Honda BR-V SUV to be launched in India by May-end

Honda Cars India ltd (HCIL) unveiled the BR-V SUV at the Auto Expo 2016 in the beginning of February this year and confirmed India launch in 2016 itself. Now, emerging reports indicate HCIL is all set to launch the BR-V by the end of May.

ET Auto reports that a source close to the development told the publication that the car would be launched in May. BR-V is Honda's first attempt in the compact SUV segment in the country and it will compete with the likes of Renault Duster, Hyundai Creta and Maruti Suzuki's yet-to-be-launched Vitara Brezza.

Honda claims a class-leading spacious and comfortable cabin with additional knee room and head room. BR-V comes with seven seats in three rows and is equipped with rear-passenger air vents between front and second-row seats. A multi-information display between the first and second-row seats will be featured in the interior.

BR-V is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder 16-valve i-VTEC petrol engine that delivers 117bhp at 6,000 rpm and maximum torque of 145Nm at 4,700 rpm, mated to a six-speed manual transmission. A new continuously variable transmission (CVT) is also available. The India-spec models are expected with diesel engine option. This engine is likely to be the 1.5-litre i-DTEC engine that is employed in most diesel cars offered by Honda in India.

The compact SUV will boast of features such as dual SRS airbag, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) and Hill Start Assist (HAS).