Will be a direct rival to the Hyundai Creta and Renault Duster.
President & CEO of Honda Cars India Ltd. Mr. Katsushi Inoue, today confirmed to Indian Autos Blog that the Honda BR-V will launch in the Indian market "sometime in the next financial year". He said the "crossover vehicle" will be launched in petrol and diesel engines, because "India's a market that needs both fuel types."
When asked about the competitors, Hiroyuki Shimizu, Director & SVP - Marketing & Sales, HCIL said "Pricing is a big issue, and we haven't decided the price as investigations are on. A lot of SUVs are coming out now. What volume we aim for will decide the pricing," he said. The executives were talking to IAB at a media interaction in Tokyo.
Unveiled at the GIAAS 2015 in Jakarta in August, the Honda BR-V is based on the platform of the Honda Amaze, but gets a unique dashboard. The Indonesian subsidiary, HPM (Honda Prospect Motor) has received over 2,500 orders and is currently running a nationwide roadshow displaying the BR-V to prospective customers ahead of its early 2016 launch in the archipelago.
For Indonesia, the Honda BR-V will be produced in Karawang, West Java, fitted with a 1.5-liter i-VTEC four-cylinder petrol engine developing 120 PS at 6,600 rpm and 145 Nm of torque at 4,600 rpm, paired to a new 6-speed manual or a CVT. To be available in a total of 3 variants and 6 colours, prices will range between Rp. 230 million to Rp. 265 million (INR 10.83 lakhs and INR 12.48 lakhs).
For the Indian market, Honda could use the 1.5-liter i-DTEC engine from the Amaze, but a report discussed the launch of a new 1.6-liter i-DTEC engine on the BR-V. The petrol model would be strapped with the 1.5-liter i-VTEC serving the Honda City. The company's second factory in Tapukara, Rajasthan, will reportedly manufacture this vehicle from April 2016.
At the tape, the BR-V is 4,455 mm in length, 1,735 mm in width, 1,650 mm in height and 2,660 mm in wheelbase with a ground clearance of 200 mm. Honda has confirmed that the Indonesian-spec BR-V will ride on 16-inch alloy wheels and have seats for 7 occupants.
