Honda Cars India Ltd. (HCIL) has launched the company’s latest compact sports utility vehicle (SUV) – Honda BR-V (Bold Runabout Vehicle) in India at a stating price tag of Rs. 8.75 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). It comes in 6 colour options – Taffeta White, White Orchid Pearl, Carnelian Red Pearl, Alabaster Silver Metallic, Urban Titanium Metallic &Golden Brown Metallic and it comes in 4 trim levels across two engine options. Although the bookings are already on while the deliveries will begin after its launch. The Honda BR-V will compete with Renault Duster, Hyundai Creta, Nissan Terrano and other compact SUVs. For your information, the Honda BR-V shared its platform and engine options with Mobilio. The SUV available in both petrol (1.5-litre i-VTEC) and diesel (1.5-litre i-DTEC) options. The petrol version is priced between Rs. 8.75 lakh and Rs. 11.99 lakh, the diesel variant costs Rs.9.99 lakh (all ex-showroom, Delhi). The BR-V comes with a 3-years Unlimited KM warranty as standard value for all customers with another 2 years of optional extended warranty. In addition to this, the Honda showrooms will offer Honda BR-V buyers up to 30 accessory options to choose from.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Yoichiro Ueno, President & CEO, Honda Cars India Limited said,
“India is a key market for Honda and as part of our business expansion, we are focusing on increasing our customer base with new model introductions. The launch of BR-V marks Honda’s entry into the popular compact SUV segment. Customers can experience the outstanding appearance of an SUV and benefit from the versatility and comfort of its spacious 3 row interiors. We are confident that BR-V will strongly appeal to the customers and accelerate our growth while strengthening our brand presence in the country.”
The Honda BR-V has been developed at Honda R&D Asia Pacific Co., Ltd. located in Bangkok, Thailand and it has been manufactured at the company’s Tapukara plant. At the launch event, it is also said that, the company has plans to expand its sales network too, right now there are 298 dealership which will further increase up to 340 dealerships in the current financial year. Commenting on the expansion plans, it is said that, Honda is in the process of investing Rs. 380 crore in the Tapukara plant which will increase the production capacity to 1.8 lakh units per year from 1.2 lakh units right now.
As many of you know, Honda always takes safety very seriously, therefore the company has given a comprehensive list of active & passive safety features. The Honda BR-V is equipped with dual air bags across all variants. In addition to this, the diesel variant get ABS with EBD as standard along with dual airbags. Apart from this, in case of accident, extensive use of high tensile strength is used in making the frame leads which further increase the rigidity & strengthening and energy absorption.
The Honda BR-V design is inspired by the Honda Mobilio MPV model and the design is modelled on the automaker’s “Active Solid Motion” design tenet and yet it sports elements. The new Honda SUV has large chrome-slat grille, back projector head-lamps, a study bumper, plastic body cladding on the wheel arches and also get a ground clearance of 210mm & the base cargo area of 223 litres which can be enhanced to 691 litres, it the third row is folded.
The cabin loaded with a myriad of provisions such as a start/stop button, steering-mounted controls, automatic climate control, roof mounted AC vents, Bluetooth connectivity, height-adjustable driver’s seat, rear defogger, etc. depending on the selected variant. The Honda BR-V will also get a segment-first standard 7-seat configuration, while the second row get a recline function.
The Honda BR-V has been launched in both engines – the 1.5 litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines. Both engines also power the Honda City and Honda Mobilio models and are coupled to 6-speed manual transmission. The petrol variant will be drawn from a 16-Valve, 4-Cylinder 1.5-litre I-VTEC engine with new and exclusively developed 6-speed Manual Transmission and first-in-class Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). The CVT kit will provide the user with sports car inspired paddle switches located just behind the steering spoke; the feature is claimed to be the first in the segment. The BR-V’s 1.5L I-VTEC will be good for a max power of 119 PS that will be made at 6,600 rpm while 145 Nm of peak torque will kick-in at 4,600 rpm. The diesel variant is powered by the 1.5 L i-DTEC engine from Earth Dreams Technology series and will be strapped with a 6-speed Manual Transmission. The maximum power of 100PS will be made by the power plant at 3600rpm and 200Nm of peak torque will be generated 1,750 rpm. The fuel economy is rated at 15.4Kmpl (MT) and 16Kmpl (AT) for the petrol variant while that for the diesel variant is 21.9kmpl. The Honda BR-V will be offered in 5 variants (E,S, V, VX and V CVT) and the diesel-powered will roll out in four variants (E, S, V, VX).
