[theMAG]

Mod Note: The Official Honda Mobilio Review has been taken live at this link. Please continue the Mobilio discussion over on the review thread.

Team-BHP was invited to a 2-day event in Japan by Honda. Day 1 would involve driving some of Honda's upcoming models & technologies at the Twin Ring Motegi race track, while Day 2 would be at the Tokyo Motor Show. Some of the cars shown have direct relevance to India, while the others were meant for Japanese / Western markets. We explore in more detail below.

There was an introductory briefing from Mr. Yoshiyuki Matsumoto - Managing Officer, Honda - before the drive began:


The various drives of the day:


India was in its own group:


The Twin Motegi racetrack - 2 hours outside of Tokyo - is constructed and owned by Honda, and features a leg of the MotoGP championship (among others) in the annual racing calendar. The cars (all automatic) available to us were:

1. Mobilio
2. Jazz (Petrol/HEV)
3. Honda Accord Plug-in HEV
4. CRZ (Mugen)
5. Odyssey



HEV Technology:

Before I delve into the actual cars, a little more about the HEV technology on tap. HEV - or Hybrid Electic Vehicle - isn't something entirely new. It features an electric motor & a petrol motor, and is defined by 3 automated modes of operation between the 2:

EV Drive: Start off / low speeds: Solely powered by the electric motor (Li-Ion battery). There is therefore, no conventional ignition key. Just a start button for the electric motor alone.

Hybrid Drive: Hybrid mode. For mid-range / cruising speeds. Both motors work in tandem. The petrol motor charges the electric motor, which continues to drive the wheels.

Engine Drive: High RPM / Spirited driving. The petrol motor takes over completely.

Honda's value-add in offering HEV is two-fold:

1. Honda claim that their HEV system is among the most fuel-efficient in the world. Spoken figures were around the 36 kpl mark for the Jazz HEV, and 70 kpl for the Accord Plug-in HEV.

2. All their future sedans sold in Japan will be HEV by default. This to me, was a significant paradigm shift for a company to take.

The Mobilio:

Enter the Utility Vehicles. UVs (MUV / SUV) seem to be the hottest segment in India today, and any manufacturer's commitment to the Indian market can be evaluated based on their UV offerings. Honda has decided to make its presence felt in this segment with the Mobilio - a 3-row MPV, built on the Brio platform. The Brio's platform is to Honda what the Swift's is to Maruti. Both manufacturers have built a hatchback, sub-4 meter sedan and MPV on the same platform.

The Mobilio is an important launch for Honda India, and the 3rd vehicle in their launch blitz. This 7-seater will be launched in 2014. It is also the last of the models to use the original Brio platform.



Apart from India, the Mobilio is designed for the Indonesian market, where MUVs rule the roost. MUVs in Indonesia form the largest automotive category, and being a similarly price-sensitive market as India, the mantra for this category of vehicles across the two countries remains the same: get in a proper 3-row vehicle that is built to a cost.

Secondly, the Mobilio that was made available by Honda was the Indonesia-spec model, with a 1.5L 100 BHP VTEC petrol. Driving this vehicle wasn't possible due to extraneous circumstances, and therefore the actual driving impressions will have to be reserved for a later date. In India though, this MPV will be offered with the 1.5L i-DTEC engine from the Amaze.


The Brio-DNA:


A 2,650 mm wheelbase and a 4,390 mm length give the Honda Mobilio proportions that are larger than that of the Maruti Ertiga, its chief rival in the Indian car market. Based as it is on the Brio platform, the Mobilio shares many parts including its interiors with the Brio range. At first impression, I liked the Mobilio. Its design is neutral, and certainly pleasing to all.







The ground clearance is rated @ 185 mm. This prototype had Honda's next-gen CVT transmission which has been developed specifically for Honda's smaller vehicles.

The Mobilio on display had prototype interiors - interior photography was therefore not allowed. However, from what I saw, the dash is a straight lift from the Brio, and felt rather small in proportion to the size of the vehicle. The dashboard was all-black and the seats all-beige. Seems to be a standard recipe for our market. The headrests are integrated, in the interest of cost-cutting. While the purpose of such cost-cutting is understood, care has to be taken by manufacturers not to overdo it. The seating in the 2nd row was usable. However for large passengers, legroom will be somewhat constrained. The 3rd row seating is definitely usable for medium-sized folk.

