The upcoming Honda Amaze diesel is expected to have a fuel efficiency of 26 kilometers to the litre reports the Economic Times. The reports also suggests that the new 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel engine produces 98bhp and 300Nm of torque. Although that power figure may be possible from a 1.5-litre diesel (VW offers a 100PS 1.6-litre) the 300Nm torque figure seems suspect when all other comparable engines like the Nissan-Renault 1.5 DCi generate 200Nm of torque.
That power figure combined with a healthy torque output will put the Amaze diesel well ahead of all its rivals like the Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire, Chevrolet Sail sedan TCDi, and the Tata indigo Quadrajet.
The Honda Amaze diesel is slated to be the Japanese automaker’s first oil burner in the country and is expected to help them revive their sales which fell rapidly once the Indian government deregulated petrol prices about two years ago.
We expect that Honda will launch the Amaze on April 11 and will price it in range of Rs five lakh to seven lakh (ex-showroom). Honda may even put an introductory price to ensure that the car sells well once its launched, although it being a Honda and with those specs, we doubt that such a move will be needed to jumpstart sales.