Honda hints at GIIAS 2018 world premiere for next-gen Honda Brio

The company is expected to unveil the next-gen Honda Brio here.

Honda's only low-cost car due for a lifecycle makeover currently is the Honda Brio. The first-gen Honda Brio was Introduced globally in 2011 and in Indonesia in 2012. At IIMS 2016, the facelifted Honda Brio was unveiled. Indonesia is the Japanese automaker's biggest market in the Asia and Oceania region, and the Brio is its top-seller there. Last year, the car's annual sales there grew by 34%.

The introduction of the Honda Small RS Concept at IIMS 2018 had indicated that an all-new Honda Brio is indeed in the works. The Honda Small RS Concept looks nearly the same in size and proportions as the current Honda Brio.

The Honda Small RS Concept features bigger, rectangular headlamps similar to those of the facelifted Honda Mobilio, redesigned tail lamps reminiscent of the Ford Figo and a conventional tailgate in place of an all-glass tailgate. These changes should remain in the production version. ASEAN markets may get a sporty RS grade once again, with projector headlamps featuring LED light guide, 15-inch alloy wheels and a differently tuned suspension. The interior may look nearly identical to that of the all-new Honda Amaze.

No details about the next-gen Honda Brio are currently available. Honda may offer it in most markets with the same 1.2-litre i-VTEC petrol engine that powers the current Honda Brio and even the all-new Honda Amaze. The naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine produces 90 PS at 6,000 rpm and 110 Nm of torque at 4,800. A 5-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission routes power to the wheels.

In the Philippines, the current Honda Brio is powered by the 1.3L i-VTEC petrol engine that develops 100 PS at 6,000 rpm and 13.0 kg.m (127.49 Nm) of torque at 4,800 rpm. 5-speed manual and 5-speed automatic are the transmission choices.

The next-gen Honda Brio may go on sale in Indonesia shortly after its world premiere.