Honda displays a concept car called Vision XS-1

The SUV segment in India has surged in the past year, with the inflow of modern makes like Nissan Terrano, Volkswagen Taigun and Renault Duster. There are series of upcoming products as well like Hyundai ix25, Maruti Suzuki XA Alpha, Skoda Yeti facelift and Suzuki SX4 Crossover. There is now news that Honda, an esteemed Japan based auto manufacturer has a new SUV in the pipe line called Vision XS-1.

There hasn’t been much information on the car; Honda has displayed the Vision XS-1 model at 2014 Indian Auto Expo. There were public glares; the company did not reveal anything about the car. A hot topic of discussion is if the car is a sub compact SUV for Indian markets. Sources state that Honda will build the car using Brio platform, the same used in Mobilio and Amaze.

With so many new plush SUV’s in the market, car enthusiasts will yearn for a model that is stylish and modern, and also reasonable. Honda is working on a premium SUV called Vezel, priced at Rs 13 to 15 lakhs, and will fit into the same SUV segment as Nissan Terrao, Mahindra XUV500 and Duster.

Honda is aiming to fight the arch battle in big car segment, the company will soon launch Mobilio and next-gen Jazz, both will cost below Rs 8 lakhs.  Coming back to the hot debate, is the new Vision XS-1 creation a sub compact SUV? The car has the same platform as Amaze, Brio and upcoming Mobilio, it could be the case, Mobilio is a forthcoming MPV, build on Brio platform, and Amaze too runs on Brio base. The goal here according to sources is to come up with an economical product. The merge of three platforms in one model is an effective measure to cut costs, and cost-effective to be independent of stocks, a requirement amidst the current constrained car economy. The other practical factor is the platform derived from three vehicles, will make Vision XS-1 a sub four meter product, which could imply a cheaper than normal pricing to meet excise duty demands.

It is just the beginning; XS-1 is still in initial stages of production, far from final stage. From the concept, car enthusiasts have cracked certain discoveries; the end product might resemble CR-V and Vezel. The engine options used is also inspired by Amaze, with 1.2 litre iVTEC petrol and 1.5 litre iDTEC diesel power trains. The petrol car generates 85 and 100bhp.

A new vision XS-1 compact car sounds interesting, especially if it is a below four meter sub compact SUV project after the grand plush effects of CR-V and Accord. A concept image of the car is up on the web, it looks trendy, what is disclosed is a bare SUV model with bumper, wheel arches and roof. There are no headlights and grille. The front bonnet is slightly open to probably showcase bits of the engine. The rear section of the car is exposed, the tail lights are not shown, but the design pattern is highlighted, that originates from side of roof and merges with mid section of boot, it is in the form of jazzy red zig zag. The rough model is a vibrant light blue piece.

Let’s patiently wait for some more interesting details.