Latest Car News in India

Honda Brio diesel by next year, spotted again

What may come as a pleasant surprise for the Honda car lovers is that the company is apparently developing Honda Brio diesel hatchback. A close source to the development revealed that Brio diesel was seen zooming in the roads of Gurgaon recently. What makes us think that the car spotted has a diesel heart under the hood is the distinct diesel noise produced by a diesel powertrain. Also no badge was spotted on the car, it seems the company does not want to give any hint about the hatchback.

Honda does not have any diesel powered car in its portfolio in India and the domestic market is dominated by the diesel cars. The sudden hike in the petrol prices by Rs 7.50 has left the customers and car makers zapped. Petrol cars sales will further slump and this may affect Honda as there is no diesel powered car in its stable. Honda Brio is the cheapest and smallest car offered by Honda, the car has received a good response from car buyers and hence Honda India is eyeing to render this hatch first in the diesel version as it has been selling in good numbers, even better than its popular sedan Honda City.

Honda Brio diesel might be launched in 2013 followed by Honda Jazz and Honda City sedan. Honda India is developing a range of diesel engines for its cars, and the recent spotting of Brio diesel is a little surprising. Honda displayed its brand new 1.6 litre i-DTEC turbo diesel engine which will be housed in Honda Civic sedan. The 1.6 litre i-DTEC engine is based on Honda’s EarcthDreams technology that offers high torque and fuel economy with petite tail pipe emissions. The other Honda diesel engines are also expected to be based on the “EarthDreams” technology.