Honda desires to have a slice of the Toyota Corolla Cross pie with the introduction of the bigger 2023 HR-V for the North American market, the place it would go on sale in the summertime. While the global model continues to be a B-segment SUV, this one jumps a complete dimension class and is now a C-segment mannequin, sharing its underpinnings with the latest 11th-generation Civic.
Not solely does this make for an even bigger automotive but it surely additionally permits it to experience on independent rear suspension (probably the Civic’s multilink setup), as a substitute of the torsion beam discovered below each the worldwide HR-V and the Corolla Cross. Honda says the automobile has an extended wheelbase and a wider stance in comparison with the outgoing mannequin.
The design can be very completely different, clearly catered to American tastes. This is evidenced by the very un-Honda entrance finish, sporting a big octagonal grille and an iteration of the Civic’s slim LED headlights, this time with L-shaped daytime operating lights. There are additionally black plastic C-shaped mouldings that body the trapezoidal centre air consumption, giving the HR-V a extra rugged look.
Along the aspect, a delicate low shoulder line begins from the headlights and leads proper into the burned rear fenders, whereas the wing mirrors have been moved from the A-pillars to the door physique for higher visibility, identical to the Civic. The dimension acquire is most obvious within the longer bonnet and the extra rear quarter mild home windows, the latter visually stretching the roofline. Speaking of which, the HR-V borrows laser-brazing tech from the Civic to eradicate the necessity for roof mouldings.
Moving to the rear, you get inverted L-shaped taillights, a sculpted hatch and extra black mouldings on the rear bumper. No inside pictures have been proven simply but, however you possibly can anticipate the HR-V to function a variation of the Civic’s stylish dashboard, replete with a freestanding infotainment touchscreen and mesh-covered air vents. A model of this has already cropped up within the additionally Civic-based Acura Integra.
Honda has but to disclose any technical particulars, however seeing because it’s primarily based on the Civic, you possibly can anticipate it to function the sedan’s vary of engines – a 158 hp/187 Nm 2.0 litre naturally-aspirated i-VTEC four-cylinder and a 180 hp/240 Nm 1.5 litre VTEC Turbo mill. An e:HEV hybrid must also be on the playing cards, utilising a 181 hp/315 Nm electrical motor and a 2.0 litre direct-injected Atkinson-cycle four-pot.
While this model of the HR-V shall be restricted to North America, it would additionally make its means into world markets as a sub-CR-V mannequin, nearly definitely with a brand new title. It has already been confirmed for Europe, the place it is going to be supplied solely as a hybrid.
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