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/

Scoop: Honda Mobilio makes an appearance on Indonesian roads

(Not for North America)

Based on the same platform as Brio and Amaze.

Honda is using the Brio platform quite effectively. After tasting success with the Brio hatchback and Amaze sedan, the Japanese carmaker is ready to bring out the next product.

Called Honda Mobilio, it's an MPV based on the same platform. It was showcased at the Indonesia International Motor Show before making an appearance on the streets of Indonesia. The leaked brochure pictures suggested the MPV will be available in three variants. Engine options include a 1.5-litre VTEC motor (which is used in the Honda City) for the Indonesian market and in all likeliness, a 1.5-litre i-DTEC unit (the one from Amaze) in addition to that for the Indian market. A manual gearbox will be part of standard equipment while a CVT gearbox will be available on the top-spec variant, when it goes on sale in Indonesia. 

Production of the Mobilio begins in January next year while the sales in Indonesia will commence in 2014 itself.

Source;

http://www.oncars.in/Car-News-Detail/scoop-honda-mobilio-makes-an-appearance-on-indonesian-roads/4774