[DeBAPS9002]

Honda Brio: The Prototype Rekindled

Introduction

Some cars leave an imprint long before you ever slip behind the wheel. For me, the Honda Brio was one of them; its cheerful, upbeat name felt like a promise of fun in every drive.

From the instant I glimpsed its lines, I could almost hear its engine humming with enthusiasm, as if it were a tiny cheerleader on four wheels.

I still remember being that studious college student—dreaming of an attainable first car and cheering whenever big brands ventured into the small-car segment like the Chevy Spark, Hyundai Eon, Toyota Etios… and then the Honda Brio. At the Auto Expo, the silver “Honda New Small Concept” had looked too sharp to survive unchanged. But when Honda launched the Prototype Production Ready Brio, it proved me gloriously wrong.







Those long lecture hall afternoons spent doodling car sketches and calculating budgets on torn notebook pages set the foundation for a lifelong automotive passion.

Years before the car ever rolled into my driveway, “Brio” had already been the name of my Great Dane—a regal, three-foot-tall bundle of gentle energy whose silhouette patrolled my living room like a four-legged ambassador of good cheer.

So, when I finally added the “RS” suffix to my own Brio, it wasn’t just a performance badge; it was my way of giving this little hatchback the same spark of personality that my dog had brought into my life. Even then, I found myself torn between rational choices and the irresistible charm of Honda’s small-car gamble.

And then, one late night, a flicker of that prototype video on my Windows XP screen—green, poised, futuristic—locked itself into my memory. Fourteen years later, that same shape rolled into my driveway, inviting me to turn obsession into reality. Over the coming chapters, you’ll join me as I blend prototype parts, creative liberties, and late-night modifications into what you now see my personal Brio RS prototype remix.

Little did I know that this midnight revelation would spark a transformation spanning years of planning, sourcing, and unwavering determination.

1. A Name with Zest

Every great story needs a spark, and mine began with four simple letters: B-R-I-O. To most, it was just a catchy model name; to me, it promised smiling roads ahead. Whisper it aloud, and you’d almost expect the car to grin back. Little did I know that those same letters had already woven their way into my life—in the proud, bounding gait of my Great Dane—and would become the foundation for a journey stretching from leash-tugging mornings to throttle-twisting afternoons.

In those four letters, I sensed a rhythmic promise—an invitation to experience driving as an expression of joy rather than mere transportation. Over time, that initial fascination blossomed into an obsession to see that zest materialize on every road I travelled.

2. My Gentle Giant, Brio the Dane

Meet the real “Brio.” At nearly three feet tall at the shoulder, with a bark deeper than many sports sedans, he embodied both poise and playfulness. I still recall the day we met—a blue-eyed puppy head nearly toppled his littermates—and the morning ritual of two-legged stretches at the front door. Neighbourhood kids would gasp, “Is that the car’s buddy?” These anecdotes aren’t just cute detours; they reveal how a canine companion’s spirit imprinted itself on my vision of what the hatchback could become: friendly, eye-catching, and impossible to ignore.





Our daily walks became routines of mutual discovery, as his lively spirit mirrored the driving thrill I craved in a car. The way he tilted his head at passing vehicles or nudged me toward the driveway felt like subtle cues from the universe nudging me closer to my own Brio dream.

3. The Prototype that Sparked a Dream

That green Brio prototype photo flicked across my Windows XP screen, and I couldn’t look away. It wasn’t just the futuristic curves or the stance—it was the promise of something spirited lurking beneath. I replayed the prototype video on loop, letting its rising music tempo fuel my daydreams. In boring office meetings, I sketched colour swatches on MS Word; at home, I researched body-kit options and scavenged parts lists like a LEGO blueprint.





The vivid hue contrasted so sharply against the bland grey of my mental walls that it felt like a portal to another world; one where creativity and engineering danced in perfect harmony. Those looping minutes became my personal anthem, fuelling weekly visits to parts dealers and igniting conversations with fellow enthusiasts who shared my prototype fantasies.

