The cat seems to be finally out of the bag, with Team-BHPian KPZen claiming to have spotted the diesel Honda Brio under test around the outskirts of Gurgaon. The Brio which was spotted did not have any badges and was emitting black smoke. Further, he also heard the diesel clatter, which means that Honda could have indeed started testing diesel cars in India. The on-test Honda Brio sported black rims and there was no Honda logo present anywhere on the car. It featured red UP plates, which every Honda test vehicle sports usually.
Petrol prices were hiked by Rs. 7.5 recently, which will create a significant dent in the sales of petrol cars in India. Honda’s current line-up of cars are powered by petrol engines only and the company has payed the price for not getting diesel engines to the market. Honda has been developing diesel engines for the Brio, City and Civic cars at its R&D center in Japan. The company had decided to bring diesel engines to Honda cars in India in 2014 but has now pre-poned it to early 2013.
Honda will be launching the diesel powered Brio as early as February 2013, while the Brio based sedan (codenamed 2TP) will be launched by June 2013 (see rendering). The diesel powered City is expected in October 2013. While the diesel powered Jazz will only come in the next generation model, which is expected to make it to the 2014 Auto Expo. The diesel Brio is expected to get a 1.2-liter i-DTEC engine, which will produce around 70 BHP and 170 Nm. This engine is from Honda’s EarthDreams line-up and is extremely fuel efficient and low on emissions.
Spy Picture Source – Team-BHP
