Honda’s entry level small car in India, Brio, has been slowly picking pace and now hopes to reach a new customers base with the new automatic transmission on offer. Ammar Alvi has more.
Japanese auto giant Honda’s Indian subsidiary, Honda Cars India recently launched the automatic transmission (AT) in Honda Brio S(O) and V grades. According to the company, Honda Brio is also the first car in the segment to be equipped with a 5-speed AT, ensuring a convenient and effortless drive in city traffic. While many auto manufacturers overlook the need to have an automatic option in small cars, Honda has just nailed it by launching the Brio Automatic.
The company has also added new features like a “Honda Care Maintenance Package (HCMP)” for free periodic maintenance service up to 40,000 km or two years whichever occurs first. The customer would have to shell out an extra `9,996 for this HCMP package.
The company, which has sold more than 25,000 units since its launch in the first year, is offering a new 5-speed AT allowing to shift gears automatically in response to speed, load and other driving conditions. Brio 5-speed AT features a compact design, direct co-ordination control function with the Drive by Wire (DBW) system for smooth gear operation. It also achieves powerful acceleration and superior fuel economy with the use of both close and wide gear ratios. The design of the AT shift lever in Honda Brio features seven positions to change the shift position in accordance with the driving needs.
According to Jnaneswar Sen, Senior VP, Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India Ltd, “We are confident that these additions in the Brio line-up will appeal to our customers. Automatic transmissions are gaining popularity in hatchback segment due to our stop-go traffic. Our dealer and customer voice indicated that there is a good potential for automatic in the Brio segment.”
The 4-cylinder 1.2-litre i-VTEC engine delivers a maximum output of 88 PS @ 6000 rpm and torque of 109 Nm @ 4500 rpm while offering fuel economy of 16.5 km/litre as per ARAI standards.
The company also launched the new EX variant of the Brio which is an addition to the Brio line-up featuring 1 DIN audio system with front speakers. Inclusion of Body Coloured Outside Rear View Mirrors, Body Coloured Outside Door Handles to name a few. For added customer convenience, the Honda Brio S grade is now equipped with Power Adjustable Outside Rear View Mirrors along with front and rear mud guards.
The rest of the design and features remain the same and the company has priced the new automatic aggressively starting from Rs 5.74 to Rs 5.99 lakh ex-showroom.