Japanese auto major, Honda Motors, unveiled prototype version of its new small car Honda Brio in Thailand International Motor Expo, today. The company informed that this is the near production version of the Brio which will begin production in March 2011. Honda is going to make this car in India with 80% local components in 2011 as well. The car will carry a price tag of below Rs. 5 Lakh.
Honda Brio is an entry level hatchback that is one class smaller than the Jazz and City. It will compete with Maruti Suzuki Alto, Hyundai i10, among other small cars. The Brio measures 3,610 mm long, 1,680 mm wide and 1,475 mm tall. That’s 45 mm longer, 85 mm wider, but 65 mm lower than a Hyundai i10.
Honda did not reveal what the wheelbase is, or what engine powers the Brio, though according to the sources it will have a 1.2L SOHC engine from the same family as the one in the Jazz/City. Honda needs it to achieve an average fuel consumption of less than 5 litres per 100 km (or 20 km/l) on the ECE R101 mode measurement cycle to meet Thai eco car requirements.
Although the Brio was designed primarily for the Thai and Indian market, Honda is considering export from Thailand to the region around it, so there’s a possibility that Honda Malaysia could take up this model as an entry level to the range.
