Honda Brio MPV Official Sketch Released

By Ganesh

Updated: Thursday, January 30, 2014, 17:24 [IST]

The first official sketch of the India bound Honda Brio based MPV has been released. The upcoming MPV from Honda, codenamed 2NH, is headed to our neighbours to the south in Indonesia first, in a couple of months. The announcement was in fact made in JAKARTA, Indonesia early today by Honda Prospect Motor.

"The new Honda MPV has been developed especially for the needs of customers and road characteristics in Indonesia. This model will also be locally produced in Indonesia as the first product of its new Second Plant in Karawang, scheduled to begin operation in early 2014. This makes the new Honda MPV a very special product for Honda in Indonesia," said Tomoki Uchida, President Director of P.T. Honda Prospect Motor.

Official sketch

Honda described its Brio based MPV as the first entry level MPV in Indonesia. Being a compact MPV it will be in direct competition with the Ertiga and similar products in both countries. Indonesia being the unofficial global capital of MPVs, will be a tough market for the Brio MPV to succeed in.

Honda Brio MPV reveal

Going by the sketch though, the new Honda MPV looks extremely aggressive. Though some of that aggression will be toned down in a production version it will still be a better looking model than the Ertiga. Apart from the Brio's face the rest of the MPV bears no resemblance to the Brio family though.

The reveal

Speaking about the car's looks, the front grille and headlights are reminiscent of a Brio car, but the lower front bumper air intakes look massive. The rear shows split tail lights. The MPV will be a 7 seater in a 3 row configuration.

Seen is an earlier speculative rendering of the MPV

The compact MPV will be powered by a 1.5 liter petrol engine in Indonesia. As always, a diesel engine will definately be added to the Indian lineup. This would make it superior to the Ertiga in terms of power. Maruti Suzuki's MPV currently uses a smaller, 1.2 liter engine.

Another previous speculative rendering

Honda Brio MPV will be launched in Indonesia in September. Expect Honda to showcase the MPV at next year's Indian Auto Expo, followed by a launch sometime during mid 2014.