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Honda Mobilio MPV prototype unveiled at Indonesia Motor Show

Honda Mobilio MPV which is based on Brio hatchback will be the first MPV from Honda in India which be launched in 2015.

Honda today unveiled its Brio based MPV prototype Mobilio at the Indonesia Motor Show. The Mobilio is the new Multi Purpose Vehicle from Honda for Asian Markets.

Speaking at the Indonesian International Auto Show, Mr. Takanobu Ito, President, Chief Executive Officer and Representative Director Honda Motor Co., Ltd said “Honda Mobilio is especially designed based on Indonesian customer needs. I believe Honda Mobilio would fulfill Indonesian customers dream of an affordable family car with high standard quality from Honda.”

Honda Mobilio MPV is 4.4 m long, 1.68 m wide and 1.61 m tall. It has a wheelbase of 2.65 m and a class leading ground clearance of 185 mm. Its 1.5L petrol engine is the most powerful in its category and the all new 1.5L diesel makes perfect sense in this MPV with 7 seating options. Being more than 4 m in length it will have no cost benefits when launched in India, which again makes the Datson GO+MPV the only 7 seater MPV to be under the 4 m length mark.

Next Generation Maruti A Star spied in India

2014 Maruti A Star to debut 800cc diesel engine in India.

The next generation Maruti A Star has been spied testing in Gurgaon India. The new Maruti A Star codename ‘YL7’ had already been spied in southern Europe some time ago. Thanks to Vipin of Team-Bhp.com for bringing us the spy photo.

The ‘YL7’ is Suzuki’s global model likely to replace A Star and Ritz. Since Ritz is doing well in India, Maruti Suzuki might keep the Ritz along with the new A Star. Possibly the company had intensions to replace the existing A Star and Estilo with the ‘YL7’ model and hence stopped the production of Estilo. The sales of A Star is not too good and don’t be surprised to hear about axing A Star very soon.

The big thing about next generation A-Star/’YL7’ is that Maruti’s might bring in the 800cc 2 cylinder diesel engine with this model. Currently development of the small 800cc engine is going on and according to sources company aims at achieving record breaking fuel efficiency of 30 Kmpl.

The next generation A Star will make its appearance at the Auto Expo 2014 held in January 2014 at New Delhi.

Datsun GO+ MPV unveiled in Indonesia

Datsun GO+ which is a sub 4 meter length vehicle will give volumes to Datsun when launched in India.

Datsun has unveiled its second model GO+ at the Indonesian Motor Show. Indonesia is the biggest market for MPV and hence Datsun chose to unveil the GO+ MPV there. To remind our readers, Datsun unveiled its hatchback GO in India as the hatchback market here is the biggest in the world.

Datsun GO+ MPV is built on the GO hatchback platform. It retains the same wheelbase of GO hatchback which is 2450mm and hence makes production easier and cheaper for Datsun. Though Maruti Ertiga is built on Ritz/Swift platform, it has longer wheelbase and hence production of Ertiga is costlier, the large rear doors and extended part to be produced separately. This cost factor will put Datsun GO+ MPV ahead of Ertiga when it will be launched in India in mid-2014.

The Datsun GO+ retains the same look of GO hatchback right from front to end. The rear portion of the car has been stretched to accommodate the 3^rd row of seats which sits in the overhang portion of the car. Though built on a hatchback platform, the GO+ MPV looks well proportionate from all angles, unlike other stretched or notched MPVs which gets its looks ruined. The good thing is that it is less than 4 meters in length and hence Datsun can pass on the cost benefit to the customers.

The Datsun GO+ MPV will be powered by the same 1.2L petrol engine of GO hatchback and as of now Datsun has no plans to launch a diesel powered GO+ MPV. If it does we are sure this vehicle will certainly surge way ahead in the competiton.

The Datsun GO+ MPV is expected to be launched in mid-2014, 6 months after the launch of GO hatchback in India. As per speculations, the GO+ MPV might be priced between Rs. 4.5 to 5 lakh (Ex-showroom).