There's no denying that the sub-compact SUV segment is one of the fastest growing category in the Indian car space today. That's why all the major automakers have fast-tracked their plans to launch their respective products in the segment. Honda Cars India, too, is planning to launch a sub-compact SUV in the market - which was earlier rumoured to be the Vezel - but Honda clearly stated that the Vezel would be an expensive product to develop and would not meet the cost restrictions.
At the 2014 Indian Auto Expo, Honda revealed the Vison XS-1 Concept which further created confusion as Honda stayed tight-lipped on the crucial question - whether this will be the company's sub-compact SUV for India? Our sources tell us that Honda is working on a new product, based on the Brio platform, on which the Amaze and Mobilio, too, are built.
I think the need of the hour is a product that is compact, good looking and affordable. The Vezel, being a more premium product, will cost around Rs 13-15 lakh, thus will fall in the segment of Duster, Mahindra XUV500 and Terrano, which doesn't have a market space like the sub-compact SUV segment would command. And if we look at all the products launched by Honda in the last one year, most of them are play in the mass-segment sections; also, the Mobilio and the next-gen Jazz will be sub-8 lakh products. (Also Read: Sub-Rs 10 lakh Sub-Compact SUVs to be Launched in India)
Can the Vision XS-1 Concept be Honda's sub-compact SUV?
The Vision XS-1 Concept shares its platform with the Brio, Amaze and the upcoming Mobilio. So, developing a product on that will be more economical and will also cut down efforts. This platform will also help Honda in keeping the product under 4-metre in size, which will enable it to enjoy excise duty benefits and also allow Honda to price it competitively.
The XS-1, however, is nowhere close to the production model and the end product will have design inspiration from the Vezel and the CR-V, as seen on the concept. As far as the engine options are concerned, it's only obvious that Honda will use the 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel and 1.2-litre i-VTEC petrol mills producing close to 100bhp and 85bhp respectively.
