Honda has announced it will start its “India product offensive” this year with 4 new vehicles at prices ranging from approximately ₹12 lakhs (ex-showroom) to possibly ₹75 lakhs (ex-showroom).
Because of competitive pressure in several of its important global markets, Honda has been prompted to place a stronger emphasis on developing opportunities in the Indian market as a means of unlocking and creating new growth. During this decade, Honda has committed itself to introducing 10 new models and will introduce 4 of those vehicles this year.
- Honda Prelude
The Honda Prelude is a small two-door sports coupe that competes in the same market segment as the BMW 2 Series Coupe, although we only see M models being sold in India. The Honda Prelude is more focused on styling and comfort than performance and driving enjoyment compared to the M Series BMW.
The Prelude utilizes a hybrid powertrain consisting of a 2.0-litre gasoline engine generating 104kW (139hp) of power and 182Nm of torque along with an electric motor producing 135kW (181hp) of power and 315Nm of torque. Honda claims a fuel efficiency rating of 23.6 km/liter under the WLTC cycle for this combined hybrid powertrain. The Prelude is going to be imported into India as a completely built up (CBU) vehicle from Japan, and we expect the cost of the vehicle to be in excess of ₹75,000,000 (ex-showroom prices).
2. New Honda Elevate
The all-new Honda Elevate is less appealing than other options currently on the market, and with the addition of new models on the market (Tata Sierra, Kia Seltos, Renault Duster, Nissan Tekton, Skoda Kushaq, VW Taigun) later this year, it will likely be even more difficult for Honda to compete against all these new entries due to continuing price increases in 2023.
Honda Elevate Facelift – things we expect
New Bumpers & Grilles
New Headlamp / Tail Lamp Graphics
New 17-inch Alloy Wheels
Honda is likely to add new features like: Panoramic Sunroof, 360-degree camera system, Ventilated Front Seats with Electric Adjustment on Driver Side in the Mid-Cycle Refresh
There are no mechanical changes expected to occur as part of this update.
3. New Honda City
Honda is not expected to release its next-generation (Gen-6) City in India until at least the middle of 2028. Therefore, to keep the current City competitive in the marketplace, the company will introduce a second facelift of the current model in Early 2028.
To achieve this goal, Honda will offer small updates to the exterior of the City, including but not limited to: a revised front grille; redesigned 16″ alloy wheels; and a wider selection of paint colors. As far as the interior is concerned, the major change will probably be new upholstery/trim. There will be no mechanical changes, such as the engine and transmission.
4. Honda ZR-V
The Honda ZR-V will be the company’s first global entry into the C-SUV segment. Its dimensions are 4,570mm long, 1,840mm wide and 1,620mm high, with a wheelbase of 2,655mm.
Honda offers the ZR-V in both petrol and hybrid versions; however, it has been confirmed that only hybrid will be available for Indian consumers. The hybrid component is based on the same technology that will be used in the Prelude hybrid powertrain. Due to this technology, the hybrid ZR-V will have lower fuel efficiency than the conventional models at 22.1 km to the litre (WLTC certification). Honda plans to import the CBU ZR-V from its plant in Japan, where it expects to retail this vehicle at approximately 50 lakhs Ex-showroom in India.