[rohanjf]

It is also clear from the videos that the rear bech does not get proper headrests. It can be excused for a hatchback which is designed to carry one or two people most of the times. But sedans should provide comfort for all occupants for long journeys.

Sad cost-cutting measure.

[ashok_lat]

Originally Posted by rohanjf

It is also clear from the videos that the rear bech does not get proper headrests. It can be excused for a hatchback which is designed to carry one or two people most of the times. But sedans should provide comfort for all occupants for long journeys.

Sad cost-cutting measure.

Even the front seats are same as that of Brio and i hate fixed head rests.

[sgiitk]

Originally Posted by ashok_lat

Even the front seats are same as that of Brio and i hate fixed head rests.

According to Honda there is good reason for this. Fixed headrests save about more than a couple of inches in the seat back thickness - more legroom.

[joslicx]

Originally Posted by sgiitk

According to Honda there is good reason for this. Fixed headrests save about more than a couple of inches in the seat back thickness - more legroom.

But that cant be a justifiable excuse for having them. I hated them in my i10.

[ashok_lat]

^^ If that's the case i would recommend Honda to use the same in there other products like Honda City, Honda Accord, CRV for getting more legroom . Why only on Brio and Amaze?

[aravind.anand]

Originally Posted by ashok_lat

^^ If that's the case i would recommend Honda to use the same in there other products like Honda City, Honda Accord, CRV for getting more legroom . Why only on Brio and Amaze?

Three things to be noted here -
1. Its only the Brio and Amaze which are built on the smallest platform and live on the smallest wheelbase, and thus need such desperate measures to increase legroom.
2. Even the City doesn't get adjustable headrests at the rear, have to check with Civic yet. Accord had them, the last time I checked.
3. All that legroom stories are well, just marketing gimmicks to make customers feel better. Cost cutting is the underlying fact here

[aqualeo2040]

It is really a good news that finally Honda is coming out with a diesel mill in India, albeit a bit late.

The pricing, well, seems to be typically Honda-esque. However, that said, while the engine might be a gem, what bothers me are the 'other' aspects.
GC and Suspension.

The present City scrapes almost all humps in our city and the soft suspension ensures that too. A diesel mill will be heavier than a comparative petrol mill + the weight of the TC. It will be interesting to see how the Amaze fares on the pothole strewn roads of India.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by rohanjf

It is also clear from the videos that the rear bech does not get proper headrests. It can be excused for a hatchback which is designed to carry one or two people most of the times. But sedans should provide comfort for all occupants for long journeys.

Sad cost-cutting measure.

True.

When I test drove the Brio AT - hated the small headrests are the rear. In fact, forget calling it a headrest - it doesn't even serve the original purpose of being a neck restraint (Too short, it was not coming properly to my neck level as well).

Thats not only a compromise on comfort, but on safety as well.

I wonder if the rear seat is any better in terms of headroom. I found that lacking in the hatch, and i fear the sedan may compromise it even more in the name of a sloping roofline!

[swiftnfurious]

Originally Posted by aqualeo2040

....The present City scrapes almost all humps in our city and the soft suspension ensures that too. A diesel mill will be heavier than a comparative petrol mill + the weight of the TC. It will be interesting to see how the Amaze fares on the pothole strewn roads of India.

As far as I know, the 2012 (?) City came with harder springs to reduce sagging & vertical movement on speed breakers / pot holes etc, thereby reducing the scrapes.

As for the diesel engine weight, Honda's 1.5L is said to be an alumnium block which is going to be light. Also the diesel variants usually get beefier suspension to handle the etc weight, across manufacturers.

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

...Thats not only a compromise on comfort, but on safety as well...

When I took the TD for i10 long time back & raised concern about the fixed head rest, I was told that's a safety feature. Honda guys seem better on that front!

[hrman]

I got used to living with the fixed headrests in the Honda City's rear seat. Don't think Brio should be any different. I hate the adjustable headrests like the Innova. If not fully stretched, they will press against your back, giving you a very very uncomfortable ride.


I am aware that any headrest is designed to prevent the head from jerking back and breaking the neck in a collision. I think it does not make a difference if its fixed or adjustable as far as safety is concerned.

