 |access-date=1 September 2010}}</ref>

[[File:Suzuki Maruti 800.JPG|left|thumb|Rear view of Maruti Suzuki 800 in Italy]]
The last Maruti Suzuki 800 was rolled off the production lines on 18 January 2014.

==Changes==
[[File:First_Facelift_Model_of_Maruti_Suzuki_800_in_India.jpg|thumb|First Facelift (second gen) – A Feb 1987 model of Maruti Suzuki 800 (bottle green) in India]]
[[File:A_Feb_1987_Facelift_Model_of_Maruti_Suzuki_800_in_India.jpg|thumb|Side/rear view of Maruti Suzuki 800 SB308 (second gen) in India]]
[[File:20160502 171811 edit.jpg|thumb|5 Speed Decal]]
[[File:Headon.jpg|thumb|Milky White Type 1 vs California Gold Type 2]]

After a full model change in 1986, the 800 has undergone some minor facelifts but overall it still remains the same as it was on introduction. The car has reported slipping sales in recent times, mainly due to the introduction of the Alto at a comparable price. The car produces approximately {{convert|37|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} of power and runs on 12 inch wheels. Curb weight is {{convert|650|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}} and four passengers (including the driver) fit in. [[Maruti Suzuki]] had earlier launched a version with a twelve-valve version of the engine producing {{convert|45|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}}, coupled with a five-speed manual transmission (currently found in the [[Suzuki Alto]]) but discontinued it after a couple of years. The second generation Maruti Suzuki 800 that was produced from 1986–1997 underwent some changes in its appearance. The original grille that was introduced in 1986 was a horizontal slat grille with 'Maruti 800' monogram at the right hand corner. This grille was replaced by a mesh grille with the Maruti Logo on the centre in October 1994. Also, the bonnet opener that was placed on the bonnet was replaced by an ejection button inside of the car. The hubcaps were also changed from the shiny silver ones to plastic ones. Several new colours were also introduced, such as Maruti Green, St Germaine Red, Pearl White, Neptune Blue, etc.

[[File:MHV Maruti Suzuki 800 02.jpg|left|thumb|Maruti Suzuki 800 in Europe. Rear view of facelifted 800, with a reshaped trunk lid and taillights, and license plate moved down into the bumper]]
A [[Euro III]] emission-compliant version of the car was released in 2005 to meet Indian emissions regulations. An [[Liquefied petroleum gas|LPG]] version of the vehicle was also released in 2008. As of September 2009, the company has yet to reach a decision regarding the manufacture of a [[Euro IV]]-compliant version of the vehicle because it would increase the retail price. However even stricter emissions regulations which came into effect by April 2010, would mandate Euro IV compliance in major Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bangalore and 2015–2016 for the remainder of the country. By 2005, Maruti Suzuki had planned to phase out the 800 around 2010.<ref name="hindu_bl">{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/01/26/stories/2005012602240200.htm|title=New-look Maruti 800 to cost more; Euro III version being rolled out|publisher=Hindu Business Line|access-date=2 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100116171944/http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/01/26/stories/2005012602240200.htm|archive-date=16 January 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="financialexpress.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/news/maruti-mulls-smarter-greener-800/518914/|title=Maruti mulls smarter, greener 800|access-date=24 October 2009|work=financialexpress.com}}</ref> but it was still on sale in October 2011. Its main competitor is the less expensive [[Tata Nano]] (123,000 compared to 184,641 [[rupee]]s) which has an 8 percent smaller exterior size and a noisier engine with less torque. But in 2011, Maruti Suzuki declared to relaunch Maruti Suzuki 800 compliant Euro IV emission norms to tap the small car market directly competing Tata Nano but later on Maruti Suzuki decided to phase out as it was not feasible for the company.<ref>{{cite web |author=Sirish |title=Tata Nano First Drive at Overdrive |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xr19m8tRZ4g |publisher=[[Overdrive (magazine)|Overdrive]] |access-date=24 March 2009}}</ref>

==Technical specifications==


===Dimensions and weights===
*Overall length: {{Convert|3335|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
*Overall width: {{Convert|1440|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
*Overall height: {{Convert|1405|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
*Wheelbase: {{Convert|2175|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
*Front track width: 1215 mm (47.835 in)
*Rear track width: 1200 mm (47.244 in)
*Ground clearance: {{Convert|160|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
*Kerb weight: {{Convert|650|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}} without A.C., 665 kg (1.466 lb) with A.C.
*Gross vehicle weight: {{Convert|1000|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}

===Capacities===
*Seating capacity: 4 people maximum
*Fuel tank capacity: {{Convert|28|L|usgal|abbr=on}}
*Engine oil : ~2.7 L including oil filter
*Transmission oil: ~2.1 L
*Coolant: 3.5 L
*Windscreen Washer Fluid: 1.75 Lt

===Performance===
*Maximum speed: {{Convert|140
|km/h|mi/h|0|abbr=on}} F8B MPFI; 145 km/h (90.1 mph)
*{{convert|0|-|100|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}: 14 seconds

===Fuel economy===
*Mileage highway: {{convert|25|km/l|l/100 km mpgus|abbr=on}}
*Mileage city: {{convert|23|km/l|l/100 km mpgus|abbr=on}}
*Mileage overall: {{convert|20.9|km/l|l/100 km mpgus|abbr=on}}

===Engine===
*Engine model: F8B MPFI (4-speed), F8D MPFI (5-speed)
*Displacement: {{convert|796|cc|cuin|0|abbr=on}}
*Valves per cylinder: 2 (F8B), 4 (F8D)
*Number of cylinders: 3 inline
*Fuel type: Petrol
*Peak Power: 37 BHP at 5500 rpm (F8B), 45 BHP at 6000 rpm (F8D)
*Top Speed: 140Kmph

===Transmission===
*Transmission type: Manual
*Gears: four-speed gearbox (F8B), 5-speed gearbox (F8D)

===Suspension===
*Front suspension: [[MacPherson strut]] and coil spring
*Rear suspension: Coil spring with gas-filled shock absorbers

===Steering===
*Steering type: Rack and pinion
*Minimum turning radius: {{Convert|4.42|m|ft|1|abbr=on}}

===Brakes===
* Front brakes: Disc
* Rear brakes: Drum
* Brake mechanism: Hydraulic

===Wheels and tyres===
* Tyres (radial optional): 145/70 R12

==See also==
* [[Maruti Suzuki Alto]]
* [[Maruti Suzuki Zen]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Maruti 800}}
*[http://www.marutisuzuki.com/alto800.aspx Maruti 800]

{{Maruti Suzuki India Limited}}
{{Maruti Suzuki Timeline}}
{{Cars in India}}

[[Category:Cars introduced in 1983]]
[[Category:Maruti vehicles|800]]
[[Category:City cars]]
[[Category:First car made by manufacturer]]
[[Category:OEM Suzuki vehicles]]

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Maruti 800