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Honda Drops Diesel Engine From Jazz And CR-V
Honda have confirmed to Autocar that the Jazz and CR-V will not get a BS6 diesel engine. Rajesh, Goel, SVP, marketing and sales, Honda Cars said:
“During 2019-20, HCIL’s overall sales contribution was almost 80 percent from petrol and 20 percent from diesel, but this trend differed in each of the product segments. Although there is an increasing shift in market preference towards petrol, we believe that the demand for diesel will not vanish immediately. Hence, in our BS6 line-up, we have strategically decided to offer diesel models in specific segments in line with our customer’s preference. For example, among our three product offerings in the sub-four-metre segment, diesel contribution in WR-V and Amaze was quite significant and hence they are being offered in both petrol and diesel. On the other hand, customers for the premium hatchback Jazz are increasingly opting for the petrol model, and hence the new Jazz will be offered in petrol variants only. Our CR-V customers continue to show a natural preference for the petrol model and in order to maintain a lean variant line-up and stay focused on our core customer category, we have decided to retain only petrol variant for CR-V.”
2020 Honda Jazz Facelift BS6
Opinion
The CR-V losing the diesel option is news for us as full-size SUV buyers prefer a diesel engine. Fortuner and Endeavour are prime examples. Even the Kodiaq and Tiguan started off with a diesel engine. Meanwhile, the Amaze and WR-V will retain the it because of stronger demand in these models. There’s nothing confirmed for the next-gen City. The City’s rivals (Yaris, Ciaz, Rapid, Vento) also don’t have a diesel engine. But, the Verna does have the option. If Honda City also dropped it, then it’ll leave one full section of the pie to Hyundai.
Honda Resumes Production At Tapukara Plant
After the COVID break, Honda are eager to get back on track to meeting pending deliveries and updating the lineup. The WR-V is next in line for an update and then it’s City’s turn. The Tapukara plant near Bhiwadi in Rajasthan is starting production. The NOIDA plant, however, will remain closed for a little longer.
To bring the newer WR-V facelift, City and Jazz facelift, Tapukara plant is all Honda needs. Their Rajasthan plant also makes the Amaze. Essentially, all bread and butter Hondas. Late in 2019, Honda were reportedly working on setting up the Tapukara facility to make the next-gen City. The Jazz will also get a refresh after the WR-V and City.
2020 Honda WR-V Facelift Brochure Leak Dashboard
2020 Honda WR-V Facelift Spotted And Brochure Leaks
Images of the Honda WR-V facelift recently surfaced online. Bookings for the WR-V facelift are open since March. The crossover will retain its petrol and diesel engines. According to the leak, the updated WR-V petrol and diesel engines will deliver a fuel efficiency of 16.5kmpl and 23.7kmpl, respectively.
2020 Honda WR-V Facelift Brochure Leak
Skoda Karoq, 2020 Rapid, Superb Facelift Launching On May 26
Skoda India today gave a date for the launch of 3 cars – the Karoq, Rapid 1.0 Turbo and Superb facelift. The 3 cars were to launch sooner but couldn’t because of the lockdown. All 3 cars are coming on May 26 with petrol engines only.
The Rapid will get a new 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine with a 6-speed manual and 6-speed torque converter automatic. It’ll make 110PS of power and 175Nm of torque. The Vento also has similar engine options. The Karoq will get a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine with 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission only. It’ll make 150PS of power and 250Nm of torque. The Superb will get a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine with 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. It’s good for 190PS of power and 320Nm of torque.
Opinion
Just like the Volkswagen T-Roc, the Karoq is a full import. It will attract some heavy duties but we believe Skoda will still price it competitively like the VW T-Roc.
Hyundai’s Verna Facelift Relaunch
The Verna facelift launched first on March 30. Hyundai have again informed the press that the Verna is now available.
For complete details, head to the official Hyundai Verna page.
2020 Hyundai Verna Facelift Front
We don’t blame them for a double launch. The car didn’t get enough attention as the Creta stole all the limelight. During the COVID drought, we can pause and absorb all that the Verna facelift offers. Here are the engine options:
1.5-litre normal petrol engine with a manual and a CVT automatic transmission
1.5-litre turbo diesel engine with a manual and a torque converter automatic transmission
1.0-litre turbo petrol engine with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission
The engines themselves aren’t entirely fresh. The Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta also get these 1.5-litre engines. Meanwhile, the Venue was the first one to get the 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine with 120PS power and 7-speed DCT.
2020 Hyundai Verna Facelift Dashboard
Opinion
For once, we have a facelift, which Hyundai can market as a generation change and we wouldn’t mind. There’s an extensive design update on the front and fresh additions to the feature list. Then, the big one – engines. The 2020 Verna facelift ditches all of its powertrain options and gets a new set.
What’s surprising is how Hyundai (and Kia) aren’t leaving any stone unturned. Under the new leadership of S S Kim, Hyundai are taking more risks and buyers are rewarding them. In times when brands like Maruti Suzuki are moving to a single-engine option, Hyundai are expanding from 2 options to 3. The Aura, Nios, Venue, Verna and Creta, all offer 3 engine options. It’s no longer a conservative carmaker.
We expected the carmaker to be among the last ones to bring electrification and they turned out to be the first. The Hyundai Kona was the first product launch for S S Kim in India as CEO of Hyundai. Then, the attacks just never stopped. We got Santro, Nios, Aura, Verna facelift, Elantra facelift, Venue and next-gen Creta. It’s not just about bringing new cars but retaining petrol and diesel engine options and democratizing the turbo petrol engine.
Hyundai is in the best position right now to come out of these tough times the strongest.
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