Team-BHP
(
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/)
This car fails to excite, and the response on the forum right after a global unveil is testimony to this fact.
With a front end that looks too much like the Amaze, interior that is also a mix of existing Honda cars, and a very boring side profile, I highly doubt that it would invoke anything more than a luke-warm response from the market.
This is going to be one of those cars you would have to buy more with the brain, than from the heart. A practical Honda, that would not excite or shake-up the market. Honda being a very late entrant, needs more than this for sure.
Wow! the new Honda WRV! Can't wait for Honda to start contemplating an India launch and then eventually deciding it is not worth doing so!
Seriously though, cannot think of anything this can bring to the table. Looks just like a lifted Amaze Hatchback with the same half a decade old interiors and boring design. If this comes with the same 1.2 litre Petrol engine as the Amaze, then it wont be great to drive either. Why would anyone pick this over a Kia Sonet, Vitara Brezza or Tata Nexon?
This will be quite a looker and 220 mm Ground clearance will give it great SUV looks - quite like Tata Nexon.
This can be a game changer for Honda in India!
This car can make a great competitor to the Venue and Sonet. Remember the top end Sonet petrol retails or close to 13.5 lakhs ex showroom! Even the new Breeza top end retails for around the same price point. So there are takers for good compact SUVs, even if they are not priced in the traditional CSUV price bracket of 10-11 lakhs or less. Despite losing GST rate benefits for not being a CSUV, Honda can still play with just one or two loaded WRV variants around this price point, as the underlying platform, engine, transmission etc are already localized in India.
The competitive benefit Honda will have is the greater space for both passengers and luggage over the Venue/Sonet/Breeza. And the 1.5 IVTEC will beat the K15C hollow any day, whether on power, smoothness, driving thrills or refinement. It will also be quite competitive against the Hyundai 1.0 TGDI. The 220.mm ground clearance and the longer body will give the car more macho looks as well. And ADAS features, if Honda can bring them in at the price point, will be a segment first.
I feel Honda should not wait to re-engineer this as a sub 4m SUV, instead launch a couple of top end variants as-is, in the 12.5 - 14 lakh range. The only drawback is the somewhat aged looking interior but there are plenty of folks who won't care too much about that as long as space, reliability and massive groud clearance is a given.
Is it that expensive to build a different Dashboard design. Honda has history of doing this. Honda City, Honda Jazz & BRV used to have same Dashboard. Also, Honda Brio and Honda Mobilio has same Dash. Now the new BR V has same dash as current gen Amaze.
If Honda launches the W-RV in India, they will have to keep the price at par with it's rivals. Also, if they need sales, they should debut the 1.0 Turbo in India. Below here is my speculation for the variants, features and pricing of the W-RV for India.
E - 6.99 lakh
- Black Grille
- Halogen Headlamps with Park Lamps
- Black Skid Plates
- Indicators on Side Fenders
- 15 inch Wheels with Full Wheel Caps
- Body Colour Door Handles
- Black A, B and C Pillars
- Black Window Lining
- Halogen Taillamps
- Rear Reflectors
- 3 Reverse Parking Sensors
- Rear Spoiler
- Black and Beige Interiors
- Driver Seat Belt Reminder
- 4.2 Inch Driver TFT Display
- Stereo System
- 4 Speakers
- Fabric Upholstery
- Manual AC
- Halogen Cabin Lamps without Theatre Dimming
- Manual IRVM
- 2 Fixed Rear Headrests
- Halogen HMSL
- 2 Airbags
S - 7.99 lakh (8.99 lakh for CVT)
- Silver Brushed Grille
- Two Tone Silver and Black Skid Plates
- LED Indicators on Mirrors
- 15 inch Alloy Wheels
- Body Coloured A, B and C Pillars
- Reverse Camera without Guidelines
- Roof Rails
- 7 inch Touchscreen
- ACC
- Rear Parcel Shelf
- Hill-Hold Assist
SV - 8.89 lakh (9.99 lakh for Turbo, 9.89 lakh for CVT, 10.99 lakh for Turbo AT)
- Chrome Grille
- Halogen Projector Headlamps
- Halogen Projector Fog Lamps
- 15 inch Diamond-Cut Alloy Wheels
- Functional Roof Rails
- Auto IRVM
- Rear Armrest with 2 Cup-Holders
- Halogen Boot Lamp
Turbo
- Turbo Badge on Grille
- Turbo Badge in Fenders
- Gloss Black Skid Plates
- Red Brake Calipers
- W-RV Turbo Puddle Lamps
- Gloss Black A,B and C Pillars
- Gloss Black Window Lining
- Turbo Badge on Tailgate
- Red Stitching on Steering, Seats and Gear Knob
- All Occupants Seat Belt Reminder
- 6 Airbags
V - 9.79 lakh (10.69 lakh for Turbo, 10.79 lakh for CVT, 11.69 lakh for Turbo AT)
