The launch of Honda Amaze is a couple of months away from the Indian auto market. Reportedly, the Japanese auto maker will pull off the curtains from its upcoming entry level sedan in April 2013. The model is said to be a sedan guise of Brio hatchback, which has been well received by the Indian audience. An interesting thing to note about this sedan is that it will feature the first diesel engine of Honda in the Indian auto market.
It must be noted that the model has been already introduced in Thailand at a price of around Rs. 8 lakhs (converted into INR). However in India, the model will be offered with a competitive price, owing to the high degree of localisation of Honda Cars India Private Limited. Industry experts believe that the new sedan from Honda India will be offered between a price tag of Rs. 5.5 lakhs and Rs. 7.5 lakhs. With this pricing, it will compete against the likes of Maruti Suzuki Swift DZire, Tata Indigo eCS, Chevrolet Sail and Mahindra Verito, among others.
Coming to the technical figures of the model, 2013 Amaze is anticipated to feature an all new 1.5 litre diesel engine, which will be best-in-class, according to sources. Reportedly, the diesel engine of Honda will be the most powerful in its respective segment with an overwhelming fuel economy of 24 kmpl. Interestingly, before the launch of Amaze in India, Honda India has already got to witness a good news. The car maker embarked on 2013 at a good note with the increase in sales of City sedan, which made it second bestseller in its respective segment. The report was quite overwhelming for Honda India as their were a number of potential contenders in the list, namely Volkswagen Vento, Nissan Sunny and the Skoda Rapid, among others, which were all available in petrol as well as diesel engine options.
Coming back to Amaze, auto analysts are anticipating that the model will be manufactured at the auto maker’s Tapukara plant, wherein the company’s new diesel engines are produced. Honda India seems all set to bet high on its new sub-4 metre diesel sedan, which will surely facilitate it to earn back its market share that it lost to Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai.
