Honda BR-V SUV bookings start ahead of May 5 launch in India

Honda Cars India started accepting bookings for its BR-V SUV via dealerships across India. The new SUV is slated for launch on May 5 and the Japanese company has already started a digital campaign christened as #WhereNextWithBRV to connect with the prospective buyers.

An ET Auto report says the dealerships have started taking orders for a down payment of Rs 21,000. The SUV has been rumoured to come in the price range of Rs 8 lakh to 13 lakh and will be up against the Hyundai Creta, Nissan Terrano, Maruti Suzuki S-cross and Renault Duster SUV. All these rivals are five-seaters, while BR-V is a seven-seater with three row arrangement. Honda claims the SUV has a class-leading space inside the cabin with additional knee room and head room. The BR-V measures 4,453mm in length, 1,735mm in width, and 1,666mm in height and comes with a wheelbase of 2,655mm.

The BRV is based on the same platform that also underpins the Brio hatchback, the Amaze sedan and the Mobilio MPV of Honda. Unveiled at Auto Expo 2016 in February, the BR-V will be powered by a four-cylinder, 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine that develops 120bhp at 6,600rpm and 145Nm at 4,600rpm, mated to a six-speed manual transmission. A new continuously variable transmission (CVT) is also available. The market favour for diesel engine is expected to compel Honda to launch BR-V in diesel engine too. If Honda intends to go for diesel, expect the 1.5-litre i-DTEC engine, which is employed in most diesel cars offered by Honda in the country.

The BR-V will come equipped with safety features such as dual SRS airbags, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) and Hill Start Assist (HAS). Honda Cars India has already started the production of the SUV at its Tapukara facility in Rajasthan.