Honda is all set to launch the BR-V in India on May 5, 2016. The India-spec SUV was first showcased at the 2016 Auto Expo, and will take on the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Nissan Terrano, Maruti S-cross and the recently-updated Renault Duster SUV when launched. The BR-V does have an ace up its sleeve – in a segment thronged with five-seaters, this Honda is a seven-seater.
The new SUV is based on the same underpinnings as the Amaze sedan, the Mobilio MPV and the Brio hatchback. It will be positioned above the Mobilio in Honda's India line-up and will use the familiar 1.5-litre diesel and petrol engines from the Mobilio and City, but with suitable changes to the tuning.
Up front, the BR-V sports a squarish look and gets a chrome-laden grille and new headlamps with projector beams and chrome inserts. The front bumper is also new and features a wider air dam and two chrome-ringed fog lamps. A matte-silver faux skid plate is also present at the lower end of the bumper.
In terms of design, the BR-V gets SUV styling cues which include butch cladding that runs around the entire car, a rising beltline, pronounced wheel arch flares and roof rails. At 2,660mm, the BR-V's wheelbase is longer than that of Mobilio. On the inside, the BR-V gets the same new dashboard design which was first seen in the recently updated Amaze sedan.
Honda has started production of the BR-V at its Tapukara facility in Rajasthan.
Glenn Noronha
Dhruv Dhaka
Dipan Sur
Hormazd Sorabjee
