the only logical reason for 1.2 is that it should be cheaper than the 1.3, if that is not the case, than its a complete ripoff.
Honda and all our auto sector has us already believing that assembly line setup for a new platform is "expensive" , which btw is only true for a manufacturer but not that much for an assembler. Still if they price a lower specd engine higher than a bigger engine on the previous model which was on the "same platform" than it will be utter non sense.
The L13 and L12 are same engine family and if 1.2 can work with CVT and 1.5 works with cvt, there is a high chance that 1.3 could also work.
I initialy thought that bringing the 1.2 was a good step but if they increase the prices than its plain BS. if anything, 1.2 should be even cheaper than the outgoing 1.3.
I blv the chinese car prices and our "over whelming" response to them has set the tone for pkdm prices and ridiulous is the new norm.
