The Japanese company has premiered the Honda BRIO Prototype at the 27th edition Thailand International Motor Expo, and this new-small size vehicle will only be available on the Asian markets.
The new Honda BRIO is expected to go on sale in Thailand an India in 2011, and as far as dimensions, the car measures 3,610mm in length, 1,680mm in height and is 1,475mm high.
There are no details regarding the engine, but the automaker says the Honda BRIO will require only 5 litres of fuel for covering 100 Km. Previous rumors mentioned that the engine lineup will contain a 1.2-litre petrol engine and a new 0.9-litre 3-cylinder unit, both mated to a CVT automatic transmission.
The Honda BRIO price is also rumored to start at around 10,000 Euro.
Honda press release :
Honda Exhibits World Premiere of Honda BRIO Prototype, Honda’s New Small Vehicle Developed for Asian Markets at the 27th Thailand International Motor Expo 2010
Bangkok, Thailand, November 30, 2010 – Honda today debuted the world premiere of a prototype of Honda BRIO, the new small-sized vehicle developed for Asian markets and scheduled to be introduced in Thailand and India in 2011, at the 27th Thailand International Motor Expo starting November 30, 2010 (press day: November 30, public days: December 1-12.)
Honda BRIO Prototype is being developed with Honda’s advanced technologies, while further advancing Honda’s "man maximum, machine minimum" concept*1. Being developed as a commuter which is easy-to-use even in urban areas, the Honda BRIO prototype adopts an easy-to-handle compact body (length 3,610mm x width 1,680mm x height 1,475 mm) while ensuring enough cabin space achieved by highly efficient packaging. With this vehicle, Honda thoroughly pursued the creation of an advanced exterior form, which is compact while asserting a strong presence.
For the mass-production model, which will be an entry-level car, for which demand is increasing in newly emerging nations, Honda will develop unique versions for Thailand and India to reflect different customer needs in those markets. Moreover, with this vehicle, Honda will leverage the resources Honda has cultivated through its motorcycle business and utilize local sourcing of parts and materials such as sheet steel.
For the Thai model that is scheduled to be introduced in March 2011, the fuel economy of more than 5liters/100km*2 will be targeted so that the vehicle will qualify as an eco-car by the Thai government, and a starting price of approximately 400,000 baht will be targeted as well. For the Indian model that is scheduled to be introduced within 2011, local customer needs for a small car will be reflected and local content will be increased to create a model that achieves a good balance between vehicle performance and price.
"Honda would like to expand the joy of mobility to more customers in Thailand, India and other Asian countries through the introduction of a new small vehicle with compact and highly efficient packaging by utilizing our own experiences cultivated by motorcycle business here in Asia," said Takanobu Ito, President and CEO of Honda Motor.
*1 Honda’s "man maximum, machine minimum" concept is a basic approach to Honda car design calling for maximizing the space available for people and minimizing the space required for mechanical components.
*2 Measures with ECE R101 mode
