Honda Mobilio Spied on Indian Roads; Launch, Price Details

Honda's much anticipated Mobilio seems to be inching closer to its release date in India. The MPV has been spied testing on the road for the first time, suggesting that the launch is imminent.

The latest set of images has been posted by the Facebook user Swapnil Mhaske. The images are believed to have snapped just before it was loading into the truck in front of it. The vehicle spotted was the diesel version of Mobilio as one of the images clearly shows 'i-DTEC' badge at the rear. The vehicle was spotted without number plate.

Unveiled at the Delhi Auto Expo 2014, Honda's new Mobilio MPV is built on Honda's popular Brio hatchback platform and will be offered in both petrol and diesel engines in the country. The petrol model of the car will pack 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol motor, which can churn out a power of 117bhp, and the diesel variant will come with 98bhp, 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel unit, which powers Honda's popular City and Amaze. The engine will come mated to a five-speed manual and CVT gearbox.

While the diesel model of MPV Mobilio is expected to deliver 26 kmpl, the petrol version is likely to give 18 kmpl.

The rumours about the launch of Mobilio have been swirling around for quite some time now. The latest is that the launch would happen in July. The trial production of Mobilio has already started at the company's Greater Noida plant and the actual production will begin in June 2014.

The vehicle will go against the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, Chevrolet Enjoy and Nissan Evalia in the domestic market and is likely to fall in the price range of ₹6 lakh to ₹8.50 lakh (ex-showroom).

If reports are to be believed, the company will commence accepting the booking for the Mobilio by the end of June. Recently Honda launched the MPV in Indonesia.

Earlier in April, Honda previewed its upcoming Mobilio on the company's India website with the 'launching in a few months' tag. However, the exact launch date of the MPV in the sub-continent market is yet to be known.

Apart from Mobilio, the auto enthusiasts in the country are also expecting the launch of 2014 Jazz. The India-bound version of the latest Jazz is expected to come in both petrol and diesel engine variants. The petrol version of the Jazz is speculated to pack the same 1.2-litre i-VTEC petrol engine that powers Amaze and Brio. It can generate a power of 87bhp, with a torque of 110Nm at 4800rpm. The diesel Jazz is likely to pack a 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel motor, which can pump 100PS of power and 200Nm torque.