The Honda Amaze is ready and is all set to be launched in Thailand next week (November 23).
Some members of the Malaysian media were given a brief preview of the car in Japan. Danny Tan of Paultan.org shot us an email this afternoon as they got to drive the Honda Brio Amaze powered by the India spec 1.5 litre Earth Dreams i-DTEC turbocharged diesel engine. Danny and his team are happy to let us share some of their thoughts.
According to Honda, the 1.5 litre engine is in line with the Euro-spec 1.6 litre diesel engine and its development process proceeded simultaneously. The engine is compliant with Euro 4 emission standards.
There is no word about the power output of the 1.5 litre engine but the peak torque is speculated to be around 200 Nm, which is 10 Nm more than the Maruti Swift Dzire. And at a reported 1,050 kg kerb weight, the Amaze is marginally lighter than its main rival Dzire. Honda engineers were mum about all other specifications of the Amaze.
The diesel motor is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission and has good punch. The motor builds revs smoothly but the diesel clatter is audible in the cabin.
The gearbox complements the engine nicely and the ride quality is decent. The suspension is on the softer side.
The Honda Amaze looks tidier than the Swift Dzire and the stubby boot has decent luggage space too (no numbers yet). The interiors are pretty much the same as the Honda Brio with an all-beige cabin. The quality of materials, fit and finish are at par with the segment.
Overall, the Honda Amaze diesel is a well sorted sedan, according to PaulTan.org.
[Source: Paultan.org]
