Honda has teased the next-generation HR-V for the international market. The Honda HR-V is positioned as a crossover in the brand’s portfolio and comes with a Coupe-Esque design language. The teaser images from the brand reveal a sharply raked rear windscreen, sleeker taillamp cluster, a new infotainment system with smartphone connectivity, a dual-tone dashboard and new e:HEV hybrid electric vehicle technology.
The 2021 Honda HR-V e:HEV will come with the brand’s two-motor hybrid technology as standard. This will be the first time the e:HEV powertrain technology is coming to a Honda car as standard. The hybrid powertrain set-up not only provides refined engine dynamics and high efficiency but also delivers enhanced performance. The Honda HR-V is expected to use a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with e:HEV technology that helps deliver 203 Hp of power and 380 Nm of torque.
Honda has also announced that the brand will reveal the next-generation HR-V e:HEV on 18th February 2021. The introduction of the Honda HR-V e:HEV model is the brand’s latest step in the commitment of electrifying its product portfolio in Europe by 2022, under the ‘Electric Vision’ strategy. The Honda HR-V with e:HEV technology will join the Honda CR-V and Honda Jazz in Europe which have already been introduced with the hybrid powertrain technology in the European market.
The Honda HR-V in the next-generation avatar was spotted testing earlier in Japan. The Japanese brand also markets the crossover SUV as the Vezel and spy pictures of the car have been circulating the internet revealing a redesigned front fascia, a sharper grille design, sharper LED headlamps, etc. The interiors of the new Honda HR-V are expected to be new and are teased with new dual-tone finish along with a new touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone connectivity, new air-con controls with rotary design and updated upholstery.
Honda in the recent past was rumoured to have been evaluating the HR-V for the Indian market but the brand was later reported to have been cancelled its plans as it was only able to localise around 30% of the car in India, which would increase the crossover SUVs price in the country making it undesirable in the segment.