Honda’s grand new HR-V compact SUV might be a source of worry for Honda City and other rivals

News of Honda releasing its new HR-V crossover car stunned the crowd, the hype levels of the car are sky-high in India, although details on whether the car will or will not launch in India is still cloudy. Honda HR-V also called Vezel looks attractive garnished with lines and creases, and sources were satisfied with how the car took off.

Honda in the past year has taken on new style adventures with the launch of a sub four meter sedan Amaze last year, and now it is a sub-compact SUV Vezel. The car is eye popping at first glance, and sources claim that it might be costly, they are of the view that the car looks so grand that it seems impossible to arrive with a reasonable price tag. The predicted price range is over Rs 10 lakhs .

Vezel is designed on Brio platform, and is another addition to Brio based products apart from Mobilio MPV and Amaze. The crossover model will be engineered on Jazz platform, and poses striking resemblance to the urban concept SUV car revealed at Detroit auto show in 2013. From the information gathered Vezel is built on Brio platform and the Crossover car HR-V is engineered on Jazz base. Sources believe that HR-V will be more suited for India.

Honda has lately launched the fourth gen Honda City in India built on Fit platform. The company will bring the new Jazz to India, and is an indication that the HR-V designed on Jazz platform might launch in India, but will be more expensive than other established crossover launches in the country which are Nissan Terrano, Ford EcoSport and Renault Duster. Sources are guessing that HR-V might fall into the Rs 10 to 15 lakhs price bracket.

Honda HR-V is a global launch, and a US launch is expected to happen by end of 2014. When launched the car’s fierce competitors are Nissan Terrano, Ford EcoSport, Chevrolet Trax, Hyundai ix25, Ford EcoSport and Dacia Duster. There are other interesting launches to look forward to Honda Mobilio MPV slated to arrive during the latter periods of 2014 and new Jazz.

The interior story will be as awe-inspiring as the exterior décor, with abundant cabin room and an exciting feature to watch out for is magic seats. HR-V will be equipped with a potent iVTEC 1.5 liter engine that will churn enormous energy efficiencies of 146Nm and 117.3 bhp. The engine is attached to 5-speed manual transmission gearbox. The diesel car will move on robust iDTEC 1.5 liter Earth Dreams Engine that will pump out peak power and torque outputs of 98.6bhp and 200Nm. The engine is attached to 6-speed manual transmission gearbox. The front wheel and engine powers are supported by monocoque chassis.

Honda has not yet said anything about bringing the HR-V to India, and if so its fierce rival will be another product from the company’s stable the new City. It does sound bizarre, but the appreciation levels for the car are over the roof top that there is a sense of worry that it might overshadow the grand identity of the new City.

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