Honda has begun the sales of its compact crossover Vezel in the Japanese market. The base petrol variant has been priced at $17,950 (Rs. 11.2 lakhs). The uber cool crossover premiered at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show. The Honda Vezel is available in Japan with a petrol engine along with a hybrid version. The near future launch is bound to be in the US by early 2014. The European launch will follow but later in 2015. All-time full wheel drive will be provided as an option on all models including the hybrid version. The standard equipments in the Japanese market will include Electric Parking Brake and Automatic Brake Hold.
The American market will get a little more excitement in the form of a turbocharged engine of the same 1.5-litre engine. The Honda Vezel is powered by a 1.5-litre, DOHC i-VTEC petrol engine. The hybrid version will sport a 1.5-litre direct injection, 130 HP gasoline engine and a 30 HP electric motor. The hybrid powerplant will be coupled to a Sport Hybrid i-DCD (Intelligent Dual Clutch Drive). The Hybrid Vezel is the most fuel-efficient hybrid car in Japan. One such factor contributing to high fuel efficiency is the Reactive Force Pedal which assists fuel-efficient driving by applying reactive force to the accelerator.
Honda, however wouldn’t be launching the hybrid Vezel in the American market. Instead a turbocharged engine is in the pipeline to give that extra boost. The American version of the crossover will also not get the same name. Honda is still working on the engine specifications (recently announced turbo VTEC), modifications to provide turbocharging and also the name for the US and European market. Whatever be the specifications elsewhere, it shouldn’t bother us Indians. That’s because the Vezel is not India bound for now considering feasibility. Let’s hope Honda gives us a made-for-India crossover like the Vezel soon.
