Honda Releases New Images of Mobilio; to Get Soft Launch in Malls

Honda Cars India Limited has released a new set of images of its much-anticipated MPV Mobilio on the company's website, hinting that the launch of the Mobilio is just around the corner.

Honda Mobilio, a much-anticipated and desired MPV in the domestic market, has been rumoured for an India launch for quite some time. Now, the company has suggested that auto enthusiasts in the country will finally get the chance to steer the Mobilio from July.

Auto lovers, who do not have the patience to wait till July, can head down to popular malls in the country in the coming days to get a glimpse of the vehicle before it reaches the market. Like Ford EcoSport, Mobilio will also be taken for public display across the country.

Mobilio, a car which made its first appearance at 2014 Delhi Auto Expo, 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 company started the trial production of the vehicle at their Greater Noida plant earlier last month, and the actual production of Mobilio will commence from this month (June). The MPV, which is already on sale in Indonesia, will be pitted against Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, Chevrolet Enjoy and Nissan Evalia in India.

Honda is likely to price its new MPV in the ₹6 lakh to ₹8.50 lakh (ex-showroom) range. Honda India is expected to commence the bookings for the Mobilio by the end of June.

There are also rumours that the India-made Mobilio will also be exported to neighboring countries like Nepal. The company is planning to double the export of vehicles to other countries during this financial year.

Honda, which is riding high on the success of Amaze and City, looks confident with upcoming Mobilio MPV too. Honda Cars India Limited (HCIL) has reported a growth of 17.8 percent in its domestic sales for the month of May. The company sold 13,362 units in May 2014, as against the 11,342 units in May 2013. Besides this, a total of 518 units have also been exported in May.