What was used from Prototype Brio

At the front I was introduced to Piano Black, I wouldn’t dare to do it if I wasn’t convinced that this indeed be easy to look after. Thanks to the endless Brotomotive videos on YouTube I was convinced this is still in vogue and looks so much premium. So, it was decided that all black plastics around the car will be painted in Piano Black. I went the whole hog in doing this, The bumper inserts, the grill inserts, the cowl, door trim bits, rear boot handle all got the Piano Black treatment.

The transformation felt dramatic—where there was once plain plastic, there now lay a glossy expanse reflecting streetlights like a silent applause for my efforts.

Next up was the unique parts from Honda parts bin, not many but definitely a gamechanger in the way it ties the overall looks of the car. The side marker lights came only on the Honda Accord and Civic Facelift, every other Honda till date gets the other boring marker lights, so I went on a mission to find them and got it on a car that was about to be scrapped. Next was the alloy centre caps, those had the H logo in chrome while all other Hondas including mine came with either a print or an embossed H, that had to go and finally got those from Kurla scrapyard for peanuts.

Tracking down those side marker lights became a treasure hunt, complete with frantic phone calls and last-minute bids that made my heart race with anticipation.

The Brio was also showcased with side skirts with Honda Design printed on the rear end, we didn’t get that so had to use the Maruti Suzuki WagonR Stingray side skirts instead and added the Honda Design decal.

Mounting those WagonR Stingray skirts tested my patience and skills, but every bolt tightened echoed the satisfaction of a puzzle solving itself before my eyes.

At the rear the Prototype featured this massive spoiler, that only made it to the facelift Brio, I tried my best to get it along with everything else needed to fit this, but that never happened, and I lost money and recovered it.

The moment I saw that sculpted wing in person, I could envision it slicing through wind, giving the Brio an almost aerodynamic swagger.

Eventually I was passing by a dealership that had an almost scrap condition Brio with the Rear Spoiler of the Exclusive edition, I thought to myself, something is better than nothing and got that one painted and attached to the Brio. Before painting this car there was a first copy spoiler from Amazon but I didn’t want to carry that over on the redone car.

Adding that genuine spoiler felt like winning a long-sought prize—an artifact that had eluded me only to appear at the perfect time.

Though the facelift Brio had the Rear Spoiler I wasn’t too happy with the Bumper design and rear light changes they made, to me it felt like it robbed the car of its cute essence, so I kept it as is.

That decision to preserve the original bumper lines was a conscious nod to the car’s innate charm, balancing mid-century nostalgia with modern flair.

The wheels to my mind were the same as what came on the Top end model but realised later that the Prototype had 15 inchers and this wheel design came as an accessory for the Honda City of its time. Since I got a new set of tires when I bought the car I decided to keep the 14 inch stock alloys for now.

While some purists might scoff at the temporary 14-inch setup, I reviled in knowing that authenticity would return once I sourced the right 15s.

What was improvised or changed from the Prototype Brio

I did take some liberties in making this Brio slightly different than the Prototype, but majority of the inspiration was from it, nonetheless.

These creative twists were born from practical constraints and a dash of personal flair, ensuring my Brio remained both functional and unmistakably mine.

Up front I didn’t want the Chrome nose, nor did I want to paint it black. I experimented with painting it in green because the badge and grill behind was gloss black. In my eyes it did tie down well with the rest of the car. The other thing that I wanted was the RS lights, that had too much chrome in it, so I decided to go with an aftermarket set made in Taiwan and looked smoked!

Experimenting with the green hue brought the entire front fascia to life, the result sparking more conversations at meets than any stock look ever could.

On the side, the prototype came with silver door handles, I preferred it to be body coloured. I retained the Green mirror caps instead of going for the trendy black mirrors everyone else was doing.

Retaining the green mirror caps became a signature detail—a subtle wink to onlookers that this wasn’t just another custom job.

The other mod or change done was to remove the antenna from the A pillar, that was welded shut and a shark fin antenna was added at the back, this was just for show as the real antenna was routed from inside the car.
The shark fin antenna perched atop the roof lent a sleek finish line to the car’s profile—an unassuming upgrade that teased aerodynamics more than actual function.

The roof was decided to be painted in gloss black because the lines gave it that perfect continuous flow to hold the two tone paint without breaking the visual flow abruptly.

