HONDA
All-new Brio Ecocar
Although it's billed as a prototype, the Brio is virtually ready for the showroom next March.
- Hey, it's not a bad-looking car...
You could say so, especially when you compare the Brio with the Nissan March. Although Honda is showing it as a prototype at the ongoing Motor Expo, the Brio would look practically like this when it goes on sale officially next March.
Note how the Brio has evolved practically unscathed from the Small Car concept shown earlier this year at the New Delhi auto show. The Brio stands out with large, oval-shaped headlights, angular tail lamps and tail gate made from glass (probably inspired by the Volvo C30).
- The interior looks quite smart, too...
Yeah, but let's not forget these first pictures handed out by Honda are for higher-end versions of the Brio (meaning fun in Italian, according to Honda). There's a prominent speedometer, chunky steering wheel and centralised audio system, among others.
Brio is shorter than March.
Since this is Honda's new entry-level car, cost-cutting is imperative. That explains why the front seats still feature a conventional one-piece architecture, seat belts that don't adjust for height and the lack of map-reading lamps and windshield defroster.
If you want more proof of cost-reduction, note the single rod connecting the boot-lid and body and the antenna which must be pulled out manually.
- That's alright, I just need wheels. What's the price like?
Although pricing will be made final next year, Honda says it should start at around B400,000 (the March starts at B375,000). Its maker will use Ecocar incentives to help yield such a price level.
Despite being B25,000 dearer than the March - Honda says Thais not only look at price but also product attributes - the Brio is not the same size and could be properly called an A-segment hatch instead sitting below the B-segment Jazz.
Chunky steering wheel for higher-end models.
The Brio has a 3,610mm length (170mm shorter than the March), 1,680mm width (15mm wider) and 1,475 height (40mm shorter). The March is bigger in most dimensions and explains why Nissan calls it a sub-B car.
- Hey! So the March is better value...
Thais usually are easily enticed by the amount of metal a car has when making comparisons with other rivals, so you could be right. But let's wait for the final specification spread before making a judgement.
That said, Honda must surely be busy training their sales people to emphasise on the Brio's compact dimensions and agility for city driving.
Just to let you know: Thais are getting a higher grade than the Indians because the latter are more concerned about low prices, which is also the reason why the Brio will also be made in India, apart from Thailand.
One-piece seats point to need for costcutting.
- Okay. Oh, what's powering the Brio?
The technical credentials are still shrouded in secrecy. If you look at the tachometer in this interior pic, the 6,500rpm redline obviously points to a petrol engine and reveals VTEC valve system in the true Honda tradition.
The transmission is rumoured to be either a normal four-speed slusher or CVT automatic. Of course, there will be a five-speed manual in the baseline version.
The only thing Honda bosses have made known is the 1.2-litre displacement. There's also no intelligent stop-and-system as in the March.
Antenna is conventional.
- Hmm... will the Brio achieve 20kpl?
Yeah, that's an intriguing question. Nissan insiders said that without the so-called i-stop system, the CVT version of the March would not be able to achieve 20kpl and CO2 rating of 120g/km as required by Ecocar rules.
Some people are suggesting that Honda would capitalise on the weight factor, although that will be a big challenge.
The heaviest March weighs 965kg, so the Brio must go well below that.
Therefore, it remains to be seen how Honda would be able to achieve that minimum fuel economy level and maximum emissions level.
Boot lid is hinged by only one rod.
Credit: Bangkok Post (www.bangkokpost.com)
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