Scoop: Honda Mobilio makes an appearance on Indonesian roads

(Not for North America)

Based on the same platform as Brio and Amaze.

Honda is using the Brio platform quite effectively. After tasting success with the Brio hatchback and Amaze sedan, the Japanese carmaker is ready to bring out the next product.

Called Honda Mobilio, it's an MPV based on the same platform. It was showcased at the Indonesia International Motor Show before making an appearance on the streets of Indonesia. The leaked brochure pictures suggested the MPV will be available in three variants. Engine options include a 1.5-litre VTEC motor (which is used in the Honda City) for the Indonesian market and in all likeliness, a 1.5-litre i-DTEC unit (the one from Amaze) in addition to that for the Indian market. A manual gearbox will be part of standard equipment while a CVT gearbox will be available on the top-spec variant, when it goes on sale in Indonesia. 

Production of the Mobilio begins in January next year while the sales in Indonesia will commence in 2014 itself.

Source;

http://www.oncars.in/Car-News-Detail/scoop-honda-mobilio-makes-an-appearance-on-indonesian-roads/4774

New Honda Mobilio and Brio for Indonesia

Honda Unveils Honda Mobilio Prototype at Indonesia International Motor Show, a New Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) for Asian Markets

JAKARTA, Indonesia, September 19, 2013 - P.T. Honda Prospect Motor (HPM), Honda's automobile manufacturing and sales joint venture in Indonesia, today exhibited the world premiere of a prototype of Honda Mobilio, the new multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) developed exclusively for Asian markets, at the 21st Indonesia International Motor Show held in Jakarta, Indonesia from September 19 through 29, 2013. Other Honda vehicles on display include the Brio Satya, which will qualify for the Low Cost Green Car (LCGC) program implemented by the Indonesian government.

Honda Mobilio prototype

Brio Satya

The Honda Mobilio will be Honda's first model to be introduced in the lower priced MPV category, which is the best-selling category in the automobile market in Indonesia. Honda developed this model based on the research conducted in Indonesia regarding local road and weather conditions, and customer needs. While offering a spacious cabin space with a three row seat configuration for seven occupants, the Honda Mobilio features a compact-sized body fitting the general size of parking spaces in Indonesia which are of less than 4.4 m in length. Moreover, taking local road surface conditions into consideration, the Honda Mobilio features a ground clearance as high as 185mm, which is equivalent to the ground clearance of SUVs while achieving nimble driving performance. Equipped with a 1.5L i-VTEC� 4-cylinder gasoline engine, the Honda Mobilio will go on sales realizing both excellent driving performance and fuel economy. Production will be at the second plant of HPM which will become operational in January 2014 in the Karawang region of Indonesia.

The Brio Satya, which Honda introduced on September 11, 2013 prior to the motor show, is equipped with a 1.2L i-VTEC gasoline engine, achieving more than 20 km/L low fuel economy, which will qualify for LCGC program. This model will also be produced locally at the Karawang plant of HPM, realizing local content as high as 85%. To coincide with the production of the Brio Satya, HPM will expand the annual production capacity of its existing plant from the current 70,000 units to 80,000 units. Combined with the capacity of the second plant, which will become operational in early 2014, the overall annual production capacity of HPM will reach 200,000 units.

In addition to these new models, HPM exhibited the next-generation super sports model NSX Concept, as well as the new Brio Sports (1.3L), a successor model to the Thai-made Brio which became the best-selling vehicle in its class with sales of approximately 15,000 units* in the first 12 months since August 2012 in Indonesia.

*Honda Caluculations as of August 2013

Comment by Takanobu Ito, President and CEO of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.:
"The Honda Mobilio is the first model Honda has developed especially for the Indonesian market. Working closely with Honda operations here to study the unique needs of Indonesian customers, this Honda Mobilio will fulfill the dreams of Indonesian customers for an affordable family car featuring Honda's high standard of quality. We will continue to support the expansion of Honda business in Indonesia by introducing new products that meet the needs of our Indonesian customers."

Paul Tan: Honda Mobilio Spec's and Pictures

Not for North America....

 

 By Hafriz Shah of www.paultan.org

We now have fresh and full details of the new Honda Mobilio, along with live photos of the vehicle from its world debut earlier today at the Indonesian International Motor Show 2013. The budget seven-seat MPV is an interesting vehicle indeed, especially since it’s aiming to be the cheapest of its kind in Indonesia.

Still labelled as a prototype, the budget MPV will not go into production exactly as it’s seen here, but the changes will be minimal, according to Honda. It looks completely production ready though, so perhaps it won’t be very long before the Mobilia completes its development programme.

