The SUV would be powered by the 1.5-liter petrol and diesel engines.
Honda's answer to the fast-growing compact SUV segment took shape at the Tokyo Motor Show last year where the brand unveiled the Vezel. The Vezel is already on sale in Japan, and will soon start sales in the U.S.A, Europe, Indonesia and Brazil as the Honda HR-V.
The HR-V or the Vezel will not launch in India. Yes, it is true that the crossover is based on the new Jazz's platform which also underpins the new City (and both vehicle are or will be manufactured here), but the company will be unable to price it competitively, investigations found. Hence, Honda is reported to be purpose-designing an SUV based on the Brio's platform heavily taking local inputs into consideration.
Brazil's Car & Driver has a rendering of this SUV, which it calls the 'EcoSport competitor', on its cover page. It is clear to see from the image that the Brio-based SUV, like the Vezel, is designed like the CR-V, with tall taillight elements, a low entry point for the boot and a slender rear quarter glass panel.
Also read: India-made Honda Mobilio launched in South Africa
Power for the SUV would come from the 1.5-liter motors powering the Mobilio. The 1.5-liter i-VTEC and the 1.5-liter i-DTEC are made in India, and are shown to be adaptable to the Brio's platform.
The car's Indian market launch is expected in 2016.
Competitors: Ford EcoSport, VW Taigun, Tata Nexon
Expected Price: INR 6-10 lakhs, ex-Showroom
Launch date: 2016
[Rendering from Car & Driver Brazil]
