A simple trick often employed by the car companies in India to keep the prices of the models affordable is to skimp on the features aspect of any automatic version of the affordable car segment. However, the rising incomes in the country and the growing crowd on the roads is leading the customer to look for feature loaded automatic versions of cars. Now the latest brand to take notice of the trend is the Japanese carmaker Honda. The maker has now announced that the CVT automatic gearbox on the sub-4 meter compact sedan Amaze will be offered on the top-end VX variant of the car as well. The top trim is available in both petrol and diesel engine options and the price for the Honda Amaze Petrol CVT VX is Rs. 8.57 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi and the Honda Amaze Diesel CVT VX costs Rs. 9.57 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi.
It is the changing taste of the customers that has led to Honda taking this decision. Honda India’s senior vice president and director for marketing and sales Rajesh Goel spoke on the new decision of the company to offer automatic gearbox on top model of Amaze and said,
The 2nd Generation Honda Amaze set a new benchmark in its segment with over 20% of our customers opting for advanced CVT variants in both petrol and diesel. We are delighted to introduce the new VX CVT variant of Honda Amaze to complete the top spec VX range and offer increased choice to our customers.
The Honda Amaze saw a full model replacement last year and was presented in front of the public at the Auto Expo held in Greater Noida. The model update brings an all-new design to the sub-4 meter compact sedan, something that was sorely needed. The new model also has well-appointed and spacious interiors along with added features and automatic transmission option for petrol as well as diesel models. All this combined makes Honda Amaze a good package in the sub-4 meter compact sedan segment. The sales numbers for the car have also brought good news for Honda as the Amaze has been their bestselling model since its launch. Not to mention that the new design of the car also makes it butch looking model in the segment and has made the car lighter which has only increased the mileage and the performance of the car.
As far as the top model’s features are concerned, the all-new Honda Amaze comes with a 17.7 cm inch touchscreen infotainment system that has in-built satellite based turn by turn navigation and Android Auto as well as Apple Carplay support. Additional features include an IR remote control, additional USB-in port, steering mounted voice control switches, rear parking camera, driver side window one touch up with pinch guard.
Talking of the mechanical aspect of the Honda Amaze, the sedan comes with a 1.2L petrol engine rated to deliver 87 Bhp-110 Nm and the diesel engine is a 1.5L turbo unit rated for 80 Bhp-160 Nm. These engines come with the option of a CVT automatic transmission or a manual gearbox. However the diesel version of the Honda Amaze generates more power at 98.6 Bhp and 200 Nm. Honda Amaze locks horns with Maruti Suzuki Dzire, Hyundai Xcent, Volkswagen Ameo, Tata Tigor and Ford Figo Aspire in the market.