This two-tone flow created a sense of motion even at rest, as if the Brio was poised to leap forward at any moment.

At the rear, the taillights that are otherwise transparent got a smoked PPF film leaving just the red circular light untouched, it made the car look more sporty. The badges were rearranged to move from the glass hatch to the bumpers. A chrome tip was added to the rear to give it that visual pop.

The smoky film added mystery to every brake press, turning routine stops into mini light shows. This badge repositioning crafted a cleaner glass area, drawing focus to the sculpted bumper and spoiling onlookers with a streamlined rear view.

Front brake callipers were painted red, while the rear drum were painted in gloss black. I also got the Rear springs painted in red so that it looked rad.

Each red flash through the wheel spokes became a heartbeat, a visual pulse syncing with every turn of the tire.

The car on the outside got the LED lighting treatment. Front bulbs in the headlight and fog lights have OSRAM LED, the number plate light bulb is also LED. Side marker lights, indicators and rear lights remain stock bulbs.

Night drives now unleash a spectral dance of white beams and amber flashes, transforming suburban streets into my personal runway.

Over endless hours, I discovered that Honda had borrowed pieces from its own parts bin: Accord side markers, City-style alloy caps, and that rare facelift spoiler. I hunted down scrapped cars and scrapyard treasures until everything clicked together and turned prototype envy into a parts list for reality.

By the end of this scavenger hunt turned assembly line, the Brio felt less like a production car and more like a bespoke creation borne of sheer will and ingenuity.

4. Adding the “RS” Spark

“RS” isn’t official on Indian Brios, but for me it was a cheeky nod to higher-performance aspirations. Inspired by the Mobilio RS kits and international Brio RS variant, I staged a little ceremony when the first metal “RS” badge went on—in crimson red, then painted gloss black to match the theme. Expect lively debates with friends: “Does it actually add power, or just perception?” Spoiler alert—it’s all in the attitude.

Slipping that badge onto the rear felt akin to signing a masterpiece—it was my stamp, my flair, my declaration that this Brio was anything but ordinary. Its subtle gleam in black teased hidden potential, provoking friendly jabs from buddies who wondered if the real performance lay beneath the hood or between the ears.

5. Painting Personality

Green was non-negotiable: it had to echo that prototype dream. I sampled hues from Chevy Beat Apple Green to Skoda Rallye Green, but only Honda’s fresh-lime shade—never offered in India—felt right. After sunrise and sunset paint-shop tests under street lamps, I settled on Glasurit’s custom Fresh Lime Green for its deep gloss. I entrusted the Detailing Mafia in Pune to lay down the coats, and I still remember the electric silence as the first layer cured—and the sweaty high-five when the final clear coat revealed a finish that seemed to glow from within.

















Selecting the right green shade turned into a ritual spanning weeks—sunrise swatches, mismatched test panels, and fervent debates with the shop owner under fluorescent lights. When I finally saw that first coat in the sun, it glowed with a vibrancy that felt too alive to be paint.

6. Exterior Details & Prototype Parts

To nail the prototype look, every black plastic trim—from bumper inserts to door handles—got a piano-black makeover. Side-marker lights straight off a Civic facelift, Honda Design side skirts scavenged from a WagonR Stingray, and Accord alloy centre caps all found their place. The exclusive-edition rear spoiler came from a dealership write-off, and aftermarket smoked RS lights from Taiwan replaced the chrome originals. Throughout, I balanced authenticity with practicality—like keeping the stock 14-inch alloys until I could source true 15s.







Each trim piece, decal, and finish felt like a word in the car’s story, narrating chapters of ingenuity and homage to Honda’s design lineage. The dance between black and green, stock and bespoke, spoke volumes about the balance between reverence and reinvention.

7. Heartbeat Under the Hood

Though I kept the engine stock, the bay needed personality. I reinstalled cost-cut heat shields and air scoops that Honda had deleted, dotted the panels with JDM decals, and even tucked a Mugen badge into the corner. It’s cosmetic, yes—but every sticker and scoop whispers “this is no ordinary Brio.”



