All-new Honda Amaze platform to be used for new cars; hatchback, compact SUV likely

The all-new Honda Amaze compact sedan, which was first revealed at the 2018 Indian Auto Expo, will soon be launched here. The car is based on an all-new low cost platform meant for emerging markets such India and Thailand. Honda could use the new Amaze’s platform for other new cars based on market demand. While exact details of the new cars that will use the new Amaze platform have not been revealed, the Japanese automaker’s outgoing CEO Yoichiro Yeno, has thrown a few hints on what the platform will spawn in the future.

Here is what he said in an interview to AutoX,

Currently, Honda has gaping holes in its product portfolio for the Indian market. For example, the Brio is one size smaller than the all-new Maruti Swift, and is now too old to be an option for most buyers. So, a brand new B-Segment hatchback to challenge the Swift and Hyundai Grand i10 is what Honda could use the all-new Amaze’s platform for. Secondly, the WR-V is more of a hatchback-based crossover than a compact SUV developed ground up. In future, Honda could build a proper compact SUV to rival the Maruti Brezza and Ford EcoSport, again using the all-new Amaze’s platform.

The hardware is clearly there. Honda has the 1.2 liter i-VTEC naturally aspirated petrol and the 1.5 liter i-DTEC turbocharged diesel engines on offer on the all-new Amaze. The car also gets CVT automatic gearbox options for both the petrol and diesel engines, apart from manual transmissions. Using these combinations is a new hatchback and compact SUV is clearly possible. In future, don’t be surprised to see such cars from Honda. It’ll take at least a couple of years to happen though.