Honda Mobilio Brio-based MPV officially unveiled in Indonesia

The 2013 Indonesian International Motor Show at Jakarta, Indonesia, is on and one of the significant unveils at this auto show is that of the Honda Mobilio, an MPV prototype based on the Brio-based platform. The Honda Mobilio is a product that targets the MPV loving car buying populace of Indonesia and this people mover will eventually land on Indian shores.

Notably, the Mobilio badge has been resurrected by Honda for use in the Brio-platform based MPV. The Japanese automaker withdrew the badge in 2008 to make way for the Freed MPV. In Indonesia, the 7 seat Honda Mobilio will take on the likes of the Suzuki Ertiga, Daihatsu Xenia, Toyota Avanza and Mazda VX-1 MPVs.

A 185 mm ground clearance, a 2,650 mm wheelbase and a 4,390 mm length give the Honda Mobilio proportions that are larger than that of the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, the former's 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.

This parts sharing 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. This Mobilio's Indonesian price is close to 143,000 rupiah, the price at which the Suzuki Ertiga MPV was launched in that part of the world, earlier this year.

Keeping this pricing in mind, it is likely that the Honda Mobilio would feature a sub-7 lakh rupee price tag, as and when it is launched in India. In Indonesia, the MPV is outfitted with a 1.5 liter i-VTEC petrol engine, the likes of which is also found on the India-spec Honda City sedan.

Transmission options include 5 speed manual and CVT automatic gearboxes. For the Indian car market, Honda is expected to outfit the Mobilio with a 1.5 liter i-DTEC turbo diesel engine as MPVs with diesel engines outsell those with petrol motors, in a phenomenon highly specific to the Indian market. 

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. Honda will begin producing the Mobilio MPV in Indonesia from early 2014. An Indian launch is also expected to happen next year. 

There have been reports from multiple Team-BHPians, about the Mobilio being spotted in various parts of the country. With an Indian launch likely to happen next year, with an Auto Expo unveil in early 2014, Honda could begin country specific testing of the Mobilio in India shortly.