Though untouched mechanically, the engine bay transformed into a gallery of JDM-inspired accents—a museum where every polished surface and decal celebrated Honda heritage. Moments after the hood closed, I’d catch myself glancing back, grinning at the thought of passersby wondering what lurked beneath that neon-green shell.

8. Cozy Cavern—Dialing in the Interior

Inside, I opted for period correctness over gadget overload: OEM seat covers, Honda mats, and the factory head unit stayed. Instead of a touchscreen, I wired in a discreet Bluetooth adapter—paired with a green iPod Nano and matching Transcend USB—to stream my playlists while preserving the Brio’s simple charm.

9. First Drive & Friendly Waves

Fifty days of late-night tinker sessions led to that grin-widening moment when wheels met tarmac. Neighbours honked approval as this green comet cut through a sea of white and gray. It wasn’t just me—everywhere I drove, people leaned in for a closer look, asking if this was a special edition or a custom job. For the first time, I felt the prototype’s spirit had truly come alive.







The sensation of that first drive—a gentle hum, a crisp steering response—felt like a validation of every late-night grease stain and frantic FB marketplace alert. I can still recall the delight in my passengers’ eyes as they discovered hidden details mid-ride, each “Wow, did you do that?” fuelling my satisfaction.

10. Reflections from the Driver’s Seat

Every project teaches you something—about patience, creativity, and the thrill of personal touches. My Brio RS reminded me how following a hunch can turn into something extraordinary, mistakes can spark new ideas, and a dash of personality can transform the everyday. And as I ponder future tweaks, I know this isn’t the end but the start of another chapter on the open road.













On long highway stretches, I’d find myself lost in thought, tracing the arcs of roadside lights against my green silhouette and marvelling at how far a single idea had come. This project reminded me that passion can bend reality—a humble hatchback could become the canvas for dreams too vivid to ignore.

Current Enhancements list

• Honda Fresh Lime Green by Glasurit
• Front Projector lights from Angel Eye Taiwan
• LED OSRAM bulbs for headlight and foglight
• Side Market Lights from Honda Accord
• Side Skirts from Maruti WagonR Stingray
• Red Brake Callipers, Rear Spring and Black Drum Brakes
• Rear Spoiler from Brio Exclusive Edition
• Smoked Rear Lights
• Piano Black Badges
• Gunmetal Gray Wheels
• Piano Black roof with Sharkfin Antenna
• 6 Speaker setup from Infinity
• Sound Insulation and Dampers, weather strips all around

And these are just the highlights—a rolling gallery of enhancements still evolving with every drive.

Potential Future Modifications

• 15" Honda City multi-spoke alloys
• High-performance tires
• 1.5L City engine swap
• Performance filter & free-flow exhaust
• ECU remap
• Custom seat re-bolstering & upholstery (Alto Sport–style)

Dreams of a 1.5L City engine swap dance in my mind, promising new torque curves and deeper growls, but for now, each potential mod serves as a roadmap for future weekends in the garage.

May the road ahead be as lively as the journey so far!

[Aditya]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[Utopian]

Absolutely loved the killer front on this Brio prototype — that body coloured grill has completely transformed the personality of the car! You have also maintained the right balance of keeping it sporty yet clean. You have killed it again, my friend. The only thing missing now is plonking that 1.5L in its bay, I am not even sure if it would fit, and you would get yourself a hot Honda hatch (HHH).

[SnS_12]

Loved the green shade and such colours do really compliment the car well. Even when I was repainting our car I was contemplating of changing the colour from the original red but then decided against it and just painted a few chrome and painted parts in black instead.

Also, you have added an air scoop which was deleted by Honda for a reason (if my memory serves me right) as it leads to engine sucking in water especially if you drive through flooded sections. So, be careful about that.

Ending the post with a picture of our 2014 VX Brio..

[supernova105]

That's an amazing shade of Green!

Hope to run into your car when roaming around in Pune City.

I live in Kalyani Nagar, so I just love spotting all types of cars on the weekend here and around KP, especially from the YZP collection! (458 Specialé Aperta, I'm looking at you )

A small ride to KP or Camp can guarantee spotting many of such tastefully modified beauties over the weekend, coming across enthusiastic people who tend to maintain the older cars that they own.

