Team-BHP - Honda Brio - Small car for India - unveiled!*UPDATE* SCOOP Pics Pg.23

Price Range (in lakhs)*
Ex-showroom Price Rs 4.5lakh (est)
ENGINE
Fuel Petrol
Installation Front, transverse, front-wheel drive
Power 90bhp @ 6000rpm
Torque 11.2kgm @ 4800rpm
Transmission
Type Manual / CVT
Gearbox 5-Speed manual / CVT
Chassis & Body
Length 3610mm
Width 1680mm
Height 1485mm
Wheel Base 2345mm
Weight 925-950kg
Wheels 14inch
Tyres 175/65-R14
Spare Full size
Suspension
Front MacPherson struts with anti-roll bar
Rear Torsion beam
Steering
Type Power Electric
Brakes
Front Discs
Rear Drums

Still no diesel? Really disappointing, Honda!

If this is the volume-generating car Honda is expecting, they will be disappointed. I was hoping they would postpone the Brio's launch till at least year-end, and offer it with at least 1-2 diesel variants to take on the competition head-on. The constantly rising demand for diesel cars since the past 2-3 years should have shook Honda up, but instead they are still turning a blind eye to it and hoping that their Petrols will grab a chunk of the Indian market.

With the superior Figo diesel (with the Titanium pack) available at this price range, I don't see many takers for the Brio.

The best scenario I can see for the Brio is - it might be a moderate success. Those people who always wanted to own a Honda at an affordable price would be the first in line to buy one, but others specially those who are more conscious will gun for the Figo, or at an additional price, the Swift/Polo/Punto diesels. As far as petrol is concerned, I don't see the current positions changing much, except for a rise in demand for the Polo in the near future. Swift should continue to dominate the market.

Too bad, Honda. You had a great chance with the Brio, and you blew it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RavenAvi (Post 2397396)

Still no diesel? Really disappointing, Honda!

It should be disappointing to Honda top bosses even more than you! Honda DOES NOT have a diesel except a 2.2 CTDi (now i-DTEC) - It will save your spirits not to expect a diesel from Honda before end 2012. (Unless Honda does a coup and takes Fiat's diesel engines)

Btw, they are looking at competing with i10 / Wagon R category where there are no diesels. And, it REALLY makes sense to pay a premium for the engines they make. Brio will not disappoint for sure for two basic reasons:
1. Honda cars are spacious - Very good design, bright / airy inside.
2. Gem of an engine

Remember wagonR and i10 sell around 25000-30000 per month and both of them are petrol cars. There is market for small petrol cars and that will never change. Paying 1L more for diesel option does not always make sense for small cars esp if running is only limited to office + weekend shopping.

I expect this car to sell like Beat (or may be a bit more volume) and as it is Honda I am sure it will be spacious with a gem of engine.

Since Honda has already waken up (read current drop in City prices) I expect this to be priced appropriately

Quote:

Originally Posted by sriramv.iyer (Post 2397448)

Given the City's recent price cut, Honda might be looking at the Indian market seriously and developing a smaller and better fuel-efficient diesel engine in the near future. I somehow doubt they will go into a JV with anyone. And I agree with you - this step of launching Brio with petrol options only, does show that we can't expect any diesels from Honda at least for the next couple of years, so maybe 2013 might be the Honda diesel year.

The price of 4.5L starting is still tentative and speculated. I won't be surprised if the final pricing is upped a notch to head into Swift territory. Yes, their engines are fantastic and the Brio looks spacious enough for a 4-seater, but cutting back on some good features offered in similar-bracketed cars might go against it. Add to it, that very delicate-looking rear and rearglass which somehow does not exude safety from the first impressions it conveys.

And yes, minimalist users will consider Brio a priority, specially those who are dependent on 95% in-city driving. It would be a real drool-worthy option for them. And I expect the competition from other companies in the similar bracketed cars to go up several notches after the Brio is launched.

Let's wait and see. Only time will tell.

Quote:

Originally Posted by punkuz (Post 2406497)

Hi Bluengel180 , are you sure about CVT? I am looking for a car for my wife. If it is going to come in CVT, i will choose to wait.

The CVT version is on offer in Thailand. Its still not sure whether Honda will offer this in India. My gut feeling is that, it might come later, if this model becomes a success in India. Please note that very recently, Honda for the first time has even resorted to cut price of their car that too the flagship model. This indicates that they have learnt pricing is the key in India, so they would want to play a safe game with Brio trying to price it sensibly!

Here is the promotional video of the Brio in Thailand -

[youtube]gSgC1b3HrTo[/youtube]

Honda is testing the Brio around Greater Noida right now. It will look at the Thai market’s reaction to this product to add finishing touches to the Indian spec car.

The Brio is powered by a 1.2-liter iVTEC engine producing around 80bhp. Like the Etios, the petrol will precede the diesel. Honda offers the Thai market Brio with automatic transmission. In India, the market for the AT is yet to pick up, so Honda will go with the less expensive and pro-fuel economy 5-speed manual transmission.

Honda could offer the Brio in three or four trims with the basic model having only power steering and air conditioning. The top-end model could have beige interiors, music system, power windows, central locking, upgraded tires, alloy wheels and USB slot. Like the Liva, Brio will not have automatic climate control, Bluetooth connectivity or height-adjustable head rests.

What sets the Brio apart is the interior quality, built using better materials.

SOURCE - IAB