These are the first pictures of Honda’s attractive new Brio, hot from the Bangkok Motor Show. Based on the 2CV design concept shown at the Auto Expo in Delhi, the Brio has a youthful and unique identity.

The big chrome strip in the grille and the Honda ‘H’ at the centre are familiar but, apart from that, this tightly skinned compact car has a look all its own. It looks ready for action, thanks to the upward sweeping lines and tipped-forward stance, and the wide, open chin looks a lot like an intake on a jet fighter! Pretty radical stuff. Bulging headlamp pods get black surrounds, the Indian version may get chrome inserts and this car has side skirts too, something that may only come as an option here in India. At the rear, the hatch gets low-set, clear tail-lamps which look unique and Honda has used a glass-only hatch at the rear. As on Maruti’s original 800, this is to save weight and cost but the smoked-out effect provided looks attractive.

While the 3.6-metre length and relatively compact dimensions mean this car is shorter than a Swift, Honda engineers have worked hard to extract maximum space from inside the cabin. Expect the Brio to offer clever space utilisation and practicality as seen on the Jazz.

Though Honda claims the Brio is still only a prototype, we believe it is very close to the production version. Especially the interiors which, like the Toyota Etios, do not conform to tradition. There is no conventional central console, with the music player in fact aligned horizontally with the instrument panel. Slightly retro dials, a generous smattering of circular vents and plenty of beige and chrome give the Honda a slightly upmarket feel on the inside and Honda has paid plenty of attention to storage space as well. There are plenty of cupholders and storage space at the bottom of the central console and in the door pockets is good too. The double DIN music system, like in the Honda City, has no CD player and only iPod support; there is a driver airbag as well. Sign of cost cutting, however, exist -- the front seats have got fixed head restraints and there is no climate control either.

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 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.