New Amaze looks bolder and boasts a more spacious and upmarket cabin; will be offered with a diesel CVT combo for the first time.
07 Feb 2018 | 6015 Views | By Nikhil Bhatia, Autocar India
Honda Cars India took the off the second-generation Amaze compact sedan at Auto Expo 2018 this morning, marking its world debut at the motor show. And, as anticipated, Honda has given the new car a far more appealing look, and there’s a greater focus on the cabin ambience this time around too.
Like the outgoing Amaze, the new model is four metres in length, qualifying it for a lower rate of taxation on ‘small cars’. The sedan features a more balanced silhouette, a flattened nose, a prominent bonnet and neatly executed rear. The second-gen Amaze clearly draws inspiration from the Accord Hybrid with bold design cues and sharper styling.
On the inside, there's a touchscreen display for the infotainment system, a new beige and black interior with nice fit and finish, and more cabin space than the previous-generation car. Honda has not revealed the engine details for the new Amaze yet, but expect the 88hp, 1.2-litre petrol and 100hp, 1.5-litre diesel engines and the five-speed manual to be carried over from the current-gen car. Interestingly, it is confirmed that Honda will offer a diesel CVT combo for the new Amaze.
Speaking on the occasion, Takahiro Hachigo, president and representative director, Honda Motor Co., said, “In 2017, Honda provided our products and joys to over 30 million customers around the world. The automobile products accounted for 5.3 million of our global sales and India was a great contributor. We are committed to the Indian market and aim to launch six models in the coming three years. Today we announce three of those models – the all-new Amaze, new CR-V and the 10th-gen Civic which will be launched in India in FY2018-19.”
Yoichiro Ueno, president and CEO, Honda Cars India said, “HCIL has shown robust sales growth of 15 percent in CY 2017 and 17 percent in the year 2017-18 so far. With the upcoming new launches, we are confident to grow further in the new fiscal. While the all-new Amaze will strengthen Honda’s presence in mass segment, the new CR-V with its diesel introduction and the comeback of the Civic will help us fortify our presence in the upper segments.”
Notably, the Amaze has been developed specifically for India at Honda's Asia Pacific R&D centre in Thailand. And the carmaker says findings were drawn from extensive market surveys conducted on the Indian car owners' driving needs and lifestyles. India will lead the sedan's global rollout when it goes on sale this fiscal ending March 2019.