Wait over: First look of Honda Amaze out on FB

BANGALORE, INDIA: Honda Cars India Limited (HCIL) is all set to tread an uncharted terrain with its first-ever diesel car model, christened The Amaze, in the booming Indian automobile market.

While the Japanese manufacturer has been manufacturing and marketing its higher-end diesel models in the European markets for many years, this is going to be its maiden diesel car for India.

Initial reports and reviews suggest that the sub-four meter sedan, which would be rolled out in India by April 2013, could give a tough competition to Maruti Swift DZire and Tata Indigo CS.

It has a 50-mm longer wheelbase than its hatchback predecessor, The Brio, and is said to boast a 1.5-litre four cylinder i-DTEC EarthDreams diesel engine. Honda, however, hasn't come out with any technical specifications of the pathbreaking model yet.

In India, HCIL will introduce both the petrol and diesel versions of The Amaze, but in Thailand, the other market that would see its debut on Friday, only the petrol model would be made available.

Meanwhile, a Facebook club based out of Thailand has released some images of the new model.

HCIL is expected to produce the 1.5 litre engine at its Tapukara plant in Rajasthan and the Amaze might be rolled out from its Greater Noida plant, reports suggest.