Japanese car manufacturers Toyota and Honda have taken the motor show at New Delhi to reveal their plans for thinking big with the debut of their new supermini cars.
Short and straight to the point, Honda have imaginatively titled their concept ‘New Small Concept’. It is designed by Honda Siel Cars India Ltd, the Japanese firm’s Indian arm and will be a low-cost city car that is planned to go on sale in India and Thailand next year.
It looks set to be a stylish little motor with blacked out A-pillars which will give the effect of a wrap-around windshield, and a tapered rear window will add to the dynamic profile. The bodywork is covered in slashes and creases which should make it among the most stylish models in its class. The designers have also used a wide platform to ensure stability in bends, and also to enable a spacious five-seater interior.
Honda has revealed that the aim of this New Small Concept is to provide a small and affordable family vehicle that exceeds the expectations of customers in emerging markets. However, there are no plans at the moment to bring this dinky, trendy car to the UK.
Meanwhile, Toyota opted for a more unusual name for their supermini, the ‘Etios’, which is more or less production ready with the first cars to be built in India at the end of this year. The name Etios, is apparently derived from ‘Ethos’, according to the Chief Engineer working on the concept, and has taken over four years to develop with more than 2,000 engineers dedicated to the project.
The Etios has been designed specifically for the Indian market and will remain pretty much the same as the concept, with both hatchbacks and saloons on offer. It will be powered by a choice of newly developed 1.2-litre or 1.5-litre petrol engines.
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