Facelift expected next year
With a new model lineup that includes the City, Mobilio and Amaze, and other brands introducing new hatchbacks and variants, it looks the time is right for Honda to execute a facelift for the 3.5-year old Brio, before the next generation model steps in during 2017.
AutonetMagz has come up with an unofficial render of a facelifted Brio that features elements introduced in newer Hondas. For instance, the car draws influence from the top-of-the-line Mobilio RS in the form of a redesigned bumper and side skirts.
Out goes the bold single bar grille in favor of a two bar grille that proudly brandishes the Honda badge. Like the Maruti Swift, the unofficial facelift comes with a black pillar finish that gives the impression of a "floating roof". Overall, the render brings in a fresher and sportier design to the table, which will attract new young customers to the brand.
Honda will most likely fit the 'minor model change' with the same 1.2-liter i-VTEC petrol engine producing 86.8 bhp at 6,000 rpm and 109 Nm of torque at 4,500 rpm, paired to an optional five-speed automatic transmission. It is possible that Honda might add a diesel variant, which could be a new 1.2-liter three-cylinder diesel engine (1.5-liter i-DTEC with one cylinder deleted), but the odds are that the new motor maybe reserved for the next generation Brio that is expected in 2017.
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No time frame of its launch nor delivery dates have been reported by Autonetmagz for the Honda Brio facelift. If Honda decides to update its smallest hatchback, expect a launch in 2015.
[Source - Autonetmagz.com]
