[Maky]

Originally Posted by blackasta

Is this car going to be a 5 seater or 6/7 seater? Any speculations?

Most definitely a 5-seater.
It is meant to compete with the likes of Creta and Seltos.

[AYP]

Hi GoBabyGo! Swell username.

Originally Posted by GoBabyGo

Hi AYP - I am one of those who are justifying Honda sticking to their 1.5L NA engine and I personally feel that Honda NA engine is excellent enough to wait to launch their 1.0L Turbo engine. This is not the case with say Hyundai, Skoda/VW, Maruti, Nissan-Renault or even Toyota.

Beside this, as of now Turbo petrol engines are mainly offered by those whose NA engines are lame or not there. Also it is difficult from management point of view to think of investing heavily to bring an engine when management is not sure that it will significantly improve their monthly sales, which I believe is true because Honda don't have a line up (present or in near future) to take them to 15k to 18k monthly sale even if they bring 1.0L Turbo petrol engine.

This exact point was made by BHPian GBX which I agreed with-

Originally Posted by GBX

Opinion: Honda's reluctance to release a turbo petrol is not due to NVH, driveability, reliability or any such reason. It is simply a reluctance to invest in the Indian market due to perceived risks and low profit expectations.

Originally Posted by AYP

This! I am surprised at the reasons given by some members justifying Honda and their decision of sticking with NA only in India(not counting the diesels). Heck, they offer turbo petrols in Pakistan as well.

So it seems that we both agree on why Honda isn't keen on bringing turbo petrols to India. My post was directed at general discussions which were taking place in general on NA vs Turbo and the justification(not just yours) for Turbo. As a consumer though, more specifically someone who prefers a turbo over NA, I will always give them bricks and bats for not bringing turbo petrols to India.

Originally Posted by SoumenD

I don't think anybody is justifying their move of sticking to NA. These are just inferences looking at their lackluster attitude towards our market.

So, we have atleast 1 member who has accepted to justifying Honda's decision of sticking with NA engines.

[AnAvgJoe]

My 2 bits.

While a Creta/Seltos competitor from Honda has been long overdue, I think the product is going to be dead in the water. Maybe that's being a little harsh, but, I think this is going to be another Jazz rather than the Civic (Not really significant numbers to make them discontinue in 2 years, but certainly going to be never refreshed and discontinued at the end of 5 or so years).

Not having a diesel option in a paisa sensitive market (upfront premium payments are fine, but not the regular pain at the fuel pump + the perceived resale value), is not a smart move. The Hybrid market is not yet mature in India, and the added upfront cost does not lead to cheaper stops at the fuel pump. A full tank will still cost plenty (I'm talking about the perception here, rather than hard figures).
The absence of a Turbo charged petrol (Honda did have a 1.5 turbo motor in the previous civic abroad, making about 180bhp), will put off the enthusiast.

So, who are left, as potential customers. The hardcore Honda fanboys or girls, a few others driven in by the perceived premium of the Honda badge over the Hyundai/Kia ones and a few who will love the design and not bother about the driving experience (chauffer driven).

I do hope to be mistaken about my observations, as the consumer in India cannot afford to loose any more car companies.

[ketan007]

Originally Posted by AYP

This! I am surprised at the reasons given by some members justifying Honda and their decision of sticking with NA only in India(not counting the diesels). Heck, they offer turbo petrols in Pakistan as well.

That's really sad. I knew Honda launched HR-V in Pakistan recently where the Petrol and food crisis is going on. I don't understand the logic behind all this.
Hope we will get T petrol engines soon.

[grey_ghost]

Hi,

My feelings on the upcoming Honda Elevate.

1) Not having a diesel engine is not going to be a deal breaker as even Hyundai is slowly discontinuing its existing diesel line up. The new generation Creta which will be launched next year may not have a diesel engine at all. Kia also will follow suit.
2) 1.5 NA engine is more that capable for the average Indian user. Only enthusiasts would look for a Turbo option.
3) A reliable Honda will definitely be preferred over the German twins.
4) A decent feature list, a la-City will do OK for Honda.
5) Pricing and looks/presence are going to be the crucial factors for Honda.

[gck_tourer]

India is a market where a Hero Honda Splendor is the largest selling motorcycle for 30 years with the same engine and power. Marutis 800 cc engine was the top seller in Alto and 800 for 20 plus years. By this logic Honda's IVTEC will sell for another decade without breaking a sweat. We Indians are very loyal and we don't even look at better options once we set our minds upon something. And we defend Honda's IVTEC with all our might against the whole world come what may ....

[Kashief]

Originally Posted by volkman10

Pic for ref.
Attachment 2447037

Link

Honda is well known for their interior space management. Sub 4m Amaze was having a better space than few full size sedans retailed in 2013. And 1.5L NA is good enough for a vehicle weighing between 1-1.2 tonnage. Having a turbo engine will unnecessarily increase the price tag which Honda may not expect to do.

