Honda Motor Company has officially launched its Brio hatchback in Thailand.
The Brio for the Thai market is available in two trim levels, the S and V. Standard gearbox is 5-speed manual while the V variant can also be equipped with a CVT. The Brio is equipped with 1.2-litre 4 cylinder SOHC motor churning out 90bhp at 6000rpm and 11.21kgm at 4800rpm. This is the same motor that does duty on the Jazz hatchback.
The production version of Brio more or less sticks to the concept previewed earlier. It is 3610mm long, 1680mm wide and 1485mm in height and has a wheelbase measuring 2345mm. The Brio offers clever space utilisation on the inside.
The Thai-market Brio is equipped with safety features such as ABS and EBD as well as dual front airbags on all trim levels. Additional features include halogen headlamps, LED-brake lamp equipped rear spoiler, electronic power steering, adjustable steering wheel column, double-DIN music system with USB and AUX but no CD player - this is a similar arrangement that we see here in the City. There is also the inclusion of a security alarm and an engine immobilizer. However, it remains to be seen whether these features make their way in the Indian-market Brio.
The Brio S comes with 14-inch wheels while the upmarket V variant gets alloys.
For the Indian market, Honda knows that in order to achieve success in this segment, it will need to be cost competitive. India 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
Rivan RS 
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Uday Singh
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