Honda small car prototype to debut at Thai Expo 2010

Honda small car prototype to debut at Thai Expo 2010

Honda Motor Co Ltd has announced that it will be presenting a prototype small vehicle at the 27th Thailand International Motor Expo 2010, which will start for the public on the 1st of December 2010. The prototype vehicle will be based on the Honda New Small Concept which was first unveiled to the world in India early this year, and the Thai Expo prototype will represent a version that’s closer to production.

The single model will spawn two different versions that will share the same basic design – the Thai-built version will focus on fuel efficiency while another version for India will suit the country’s growing small car market.

I suppose the Thai version will be a little more high specced – even Suzuki has two different Altos on sale, an Indian version and a seemingly more refined version sold in Japan. For some reason we’re getting the Indian version though.

Honda small car prototype to debut at Thai Expo 2010

For pretty much the entire world outside Japan, Honda’s smallest offering so far has been the B-segment Honda Jazz, so this new small car will likely be an A-segment similarly sized to vehicles such as the Suzuki Alto, the Kia Picanto and the Hyundai i10. Honda is not without experience though, as in Japan they sell cars smaller than the Jazz such as the Honda Zest and the Honda Life.

These small JDM Hondas have some pretty interesting powertrains thanks to Japanese regulations – there’s a 660cc i-DSI Turbo engine available in Japan that has 64hp and 93Nm of torque – pretty much equivalent to a 1.0 litre normally aspirated engine. But we’re probably not going to be able to taste those engines as the rumour is that this new small Honda will receive a 1.2 litre normally aspirated engine.

If it’s going to be offered in the Thai market, I’m pretty sure the ASEAN region is in plans, which includes Malaysia. Pretty soon, the cheapest way into Honda ownership may not be the Honda City any longer!

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Paul Tan

After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history.

 

Comments

  • fantausy on Nov 10, 2010 at 1:21 am

    wow…r there going to bring this to KLIM 2010? If they going to hybrid this car for Malaysian market, then Honda may create another legend in Malaysia automotive history…

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  • it’s getting nearer to owning my own Honda.

    oh, i love the last line which says “Pretty soon, the cheapest way into Honda ownership may not be the Honda City any longer!”

    great move from Honda.

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  • Carl Wong on Nov 10, 2010 at 2:01 am

    The rear looks like CRZ and Freed :).

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  • shawal on Nov 10, 2010 at 5:17 am

    I’ll have whatever the designer was smoking…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • crz rubbish on Nov 10, 2010 at 7:12 am

    another crz rubbish

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  • Ash Menon on Nov 10, 2010 at 9:38 am

    Front reminds of a prev-gen Jazz…What’s with the bubble lights? Not cute, Honda.

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  • FAReast on Nov 10, 2010 at 1:37 pm

    wow with 660cc turbo, kancil owner who buy this no need to install turbo already.
    can honda price this 660cc turbo like the kancil? or maybe slightly above.
    sure sells like hot cake!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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