OT: When I went for TDing the Rapid and asked about the huge transmission tunnel in the middle last seat, I was told it is a safety mechanism, to protect the middle passenger from being in the line of a frontal collision. I took his words with a pinch of salt.

[RavenAvi]

Originally Posted by coolkurt

June 2013 is the timeline for the petrol engine? When is the diesel engine amaze slated to be launched?

A planned simultaneous launch is on the tentative cards.

Difference between petrol/diesel variants planned to be around 1.25L.

Don't be surprised if Jazz is quietly taken off the shelves shortly afterwards.

Originally Posted by CARDEEP

As per an article in ToI Honda have targeted Rs.7 Lacs as the price for the diesel Amaze (against Dzire's Rs.5.99 Lacs), that will be launched in late 2013.

Although they will try best to localize components cost to keep the price down, it is still on the higher side IMO. Lets hope better sense prevails, & they do not do the Jazz again.

Take it with a pinch of salt. The pricing hasn't been finalised yet. Localisation is still in progress.

[spinfreak]

We shouldn't be counting out an aggressive entry variant price for Petrol version - that is after all Honda's forte and localized enough. Only time / final diesel engine specs will tell how much premium is justified for Amaze diesel (word is that it's a rocket, a Cruze in the entry sedan segment).

And ^hrman, I agree City's rear headrests are enough, even if fixed/integrated. But I felt brio's are terrible, more of neckrests or shoulder rests :-P. For the sedan, I doubt if adjustable headrests will be provided since even a segment above City doesn't have it, but surely the height of rear seat back, fullness of cushion and placement of headrests should be changed as compared to Brio for Amaze.

[akhil_rpmlover]

Just read from Car and Bike Show page on facebook that SVP is going to test-drive the Amaze tomorrow. By the way, here is his twitter update that he made today :

@sidpatankar Off to Japan tonight to test the upcoming Honda Amaze sedan. What wud u have me focus on: Diesel engine, Bootspace, Handling or Looks? SVP

Cant wait for his updates about the car.

[akhil_rpmlover]

Thought of sharing SVP's first impressions here, from his twitter handle:

Can't tweet pics of Honda Amaze as we r under pictorial embargo!!! Pics on Friday folks & first impression review on CNB this weekend. SVP

Honda Amaze steering quality appears superior. Precise & taut. But need to spend more time with the car. This is just 1st impression! SVP

1.5 i-DTEC has nice flat torque curve, starts delivering at about 1200 rpm & picks up well. Potential for larger models too. SVP

Engine bit noisy, 5 speed gearbox well mated. No need for freq gear changes. Good city driving character. SVP

Driveability, handling as expected from Honda. Smart & crisp. Car feels a but light, but grips well. SVP

Honda Amaze offers just outstanding interior space. How did they do that! Esp rear legroom and knee room. Dzire beware!! SVP

Honda Amaze offers a new all aluminum i-DTEC engine. 1.5 litre displacement. No other specs shared a yet. SVP

So, it is absolutely spacious and offers good drivability and handling as well. I guess these alone make it a tough competitor against Dzire. Anyways, hats off to Honda for not messing it up and overall package seems much better than any hatch-with-a-boot.

Cant wait for this week's Car and Bike Show for the initial impressions.

[Simhi]

Extracts from article in the thhindubusinessline: It seems everyone was given a sneek preview and a test drive of the car

Article: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/...cle4110659.ece

The Hindu Business Line was given a sneak peek and a first-hand initial driving experience at Honda's test track in the Twin Ring Motegi, the Japanese auto major's research centre 160 kms outside of Tokyo, Japan.

To take advantage of the excise norms, the Amaze will be less than four-metres long and sport a diesel engine that is just shy of the stipulated 1.5-litre size. The sedan's dimensions will be a total length of 3,990 mm, total width of 1,680mm, a wheelbase of 2,405 mm and a total height of 1,500 mm. The wheelbase has been increased by about 60 mm over the Brio hatch and that has made a world of difference to the amount of space offered inside the car.

We expect the price of the new Amaze to be in the range of Rs 5.4 lakh to Rs 8 lakh depending on the variant and choice of engine.