Honda’s first compact SUV spy shots; Production begins

Honda WR-V is one of the most anticipated vehicles in India. The crossover based on the Honda Jazz could target the cars from compact SUV segment like the Maruti Vitara Brezza and Ford EcoSport. Honda has already started production of the car in India, and the launch of the vehicle will happen March or even earlier than that. Here’s all you need to know about the WR-V.

Jazz look alike?

Absolutely not! Even though the WR-V is based on the Jazz, there are many factors that make the new car look very different from the Jazz. Honda Jazz shares the same platform with the Jazz, but it looks much more muscular than the premium hatchback, Jazz. At the front, the WR-V gets newly designed headlamps with black inserts. The bumper also looks stronger with deeper creases. The car gets typical thick chrome grille up front, similar to the newer Honda cars.

From the side, the WR-V share the fenders with the Jazz but the there’s a body cladding all around the vehicle, giving it a tougher look. The WR-V also gets flared arches, similar to the SUV design. From the rear, the WR-V also gets a different tailgate design and license plate holder. The rear is very angular and gets a new tail lamp unit. The plastic cladding and new bumper make the vehicle look tougher and rugged.

But the interiors?

Well, the interiors are almost as same as the Jazz. The interiors of the Indian spec car have not been revealed yet, but the WR-V will get similar interiors like the Jazz. The dashboard, the seats and the equipment will be similar to the Jazz. Honda has done this to keep the development cost in check. Jazz is a pretty new vehicle and gets a long feature list.

The centre console will be tilted towards the driver and will get a piano-black finish, similar to the Jazz. The infotainment system will also get integrated navigation. Honda may not bring the Apple CarPlay and Google Auto in the WR-V as of now. Honda may also put standard airbag across the variants of the vehicle. We may also see ABS being standard across the variants of the WR-V.

Tell me about the power?

The Honda WR-V will get same engine and transmission options like the Jazz. There will be a 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder, i-VTEC petrol engine that churns out a maximum of 88 BHP and 110 Nm of power. The petrol engine will come with 5-speed manual transmission and an optional CVT with paddle shifters. The diesel engine is the Earth Dreams 1.5-litre engine. It generates a maximum of 98 BHP and 200 Nm. The diesel engine only gets the 6-speed manual transmission.

That’s it?

Now that Honda has started production of the vehicle in India, the car shall be here soon enough. Honda will also export the WR-V from India to various markets. The car will be positioned above Jazz in the market, but prices will be lower than the Honda City. Keep checking this space for more info on the Honda WR-V.

Picture Source: TBHP