This parts sharing with the Brio / Amaze coupled to local sourcing could make for a competitive price tag. Pricing of the Mobilio, which is pegged between 150,000 and 180,000 Indonesian rupiah corresponds to 8.41-10.10 lakh rupees in Indian currency.

Brionic headlights!


Wraparound tail-lights:


Notably, the Mobilio badge has been resurrected by Honda for use in this MPV. The Japanese automaker withdrew the badge in 2008 to make way for the Freed MPV.

Twin airbags and ABS+EBD make for the standard safety features on the top-spec Mobilio MPV. Notable features include automatic climate control with twin blowers for the rear seats, keyless entry and a 2-DIN audio system with USB and AUX-In support.

A final look at the Brio DNA:

[theMAG]

The Honda Jazz:

Now, grown-up!


Another important platform for us in India. The new Jazz platform spans 3 cars : Jazz, City and the urban SUV called Vezel (related thread). The new City is due for launch soon, the Jazz will follow next and the Vezel might come to India in 2015. Honda could have its task cut out while positioning the 2014 Jazz, given the Amaze's price positioning. Must be mentioned that this generation of the Jazz has an increased focus on cost-cutting, compared to the outgoing car.

This is the 3rd generation Honda Jazz. The latest avatar is more mature, grown up and increasingly subtle all-around. The Jazz' length is under 4 meters, and will therefore be eligible for the lowest slab of excise taxes in India. The car does get longer in terms of wheelbase though.













A senior Honda India executive I spoke with stressed on two points:

1. A very high degree of localization to begin with: around 90% targeted for the Jazz and City. That should keep costs down.
2. Not concerned about Jazz / Amaze cannibalization, as long as the customer stays within the Honda family.

The USP of the Jazz is its interior. I have yet to see another vehicle whose cabin is packaged this efficiently. It's a surprise that there is even space for the engine, considering that the interiors occupy pride-of-place across the entire platform! You have all experienced the previous Jazz's flexible and spacious interiors - this is no different. Overall quality is acceptable - nothing exceptional nor shoddy. Our car had all-black interiors, barring the seats which were a light beige. The seats had lumbar & height adjustments.





Yours truly!


Spacious rear seat:


The front passenger seat was adjusted by a journalist 6 feet tall. I am 5'10" and was still able to sit behind comfortably:


This was the Japan-spec 1.5L VTEC 100 BHP petrol, and certainly not the engine that would power the Indian Jazz. Here, the most likely motors to do duty would be the 1.2L petrol & 1.5L i-DTEC diesel. The handling was geared up for city driving, with the steering light and chuckable. However, being electric, the steering also had no feedback whatsoever. All Jazz (aka Fit) sold in Japan will have Honda's new generation Atkin cycle / direct-injection DOHC VTEC petrol engines and the DCD (Dual Clutch Drive) transmissions.

[theMAG]

CR-Z Mugen

The wedge!


The most track-oriented car in the group. CR-Zs traditionally were tuner favourites worldwide. Mugen is to Honda what AMG is to Mercedes-Benz. Mugen converts regular Honda cars to performance monsters, officially. With bill and warranty. So what did Mugen do to the CR-Z? It added a supercharger to the standard 1.5L VTEC, along with a titanium catback exhaust. The suspension, brakes and wheels were upgraded as well. The result is a sweet sounding 155 BHP car that hugs corners deliciously with its 205/45 R17 Dunlops. Sadly, it isn't slated to come to India. Unless Honda has a change of mind and brings it as a halo product . Honda also displayed a CR-Z Hybrid at the track.





Accord Plug-In HEV

This car was powered by a 2.0L DOHC Vtec, mated to an electric motor. It can be charged via a regular household socket. The electric motor alone can propel the car for up to 37 kms on a full charge, before it is recharged seamlessly by the petrol motor. Hit the engine start button to power "on" the car. Thereafter, the vehicle glides forward in a smooth, noiseless manner. The dual-personality is particularly impressive: It drives fast when you want it too, and rustles along when you want solitude.

[theMAG]

Active Safety Park

This was the last event of the day. As its name suggests, this drive would enable us to understand the limits of a car while driving under wet conditions. All test cars were Civics.

The instructor explains the course to us, through an interpreter. 4 laps per driver, around a short wet loop:


1. The first 2 laps would involve driving with ESP on - one lap pushing the car to its limits, and another to drive sedately.

2. The last 2 laps would involve driving with ESP off - one lap pushing the car to its limits, and another to drive sedately.

The cars driven around the wet loop:


It's surprising to experience the limits of a tyre at merely 40 kph!


