Honda Elevate name trademarked, N7X-based 3-three SUV to launch in India?

Honda has applied for a trademark for the Elevate nameplate in India. Details are scarce but this could point to a new SUV offering from the Japanese carmaker in India. The company unveiled the next-generation Honda BR-V in concept form in Indonesia earlier this year as the Honda N7X, and this newest development points to the brand considering an India launch for this three-row SUV. With the BR-V nameplate now associated with a less-than-popular offering, a new badge could remove any negative association with the new model.

Honda N7X engines, expected price

The production-spec Honda N7X is based on the same architecture as the City and come with engines very similar to the ones seen on the India-Spec Honda City.  This should be the 1.5-litre petrol with 121PS/145 Nm and the 1.5-litre diesel with 100PS and 200 Nm. The latter should get a manual while the petrol should feature manual as well as CVT options. The shared underpinnings should simplify the production of this SUV in India and will let Honda price the 7-seater aggressively, around the Rs 12 to 16 lakh price bracket.

Honda N7X exterior, interior, features

The face of the Honda N7X seems to follow design cues already seen on cars like the India-spec Honda City as well as some other new Hondas like the new HR-V. There are slim LED headlamps with an LED brow as well as a large chrome band over the grille. The grille itself carries chrome slats while the bumper is heavily stylized with more a brushed silver, sharp cuts and inserts. This may be toned down in production form. In profile, the N7X also carries a more refined, simpler shape with a strong shoulder line running the length of the car and prominent gloss-black cladding over the large wheels and sills. At the rear the are wide LED highlighted taillamps, an indented boot lid and some more aggressive cladding.

The interiors of the N7X haven't been revealed but teasers suggest the dashboard will be very similar to the one seen on the India-spec City. There should be the same high-mounted air vents, the 7-inch touchscreen and the slim climate control buttons. The semi-digital instrument cluster from the City could also be seen here. There should be six or seven-seat options. Notable features should be a folding second-row, separate AC control in the third row, US ports for all passengers, sunroof, climate control, a 7-inch touchscreen with navigation and Android Auto/Apple Carplay and a semi-digital instrument cluster, among other things. A five-seater version may also be considered, to rival SUVs like the Hyundai Creta and the recently launched Skoda Kushaq.

Honda Elevate expected launch date

No timeline is available on the new Honda offering coming to India, and with the N7X still to be seen in production spec, the Honda Elevate may only come to India by mid to late 2022. Honda has simplified its operations in the country, discontinuing the Civic and CR-V, and focusing on the mainstream segment. A new SUV fits this shift perfectly, Honda doesn't have a presence in the mid-sized SUV market in India which currently hold the most promise for carmakers in the country. A new SUV that covers this and the growing seven-seater SUV trend will be a strong addition to the Honda line-up.

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