For the longest time ever, Japanese auto Giant, Honda never had a diesel-powered car for sale in India. However, with the Amaze compact sedan, the company introduced a new i-dtec diesel motor for the Indian audience. Very soon, the engine was also offered in the Honda City sedan and the Jazz hatchback. Proving the importance of a diesel powerplant in India, the carmaker finally gave us a diesel-powered CR-V. The new Civic too, came with the option of an oil burner powerplant. However, the company seems to have decided to take a different approach. According to the folks at Autocar India, Honda will be dropping diesel-powered Jazz and CR-V from its product line up in the BS-VI era.
Talking about the CR-V, launched in 2018, the car was made available with a choice of a 154 hp 2-litre petrol motor and a 120 hp 1.6-litre, oil burner. The diesel engine came with the option of an all-wheel-drive drivetrain as well as had two additional seats in the boot. This would imply that the car will now be available as a 5-seater in a front-wheel-drive avatar only. It is interesting to note that Honda has plans to offer the same diesel engine, in a BS-VI avatar with the new Civic. Will the omission of the diesel powerplant lead to a change in the sale numbers of the CR-V? The answer to that shall be out in some time.
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Coming to their entry-level hatchback, the Jazz. Honda has noticed that a major chunk of sales for this hatchback came with the 89 hp, 1.2-litre, petrol-powered variant. With the massive hike in price to make a diesel engine powerplant, not many buyers would opt for the diesel option which is why Honda sees more sense in dropping it. Along with the BS-VI powerplant, the Jazz will also receive a facelift where we could see some minor changes on the exterior and interior design of the car. To go against the likes of the Volkswagen Polo, the Hyundai i20 and Tata Altroz, the launch of the BS-VI Jazz can be expected quite soon after the refreshed WRV is launched.
Author: Videh Vora
