Maruti Suzuki wanted to curate something that is pocket-friendly. They hence built the Maruti 800, which was very fuel-efficient. It was known as a “people’s car”.
Very affordable for the middle-class society in India. It was also a luxury for some.
The Maruti 800 is a revolutionary vehicle that was easily accessible. It made vehicle ownership a dream and a reality for many ordinary citizens for the first time.
Who Was the First Maruti 800 Owner
Harpal Singh was the first to own a white Maruti 800. He was an Indian Airlines employee. In 1983, he purchased it for Rs 47,500/-. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi delivered it.
Mr Harpal did not replace his car even though there were new options and cars. He continued to drive his Maruti 800 for many years. He drove his car until his demise in 2010. His car was abandoned by the family, and later, Maruti Suzuki restored it and has displayed it at the Maruti Suzuki headquarters in New Delhi. He was loyal and loved his Maruti 800.
What Was so Perfect About the Maruti 800
Maruti 800 was a very basic, simple car, but it has been a legendary vehicle for several middle-class families. With a 3-cylinder petrol engine (796cc). It gives 39.5 PS and 39 bhp. 59 NM torque with a 4-speed manual gearbox. Maruti 800 is a FWD drivetrain. Its fuel system is carbureted.
It has a fuel capacity of 28 litres. It has a wheelbase of 2175mm. Front suspensions are McPherson strut and coil spring. (gas-filled absorptions). Front brakes are discs and rear brakes are drums. It could reach up to 120km/h in speed. Its later variants could exceed 140km/h. Modern versions like Alto800 could speed up to 137-145km/h.
Interior For Comfort
A capacious seating arrangement for 5 passengers. It has bucket seats in the front and rear bench seats. It has 3-point seat belts. It was very basic on its dashboard. A large slab that was made like a shelf. It didn’t have a center console. For storage, there was a small section like a glove box. It had a variant that included an Air Conditioner. Basic manual windows with handles. There was no power steering. It was manual in the base models. (rack and pinion). It has no Music system in the base variant.
Exteriors & Safety at Its Best
A hatchback with four doors and a self-supporting Chassis. Its headlights are adjustable. It has brakes that are front disc and rear with no ABS. There were no airbags for the safety of the passengers and drivers in these early cars. Simple and boxy in shape. It has an aesthetic with square-shaped lights.
It has a ground clearance of 170mm. It has 12-inch wheels. Maruti 800 was a practical choice with its attributes and features it possessed.
Maruti 800 End of an Era
Maruti 800 has received over 100,000 bookings post its launch in 1983. It has a great demand in just 3 months. Its waiting period was up to 3 years. Initially, it was at an affordable rate. It was one of the best-selling cars in India till 2004. More than 2.7 million units were sold during its production..It brought in a revolution in the Indian Automobile industry.
Maruti 800 sustained for over 31 years. Its last model was manufactured in January 2014. The model was then discontinued due to safety and emission issues. The car had great success due to the dominant Maruti Suzuki in the Indian Market.
The old Maruti 800 has been replaced by Maruti Suzuki Alto 800, Alto K10, and Alto 800 with upgrades and modern needs. These models are also cost-effective and have safety and technology features.