Honda Brio based MPV sketch released

Japanese car maker Honda, has just released the sketch of the Brio-based MPV. Dubbed the LMPV, with the L standing for low, the Brio-based MPV will make its official debut at the 2013 Indonesian International Motor Show, scheduled to be held in September. The Honda Brio-based MPV is the third product to be spun off the Brio platform, after the hatchback and the Amaze compact sedan.

Code-named the 2NH, the Brio based MPV will first make its debut in the Indonesian car market, which is said to favour MPVs. Currently, MPVs such as the Toyota Innova and Avanza, the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and the Mazda VX-1, populate the Indonesian car market. The Brio based MPV is expected to take on the Ertiga and the VX-1 in the Indonesian car market, before finding its way into other car markets including India. 

From the sketch, the Brio-based MPV showcases a form factor with a wedged window line, quite unlike what other MPVs such as the Innova and Ertiga feature. Apart from this design highlight, the MPV does seem to be much more butch looking than the cutesy Brio, what with the chunky wheel arches and prominent air intakes on the bumpers. However, it remains to be seen if these striking design elements make it to the production version of the MPV. 

The Brio-based MPV will be a 7 seater, and Honda's man-maximum-machine-minimum philosophy is expected to come to the fore in order to liberate copious room on the inside. The Brio-based MPV could share its engines with other Honda cars. The 1.5 liter i-VTEC petrol motor has been confirmed for the MPV while India is expected to get the 1.5 liter i-DTEC turbo diesel motor as a staple offering. 

The usage of the 1.5 liter i-VTEC motor on the Brio MPV also seems to suggest that the car could measure over 4 meters in length. If the latest Honda MPV indeed measures over 4 meters in length, the car will be the largest model on the Brio platform. Honda is expected to launch the Brio-based MPV in the Indian car market sometime in the middle of 2014. Expect the car to rub shoulders with the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga in terms of price and positioning.

A high level of localization, in order to keep costs low is very likely. Honda's other plans for next year include the 2014 next generation Jazz hatchback and the all new City sedan. Notably, all new compact car launches from Honda in India will come with diesel power, and this is quite a departure for a brand which until recently relied on an all-petrol car line up.