Soaring high on the success of the all new City, Honda showcased the upcoming Mobilio MPV at the ongoing 2014 Auto Expo. The Mobilio is based on the Brio platform and was first showcased at the Indonesian Motor Show earlier in 2013. Also on display at the Honda stall is the new City sedan, the fourth generation Jazz and the Vision XS-1 crossover concept that will be the basis for a future vehicle.
The Mobilio is the third car to emerge from the Brio platform after the Brio hatchback and Amaze sedan. The front is strikingly similar to the Brio, with a redesigned front grille and bumper. The chrome grille looks just about right and nothing over the top. The sharp lines from the Brio are carried forward on the Mobilio as well giving it a sporty character; something new for an MPV in India. The side profile is distinctively similar to the Amaze. However, the real change starts from the B-pillar where the body style transforms into an MPV. The car looks well proportioned especially at the rear and the wraparound tail lamps deserve a special mention making the MPV look quite premium.
Powering the Honda Mobilio is a 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine found on the City producing 118 BHP of power, while the 1.5-litre Earth Dreams i-DTEC diesel engine producing 100 BHP of power will also be available. The diesel should be the volume puller and Honda intends to capture the MPV market share from competitors like the Toyota Innova and Maruti Suzuki Ertiga. Expect the efficiency figures to be above 20 km/l on the diesel variant.
The influence of the Brio and the Amaze is quite evident on the interior as well. The large windows on the Mobilio also make the cabin feel airy. The first and the second row can seat passengers in decent comfort, while the third row is rather spacious and can accommodate two full sized adults. The boot also offers decent storage space and can be amplified by folding the third row of seats.
The Japanese manufacturer had a successful run in 2013 with the launch of the Amaze and received rave reviews for the all new City. Honda expects to get the same response this year for the Mobilio, which will be followed by the launch of the fourth generation Jazz in the country. Prices are expected to begin at Rs. 7.50 lakhs for the petrol, going up to Rs. 12 lakhs for the top-end diesel. The Honda Mobilio will be manufactured at the Tapukara plant, Rajasthan, which will most likely begin operations around April this year followed by sales soon after.
