Performance – Powering the Amaze are the tried and tested engines – 1.2-litre petrol and a slightly reworked 1.5-litre diesel. The petrol i-VTEC loves to be revved and produces 90 PS of power and 110 Nm torque. This engine comes mated to a 5-speed manual transmission which has been tweaked for improved transmission efficiency. Shifts are smooth and slick with maximum power available in the mid-range and high-end of the rev band. Power seems adequate in the city but you do wish that the more powerful 1.5-litre i-VTEC from the Honda City would do more justice on the highways. But then, fuel efficiency is also a matter of concern for us Indians. You also have an option of a petrol CVT which offers smooth acceleration but does have the usual rubber band effect. Good thing is that you get paddle shifters with this variant.
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The diesel CVT variant makes 20 PS lesser power and 40 Nm lesser torque and yet doesn’t feel underpowered
Honda has worked on the diesel motor which is much quieter than before
The 1.5-litre diesel motor produces 100 PS of power and 200 NM torque. The 5-speed manual transmission has well spaced out ratios and there is plenty of power on tap. Gearshifts are smooth and you will really have fun pushing the car as the i-DTEC doesn’t disappoint when it comes to performance. But the biggest talking point is the all-new CVT gearbox. With the CVT, the diesel engine runs a lesser tune and produces 80 PS and 160 NM and on paper, you wonder, is that enough? But once you get behind the wheel it doesn’t feel underpowered at all. This has been done in the interest of smoother and more linear power delivery.
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NVH levels on the new Amaze are highly improved
There is no jerkiness and we were surprised on how well this diesel CVT performed. Most impressive was the elimination of turbo lag completely and the linear power delivery is a boon in almost every situation. The sad thing, however, is that CVT is not available in the top trim. Reason being the cost and it will escalate the price by a considerable margin. The Japanese automaker’s diesel motor wasn’t known to be the quietest one and Honda has tweaked the engine to reduce friction and NVH levels and it has worked. There is no diesel clatter now and along with better cabin insulation, it means that NVH levels are far better than we have known in the past.
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While the ride has improved, we wish Honda offered bigger tyres
Driving Dynamics – Longer wheelbase, larger wheels and the use of more rigid high tensile steel has certainly improved handling from the previous generation car. The steering offers good feedback at both high and low speeds. The diesel has a better steering feel and is more fun around the corners but tends to understeer on hard cornering. Ride quality has drastically improved, especially for the rear passengers. The Amaze takes potholes well at low speeds but the deep ones do creep inside at high speeds. The suspension is tuned slightly towards the stiffer side but dynamics, like any other Honda are well balanced. Grip from the 15-inch tyres is great while the brakes offer good stopping power.
