Honda BR-V: All You Need to Know (not for North America)

Think of this as another take on the HR-V here in North America....

By Ishaan Rastogi |of www.auto.ndtv.com

President of Honda Cars India, Katsushi Inoune, recently announced that the wheels had been set in motion to bring the company's new BR-V compact SUV to Indian shores by mid-2016. The car was first showcased at this year's Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) and will be launched in Indonesia this December. Here's a look at all that you need to know about Honda's upcoming compact SUV.

Design and Interiors
Developed on the same platform as the Honda Brio hatchback, Honda Amaze compact sedan, and Honda Mobilio people carrier, the Honda BR-V, or Bold Runabout Vehicle, bears a few similarities to its MUV cousin on its sides but the front and rear facades have been designed to look far more aggressive and SUV-esque. In fact, despite being categorized as a compact SUV, the side profile of the BR-V looks distinctly similar to the Mobilio thanks to its large glass house, long wheelbase and prominent roof rails.

The front-end features smoked, angular headlamp units that sit in continuation with the two-part, all-chrome front grille assembly. The heavily sculpted bumper is meaty and adds ruggedness to the car's look. It also stands 201mm of the ground, which is almost the same ground clearance as the Renault Duster.

Moving on the rear end of the car. The horizontally mounted LED tail-lamp clusters are connected by a brake light that runs across the width of the car, right below the rear windscreen. The tailgate itself is large and extends quite a way down and should make the Honda BR-V a breeze to load. The number plate is fitted on the tailgate itself and features a thick chrome highlight above it. The long rear overhang does make the car seem more like an MPV but on the plus side, the BR-V gets a third row of seats which is capable of comfortably fitting two adults.

Honda BR-V Dimensions:
Length:	4,456mm
Width:	1,735mm
Height:	1,666mm
Wheelbase:	2,660mm
Ground Clearance:	201mm
Passenger Capacity:	7

On the inside, the Honda BR-V receives pretty much the same all-black themed dashboard as those found in the Honda Jazz and Honda City. The large touchscreen infotainment system sits in a piano black housing with the HVAC controls located beneath it. Both the middle and rear row of seats get adequate leg and headroom, making the BR-V a proper 7-seater. Other features are likely to include ABS, EBD, rear air-conditioner, and new 16-inch alloy wheels. The list of expected features is mentioned below.

Honda BR-V Expected Features:

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)

Hill Start Assist (HSA)

Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)

Dual Front Airbags

16-inch Alloy Wheels

Rear Air-conditioner

Engine and Performance
In India, the Honda BR-V will be available in both petrol and diesel variants. Both engines are currently doing rounds in several other Honda offerings like the City and Mobilio. The petrol powertrain is currently offered with an optional CVT automatic gearbox on the Honda City sedan and it is likely that the BR-V will also receive a similar powertrain. The 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine makes 119bhp and 145Nm of torque. Meanwhile, the 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel engine that's currently present in the Jazz, Amaze, City, and Mobilio, makes 99bhp and 200Nm of torque.

However Honda claims that it's attempting to improve the performance of its diesel engine. Some additional reports have suggested that a more powerful 1.6-litre i-DTEC diesel engine may be offered instead of the 1.5-litre.

Honda BR-V Engine Specifications:
1. Petrol
Engine:	1,496cc i-VTEC petrol
Power:	119bhp
Torque:	145Nm
Mileage:	17-18Km/l (expected)
Transmission:	6-speed MT, CVT
2. Diesel
Engine:	1,498cc i-DTEC diesel
Power:	99bhp
Torque:	200Nm
Mileage:	24-25Km/l (expected)
Transmission:	6-speed MT

Pricing and Competition
Upon its launch in India next year, the BR-V will be competing in one of India's most competitive automotive segments. It will face competition from the likes of the well-settled Renault Duster, hot-selling newcomer Hyundai Creta, and the Maruti Suzuki S-Cross. Prices are expected to range between 8 lakh - 12 lakh.

Source (with a video);
http://auto.ndtv.com/news/honda-br-v-all-you-need-to-know-read-review-and-watch-video-too-1248386