- LED DRLs
- Chrome Door Handles
- Keyless Entry on both sides
- Chrome Window Lining
- LED Taillamps
- LED HMSL
- LED Cabin Lamps with Theatre Dimming
- LED Boot Lamp
Turbo
- Ambient Lighting
- Rear Sunshade
- Adjustable 3 Rear Headrests
- 3 Point Seat Belts
VX - 10.89 lakh ( 11.59 lakh for Turbo, 11.89 lakh for CVT, 12.59 lakh for Turbo AT)
- LED Projector Headlamps
- LED Fog Lamps
- Reverse Camera with Guidelines
- Premium Sound System with 2 Tweeters
- Sunroof
Turbo
- Soft Touch Padding on Dashboard
- Soft Touch Padding on Door Panels
- Sound Mood Lighting
- 7 inch Driver LCD Display
- Red Speed and Tachometer Needles
- Wireless Charging
- Rear AC Vents
ZX - 12.99 lakh (13.99 lakh for AT)
- LED Headlamps
- Sequential LED Turn Indicators
- 360 Degree Camera
- 6 Parking Sensors
- Lane Watch Assistance
- 16 inch Diamond-Cut Alloy Wheels
- LED Reverse Lamps
- Dual Tone Roof
- Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
- Leather Seats
- Powered Driver Seat
- 9 inch Touchscreen
- Honda Connect
I do not think Honda will bring ADAS or the RS variant in India since the RS variant has seen failure in the form of Mobilio RS and ADAS is in no other C1 Segment SUV.
This looks like a competitor to Nissan Magnite / Renault Kiger.
Breeza looks a full size bigger.
We'll, overall looks well proportioned from all sides and looks very good from front. Interiors are all from Amaze, which though not very premium are still good and function well. Hope the camera quality is better than before.
I did not spot the paddle shifters - how can Honda eliminate such a critical feature is beyond my understanding.
Also, since the car is based on Amaze platform, it may come with speed limitations, so assume one can't cross 140 (Yes, there is no need to do so on Indian roads).
I had gone to check out the City and Amaze. The Honda dealer, somewhere in Delhi, informed that they expect to have it in their showroom by April/May 2023.
I forgot to ask what engine this is expected with.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shreyans_Jain
(Post 5432399)
This is no Creta fighter. This is essentially a jacked up Amaze wearing fancy new clothes. Think of this as a competitor to the Venue and Nexon.
Key takeaways
- this is going into production soon. Considering what kind of exercise this is (existing platform, engines, transmissions, cabin etc), wonder why they didn’t execute this 2 years ago when they launched the Gen2 Amaze.
- the WRV is regressing as a product. It is now officially moving from the City/Jazz platform to the Amaze platform.
All in all, I expect this car to be priced competitively and offer typical Honda strengths of good space, sorted ergonomics and reliable powertrains. I expect them to offer the 1.5 iVTEC at least on some variants. The weedy 1.2 felt underpowered a decade back, it will positively be left for dead by the turbo petrols that rule this segment.
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Regarding the regression of the WRV to a platform of below segment car. There was news recently that Honda is developing a new SUV(crossover) based on the City platform. This new City based vehicle will make a good competitor to the 4m+ Suv's like the Creta, Seltos and the others.
Now the current WRV; which essentially was a jacked up Honda Jazz with minor styling differences and a name change to WRV. The WRV however competed in the same sub 4m segment as the Amaze which makes sense why the WRV was relegated to the Amaze platform. Also the Amaze has done fairly well as a product in a diminishing sedan market segment which makes financial sense for Honda. They already have the supply chain as well as the production setup for the Amaze which they can use for the new WRV. Honda will not incur huge costs to launch the new WRV in India. They already have the brand on sale in India. They can introduce the WRV by making minor modifications to make it eligible for sub 4m rebates and have a product in the hotly contested sub 4m SUV segment. By launching the new WRV with decent features, Honda can infuse new life in their INDIAN operations and have decent market share in the Sub 4m SUV, provided they price the WRV competitively and not charge substantial premium. With Honda brand image and properly specced and decently built product, it can become a successful vehicle.
Looks really good. Only if Honda could spruce up the interiors. They should pack up from India since they seem disinterested in our market. They have loaded up the RS variant with so many safety features. Could be a great city car with the 1.5 l petrol engine.
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