Rumour: Honda developing 1-litre engine for new small car

Japanese carmaker, Honda is rumoured to be developing a 1-litre, naturally aspirated petrol engine for its min/small car range. It is likely to make its debut in a new sub-Brio offering from the company in 2017. The car is likely to be manufactured at a new plant in Gujarat and will be aimed at volume sellers such as the Maruti Suzuki Alto, Wagon R, Celerio and Hyundai Eon.

The new engine will be Honda's smallest in its global car range. With it, Honda will look to set new records in fuel efficiency. A turbocharged version of the same engine with higher power output is likely to be available as well and could be used in bigger cars like the Jazz and City.

Honda Cars India, Honda's Indian subsidiary, has however denied any such plans. The company claims that it has no plans of introducing a car positioned under the Brio.

Honda has been having a very strong run in India of late. It has recently displaced Mahindra from the number 3 position in terms of monthly sales.

Source: Financial Express