Content
The Honda Mobilio was unveiled yesterday at the 2014 Auto Expo. Based on the Brio platform, it is the third vehicle in the series after the Brio hatchback, Amaze and is expected to be launched in the middle of this year. It is a mid-size MPV and will be offered with petrol, diesel engines as well an automatic transmission option.
The Honda Mobiliois 4.38 meters long, 1.6 meters wide and 1.6 meters high with a wheelbase of 2.60 meters. On the front the Mobilio gets the same profile as the Amaze sedan including the grille, headlights as well as shape of the bonnet.
The side profile looks like an extended version of Amaze sedan but thanks the tapering roof and adjusted profile for the rear doors the Mobilio, the design tend to stand out on its own. At the back it gets wrap around tail lamps and a trapezoid shaped number plate slot that all lend the air of premium appeal to the car. The higher spec variants also gets a roof mounted spoiler and reflectors at the base of the door.
Inside, the interiors are very similar to that of the Amaze and Brio hatchback. This means beige upholstery 2-DIN touch screen music system with no CD player and rotating knobs for AC controls. We expect that that Honda will offer an upgradedits AVN package with the Mobilio once it is launched in the sub-continent.
It is powered by the 1.5-litre petrol engine that produces 116bhp and 146Nm of torque in the international markets but in India we expect that Honda will also offer the 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel engine that produces 98bhp and 200Nm of torque. The petrol engine will get a five-speed manual, five-speed AT while the oil burner will get the six-speed manual that has been fitted on the new City.
It will be built at Honda’s new plant in Tapukar, Rajasthan and is expected to be launched in June with a price range of Rs 6.5-lakh to Rs nine lakh. It will compete with the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, Chevrolet Enjoy and the Mahindra Quanto.
