Honda introduced the Brio hatchback back in the year 2011, since then, the vehicle has been struggling to attract the buyers. The main reasons behind the low sales have been the lack of diesel engine option and the unconventional interiors with less boot space. Brio sold about 1000 units of the car every month, company had many expectations from the car because in terms of price it is cheap, but the small hatch failed to live up to the expectations of the car maker. But now Honda is reportedly bringing the next generation Brio in the market and the expected launch will be in the year 2017. The new car will remain in the same segment but with the slightly raised price tag as compared to the current one.
Vehicles coming from the Honda are popular due to its longevity as well as reliability among the customers. The company manufactured the cheapest car for the Asia-specific market that resulted in low response. It is also revealed that the company might drop the Brio name to represent it as the all-new car. Also, the design and body structure is expected to get some change while the interiors might be changed completely for the fresh appeal.
The reports also say that the Honda is working on the new smaller capacity diesel engine for the next generation Honda hatch. At present, the car offers only the petrol motor and the demand for the diesel engines is on the rise, so the company has decided to introduce the re-engineered diesel engine in the hatch family.
Despite the narrow cost difference between the petrol and diesel prices, diesel engine cars still show the higher sales figures in the market. No other car maker understands the importance of the diesel engine as Honda does, as the company after a long time, successfully introduced the first ever i-DTEC technology in the diesel trims that powers the Honda Amaze, Honda City and Mobilio. After equipping almost all the models with the diesel motor, company is now working to include Honda Brio in the list. Buyers can also expect more stylish and high-class interiors and the better fuel efficiency thanks to the smaller and more efficient diesel mill.
Under the hood, the car will continue to utilize the 1.2 litre i-VTEC petrol mill that has the displacement capacity of 1198cc and can churn out the power output of 86.8 bhp at 6000 rpm and the peak torque of 109 Nm at 4500 rpm. The big change in the engine will be the introduction of the new diesel engine, it is the 1.1 litre, three cylinders i-DTEC mill derived from the present line-up of diesel engines.
It is also expected that the car will be available with automatic transmission gearbox along with the manual one. With the new car, Honda is preparing to make its impact in the hatchback market but it has to be very careful against the already established rivals like Hyundai Grand i10 and Maruti Swift.
Recently, Honda officially unveiled the BR-V at the on-going GIIAS (Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show. The company has opened the booking for the vehicle in Indonesia, but the deliveries will be scheduled for early 2016. Honda has not yet confirmed the launch date for India, but it is expected that the car will be revealed at the 2016 Indian Auto Expo to be held in February. The car will compete against the likes they are Renault Duster, Nissan Terrano and Hyundai Creta.