NEWCARS: Thailand's second Ecocar
The Brio emphasises safety features plus a compact body for increased agility
- Hey, it looks exactly like that prototype Honda showed us last year...
Yup, this is the Brio, the second Ecocar to be launched here after the Nissan March. This market-ready Brio made its world debut at Siam Paragon yesterday and has an identical body to the prototype unveiled at the Motor Expo in December.
You may remember us mentioning that Honda wasn't developing the Brio to beat the March in terms of body size; the focus, instead, is on compactness in order to boost 'round-town manoeuvrability. The Brio's wheelbase, for instance, is 2,345mm, a good 105mm shorter than the March's.
Honda stresses, however, that it has made the Brio "wide and low" to optimise cabin space and, in common with the Honda Jazz, the newcomer boasts dual frontal airbags and anti-lock brakes (ABS) features are standard across the range.
The 90hp 1.2 four-pot is billed to achieve 20kpl.
- Wow, well, it's surely expensive, then?
Here's the bad news for cost-conscious buyers: the Brio isn't cheap. It has prices starting at 399,900 baht _ 24,900 more than the March _ for the basic S version.
And if you want 14-inch wheels, all-round electric windows and side mirrors, 2 DIN audio and anti-theft, you'll need to fork out another 69,600 baht for the V.
But here's the bitter part: the S and V are only equipped with a five-speed manual gearbox. If you want an automatic (CVT transmission), you'll need to set aside the sum of 508,500 baht _ and there's only one choice of trim. Nissan's March, by comparison, has four versions (plus two sporty themes) with automatics ranging from 459,000 to 563,000 baht.
Brio comes as a hatchback initially.
- That's quite shrewd. What about the Brio's power?
It comes with a 90hp, 1.2-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine that Honda claims will yield 20kpl, the minimum fuel-economy requirement for an Ecocar.
Unlike the March, which requires an automatic stop/start system to help the CVT automatic version achieve 20kpl, the Brio has no need of fuel-saving assistance.
Honda says that with i-VTEC technology, the Brio can attain a proper balance between performance and economy. While drawing on the same capacity, the Brio develops 90hp, 11hp more than in the March.
If you want an auto ’box, set 500,000 baht aside.
- Should I buy one?
Judging from first impressions, the Brio scores with a compact package greatly suited to city use (it must sit below the Jazz hatchback, so it can't be that big).
In terms of the specification/price balance, it isn't ideal yet; in fact, comparisons along these lines make the Brio appear expensive in most cases.
And for a behind-the-wheel critique, we'll have to reserve comment till we get the chance to drive the car next month. But Honda believes the Brio is a strong brand and says it's confident of selling 40,000 units a year.
The rivals
NISSAN MARCH
Despite the recent arrival of the Brio, the country's very first Ecocar still looks good on paper: generous dimensions and attractive prices. The March uses a 79hp, 1.2-litre, three-pot engine _ with CVT automatic as an option.
MITSUBISHI
Showcased in this Small Global concept car, which will make its Thai debut at next week's Bangkok Motor Show, Mitsubishi has confirmed that its Ecocar, due out early next year, will come with a 1.2-litre engine, CVT transmission and automatic stop-and-go system _ like in the March.
SUZUKI
Although Suzuki has yet to reveal any details about its 2012 Ecocar, it is likely that the diminutive Japanese carmaker will use the new Swift as the basis. The Swift has basically the same technical credentials as the Mitsu and Nissan, and is as big as the March.
Credit: Bangkok Post (www.bangkokpost.com)
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