Honda Mobilio’s RS variant to be launched at Indonesia

Though Honda Mobilio is yet to be available in showrooms in India it has already been launched in Indonesia and is being sold through Honda’s local subsidiary Honda Prospect Motor. Since the demand for Mobilio has been great with long list of bookings, Honda has announced launch of a sporty variant of Mobilio which has been christened “Mobilio RS”. The car’s sporty exterior is in direct competition with Suzuki’s Ertiga MPT’s “Sporty” variant which was released recently. This new Mobilio RS will be positioned above Honda Mobilio’s topmost variant therefore will have better features and will be priced higher too. Honda has created this model to ensure that no segment in MPV is left uncovered and customers with small budgets can also enjoy prestige of owning a stylish vehicle with qualities of an SUV.

The Mobilio RS will have a smart roof spoiler to give its rearside an edgy look while interiors will have “RS” badge on seats and steering wheel. From the photos released by Honda it is also evident that rear exhausts have been given a neat chrome finish while there is chrome finish on rear bumper between rear fog lights. Redesigned headlights in the new models have LED DRL’s to perk up its front façade while radiator grille has twin chrome slats. Honda has given this model a few more extra touches to make it appear different from regular Mobilio like side skirts, muscular bumper and 14 inch alloy wheels.

The Mobilio RS will continue with existing 1.5 liter iVTEC engine which is mated to four cylinder system and will be empowered by either 5 speed manual transmission or CVT technology. Honda will most probably bring in the sporty variant after a few months or weeks of launching Mobilio MPV in India with both petrol and diesel fuel options. Since this “RS” variant in Indonesia is being sold at a premium of one lakh above current top end Mobilio variant, a similar pricing structure is likely to be followed in India. The petrol variant of Mobilio in India will have 1.5 liter iVTEC engine with output capacity of 117 BHP followed by torque of 145 Nm and the diesel variant has 1.5 liter iDTEC engine with output of 98.6 BHP and maximum torque of 200 Nm.

Going by existing price range for the “RS” Mobilio’s versions in Indonesia we can safely gauge that its manual version would cost Rs. 11.44 lakhs while automatic variant would be in price range of 12-13 lakhs. Since the existing Mobilio’s interiors are attractively designed in dual tones with soft fabric covered seats this has been continued in new variant too. Spacious cabin with three rows with option of fold third row to make way for putting in extra luggage is   also provided with seat belts for all passengers along with airbags for driver and front passenger. Combination of disc and drum brakes give adequate balance when combined with brake assist, ABS and engine immobilizer. Its rear windshield has been provided with defogger which also has wash/wipe functions as standard equipment.