Honda Mobilio RS Edition in the Works, Spotted in Indonesia. (Not for North America)

Honda’s next big launch slated for India is Mobilio MPV, a 7 seater version of the Brio hatch. Company showcased the car in India for the first time, during Auto Expo. Car took up the centre stage and gathered lot of attention due to its sculpted profile, intelligent space management inside the cabin and vibrant brown colour. But for some, it was difficult to digest the Brio’s feminine face on this big people mover car. Honda Prospect Motors Indonesia seems to be working on RS edition of this car which will address this very issue. As per the first ever spy pictures surfaced on the web recently, results are very impressive and new face justifies the size of this people mover. This MPV is already available in Indonesian showrooms since past few months and Mobilio RS might be a special edition or limited edition being offered there. It is not likely that Honda will bring the facelift of the car so soon. Whatever might be the reason but changes are always welcome and especially when those changes add some spice.

Beginning from the front end, there are lot many noticeable changes on the car. This RS version looks like a Mobilio on steroids. Bulbous headlamps, now feel more edgy and sharp because on redesigned reflector and infills. Lighting duties are done by projector lamps housed in black surrounding. Indicators, in headlight housing, now get two slated grill in front of them and new pilot lamps are sitting on top of all. Between two headlights, there sits new split chrome strip which now cover larger part of the grill. Highly re-worked part of the car is front fender, which now houses two angular creases above fog lamps, which give you a feel of eyebrows. At the bottom, faux diffuser like prominent lip has been added. In between these two, there is large honey comb grill which acts at air dams. Fog lamp housing has now grown up so big, that it occupies maximum height of the fender. It also gets a chrome highlight at the bottom. Not only front fascia but rear end also receives many cosmetic changes. Spoiler on top, feels like being lifted up from a batmobile. Rear bumper too gets some bigger horizontal slats and chrome tip running across it. To sum up these changes, there is ‘RS’ badge just over the i-VTEC badge, which gives new identity to this car.

We don’t think that there will be any change in powertrain of the car. In Indonesia, Mobilio is powered by 1.5 liter i-VTEC petrol motor which does duty on Indian Honda City. It is quite unclear that whether Mobilio comes to India with this ‘RS’ face or the one which is showcased in Auto Expo. But we are sure that Honda will plonk 1.5 liter i-VTEC petrol and i-DTEC diesel motors, both of which are currently used in City. Petrol engine produces 119 ps @ 6600 rpm and torque of 145 Nm @ 4600 rpm, while diesel motor churns out 100 ps @ 3600 rpm and 200 Nm torque@ 1750 rpm. Standout feature of petrol engine is its refinement and that of diesel is ultimate combination of power and economy. When these engines gets married with practical and spacious cabin of Mobilio, it will shake the ground below every other contender in its segment. We are not far away from witnessing the launch of this 7 seater. So, ‘Hello, guys at Honda Cars India, if you are listening, please bring this RS version of Mobilio to India too!’

Source;
http://www.indiancarsbikes.in/auto-news/honda-mobilio-rs-edition-works-spotted-indonesia-85107/

Honda Mobilio-more details revealed (not for North America)

The Honda Mobilio was unveiled yesterday at the 2014 Auto Expo. Based on the Brio platform, it is the third vehicle in the series after the Brio hatchback, Amaze and is expected to be launched in the middle of this year. It is a mid-size MPV and will be offered with petrol, diesel engines as well an automatic transmission option.

The Honda Mobiliois 4.38 meters long, 1.6 meters wide and 1.6 meters high with a wheelbase of 2.60 meters. On the front the Mobilio gets the same profile as the Amaze sedan including the grille, headlights as well as shape of the bonnet.

The side profile looks like an extended version of Amaze sedan but thanks the tapering roof and adjusted profile for the rear doors the Mobilio, the design tend to stand out on its own. At the back it gets wrap around tail lamps and a trapezoid shaped number plate slot that all lend the air of premium appeal to the car. The higher spec variants also gets a roof mounted spoiler and reflectors at the base of the door.

Inside, the interiors are very similar to that of the Amaze and Brio hatchback. This means beige upholstery 2-DIN touch screen music system with no CD player and rotating knobs for AC controls. We expect that that Honda will offer an upgradedits AVN package with the Mobilio once it is launched in the sub-continent.
It is powered by the 1.5-litre petrol engine that produces 116bhp and 146Nm of torque in the international markets but in India we expect that Honda will also offer the 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel engine that produces 98bhp and 200Nm of torque. The petrol engine will get a five-speed manual, five-speed AT while the oil burner will get the six-speed manual that has been fitted on the new City.

It will be built at Honda’s new plant in Tapukar, Rajasthan and is expected to be launched in June with a price range of Rs 6.5-lakh to Rs nine lakh. It will compete with the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, Chevrolet Enjoy and the Mahindra Quanto.

Source;
http://www.carwale.com/news/12331-honda-mobiliomore-details-revealed-.html

Indonesia – Honda Mobilio presentation video released

by Sharawan Raja of www.indianautosblog.com

Honda Prospect Motor (Honda Indonesia) has compiled a video that briefs on the design, technology and features of the Honda Mobilio which launched in the archipelago last week. The video is in Indonesian, but there’s nothing one can’t understand of the light MPV watching the visuals.

Features explained in the video include tilt steering, audio system with CD, Aux and USB ports, double blower aircon, one touch tumble seat, Eco Meter, 1.5L i-VTEC engine matched to a CVT gearbox, 5.2m turning radius, electric power steering, dual SRS airbag, ABS+EBD, and an accessory pack

The first 160 customers of the Honda Mobilio were given the keys on Saturday in an event in Jakarta.

The Mobilio for India will be revealed at the 2014 Auto Expo (starts on Feb 5 in Greater Noida) and the important change for the local market is the addition of a 1.5L EarthDreams diesel engine that achieves record fuel efficiency on the Amaze and new City. This engine would pair to the 5-speed manual transmission, while the 6-speed MT is also worth considering an MPV is a highway/long-distance vehicle in India. Whether Honda India will offer the CVT option for the petrol Mobilio is not confirmed.

The Indonesian Mobilio comes in three variants – S, E, and E-Prestige – with prices starting at 159,500 rupiah (8.19 lakh rupees).


Source;
http://indianautosblog.com/2014/01/honda-mobilio-indonesia-presentation-video-114503