Honda SUV Range To Grow With 2 New SUVs (Creta, Venue Rivals)
Honda to launch an all-new compact SUV in 2022 to rival Hyundai Venue and Maruti Vitara Brezza.
Japanese automaker, Honda is gearing up for the launch of the new City, WR-V facelift and the BSVI Jazz hatchback in India in the next couple of months. The company’s SUV line-up is restricted to only two models – the WR-V and the CR-V, as the BR-V SUV has been discontinued due to low sales and new BSVI emission norms. In fact, Honda had to cancel the launch of the new HR-V SUV in India.
Honda has multiple SUVs in the global markets and is working on 3 compact and mid-sized SUVs including the next-gen HR-V SUV. The next-gen HR-V will grow in size and will measure close to 4.4 meters in length, which gives enough space for an all-new mid-sized SUV. Adding to it, Honda will also launch an all-new sub-4 meter SUV in the Japanese market in 2021. While the new HR-V will debut the brand’s new architecture, the new compact SUVs will be based on the new-gen City platform that also underpins the Jazz hatchback.
What Platform?
Honda is also developing 2 new SUVs for the domestic market, which will be launched in India from 2022. Instead of the new City platform, Honda is likely to use the new Amaze platform (GSP Platform) to develop the new SUVs. The company will first launch an all-new sub-4 meter SUV to rival the likes of the Tata Nexon, Ford EcoSport, Mahindra XUV300 and the Maruti Vitara Brezza.
The second Honda SUV for our market will be an all-new mid-sized SUV, which will measure close to 4.3 meters in length. This SUV will rival the likes of the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos. Similar to the BR-V, the new mid-sized SUV could be offered in 5-and -7 seat options. Honda has recently registered the ZR-V nameplate, which is rumoured to be brand’s new mid-sized SUV to rival the Jeep Compass. Few Asian media claims that the Honda ZR-V could replace the Honda HR-V in some of the Asian markets including Australia.
Honda is already selling the WR-V, which is a Jazzed based crossover. The new model rivals the Maruti Vitara Brezza, Tata Nexon and other SUVs in the sub-4 meter category. This model is a crossover, which is based on the City platform. A more rugged and sportier SUV based on the Amaze platform could be a better choice for the highly competitive Indian market. Moreover, the new City platform would prove to be costlier for a compact SUV or even a new mid-sized SUV for India.
The GSP platform based compact SUV is likely to be offered with 2 engine options – a 1.2-litre i-VTEC petrol and a 1.5-litre i-DTEC turbocharged diesel. Honda could also use the new 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine instead of the 1.2L unit for the sub-4 meter SUV. Honda could also introduce the 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that produces 120bhp and 200Nm of torque.
Honda’s mid-sized SUV could use the new City platform; however, this will make it significantly expensive for the Indian market. This model could use the modified version of the GSP platform. It is likely to be offered with 1.5L petrol and diesel engines.
Source – AutoCarIndia
