Honda Compact SUV to Get Horse 1.2L Engine with Petrol, Hybrid and CNG Options

We informed you earlier that Honda Cars India will launch an all-new sub-4 meter SUV in the country in the next couple of years. The SUV is reportedly to be offered with multiple powertrain options. A new media report claims that the Honda is in talks with Horse Powertrain to outsource a new 1.2-litre engine. This engine will be used to power the upcoming Honda sub-4m SUV, and will be offered petrol, hybrid and CNG fuel options.

Horse Powertrain is known for its combustion and hybrid powertrains. This company is essentially a joint venture between Renault Group and Geely, with Saudi Aramco as a shareholder. For people not in the know, the soon-to-be-launched Renault Duster hybrid will also use the Horse-sourced 1.8-litre hybrid engine, comprising a 1.8L petrol engine, two electric motors and a 1.4kWh battery pack.

Horse Powertrain is aiming to increase its customer base among Indian carmakers. In fact, the company is planning a local engine manufacturing plant in India. A fully-localised engine will allow car manufacturers a significant cost advantage.

Honda Cars India currently has two petrol engines - 1.2-litre 4-cylinder and 1.5-litre 4-cylinder i-VTEC, powering the Amaze and City/Elevate, respectively. These two engines will be upgraded to meet upcoming stringent emission and fuel-efficiency norms. Moreover, the company needs to enter new segments with multi-powertrain strategy. Customers in India are now looking at alternative fuel options, including the CNG and Hybrid.

To develop this tech and engines in-house would require massive investment. Honda Cars India would be looking at sourcing a ready multi-fuel engine family for its upcoming sub-4 meter SUV.

Honda Compact SUV

The upcoming Honda compact SUV is expected to be launched by 2028. It will be based on the existing Honda platform used in Indonesia to manufacture the new-generation WR-V. The report further claims that Tata Technologies is actively contributing to the vehicle design and engineering execution, while TCS is likely to work on the infotainment system.

Honda Cars India is also aiming to reduce the development cycle for a full model change from around 49 months to about 30 months. The company wants design, testing and supplier development to proceed in parallel.

This sub-4 meter SUV will be positioned against the likes of the Hyundai Venue, Tata Nexon, Maruti Brezza, and the upcoming models like the next-gen Kia Sonet, Renault Bridger and the Mahindra Vision S.

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