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-   -   Honda's new SUV for India | EDIT: Named Elevate (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian-car-scene/250716-hondas-new-suv-india-edit-named-elevate-32.html)

Doesn't the Elevate get AWD? If not, quite disappointing.

Creta seems to be doing pretty ok without AWD. I don't think it matters at all.

I was not talking about market success :) The point is that there is a dearth of good AWD petrol cars in the market today, from an enthusiast's viewpoint. I was hoping against hope that Honda will oblige but maybe I was being too optimistic!

From Any company's perspective it doesn't make sense to care only for enthusiasts and forget about general needs, profitability and sustainability of business.
Creating many variants with multiple mechanical/electronic features complicates assembly line and production.
Nexon, Creta, Seltos and VW twins combined crossing 30000 plus units per month without being AWD/4x4, this gives more insight to the customer needs.

In terms of sale, I believe Honda Elevate will do better than VW / Skoda twins easily but will never reach near the Hyundai / Creta twins.

However, between these two, its success will depend on these major points:

• Exterior: The exterior should have an SUV-ish stance rather than the crossover stance. Length should be more than 4.3m and width around 1.8m. Hyryder and Grand Vitara look good due to their dimensions.
  Smaller dimension will give it sub-4 meter-ish look just like the VW/Skoda twins.
• Feature list: Feature list similar to Honda city with few additions should just be fine.
  Single pane sunroof I believe is good enough to attract customers.
• Interior: Considering the interior of Honda city, I believe Elevate would do just fine. I hope they improve the infotainment unit. The one on Honda city looks aftermarket.
• Space & Comfort: This is another strong point of Honda. But I hope the boot space is managed better for the Hybrid version.
• Engine: 1.5 NA engine will do fine. I know a Turbo will be better. But having driven City 1.5 NA for 6+ years, I'm more than satisfied with its performance and mileage.
• Hybrid: A hybrid will surely be launched at a later stage if not with initial launch. This will surely attract more customers.
• AWD: This might just be a game changer. An AWD capable Elevate will be a lot better proposition.
• ADAS: ADAS too will surely be part of package. But it should be made available with petrol version as well rather than keeping it exclusive to hybrid.
• Safety: I hope Elevate will be at least 4 star rated. The major safety equipments should be made available from the base variant.
• Price: This is going to be tricky considering the price of Hybrid City. I think this is the reason Hybrid will not be launched initially. When launched, Elevate hybrid will be 21L+ ex showroom making it most expensive at that price range. I just hope its price is justified.
  However, keeping a well priced mid range Hybrid will be the key.

Three launches in June/July: Which one will be in the limelight after launch?

Honda Elevate: 06 June
Maruti Suzuki Jimny: 07 June
Hyundai Exter: 10 July

I would love to be proved wrong, but I get a feeling that many people are going to get disappointed by the pricing of Elevate & Jimny.
On the other hand, Exter will be a hit among the buyers. Hyundai is having another winner in their line-up.

It will either Elevate or Exter depending on who has the best price to perceived value along with meaningful PR. Jimny will be a niche vehicle like Thar.

Honda Elevate spied in Japan:









- Seen at the expressway of 130km/h (high stability, adaptive cruise control)
- Headlights of HR-V/Vezel, front grille of ZR-V?
- Horizontal LED DRL's on the upper part of the headlight like the new Vezel

Link

Honda Vezel and ZR-V (pics. for ref)

The Elevate is set to be exported from India to Japan, where it will be the first Indian-made Honda in the market. It will compete with the Toyota Raize, and will be smaller than the Vezel (HR-V) at 4.2 meters long.

Source



This sounds like a risk mitigating strategy. Had the Elevate failed to take off in India, Japan will absorb the production output. Unlike Toyota, Honda is no stranger in importing their cars to Japan from emerging markets. Such move was done with the Odyssey, which is imported from China.

Upon closer look, it seems like the Elevate shares the same outer taillamp part with the Indonesian WR-V, with LED guide lamps and bulb turn signals. Makes sense since both are designed by Honda R&D Asia-Pacific in Thailand.

Per a new report by RushLane, a modified version of the Amaze platform will underpin the Honda Elevate, but with City's powertrains.

Source:
https://www.rushlane.com/honda-eleva...-12470610.html

If its a modified Amaze platform (reading more like similar);

• wonder how much wheelbase they would have extracted. Definitely lesser than City which is 2600mm and way lesser than Kushaq which is 2651mm ( this really shows in the rear legroom). This wouldn't be as spacious as the Kushaq at the rear.

• If the length is truly 4.2 ( again even lesser than Kushaq), it would translate to lesser space and feeling of SUVish ( considering the Creta segment)

• On Amaze platform, hope the interiors are atleast City grade with just better ICE. Hope the build quality is closer to City though which sounds unlikely if its the Amaze platform.

Lastly this should also translate to lower pricing slotting between the City, Kushaq and the XUV300. Will Honda be able to provide value for money (not cheap).

Even as all this is speculation, but from the news pouring; Honda certainly seems to the missing a beat somewhere and is not going full steam.

If my eyes are not lying, am i seeing floating infotainment system on the inside of the car?

I am amazed at the amount of speculation based on unsubstantiated news articles.

Someone says it's on the City platform, someone says Amaze and immediately someone condemns it.

Why not wait for offical teasers or substantiated leaks.