It looks rather good in the flesh; much better than most pictures suggest. Its ‘Dual Solid Motion’ design concept is distinctive, if not exactly unique. The character line that runs across the side of the vehicle draws attention away from the thick proportion as well as help improve all-round visibility. Honda calls it the ‘lightning-bolt’ belt line.

While the front is heavily based on the Brio hatchback it’s derived from, the rear end is all new. The lights have a BMW-like notched design, and the D-pillar is partly covered by the rear quarter panel – another move to break up the visual mass. The prototype sits on 15-inch aluminium wheels.

No pictures of the interior yet, as we weren’t allowed in (this is a prototype, after all). Honda claims to have a class-leading “sensation and comfortable” cabin, without saying it’ll be the roomiest small MPV around. It goes on to say that the rear-most seats will have limited space, but makes up for it by having a “comfortable and relaxed atmosphere” back there.

Practicality should be a high point in the Mobilio. The third row seats can be folded 50/50, while the centre row can tumble down in a 60/40 configuration. A necessary feature in all MPVs, the small Honda MPV will feature a double-blower air-conditioning system, with a dedicated multi-vent panel behind the front seats.

Engine-wise, the Honda Mobilio is powered by a 1.5 litre SOHC i-VTEC unit with 118 PS at 6,600 rpm and 144 Nm of torque at 4,800 rpm. There’s either a five-speed manual or a CVT ‘box. That should be sufficient for a vehicle that measures 4,390 mm long, 1,680 mm wide and 1,610 mm tall. The Brio platform has been stretched, here offering a long 2,650 mm wheelbase.

Safety is paramount in a people (often family) carrier, yes? The Mobilio has dual airbags, Honda’s G-CON (G-Force Control Technology) and ABS with EBD. Seatbelts with pretensioners, impact mitigating headrest and integrated pedestrian protection are all standard too.

Source;
http://paultan.org/2013/09/19/honda-mobilio-full-details-live-gallery-mpv/

Honda Brio – Indonesia launches 1.2L, new variants

by Anthony Lim of www.paultan.org

Honda has refreshed its Brio model lineup in Indonesia – new variants of the compact hatch have been introduced, including the entry-level Satya variant that has come about in response to the country’s Low Cost Green Car (LCGC) programme, and the 1.2 litre finally makes its way into that market.

The Brio was first introduced in Indonesia last August as the automaker’s first offering in the city car segment. It made its debut in 1.3 litre i-VTEC form, the 100 PS and 127 Nm four-cylinder unit being available with CVT or five-speed manual transmission choices.

The 1.3 continues on, and is now joined by the 88 PS and 109 Nm 1.2 litre SOHC lump that was first seen on the Brio in Thailand. The current range thus comprises the Brio Sports (E grade only), the Brio 1.2 (S and E model grades) as well as the Brio Satya 1.2, which is available in three trim line grades (A, S, and E). The Brio 1.2 is available only in auto transmission form, while the Brio Satya is only available with a manual transmission.

The Brio Satya is entirely produced in Indonesia, with 85% local content, and is the automaker’s cheapest model in that market. Cheap it may be, but there’s much pride in it. The car wears a suffix and logo created specifically for Indonesia – the Satya name comes from the Sanskrit word meaning “sincere” or “faithful,” and the car also bears a logo that takes the form of the jasmine, the country’s national flower.

It’s also quite well specified. All the Brio Satyas are equipped with dual airbags, and for the range-topping E grade, the kit list includes fog lamps, rear wiper, 14-inch alloys and a double-DIN CD/MP3 player with USB/iPod connectivity.

Pricing for the revised 2013 Indonesian Brio lineup starts from 106 million Rupiah (RM30,100) for the Type-A Brio Satya and tops out at 179 million Rupiah (RM50,800) for the Brio Sports E automatic.

Source;
http://paultan.org/2013/09/12/honda-brio-new-variants-launched-in-indonesia/

Honda Brio-based MPV unveiled

Honda has just revealed the sketches of its new mini-MPV (Codename: 2NH) in Indonesia. Known as a ‘low’ MPV or LMPV, the sketch clearly shows a car with a comparatively low-slung roof and an elongated wheelbase. Imagine a Maruti Ertiga with a lower roof and you won’t be too far off the mark.

The styling, however, is far more aggressive. The nose, especially the headlights and the grille, are clearly Brio-like, but the car is sat on a block-like base, put there in an effort to disguise the otherwise odd dimensions. Gaping large inlets are present in the front and rear bumper, the designers have used a kink in the window line to visually reduce the length of the car and big wheel arches have also been used to further accentuate this. The heavily flared wheel arch at the rear, with its central ridgeline, is in fact likely to be the talking point of this car. The sketch also reveals a very interesting ‘floating D pillar’ that hovers above the shoulder line. It however remains to be seen if this feature makes it to production.

