Honda launching more vehicles based on i-DTEC engine

Honda introduced their first diesel engine last year and it was an immediate success. They first used the 1.5 litre i-DTEC engine on the Amaze and they have been able to sell it in impressive numbers since then. Later the new Honda City was launched with the same engine as an option and it immediately started outselling the other popular sedans in this segment. Earlier when the Honda Jazz was launched, the lack of a diesel engine was one of the factors for its failure.

Now however things are about to change. As they have developed an impressive diesel engine that is not only powerful but very efficient as well, they will make good use of it in other vehicles as well. The Honda Mobilio has already gained a lot of popularity even before its launch. It would enter the same segment where the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga fights now. There have been minor drawbacks with the Ertiga but the lack of strong rivals has helped it survive. The diesel Ertiga is sold with the same 1.3 litre engine that is found on the SX4 diesel. It develops a peak power of 90 bhp and finds it hard to cope with the bulk of Ertiga at times. It has got lot of turbo lag which makes it a difficult car to drive around the city.

The Mobilio diesel however will be powered by the 1.5 i-DTEC engine and it generates a peak power of 100 bhp. The torque figures are impressive and there is hardly any turbo lag. A large number of components (and the front face) is shared with the Brio hatchback and that would help keep the costs down. Despite the face from a hatchback, the proportions are right and nothing seems to be out of place. The rear of the car features blackened pillars and a tail lamp similar to the current Honda City.

The side profile of this car features some nice lines and the wheels look nice. It comes with Bridgestone rubber which have a decent profile to tackle the Indian road conditions. It has got slightly more ground clearance than the Ertiga which is a good thing here. Inside the dashboard looks very much similar to the Brio and has been laid out nicely. The seats are slim to make up space for the passengers. The third row is good for kids only and adults would end up sitting with their knees in the face but that is the same story with most cars.

While the engines are the same as Honda City, they have changed the gearing to suit the MPVs driving dynamics. They have put in a lot of effort on handling to make it drive like a sedan. You hardly feel the dimensions of the vehicle while driving. A version with RS badging would follow though it won’t come with any more power. It will just get a better set of bumpers, projector lamps, stylish alloys and other minor cosmetic changes.