Honda has taken the wraps off the BR-V compact SUV at the 2015 Indonesia International Motor Show (GIIAS). The compact SUV based on the Brio platform gets seven seats to compete with the Renault Duster, Hyundai Creta and the Maruti S-Cross.
Honda BR-V takes design cues from its bigger siblings in the Japanese carmakers lineup. The boxy front is similar to that of the CR-V with a fat chrome front grille and angular headlamps. The SUV shares components with the Mobilio, but looks completely different. It has been designed to look brawny and the black body cladding, front bash plate, flared wheel arches and roof rails are part of the get up.
Unlike rest of the cars based on the Brio platform, the BR-V gets a premium interior. The dashboard is similar to that of the City sedan with rectangular AV vents. It also gets the touch-screen music system from the City with satellite navigation. The top-end version will have features like climate control, start-stop function, cruise control and rear AC vents. ABS-EBD and front airbags should ideally be standard across all variants.
While Indonesia is mainly a petrol market, the Honda BR-V will be launched in India with both petrol and diesel engine options. The 1.5-litre i-VTEC will power the petrol variants developing 117bhp and 145Nm of torque. The diesel versions will use the 1.5-litre turbocharged i-DTEC mill producing 99bhp and 200Nm. There is a possibility that Honda will use the six-speed manual transmission on the diesel variants to compete with the Creta and Duster.
Seven passenger seating capacity should give Honda an edge over the competition if they manage to get the pricing right. Honda BR-V will be priced starting 230 million IDR (Rs 10.8 lakh) for the base version, while the top-end will cost 265 million IDR (Rs 12.5 lakh). The pricing of petrol variants will be similar in India and the diesel variants will cost about Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.5 lakh more. Honda should unveil the BR-V in India during the 2016 Auto Expo and launch it by mid of next year.
Image courtesy: Autonet