[07CR]

Originally Posted by John316_WRC

After extensively driving the 1.0 MT Kushaq and 1.0 auto Kushaq, firmly disagree with your comments here. Many people on the road have asked us numerous times if it was a diesel engined car!

I believe a Honda buyer would rarely go for a Skoda/VW product. The comparison is IMO moot. We should actually compare refinement of a Hyundai/kia 3 pot 1 litre turbo petrol, which is actually spectacular. IMO, under most conditions, these engines achieve equal refinement as a 1.5 NA Honda motor.

[John316_WRC]

Oh absolutely! The Hyundai 1.0 turbo is a very nice engine, is way more refined than the 1.0 Tsi and is rather enjoyable. I was just replying to another post that stated the 1.0 Tsi was as refined as the iVtec.

[samitjain]

I would not buy Honda products having dreadful experience with city 4th Gen.

Below average AC
Noisy power windows
Excessive road noise and poor suspension.

They make good looking products with decent features list and exemplary space.

But I feel like their products are Hollow from inside. Several cases of rusting have also come up.

They have stopped making their premium products like accord. Their made for india/Asia are poor

[sagsaw]

Elevate is DOA without a Turbo Petrol in my opinion and Hybrid will be way too costly.

[Chinni]

I have waited for almost 2yrs to upgrade from my 2011 etios, hoping to find a good compact SUV. Did not go for Kushaq because of the early EPC issues and dimensions being smaller than its competitors although it looks better than some. Something tells me Honda Elevate will be a good buy. Eagerly waiting for its launch. Hope it does not prove me wrong.

[Turbohead]

Originally Posted by sagsaw

Elevate is DOA without a Turbo Petrol in my opinion and Hybrid will be way too costly.

Hold your horses! For most people out there features >> power figures.

Apart from enthusiasts, most people care only about mileage. I know a few people who bought turbo petrols and they aren't too happy with the fuel economy and sort of regret the purchase because they hardly use all that power.

If Honda executes the package well, there is no reason that this will fail. After all Honda is still decently reputed among the masses except for their lack of portfolio.

If there's one thing that Indian's love, it is the feeling of buying something that makes you feel very special at a very good price.

[Torque123]

Originally Posted by Turbohead

Apart from enthusiasts, most people care only about mileage. I know a few people who bought turbo petrols and they aren't too happy with the fuel economy and sort of regret the purchase because they hardly use all that power.

Turbo petrols are not just about using the top end power. It immensely helps during quick & short overtakes in the city limits too. I find to do this with ease in my Slavia than in the Fiesta 1.6 with the NA engine which had good low & mid range power output at lower RPM's compared to the 1.5 NA of Honda City. My driving style (am neither a conservative nor a very aggressive driver. I have my moments of fun too within city limits driving), time, traffic, usage & routes taken are almost the same in both the car's. I don't use idle start stop in the Slavia nor I used to kill the engine of the Fiesta at traffic signals or short stops. I still get an FE of anywhere between 10-11.5 KMPL with 100 percent AC ON within city limits in my Slavia 1.5 DSG which surely is a good number for a 1.5 turbo petrol. I was getting the same in the Fiesta 1.6 too. I think one has to be realistic & practical when looking forward to own a turbo petrol car irrespective of which brand it is. Expecting 13 to 14+ KMPL in city limits with a mix of bumper to bumper & normal traffic with 100 percent AC ON may happen once in a bluemoon but not regularly or consistently. Getting this kind of FE consistently in city driving even with a 1.5 NA petrol is very very rare.

It takes sometime to adjust the driving style in a turbo petrol car if one is upgrading from an NA engine. I have experienced this too. If one continues to drive a turbo petrol like an NA engine then neither will he/she be able to enjoy the power/performance of the engine nor will be able to get a respectable FE.

Honda Elevate will sell in good numbers if it is priced well & has good road presence. This is what will matter to an average Indian customer. Almost all cars now are kitted with good amount of features. So Elevate won't be an exception for sure. An average Indian buyer doesn't even know what an NA or Turbo petrol is or he/she doesn't care. Honda is using this to it's advantage by sticking to the 1.5 NA & increasing its margins/profits. It's the customers who are okay with Honda not providing turbo petrols for which there might be 100 different explanations. Honda City sales numbers serve as a proof. So no point blaming Honda here.

[NH08]

Honda Elevate may prove correct one of the following two sayings:

(A) Better late than never, or

(B) The only lesson we learn from the history is that nobody learns from history.

I am slightly afraid that Honda will go down second path, although in some corner of my mind, I have a perpetual hope that one day Honda will give me replacement for my current car.