It was back in April 2013 when Honda introduced the first-gen Amaze in India. With a roomy cabin, potent powertrains and a reliable package overall, it went on to capture a sizeable market share in the sub-4 metre sedan segment. Until March 2018, the Amaze had found 2.6 lakh takers across the country. Then, in May 2018, came the second chapter. The new-gen Amaze is presently Honda’s bestselling model in India and has racked-up 1.4 lakh sales. Simple math reveals that the lifetime sales counter for the Amaze has reached the 4 lakh-mark.

A more in-depth analysis shows that tier 1 markets have contributed to nearly 44 per cent of overall sales. The remaining 56 per cent came from tier 2 and 3 towns. Another noteworthy statistic is that only 9 per cent of customers chose CVT-equipped variants when the first-gen Amaze was around. Ever since the second-gen model came, that figure has more than doubled. Honda claims that over 20 per cent of customers opt for a derivative that offers the convenience of a two-pedal setup.

Honda offers the Amaze with two engine-transmission options. Those who want a petrol-powered mill get the 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder unit with 89bhp/110Nm. The other engine option is a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder turbo-diesel and that pumps out up to 99bhp/200Nm. Both engines are available with either a 5-speed manual or a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). When coupled to the CVT, the diesel engine’s power comes down to 79bhp/160Nm. That’s a bit disheartening. But on the upside, the Amaze is the only car in its category that offers a diesel-CVT combination.

In India, the Amaze competes with the Ford Aspire, Tata Tigor, Hyundai Aura and the segment-leader – Maruti Suzuki Dzire. Honda must be working hard to roll-out the refreshed Amaze either by the end of the year or in early 2021.