Honda Unveils Mobilio MPV Prototype

Honda has unveiled the Mobilio MPV Prototype at the on-going Indonesian Motor Show. The Honda Mobilio is a vehicle based on the Brio platform and will go on sale in Indonesia priced between 150 – 180 million Rupiah (Rs. 8.42 – 10.10 lakhs). Honda’s Thailand and Indonesia subsidiaries have developed the Mobilio which measures 4390 mm in length, boasting of a generous wheelbase of 2650 mm (245 mm longer than the Amaze). The Honda Mobilio has a ground clearance of 185 mm and will rival the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga in Indonesia and India. The Ertiga is badged as the Mazda VX-1 in Indonesia and the Mobilio will have to fend off competition from the Toyota Avanza as well.

The Mobilio is Honda’s first MPV to be introduced in the lower priced MPV category (which is the best selling category in the Indonesian automobile market) The Honda Mobilio is a 7-seater MPV and will be manufactured at the company’s second plant in Indonesia which will start production in January 2014. Honda will showcase the Mobilio at the 2014 Auto Expo and sales will start by the middle of the year. Powering the Mobilio is a 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine (good for 118 PS), coupled to 5-speed manual and CVT transmissions.

For the Indian market, the Honda Mobilio will use the same 1.5-litre i-VTEC powerplant that does duty on the City and the 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel engine which made its debut in the Amaze. The diesel engine will belt out a respectable 100 PS of power and 200 Nm of torque, giving the Mobilio excellent performance, even on full load. The front takes heavy influence from the Brio and Amaze while the rear seems to be inspired from BMW’s crossover range. The Honda Mobilio will also eat market share from the Mahindra Xylo and Toyota Innova when it goes on sale in our country.