A question of convenience

Fact files – the Honda Brio gets five-speed automatic torque convertor gearbox from the City – first in segment, but without paddle shifts. The company claims ARAI fuel efficiency 16.5kpl. The Honda Brio automatic will be launched on 18 October and will be available in two variants – S(O) AT and V AT. There are no design changes in this model; not even an additional AT badge to distinguish it from the manual version.

The Brio AT comes with same 1.2-litre i-VTEC unit that produces 88bhp and 109Nm of torque. Now that we’ve got the facts out of the way, allow me to tell you how the Brio automatic feels to drive.

The moment I got my hands on the Brio, I headed straight towards Delhi traffic – and Honda has done its homework well. When driven gently, the Brio shifts gears cleanly at 2,000rpm with the green Eco light glowing on the dashboard backing the fuel efficiency figures. The gearbox is also quick in responding to change in throttle input; it drops a gear immediately not letting you miss a quick overtake. Drive a little less gently and it will upshift at 3,000rpm and even later if the input is still harder.

There is no delay in the shifting of gears; it is easy to drive in really slow moving city traffic. Add to this the convenient driving position, compact dimensions and easy maneuverability that the Brio already has and it becomes really hard to beat in the compact AT segment.

Out on the open road, the hatchback does 100kph at around 2100rpm and can comfortably cruise at around 120kph. The car will quickly drop a gear or two for overtakes and will immediately upshift at the first hint of lift-off, not wasting precious fuel. However, you need to hold the throttle really steady or else car might downshift unnecessarily. At really high speeds there is some cabin noise, but it is forgivable for a vehicle of this segment.

The Brio gets the options named D3, 2 and 1 for the shift lever. In D3 mode, the car won’t upshift beyond third gear. The acceleration is also quicker in this mode and it can be used for engine braking if you are within range of third gear. This is an ideal mode for continuous uphill driving. Other two modes will lock the car in those respective gears.

The automatic version is marginally slower than the manual off the line, but the Brio engine is rev happy and gets into its groove quickly. It takes an additional couple of seconds to reach 100kph from standstill, but considering it is a conventional torque convertor unit, the figures are respectable.

There are hardly any other changes in the automatic. It weighs just 40kg more and hence Honda has not changed the front suspension setting. The turning radius has also increased marginally by 0.2m to 4.7 meters, due to 3-degree change in the steering lock.

On the inside, the gearlever looks different compared to one on the City. The press clip to engage gears is invisible from the driver’s seat, bit like the Honda Civic. The modes are unfortunately not illuminated, not that it is important but it is something that you notice. Part of the instrument cluster is modified to tell which gear you are in.

The Brio gets a CVT automatic in Thailand, but it is not offered here mainly due to cost factors, as it is made in Japan. It would have been even more fuel efficient, but this one Honda says is bit peppier and offers best of both worlds. The prices of the AT variants are expected to be Rs 60,000 more than the manual S(O) and V counterparts. The top-end variant will cost around Rs 5.9 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), less than the Hyundai i10 AT Sportz.

A CVT automatic would have certainly made us happier, but even this five-speed is miles ahead of the ones available on the Hyundai i10, Maruti Suzuki A-Star and therefore also the Dzire and the i20. Honda may also introduce the same gearbox on the Jazz, which we believe is the most ideal city car.

If you are a townie spending two-three hours driving each day at sub average speeds on clogged streets, the Honda Brio AT is the most ideal car for you. Oh, and it will also be fun and economical car to drive, if any of your weekend outings materialise.