After teasing it during the BR-V’s global reveal as well as the Indonesian market launch of the 11th generation Civic, Honda has finally unveiled the SUV RS Concept at the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show or GIIAS.
Although not exactly a production model yet, it signals the brand’s intention of entering the small 5-seater SUV segment, currently served by the likes of the Ford EcoSport, Toyota, Raize, Nissan Magnite, and Kia Sonet.
Designed by Honda R&D Asia Pacific based in Thailand, the SUV RS Concept wears a sharp, angular body style and large wheel-to-body proportions. The front features slim-looking LED lights, and like the Brio RS, also features a black-colored roof. Despite carrying some decidedly concept car-like design cues such as the complex-looking front grille, the SUV RS Concept looks pretty much production ready.
Being a design concept car, Honda didn’t give any detail as to the SUV RS Concept’s running gear, but it is likely related to the just-released BR-V. If Honda does bring this small SUV into production, it will likely carry the ZR-V nameplate which it has registered in several key markets.
Depending on its positioning in the Honda pricing ladder, it could either be powered by a 1.5-liter DOHC i-VTEC engine shared with the BR-V, or it could gain the Brio’s 1.2-liter 4-cylinder engine. Either way, expect it to have a CVT gearbox driving the front wheels.
This isn’t the first time Honda has used the RS Concept nameplate to signify a brand-new model. It must be remembered that the current Brio was called the Small RS Concept.
The design is nice and very sporty, though it has similarities with Kia Stonic with those black cladding and two tone paint. This is a nice addition to the current lineup of Honda.
ReplyDeleteThey can replace brio with this. It might sell better looking at the success of stonic Vs Rio.
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