Honda Mobilio putting the zest back into family motoring

• Hugely versatile, spacious MPV boosts Honda model offering in SA


• Stylish, streamlined shape remains true to Honda’;s high-tech character


• Full 6-seater interior offers space and high comfort levels


• Value-added pricing ensures high degree of affordability

Honda will be putting a smile on the face of young families when it launches the all-new Mobilio multi-purpose vehicle in South Africa this month. The highly versatile 6-seater adds another, vital model to the Honda passenger car offering in South Africa, and is set to win the quality-driven, high-tech brand many new friends.

The Mobilio brings the space and practicality of a family-friendly MPV within reach of a wider audience, while delivering all the style, technology and engineering prowess the Honda marque has become famous for. This allows buyers seeking a spacious, 6-seater solution to consider a stylish Honda product for the first time.

The Mobilio is offered in 2 trim levels, Trend and Comfort, both powered by the same, zippy 1,5-litre petrol engine, linked to a 5-speed manual gearbox. Both the engine and the gearbox have already proven their mettle in the highly regarded Honda Ballade.

The advanced 4-cylinder, 16-valve power unit is fitted with Honda’;s i-VTEC intelligent variable valve timing system, and has a maximum power output of 88 kW at 6 600 r/min, linked to a torque peak of 145 Nm at 4 600 r/min.

But it’;s the interior of the Mobilio that will be hogging the limelight. Comfortable seats, generous head and legroom for all 3 rows of seats, and plenty of luggage space ensure a feeling of luxury and privacy. Despite its comparatively compact footprint, the Mobilio offers sedan-like space, but with the benefit of 3 seating rows.

The 60:40 split second seat row has a slide and recline function that allows the space to be optimised depending on preference and requirement. With a large door aperture and the second row’;s one-motion fold-down function, access to the rear seating row is easy and convenient.

The third seat row is split 50:50 with a reclining function, and offers ample legroom. Both seat rows can be folded flat and tumbled forward to maximise cargo space. Even with all seats in place, the Mobilio will swallow a full 223 litres of cargo, which increases to 521 litres with the third row seat folded down.

Honda’;s Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body construction means that the new Mobilio provides peace-of-mind safety by managing collision forces, while active and passive safety equipment includes dual front airbags, head restraints, front inertia reel seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters, as well as ABS brakes with electronic brake force distribution.

“The arrival of the Mobilio represents another important chapter for Honda in South Africa,” says Graham Eagle, operations director at Honda Motor Southern Africa. “It extends our model offering to include a value-added 6 seater with real space, comfort, style and dynamic appeal.

“Vitally, the Mobilio also meets Honda’;s stringent quality and safety standards, providing our customers with real peace of mind, while the interior’;s versatility and practicality will ensure that it delivers what MPVs do best: meet a very wide spectrum of family and lifestyle motoring requirements.”

Pricing

Honda 1.5 Trend MT           R179 990

Honda 1.5 Comfort MT       R198 990

The Mobilio is backed by Honda’;s 3-year/100 000 km warranty, as well as a one-year AA Roadside Assistance package. The Comfort model also benefits from a 2-year/30 000 km service plan.  Services are at 15 000 km intervals.

Honda Mobilio putting the zest back into family motoring