ESP on: Even with ESP on, at a rather sedate downhill part of the curved loop, the car lost traction. Only at a further reduced speed during the 2nd lap did the car not slide, handling the wet loop in a dignified manner.

ESP off: No grip whatsoever. I am surprised at how we manage reasonably back home, considering that most common cars don't have ESP!

The short educational drive ended with a presentation by Honda on its active commitment to safety programs across Japan. I did ask if Honda has any plans to operate similar safety schools in India; they are evaluating the idea for a near-term future.

[theMAG]

Vezel - the compact SUV, based on the new Jazz platform

2013 and beyond seem to be the years of the compact SUV worldwide....and in India. Honda unveiled the third car off the new Jazz platform, the compact SUV called the Vezel. The Vezel was the most photographed new launch at the Tokyo Motor Show in Honda's booth, alongwith the new NSX.

At just over 4 meters length, it looks smashing and brilliantly proportioned. I was all over Honda officials - from Day 1 in fact, over the Vezel's availability in India. Unfortunately, I was told that it is currently undecided on an India journey and will not be looked at before 2015.

The Vezel will be sold in 2 avatars in Japan; a Hybrid with the new DCD gearbox and the 1.5L VTEC petrol.

From the front, the Vezel has good road presence:




Futuristic and sporty rear:




Well-proportioned:


A spacious front:




Comfortable rear seating:




A modern dashboard:




Soft-touch interiors:


And the icing on the cake - flexible rear seating & loading. The rear seats had a 60:40 split, could be folded down individually or together, resulting in varying degrees of loading space:

[theMAG]

Honda @ the Tokyo Motor Show, 2013

The venue for this year's motor show was the Tokyo Big Sight hall, 20 minutes from our hotel. Nov 20 - the first day of the TMS - was also reserved for the media!

Honda's stall was at the far-end, and the launches were scheduled to start from 130 pm. Mr. Takanobu Ito - the group President/CEO - was the star of the show, and started the media briefing on two fronts; the direction Honda is headed in & the unveiling of 5 new vehicles. This year's theme (for Honda and most other manufacturers) was around the hybrid / electric offerings. There seems to be a dedicated focus to bring this technology as the default mainstream all-around.

2015 is also a major year for Honda, with some of their big-name products back to the market. We explore in detail below.

Honda's hall was packed airtight for the anticipated briefing:


It all began 50 years ago:


Honda and its place in history:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRO66qZakrM

A brilliant ad:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niBiXAomL6w

The historic partnership with McLaren is back in 2015:


In 2013, Honda won the Triple Crown in the MotoGP:


Mr. Ito moved onto some of the new technologies on tap. Of these, I was particularly excited by their new range of turbo VTEC engines, of which the 1L & 1.5L motors seem realistic for the Indian market. This new generation engine family have direct-injection turbocharging tech and are Euro 6 compliant. The 2L avatar is capable of 280 BHP!


We move on to the second aspect of Mr Ito's agenda - the launch of 5 new vehicles. The NSX - this time in a hybrid avatar - will be launched in North America in 2015:


The S660 (Hybrid) will be born again from 2015:


The Vezel:


N-Wgn, a tall boy solely for the Japanese market. It's smaller than the Wagon R and is designed to meet Kei regulations:


Say hello to the new Goldwing F6C cruiser. Nothing hybrid about that:


Mr. Sho Minekawa - Sr. Managing Officer - continued to unveil the cars:


The CEO and Sr. Managing Officer:


With the briefing complete, we now explore Honda's stall in more detail. The RA271- Honda's early F1 racer from 1964 - reminded the audience of the roots of Honda:


As did the S360:


I keep coming back to this, but I can't help it! The new NSX:


This supercar will be manufactured at Honda's spanking new facility in Ohio, USA. And most of it will be hand-built. It will have a V6 petrol engine, working with 3 electric motors, mated to an all-wheel drive transmission via a dual-clutch gearbox:


The new Goldwing F6C cruiser. Wouldn't you like to have a 1.8L engine in your motorcycle?! Its chassis is made from aluminium, with the engine being used as a stressed member:


The N-Wgn:


CTX 1300 features a longitudinally mounted 1.3L motor:


CTX 700 has a liquid-cooled parallel-twin 700 cc motor and a 6-speed gearbox:


Post-launch Executive Meet

Post-launch, we were accosted to a private Q&A session with Honda's three senior-most executives:

1. Mr. Takanobu Ito: The boss. As President and CEO of Honda, he has been with the company since 1978!

2. Mr. Yoshiyuki Matsumoto: Managing Officer. Responsible for R&D earlier, and new product launches for Asia. He was also directly involved in the first-generation Jazz's design.


