Honda Brio 2011 - Will it conquer the small-car segment in India which is lead by Swift..?

Honda BRIO PROTOTYPE is developed with Honda’s advanced technologies, while further advancing Honda’s “man maximum, machine minimum” concept which is a basic approach to Honda car design calling for maximizing the space available for people and minimizing the space required for mechanical components.


Being developed as a city commuter which is easy-to-use even in urban areas, the Honda BRIO PROTOTYPE adopts an easy-to-handle compact body (length 3,610mm x width 1,680mm x height 1,475 mm) while ensuring enough cabin space for five people achieved by highly efficient packaging.

	Honda Brio	Maruti Swift
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Engine	1.2-litre	1.2-litre
Length	3610mm	3760mm
Width	1680mm	1690mm
Height	1475mm	1530mm

With this vehicle, Honda thoroughly pursued the creation of an advanced exterior form, which is compact while asserting a strong presence.

Honda would like to expand the joy of mobility to more customers in India & other Asian countries through the introduction of Honda BRIO PROTOTYPE.

The interior looks quite chic and clean, as we can see there is use of biege all over. The stereo system looks good and pretty user-friendly with big play/pause buttons. In the front, legroom is something you shouldn't be worrying about.

God..! This concept looks great.

But, don't forget this is a concept. The production model will be a bit according to city-conditions.

Power will come from a 1.2-litre engine from the Jazz and a 1-litre unit might arrive at a later stage. This will be a three-cylinder version of the same motor but without the VTEC technology. To improve fuel efficiency, Honda has used Michelin Energy tyres and has added flaps at the lower end of the front bumper and rear tyres to further reduce the coefficient drag. There is no news of a diesel engine as yet, but Honda has hinted towards a hybrid version of the '2CV', following feasibility reports.

“Honda would like to expand the joy of mobility to more customers in Thailand, India and other Asian countries through the introduction of a new small vehicle with compact and highly efficient packaging by utilizing our own experiences cultivated by motorcycle business here in Asia,” said Takanobu Ito, President and CEO of Honda Motor.

Honda knows that in order to achieve success in this segment, it will need to be cost competitive. Prices are expected to start at Rs 4.5 lakh, which will be good value. The Brio will arrive around September 2011, which means that it will be the last of the three hatchbacks launched next year, after the Toyota Etios hatchback and the new Maruti Swift. There’s a big fight coming up, so stay tuned with us.