How Honda has Amazed the compact sedan segment

Honda Cars India Limited (HCIL) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Japanese manufacturer Honda Motor Company. It has many different models in India, one of which has been launched recently in April. This is the Honda Amaze, the first compact sedan to ever be launched by the company. Many class-leading features have been incorporated into this vehicle to take on growing competition in the compact sedan segment, especially from Maruti Swift DZire.    

Styling and interiors

From front, the Amaze looks exactly like the Brio, except that the front grille is slightly different. However, it is the side profile and the rear of this car that have been completely changed. Smooth and muscular lines can be seen from the wheel arches to the boot. Fit and finish are also of good quality on the inside. Dual tone beige and black colours can be seen throughout the interiors. Due to its long wheelbase, legroom and headroom are liberal. In addition, there is tilt steering which can be adjusted, for the comfort of the driver. 

Front and rear seats have been designed well with good amount of under-thigh and back support. Five persons can sit in the vehicle, though it may be a little tight for the third person at the rear.400 litres of boot space is available.

OVERALL LENGTH		3990mm
OVERALL WIDTH		1680mm
OVERALL HEIGHT		1505mm
WHEELBASE		2405mm
GROUND CLEARANCE		165mm

Engine and performance

The Amaze gets two engines - a 1.2 litre petrol (i-VTEC) and a 1.5  litre diesel (i-DTEC).The i-VTEC power-mill is same as that of the Brio hatch, generating 87 bhp of power and 109 Nm of torque. On the other hand, the power-packed i-DTEC diesel engine generates 99 bhp of maximum power and 200 Nm of peak torque. It is the first diesel engine by Honda in India. Engineers have designed this such that power is available in a linear fashion and the vehicle accelerates easily at low engine speeds of even 1500 rpm. A turbo surge can be felt when the engine goes above 2500 rpm and tapers off by 4000 rpm. However, engine noise during idling is on the higher side.

With the new diesel engine, Honda generates highest fuel efficiency in its class. It gives 25.08 kmpl as per ARAI, which makes it the most fuel efficient car in the country.

Ride and handling

Comfortable seats and 14-inch tyres ensure that the Amaze remains planted on the ground at high speeds. A ground clearance of 165 mm makes sure that the under-body is not rubbed frequently while crossing potholes. The light Power Steering allows easy handling in any traffic situation.

Safety features

Six different variants of the Amaze can be purchased in India. ABS and EBD have been provided only in the top-end versions. Front SRS airbags have also been provided for the driver and co-passenger. An Eco lamp to display fuel efficient driving can also be seen if the vehicle is driven at the right speed and in the right gear. A rear defogger, which is quite helpful in the cold, has also been provided. One petrol variant also gets Automatic Transmission, whereas other versions have 5-speed manual gearboxes.

Pricing

Petrol variants are priced between Rs. 4.99 lakh and Rs. 7.50 lakh. In comparison, prices of diesel variants start from. 5.99 lakh, going up to Rs. 7.60 lakh. (ex-showroom, Delhi). Though these prices are slightly higher than the Maruti Swift DZire, the Amaze compensates for it by being a tremendous value-for-money package.

Competition

Amaze faces stiff competition from Maruti Swift DZire. Both are available at similar prices, both come with petrol and diesel options and both have automatic and manual transmissions available. Amaze faces limited rivalry from Ford Classic, Chevrolet Sail and Tata Indigo eCS.