The Honda WR-V has been unveiled at the 2016 Sao Paulo motor show. The WR-V is an acronym for “Winsome Runabout Vehicle” and is essentially a Jazz crossover, which is a result of research and development at Honda Cars, Brazil. The car will go on sale in South American market in the first half of 2017. After which it could make its way to Indian shores.
Even though based on the Honda Jazz, the WR-V gets different headlamp treatment, a higher bonnet, and a more aggressive front bumper. The front also sports a silver skid plate integrated into the black bumper cladding. The grille, as seen on most Honda cars, has a thick chrome slat running into the headlamps.
The black cladding continues on the wheel arches and on the doors to lend the WR-V a crossover, rugged look. The car also sports a newly designed 16-inch alloy wheel as was rendered in original design sketch. The WR-V retains the character line of the Jazz on the side, but the rear gets a redesigned tailgate and slightly altered tail lamps. Interiors of the WR-V are expected to be similar to the Jazz as well.
Specifications of the car haven't been revealed yet, but we expect the Brazilian-spec to come with 1.2-litre and 1.5-litre petrol engines. Whereas when launched in India, the WR-V will get the same engines fitted in the Jazz. So, the petrol will be the 1.2-litre i-VTEC making 87bhp while the diesel version will get the 1.5-litre i-DTEC motor putting out 98bhp. Gearbox options will include a five-speed manual and a CVT for the petrol and a six-speed manual for the diesel.
As for the car’s positioning, given the Honda WR-V will benefit from the small car excise rule, it will sit under the BR-V and above the Jazz in terms of pricing. The Honda WR-V will be competition to the likes of the Hyundai i20 Active and the Toyota Etios Cross on one hand, and the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza and the Ford EcoSport on the SUV end of the sub-4 metre compact car scale.
Expect the Honda WR-V to make it to Indian shores by the middle of 2017.
