Latest news in the Indian automotive segment is that Honda is planning to introduce two new SUVs for our market. The brand currently retails products like the WR-V, BR-V, CR-V here in India. But the company is eyeing to rival successful products such as the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza & Hyundai Creta with the two new SUVs being planned.
As what we mentioned above, one SUV will be a sub-4 metre product while the other will be a premium SUV / crossover. Both these SUVs are expected to be introduced by 2020-21. So, one can realistically expect Honda to showcase these products at the 2020 Indian Auto Expo.
The Honda Amaze is built on an all-new platform 2UA. This is making it possible for the brand to expand horizons, and build new cars around this chassis. The new platform was developed keeping in mind the future possibilities of multiple car body types being built around it. The new chassis will be able to handle more weight and also allow for larger wheel wells.
First, the brand will introduce the sub-4 metre SUV which will rival the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Ford EcoSport & Tata Nexon. Now when this happens, it is unclear if the current Honda favourite, the WR-V will be replaced with this new compact-SUV. But this gives us a pricing reference at least. But the new product will be more SUV like, unlike the WR-V which is essentially a beefed up Honda Jazz.
The other SUV would measure above 4 metres, and will take the fight with the Hyundai Creta which is the undisputed king in its segment. The Honda SUV will be built to allow for a premium look & appeal to customers who want an SUV which is car-like to drive, looks butch and can tackle the Indian broken terrain with ease. But will this replace the BR-V? May be, as it is not doing any good for itself anyway. We are not sure if Honda’s new Creta rival will be a 7-seater vehicle. The brand can make it possible as the BR-V is doing the same, and at a lesser price point. But till then, even the Creta will be coming up in its new generation.
Expect Honda to make use of their existing petrol and diesel engine options which range from 1.2L and 1.5L. Both new cars will have BS-VI compliant engines and will be coupled to manual as well as automatic gearbox options.
For the immediate future, Honda is all set to launch the new Amaze followed by the new Civic & CR-V here in India.