Known as Asia’s MPV haven, Indonesia is the home to many MPVs. Toyota’s Innova is produced there, our own Maruti Ertiga is sold in that market and there are a raft of other MPVs on sale there too. Honda’s Low MPV (code: 2NH) will also be produced there first, Indonesia likely to be the launch market. India however will be next.

Details of the interior are sketchy, but the Brio’s dashboard is likely to be carried over. Insiders say there will be plenty of luggage space present even with all three rows being used by passengers.

Where Honda’s mini-MPV is likely to score well too is in the engine department. Unlike Maruti’s Ertiga, that suffers from a bit of turbo lag owing to the small displacement 1248cc diesel engine used, this car will come powered by Honda’s 1500cc 100bhp motor that delivers instant throttle responses and plenty of torque. The 2NH is also likely to use an updated version of the City’s current 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol motor because it is unlikely to be less than four meters long.

With three rows of seats, Honda’s excellent packaging skills, aggressive styling and a strong diesel engine under the hood, Honda’s mini-MPV will surely give the Ertiga a run for its money. Expect to see the car in India first at the Auto Expo in January 2014, with the production version hitting our shores towards the middle of next year.

Source;
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Autos/Latest-News/Honda-Brio-based-MPV-unveiled/Article1-1094847.aspx

Here’s another attempt at rendering the Honda Brio MPV

by Anjan Ravi

Last week, we showed you a rendering of the Honda Brio MPV. A lot of you wrote in with mixed response. It was quite obvious after reading a few comments that the long rear overhang of the rendered Brio based people carrier did not go down too well. Otherwise, most of you found the Brio MPV to be a rather challenging competitor to the Maruti Ertiga.

This rendering of the Brio MPV, done by Indonesian blog ‘Dumotkita’ tries to address the rear overhang issue. As you can see, this Brio MPV is almost Ertiga like at the rear: The tail gate is almost vertical and there is hardly anything after the rear wheel apart from the bumper itself. You get the essence of this story if you focus on the concept rather than on the quality of execution.

Extending the length of the Brio and integrating a third window would result in a Brio estate. The height of the car will also have to be raised, and more so if the Brio’s size class is taken into account. A taller body shell will have to come in place for it to look and feel like a proper MPV such as the Freed.

Honda is a world leader in interior packaging. The Jazz, Brio and the Amaze are testimony to that. As a result, we’re inclined to think that the overall length of the Brio MPV would be something in the order of what you see here. In terms of interior space, it is quite obvious that Honda would want to equal, or improve upon, what the Ertiga offers.

Engine wise, it can be said for certain that the Brio MPV would carry over the 1.5-liter i-DTEC diesel engine from the Amaze. The 1.2-liter i-VTEC engine may also be applied on the new derivative. We’ve been hearing that the Brio MPV would be aggressively priced in Indonesia, where it is scheduled to go on sale first. The ETA is sometime before April 2014. Even in Indonesia the Ertiga is one of the chief rivals for the Brio MPV.

Source;
http://indianautosblog.com/2013/05/honda-brio-mpv-rendering-77565

Honda Indonesia and India: Honda Brio MPV has time till April 2014

The Honda Brio MPV will be the second spin off from the Brio hatchback’s platform and is considered as a key product for Southeast Asian markets like Indonesia and India.

Honda has just launched the very promising Amaze sedan and the next step is to get the second onslaught in place. Regular Indian Autos Blog readers know that the Brio based MPV is in the works and it would make its global debut in Indonesia.

In the MPV loving archipelago, the new Honda will enter into a tussle with bigwigs like the Toyota Avanza, Daihatsu Xenia and the newest hero, the Suzuki Ertiga.

Back home, the Maruti Ertiga and the soon to be launched Chevrolet Enjoy will be the rivals for the MPV. Ford’s B-Max armed with seats for seven is another future contender in this growing segment.

Mr. Jonfis Fandy, director of marketing and aftersales service at PT Honda Prospect Motor told the Indonesian media that the Brio based MPV will compete in the affordable segment of MPVs. He also said that the deadline for the new product is April 2014 and by that time, the upcoming factory in west Java would be ready. Mr. Fandy added that the progress of the factory is being accelerated and the new product could hit the market earlier than the deadline.

The Brio MPV will share most of the soft components with the Amaze. The entire dashboard assembly, front doors and seats are likely to be carried over, and perhaps certain sheet metal and glass panels shall also be shared to gain scale.

The Brio MPV is expected to provide another huge boost to Honda Cars India, just like the Amaze. The new 1.5 litre i-DTEC diesel engine would be finding its place under the hood, thereby making the Ertiga rethink its position.

Source;
http://indianautosblog.com/2013/04/honda-brio-mpv-has-time-till-april-2014-71457