[shashi792]

Is the headlamp from Taiwan a direct-fit to the existing harness.

[Joe367]

This is the best color I've seen on a Brio. Suits the car really well. Everything looks perfect - nothing looks over done. I'm not a fan of the body coloured grille insert though. It is better than chrome but It would look ever better if that can be completely removed. Then again it is personal preference.

[DeBAPS9002]

Originally Posted by Utopian

Absolutely loved the killer front on this Brio prototype — that body coloured grill has completely transformed the personality of the car! You have also maintained the right balance of keeping it sporty yet clean. You have killed it again, my friend. The only thing missing now is plonking that 1.5L in its bay, I am not even sure if it would fit, and you would get yourself a hot Honda hatch (HHH).

Thanks Utopian, Yes this grill makes it fairly unique. The 1.5 L is under consideration, I think Frank Mehta has plonked the 1.5 in his car called CRIO. Will take some help from there when I am ready.

Originally Posted by SnS_12

Loved the green shade and such colours do really compliment the car well. Even when I was repainting our car I was contemplating of changing the colour from the original red but then decided against it and just painted a few chrome and painted parts in black instead.

Also, you have added an air scoop which was deleted by Honda for a reason (if my memory serves me right) as it leads to engine sucking in water especially if you drive through flooded sections. So, be careful about that.

Ending the post with a picture of our 2014 VX Brio..

Attachment 2761516

Oh yes, I have seen the post of your Brio post on painting it. Yes Green is not a colour that suits all cars, but this one it just feels so natural. It doesnt go out in the rains so I am saved. Your Brio also looks lovely in Red!

Originally Posted by supernova105

That's an amazing shade of Green!

Hope to run into your car when roaming around in Pune City.

I live in Kalyani Nagar, so I just love spotting all types of cars on the weekend here and around KP, especially from the YZP collection! (458 Specialé Aperta, I'm looking at you )

A small ride to KP or Camp can guarantee spotting many of such tastefully modified beauties over the weekend, coming across enthusiastic people who tend to maintain the older cars that they own.

Thanks supernova105! I come to Camp often and mostly in the Brio. Hopefully we cross paths soon. I often see the Green Jazz ainted by Brotomotive there.

Originally Posted by shashi792

Is the headlamp from Taiwan a direct-fit to the existing harness.

Yes its a direct fit, no alterations needed. I just upgraded the bulbs to OSRAM LED.

Originally Posted by Joe367

This is the best color I've seen on a Brio. Suits the car really well. Everything looks perfect - nothing looks over done. I'm not a fan of the body coloured grille insert though. It is better than chrome but It would look ever better if that can be completely removed. Then again it is personal preference.

Thanks Joe367, Yes the Grill is a bit unsual and divides opinions here it give this Brio a unique look so I am sticking with it.

[crdi]

Originally Posted by DeBAPS9002

Dreams of a 1.5L City engine swap dance in my mind, promising new torque curves and deeper growls

If you ever decide to take that road, do refer the forum for a similar mod executed to perfection. That thread would be a gold mine of information for you. You'd get there if you search the forum for 'brity' or 'crio'.

[DeBAPS9002]

Photo Gallery

Adding some photos taken of the Brio over the years when it was finally a Prototype on the streets!

[myavu]

Originally Posted by DeBAPS9002

Honda Brio: The Prototype Rekindled

WOW! The execution is far better than some factory-fresh, facelifted cars. I hope Honda draws inspiration from your reimagined version and relaunches the bootless Amaze as the Brio. It's Honda India man, impossible.

If I were you, I would have painted the logo too with the body color with a black glossy background, something like this.



Kudos once again.

[DeBAPS9002]

Originally Posted by myavu

WOW! The execution is far better than some factory-fresh, facelifted cars. I hope Honda draws inspiration from your reimagined version and relaunches the bootless Amaze as the Brio. It's Honda India man, impossible.

If I were you, I would have painted the logo too with the body color with a black glossy background, something like this.

Attachment 2761642

Kudos once again.

Thanks myavu, truly humbled! Yes the logo looks nice I might consider when I get bored with the Piano Black Colour!!