Honda is expected to unveil the BR-V compact SUV at the Gaikindo Indonesian International Auto Show 2015, which is scheduled to begin on August 20, 2015, in Tangerang, Indonesia. With a day to go before the official unveil, spy images of the car without any camouflage have surfaced on the internet.

The spy images indicate that the BR-V gets projector headlamps, a chrome grille similar to the one on the Mobilio MPV and the City sedan, round fog lamps with chrome bezels, a wide airdam with a honeycomb mesh grille, silver skid front plate, black cladding on the sides and over the wheel arches, alloy wheels a pair and roof rails. The styling of the car is similar to that seen on the sketch that Honda released in June.

On the inside, the BR-V is expected to get seven seats divided into three rows.

The BR-V is expected to use the same 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines that are used to power the City and Mobilio.

Source: Autonetmagz.com

The upcoming compact SUV from Mahindra, which has been codenamed S101, has been spotted once again. The latest round of spy images gives us a glimpse of the interiors of the car.

The images show the S101 with a modern-looking dual-tone dashboard with silver inserts, a three-spoke multifunction steering wheel and a modern-looking black dashboard with silver accents. The centre console has a couple of rectangular air-conditioner vents at the top, a multimedia system with a screen and multiple buttons below it, and modern controls for the air-conditioning placed in a vertical sequence on the left. The gear lever is mounted on the dashboard. There are faux wood inserts on the dashboard and door panels as well.

The car has a 3+3 seating configuration with three seats at the front and three at the back. The middle seat in the front can folded down and serves as an armrest. The car has power windows at the front as well as the back. However, there is not air-conditioner vent for the rear passengers. The front seatbacks have pockets.

The S101 gets projector headlamps, a grille that is styled like that of new Mahindra offerings, wraparound tail lamps, a rear wiper  and 15-inch steel wheels shod with 185/65 section tyres. The door mirrors do not have integrated turn indicators.

Engine options for the S101 are likely to include a 1.2-litre petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel engine. While both the engines are expected to be mated to a 5-speed manual transmission, the diesel could get ab automated manual transmission as well.

Source: Motor Trend

Through its annual report for 2014-15, Maruti Suzuki has confirmed that it will launch a compact SUV in India soon.

The report claims that this vehicle is based on the XA-Alpha concept that was displayed at the 2012 Auto Expo. This car is likely to be the vehicle that has been codenamed YBA. Test mules of the car have been spotted over the past months.

The YBA bears resemblance to the Suzuki iV-4 concept that was displayed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2013. However, its styling will be toned down compared to that of the iv-4. Horizontal slats are likely to replace the vertical ones seen on the concept's grille. It is also likely to have a length of less than 4 metres, which will make it a rival for the Ford EcoSport.

The YBA is expected to be launched with the same 1.3-litre, Fiat-sourced diesel engine that is used in other Maruti vehicles.

According to media reports, the YBA will be called the Vitara Brezza when it is launched.

Mahindra has revealed that it plans to launch nine models in the current fiscal year. The models that are expected from the utility vehicle major include two new compact SUVs and facelifted versions of current models among others.

The two compact SUVs being referred to are likely to be the S101 and U301 (next-generation Bolero). Test mules of both these vehicles have been spotted on our roads on multiple occasions. Both models are expected to be priced lower than the Quanto compact MPV.

Mahindra also revealed that it is not planning to give any major updates to the diesel-powered Verito. However, its plans include the introduction of an electric version of the car.

While no more information on the upcoming products was disclosed, from past reports and sightings, we can assume that some of the other models that are likely to be launched in the coming months are likely to include the P601 small commercial vehicle (a Tata Ace rival) and the facelifted Quanto.

Source: ET Auto

Hyundai has been testing a new compact SUV for India over the past months. The car, codenamed GS, is called the ix25 in global markets. It is likely to be launched in August 2015.

The latest round of spy shots show the interiors of the car. It has a black and a beige dashboard, silver inserts, a 6-speed manual gearbox and grey fabric seats. Parts such as the multi-function steering wheel, gear knob and switchgear are carried over from other Hyundai cars.

Like most Hyundai cars, the GS is expected to be loaded with features such as a touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, USB and Aux-in connectivity, navigation and reversing camera.

According to a report by Autocar India, the interiors of the GS will be reworked to suit Indian tastes. The vehicle will come in three different shades, with the base variant getting black and middle and high variants getting dual tone shades. Options could include black and beige, and black and orange / blue (like the Active i20). In the case of dual tone interiors, the lighter shade is likely to be used only on the dashboard. Areas like the door trim and handles will retain the darker shade.

The GS will be available as a 5-seater only and will measure 4.27 metres in length, which will prevent it from being eligible for the lower excise duty rates that sub-4 metre cars enjoy. It is likely to ride on 17-inch alloy wheels. The vehicle is likely to use the same 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engines and manual and automatic transmissions that do duty in the Verna sedan.

The GS will take on the Renault Duster and upcoming Suzuki A-Cross. Hyundai is aiming to sell around 4,000 units of the car every month.

Honda’s Brio platform has spawned multiple body types that have enabled the Japanese automaker to make good use of the sub 10 Lakh price space. While the Amaze and Mobilio often fare better than the Brio itself, Honda has been missing out on the compact SUV segment. The segment has a series of 5-seaters coming up over the next 2 years, but a report now suggests that Honda may offer their small SUV as a 7 seater.