3. Mr. Hiroshi Kobayashi: Managing Officer, and head of Honda Thailand.

It was a short, but sharp session. I was interested in understanding Honda's plans for India in 2015. Mr. Ito and Mr. Matsumoto replied that Honda would pay particular focus to the "3-row seater" category, and are exploring ways to reduce costs to be able to price their models competitively. To a query about whether Honda planned on increasing its R&D footprint in India for future India-spec models, Mr. Matsumoto hinted that India will have a larger role in the next-gen Jazz' R&D.

[theMAG]

We conclude this Japan report with the Honda Collection Hall: Honda's museum at the Twin Ring Motegi race track.

As we enter, we are greeted with the Curtiss racer from 1924, built by Soichiro Honda. It featured a Curtiss aircraft engine:


And the S500 from 1963. The S-series of fuel-efficient sports cars was an eye-opener for the West, which were until then used to fuel guzzlers:


The descendant - S600 Coupe from 1965:


THE Integra Type-R from 1995. It was avowed in tuning circles the world over:


This McLaren-Honda was driven by a particularly special gentleman:


Whose legendary rivalry with Alain Prost continues into the display case!


Wouldn't you like to have this hanging from your wall?


A legend, the NSX. Critically acclaimed mid-engine Supercar. Broke more records than it could keep a count of:


The sniper just got a high-powered rifle! The NSX racer from 1996:


The Honda Prelude. While growing up, one of my most aspirational cars:


Now come the motorcycles. The family tree of Honda's most famous early racing bikes:


The bike wall:


The maniac! Honda's first inline 6-cylinder 24-valve, 105 BHP monster. The CBX 1000 - hallowed in the annals of time:


And humbler roots. The Supercub / C100 from 1958. The jingle then was "you meet the nicest people on a Supercub"


Finally, Honda's first-ever points-winning F1 car: The RA272 from 1964:


Sayonara from Japan!

Disclaimer : Honda invited Team-BHP to Japan. They covered all the expenses for this event.

[GTO]

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to the Int'l Scene. Thanks for sharing!

[vvijay]

One amazing walk-through of your visit it was! Vezel was simply amazing on interiors and man, that air con vents running fully across the dash of the passenger is really unique and I guess would be a welcome design theme for India.

Originally Posted by theMAG

All Jazz (aka Fit) sold in Japan will have Honda's new generation Atkin cycle / direct-injection DOHC VTEC petrol engines and the DCD (Dual Clutch Drive) transmissions.

BTW, any idea on whether this engine would make its way to India and if yes, when would that be?

[sourabhzen]

Thank you MAG for such a brilliant write-up.(Rated 5 stars). The trip must be truly fascinating! I winder when will we have bigger Hondas in India.

[carfreak]

Thanks for sharing MAG!! A beautiful thread!!

My personal favourite among all the pics was the Honda Prelude!! I used to drool watching pictures of that car. I forced my dad to buy it when we were in the Gulf.

[SmartCat]

Random thoughts -

1) Honda Mission statement: "To be a company that society wants to exist". wow! I would have fallen asleep listening to that speech.

2) Mobilio rear tail lights look similar to BMW X1 and Jazz rear tail lights looks like a lift from Volvo SUVs.

3) Jazz interiors look very good. From the photos, it looks like dashboard is covered with stitched leather (like in Toyota Camry).

4) What does "Program Allocation - Group 1, 2, 3" mean? India in a separate group means what?

[k_ajay]

I really hope Honda brings the Vezel to India before mid 2015 at a good price with all options.

Good report, thanks MAG.

[Tats07]

The interiors of Jazz/Fit, especially the dash, looks very similar to the interiors of just launched City, if not identical. And it doesn't look bad at all here, contrary to what some members feel on the new City launch thread. That gives me the feeling that it will look much better than what the pictures say in the City thread.

Only if they could do away with the beige interiors and give black to the new City!

[9thsphinx]

The NSX looks fab. I had a huge poster of a yellow NSX in my room back when I was kid. Was a big fan. This new avatar is out worldly! I love it.

Will the new NSX sell under the Honda badge or the Acura badge? The Silver one on Wikipedia has the Acura emblem, this white one gets the Honda badging. I'm confused!