Honda plans to launch compact MPV based on Brio

Honda is planning to launch a new MPV based on the Brio small car in Indonesian market. This compact MPV will likely hit Indian market by 2014 to take on the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga.

Expect the compact MPV to have a three row seats for seven occupants. Given Honda’s expertise in offering spacious small cars, it will be interesting to see how the upcoming MPV will stack up against Ertiga in terms of interior space.

During the ground breaking ceremony of Honda’s plant at Jakarta in Indonesia, the company has announced its plans of manufacturing a MPV based on the Brio platform. Earlier there were speculations that the Honda MPV for India could be the next generation Freed which is based on the Honda Jazz small car platform. Also read: Honda MPV to compete with Ertiga

Honda is planning to develop its Brio based MPV based on the Concept S showcased at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show. However, production version of the Concept S is specifically for the Chinese market while the Brio based MPV is expected to be smaller than the Concept S.

The upcoming compact MPV from Honda is expected to be made available in both petrol and diesel engine variants. The petrol motor of the Honda MPV is expected to be the updated version of Honda City’s 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine. The diesel version of the Honda MPV is expected to be powered by a 1.4-litre or a 1.6-litre diesel which at present, is under development. This engine may also be used for Honda’s small cars such as Brio, Jazz and sedans such as City and Civic.

Honda, at present, offers only petrol-powered cars including the Brio, Jazz, City, Civic, Accord and CR-V. Since there is huge demand for diesel cars the earlier Honda brings the diesel engine, the better will be the chances of improving its sales especially in the hatchback (Brio, Jazz) and entry-level sedan segment (City).  And diesel is almost mandatory for MPV segments where is Honda is headed in the next couple of years.

Source: Autocar India