Expected to be based on the Mobilio, the SUV will be designed to target the Renault Duster and Hyundai IX25 and is not expected to be a sub-four metre offering. According to the report by Autocar, Honda Cars India recently took their top dealers to the company’s R&D facilities in Japan and showed them the SUV in the metal. The report also goes on to add that the SUV will feature better interiors than the Mobilio - which opted for a minimalist and low-rent approach to keep prices competitive.

Thought there hasn’t been an official confirmation of the SUV or its arrival time, the upcoming 2016 Delhi auto expo would be the ideal time for Honda to showcase the vehicle, if not launch it. Powertrain and transmission options are unlikely to differ from the Mobilio’s 1.5L petrol and diesel, though the SUV could even be offered with the CVT automatic used on the City.

*Note: Honda Mobilio image for illustration only

Call it a global need for ground clearance or a new found love for the body type, but the compact SUV trend is far from over. In India, Maruti, Mahindra, Hyundai and Tata are among the brands that will be bringing in small SUVs over the next 2 years or so. Honda was rumoured to be working on a Brio based crossover. While there hasn’t been any official update on that story, Honda has just teased a China specific compact SUV concept that will make its public debut at the Shanghai motor show.

The concept has been jointly developed with the Japanese automaker’s Chinese subsidiaries Guangqi Honda Automobile and Dongfeng Honda Automobile. The teaser image shows the car with sleek swept back headlamps (possibly LEDs), blackened A and B-pillars, beefed up wheel arches and Honda’s “solid wing face” grille (one flowing stroke from grill to headlights) that has been seen on models like the CR-V and Jazz/Fit.

The production model will not be a sub-four metre vehicle. While this SUV is targeting the Chinese market, given how lucrative the segment is in markets like India, Honda could consider a derivation of the concept for other regions.

The sub-four metre formula for India is one that many manufacturers seek to use. Increasingly congested urban areas and the excise duty benefits that sub-four metre vehicles get, make models under the specification beneficial for manufacturers and buyers alike. Toyota is one player that has been missing out on this segment and if a recent report is to be believed, that could soon change.

According to the report by Business Standard, Toyota has plans to introduce a compact SUV, along with a sub-four metre sedan in the Indian market. Toyota currently retails its cars in India through a JV with the Kirloskar group. The Indian division is looking at retaining customers in the long term, which is why the plan is said to be under consideration. The idea is to gain customers at the entry level and make them upgrade to more expensive models through the years. The compact SUV could serve as a stepping stone to models like the Innova and Fortuner, while the compact sedan could play a similar role for the Etios, Corolla and even the Camry.

The products in question will be developed considering the global implications and they will not be India specific. The Toyota Rush compact SUV was spotted on test in India, but the model is nearing the end of its lifecycle. Additionally, the Rush cannot support a diesel engine, which would make it unfeasible for an oil burner-centric market like India.

Vehicles that meet the sub-four metre criteria are increasing in numbers. Currently, Tata, Maruti, Hyundai and Honda have compact sedans, while Ford will be adding the Figo Aspire this year. Ford has already seen the EcoSport prove to be a one model wonder and more players, including Mahindra, Maruti and Hyundai, will be offering compact SUVs to take advantage of the demand for small-mid size utility vehicles. If Toyota does follow through with these plans, we could soon see a change in the Japanese car makers’ strategy in India, which has often been criticized for being slow and unambitious.

*Image for representation only

Japanese carmaker Nissan, is planning to enter the lucrative compact SUV segment in India. The company is believed to be developing a new product, which will rival the Ford EcoSport. The vehicle is likely to be debuted at the 2016 Auto Expo.

This new SUV will be based on the Kicks concept that Nissan showcased at Sao Paolo in Brazil last year. The Kicks measure more than 4 metres in length. However, in India, Nissan could shorten its length to make it a sub-4 metre vehicle. This will enable it to avail of tax benefits.

To power the SUV, Nissan is likely to use the same 1.5-litre diesel engine that is found in various products from the Renault-Nissan range of cars.

At present, the compact SUV segment is dominated by the Ford EcoSport and more and more manufacturers are joining in the fray. Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors and Hyundai are some of the players who have plans to launch products in the segment in the coming years.

Nissan has not had a very successful run in India. The introduction of the compact SUV could help it increase its market share.

Source: Autocar India

Hyundai Motor India has been testing a compact SUV with which, it plans to take on the Renault Duster. The vehicle (codenamed GS) is likely to be launched in August 2015.

The GS is likely to be powered by the same 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engines that do duty in the Verna sedan. The SUV is also expected to use the Verna's manual and automatic transmissions.

The GS was revealed in China at the 2014 Beijing Show as the ix25. However, in India, it will borrow styling cues from the larger Hyundai ix35. It has wraparound headlights, a large grille and lower air intakes which house the fog lamps. The vehicle will measure 4.27 metres in length, which will prevent it from being eligible for the lower excise duty rates that sub-4 metre cars enjoy. It is likely to ride on 17-inch alloy wheels.

Coming to the interiors, like most Hyundai cars, the GS is likely to get a host of features. However, it is likely to be available as a 5-seater only.

Source: Autocar India