Amaze, again!

Honda’s answer to the Maruti Suzuki Dzire is here in all-new clothing

HONDA UNVEILED THE NEWgeneration of the Amaze which will go on sale very soon. The unveiling was also the global debut of the new Amaze. The second generation Amaze, which will replace the current sedan, is now far more muscular in appearance and lets go of the roundness of its predecessor. Honda has also ditched the old Brio platform on which the Amaze was built in favour of a completely new one but the company has chosen to remain tight lipped about details of the new platform. Honda is also keeping details of the powertrain under wraps but it would be fair to expect the existing tried, tested and fairly successful engine options to continue. On the design front, the Amaze sports much improved styling with Honda’s design team having made excellent use of the just-underfour-metres available to them.

Most of the conversation about the Amaze post the unveiling, has revolved around its styling and rightly so. Honda has polarised opinions of the Amaze’s new design by going for a look that has no resemblance whatsoever to the outgoing model. The Amaze seems to have taken certain design cues from its stable mates like the Accord and has a squared-off front end with a protruding lip. However, one look at the side profile of the car eliminates those concerns with the car now having great proportions. The Amaze doesn't look like a hatchback with a boot stuck to it. The character lines and the new 15-inch alloys help underline that point. The Amaze gets a fat chrome grille, flanked by a pair of new wraparound headlamps with integrated LED daytime running lights. The cabin looks fairly similar to the outgoing model but Honda has added a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

Developed at Honda’s research and development facility in Bangkok, Thailand, the Amaze will be launched later this year. Honda's Tapukara plant in Rajasthan will be the global supply base for engines, for the new Honda Amaze as well.