Japanese automaker, Honda is going through tough times in the Indian market. Due to lack of SUVs and new range of vehicles, sales of Honda Cars India are on constant decline. The company has to close its Greater Noida based plant and cut down production at its Tapukara, Rajasthan based plant. However, Honda has announced its new product strategy that includes a new SUV for the Indian market. The company is reportedly developing two new SUVs – a sub-4 meter and a mid-sized SUV, scheduled to be launched in 2023 and 2024 respectively. Moreover, Honda has also started testing the City facelift in Thailand.
New Honda Compact SUV
Honda will first launch a new sub-4 meter SUV, which is rumoured to be called the new Honda WR-V. For people not in the know, Honda will showcase a new compact SUV based on RS SUV concept on November 2, 2022. It is reportedly to be called the new Honda WR-V and will be based on the new BR-V/City platform. On the other hand, Indian media reports that the compact SUV will be based on the Amaze platform that shares commonalities with the City sedan. In fact, the new mid-sized SUV is also reportedly to be based on the new WR-V’s platform.
The Indonesian-spec Honda WR-V is reportedly to measure around 4.1 meters in length and will rival the Nissan Magnite, Kia Sonet and Toyota Raize. For people not in the know, the Kia Sonet on sale in Indonesia measures above 4 meters in length. For India, Honda Cars India will have to make some design changes to keep its length under 4 meters. It will be powered by a 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine that powers the City sedan. The company could also introduce the new model with a strong hybrid tech in our market.
The new Honda mid-sized SUV
Honda is also developing a new mid-sized SUV to take on the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and the Maruti Grand Vitara. The new model will also share the platform with the new WR-V SUV. It is reportedly to be offered with two seating layouts – 5 and 7-seat with later riding on longer wheelbase. The new model is expected to share styling cues from Honda’s global SUVs including the HR-V and the new CR-V. It is likely to share the engine options – a 1.5L NA petrol and a 1.5L Atkinson cycle engine with e:HEV tech.
Honda City facelift
Interestingly, Honda has started testing the City facelift in Thailand. The upgraded model will come with design changes and upgraded cabin. It will have new front fascia with revised bumpers and air-dams along with new grille. The rear will have revised bumper and a spoiler will be placed above the trunk lid. Inside the cabin, the sedan could get a revised infotainment system with wireless connectivity, and new connected car tech. With facelift, Honda will remove the diesel version of the City sedan from our market. It is likely to be offered with two engines – a 1.5L i-VTEC petrol and a 1.5L Atkinson cycle engine with e:HEV tech.
Image Source – Headlightmag
