Honda India's compact SUV to be a 7-seater; Auto Expo unveiling likely - Report

Based on the Mobilio's platform.

Honda is known to be working on a compact SUV, specifically for emerging markets like India, where the Vezel/HR-V will prove to be too expensive. The compact SUV in question is reported to be based on the Mobilio's platform.

Autocar India says that the compact SUV will come with seating for seven occupants, much like the XUV500. This will put the car right in between products like the Renault Duster and the Mahindra XUV500. Top dealers of Honda Cars India were taken to the company's R&D facilities in Japan, and were shown the compact SUV for the first time.

Based on the Mobilio's platform, the compact SUV will get design highlights such as large wheel arches, body cladding, skid plates and roof rails. The front fascia is reported to share some parts with the Mobilio though.

The publication reports that the interior of the compact SUV will look nothing like the Mobilio (which shares its dashboard with the Amaze and Brio). Instead, Honda has given it an all-new design with better quality.

Also read: Sales of new Honda City in India race past 100,000 units in 15 months

The Honda compact SUV would be powered by the 1.5-liter diesel engine and the 1.5-liter petrol engine, which is also seen on the City and Mobilio. Honda Cars India is expected to showcase the car at the Auto Expo 2016 (which will take place in the first week of February 2016), before launching it during the course of the year.

In anticipation of new models like the compact SUV, Honda Cars India announced capacity expansion of its Tapukara car manufacturing plant.

Rivals: Renault Duster, Nissan Terrano, Mahindra Scorpio
Tentative Launch Date: 2016 (unveiling in February 2016)

[Source - AutocarIndia]