Honda has presented its all-new Mobilio MPV and the third-generation Jazz premium hatchback in India at the on-going 2014 Delhi Motor Show.
The memory of two long and painful years of setbacks and natural disasters that haunted the Japanese automaker Honda, now seems to be long forgotten and distant. The auto giant has finally escaped the dark spell and is literally racing on the road to recovery. First came the Honda Amaze fitted with a diesel powerplant for the first time in its history, which easily shook up the compact sedan segment in India and set the sales chart on fire. In its endeavor to continue the upward trend in 2014 as well, Honda has now officially presented its newest Mobilio MPV and all-new Jazz hatchback at the on-going 2014 Delhi Motor Show.
The 2014 Honda Jazz, which is now in its third generation has been designed exclusively for the emerging markets in Asia and is based on Honda’s new global design philosophy – EXCITING H DEISGN!!! – which stands for ‘High Tech, High Touch and High Tension’. The original design of the Jazz hatch has been reworked so as to offer more space and comfort. The driving characteristic has also been tweaked to optimize performance and driving pleasure.
Powering the new Jazz in India will be the 1.2-litre i-VTEC engine and the 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel unit mated to a 5-Speed manual gearbox. It is worth noting that the Jazz will be the only hatchback in Honda’s portfolio to get the 98PS oil burner, which is known to post impressive fuel efficiency and stellar performance, Honda is betting high on its new Jazz, stating that the model will revolutionize the premium hatchback segment in India.
The Honda Mobilio MPV on the other hand, has set its mind to go head to head with the segment leader, Maruti Suzuki Ertiga. First seen at the Indonesian Motor Show in 2013, the Mobilio MPV is the third Honda car that has been derived from the Brio platform, after the Brio hatchback and the Amaze sedan.
Design wise then, the differences are not too big when compared to the Honda Brio hatch. Except that, the Mobilio MPV has received a larger front grille and thicker chrome bar running along the centre. The bumper gets a new faux air damp at the bottom. The side profile too, features aggressive design cues taken from the Brio. At the rear however, the shift from a hatchback to that of an MPV is evident – with the modified B-pillar and wraparound tail lamps that give the car a pillar-less look.
On the inside, the Mobilio features spacious cabin that can accommodate up to seven passengers in a three row configuration. The design, interiors and layout once again, is similar to the one seen in the Brio. Honda has not yet revealed the engine and transmission options for the Mobilio. But we reckon, the MPV could be powered by the 1.2-litre petrol unit and the 1.5-litre diesel unit that currently serves the Brio hatchback.
Both the Jazz and the Mobilio MPV backed with the reliable and efficient Japanese brand have already earned the reputation of a potent product. And we have no doubts that its respective competitors should be really worried in the coming months. Expect both the models to hit the streets during 2014-15.