In terms of features, the E trim equipped with projector headlamps, root rails, reclining and split folding second and third rows, adjustable headrests on all three rows, front and rear power windows, tilt steering and keyless entry.
The S trim additionally equipped with automatic climate control, rear AC vents, 2DIN audio system with Bluetooth and USB, steering-mounted audio controls, electrically adjustable wing mirror, height adjustable drivers seat and rear defogger along with washer and wiper.
The V trim carries the features offered on the lower two trims and additionally gets 16-inch alloys, engine start/stop button, electrically foldable win mirrors with turn indicators and front fog lamps.
The top VS trim gets leather seats along with leather-wrapped steering wheels and gear knob, heat absorbing windshield and chrome side projectors.
Honda BR-V comes with safety features:
- Advanced Compatibility EngineeringTM (ACETM) body – Enhances self-protection while mitigating damage to other vehicles in the event of a collision.
- Front Dual SRS airbags as Standard Offering on all grades
- Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
- Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD)
- Pretentioner seat belts with load limiters
The features offered on each variant of Honda BR-V will be
Honda BR-V E
- Front Dual SRS Airbags
- ABS With EBD (Only Diesel)
- Projector Headlamps
- LED Tail Light Guide
- Chrome Front Grill & Rear Chrome Garnish
- Roof Rails
- Body Color Door Mirror & Door Handles
- Adjustable Headrests (All 3 rows)
- 2nd Row 60:40 Split Seats with Recline
- 3rd Row 50:50 Split Seats with Recline
- Digital AC Controls
- Eco Lamp
- Front and Rear Power Window
- Tilt Steering
Honda BR-V S
- Advanced 2DIN Integrated Audio (AM/FM, MP3, USB & Aux-in)
- Bluetooth Connectivity & HFT
- Steering Mounted Audio Controls
- 2nd Row Slide
- ABS with EBD (PE & DE)
- Auto AC
- Rear AC Vents
- Driver Seat Height Adjuster
- Electrically Adjustable ORVM
- Premium Seat Fabric
- Rear Defogger
- Rear Wiper with Washer
- Door Centre Sash Black Tape
- Trim Wheel
Honda BR-V V
- Push Start With Smart Entry
- Alloy Wheels
- Paddle Shift (CVT Only)
- Electrically Foldable ORVM
- Turn Indicators on ORVM
- Sporty 3D Speedometer with Multi-Information Display
- Front Fog Lamps
- 2nd Row Centre Armrest
- Security Alarm
- Front/Rear Mudguards
- Tweeters
- Auto Door Lock By Speed
- Impact Sensing Auto Door Unlock
- Chrome Door Handles
Honda BR-V VX
- LED Position Lamps
- Leather Seats
- Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
- Leather Gear Shift Knob
- Leather Pad on Door Armrest
- Front and Rear Bumper Lower Garnish
- Chrome Side Protector
- Heat Absorbing Windshield
- Front Power Window Auto Up (Driver)
Honda BR-V Dimensions and Volumes:
- Length – 4456 mm
- Width – 1735 mm
- Height – 1666 mm
- Wheelbase – 2662 mm
- Ground clearance – 210 mm.
- Base cargo area – 223 L, which can be enhanced to 691 L with the 3rd row fold configuration.
- Turning Radius of 5.3 mm (petrol) and 5.5 mm (Diesel)
Honda BR-V Delhi Ex-Showroom Prices
Honda BR-V petrol variant prices (ex-showroom, Delhi)
- E – Rs 8,75,000
- S – Rs 9,90,000
- V – Rs 10,90,000
- VX – Rs 11,84,000
- V CVT – Rs 11,99,000
Honda BR-V diesel variant prices (ex-showroom, Delhi)
- E – Rs 9,90,000
- S – Rs 10,99,000
- V – Rs 11,85,000
- VX – Rs 12,90,000