DOSSIER

HONDA

New HR-V 2023: the new Japanese SUV changes for the better

Since its launch in 2015, the HR-V has become a reference in the SUV segment and has become the best-selling model of Honda Automóveis do Brasil. A new page of this success story begins to be written with the presentation of the New HR-V. The result of a 100% unprecedented project, the new generation of the model stands out for its expanded internal space, with even more comfort and versatility, characteristics that made its admired predecessor famous, and which have now been redefined at a higher level.

Under the concept 'Amp up your life' - Amplify your life - Honda engineers established a tripod of basic characteristics for the New HR-V: pleasure, style and reliability combine to enhance the lifestyle of its customers, making this SUV the ideal partner for their lives.

The Honda New HR-V has four versions and two engines, both with high efficiency, each prioritizing low fuel consumption and high performance. The EX Honda SENSING and EXL Honda SENSING versions are equipped with the aspirated 1.5 DI i-VTEC Flex, while the Advance and Touring versions feature the unprecedented 1.5 DI VTEC TURBO Flex. For both, the transmission is the consecrated CVT, adjusted to meet the demands of the new engines.

Honda SENSING, a complete package of safety equipment and driver assistance, is standard on all versions of the New HR-V. Another important novelty of the model is the introduction of myHonda Connect, Honda's unprecedented connectivity platform, available in Touring and Advance versions.

Style, comfort and versatility...Preserving the size of its predecessor, the New HR-V displays an innovative style. The high shoulder line of the bodywork unites the front, with a strong and unprecedented character, to the rear, with its accentuated curvature.

The front is a differentiating factor between the versions of the New HR-V. In the Advance and Touring models, the grille is made up of multiple elements that seem to float, highlighting a more sporty and robust character, in line with the greater power of their engines. The EX Honda SENSING and EXL Honda SENSING versions have a grille with horizontal fillets, creating a strong identity and sophistication.

Another differentiating element is the full LED headlights (standard on all versions), which on the New HR-V Touring has a chrome finish on the inner frame of the high beam block, while on the EX Honda SENSING, EXL Honda SENSING and Advance versions, the frame is black.

At the rear, all versions have smoked taillights with LED in the position and brake lights. They are joined by a horizontal LED bar that also serves as a position light and, exclusively on the Touring, has a smoked finish. Below this characteristic detail are the trunk lid handle, license plate lights and reversing camera. The result is a clean, elegantly styled surface that emphasizes the high shoulder line of the sides. The tailgate offers a wide, high opening with a low bottom line for easy loading and unloading of items in the luggage compartment.

Three different wheels (always in aluminum and 17 inches) equip the New HR-V. The EX Honda SENSING and Touring versions each have unique wheels, while the EXL Honda SENSING and Advance share the third model.

Another design detail of the New HR-V is the low height of the hood, which favors visibility ahead, in addition to portraying the dynamic behavior. The displacement of the external mirrors for the doors - previously they were fixed at the base of the A-pillars - also contributes to the improvement of visibility and, consequently, of safety and driving pleasure.

The interior design of the New HR-V exhibits the same concept applied to the exterior design. Pleasure, style and reliability were the parameters used to create a pleasant, elegant and refined living space, where aesthetic and physical comfort prevails. Visibility has been improved, with the driver's point of view being raised by 10 mm compared to the previous generation.

The instrument panel and the 8.0-inch touchscreen multimedia center display have been positioned to require minimal eye deviation, allowing the driver to focus on the road. Thus, all information related to vehicle operation, navigation and other systems can be viewed without risk to safety. The positioning of the gearshift lever and other controls related to driving were also designed to prevent the driver from changing his posture behind the wheel or having to look away to activate any device.

New engines: fuel economy and performance...The New HR-V features two flexible engine options in terms of fuel, which can be powered by ethanol or gasoline. The EX Honda SENSING and EXL Honda SENSING versions come with the 1.5-liter, all-aluminium, 1.5-liter, 16V DI DOHC i-VTEC - Intelligent Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control - in-line engine, the system that varies the amplitude(image above). and duration of opening of inlet valves. The same intake camshaft has the VTC (Variable Timing Control), which controls the synchronization, being able to vary (advancing or delaying) the phase of the intake control.

Equipped with direct fuel injection, the 1.5 DI i-VTEC Flex engine has a maximum power of 126 hp at 6,200 rpm, both with ethanol and gasoline. Maximum torque is 155 Nm at 4,600 rpm (ethanol) and 152 Nm at 4,600 rpm (petrol). According to the Brazilian Labeling Program (PBE), the New HR-V with the 1.5-liter naturally aspirated engine has a consumption of 8.8/12.7 km/l (ethanol/gasoline) in the city and 9.8/13.9 km/l on the highway.

In the Advance and Touring versions, the New HR-V features an unprecedented and technologically advanced engine: the 4-cylinder in-line 1.5 DI VTEC TURBO Flex(right image). Like the naturally aspirated engine, it is made entirely of aluminum and has direct fuel injection - detailed technical information will be released later.

The CVT transmission, with a continuously variable ratio, recognized for its reliability, robustness and efficiency, offers 7-speed simulation through the paddle shifts on the steering wheel (exclusive equipment for the EXL Honda SENSING, Advance and Touring versions). The Step shift and EDDB (Early Down-shift During Braking) systems, both available on all versions, contribute to a suitable driving experience regardless of the type of route.

Step shift is geared towards sporty driving or conditions in which maximum engine performance is required. When the throttle is pushed to the bottom (kick-down), the CVT's electronic management center coordinates shifts at fixed points of the gears, enhancing the feeling of shifting. The EDDB works in deceleration, when, based on brake and longitudinal acceleration inputs, the transmission reduces one or more gears, maintaining the appropriate rotation for each situation (topographic and driving). In practice, this translates into hill descents with the help of engine brakes, in addition to retaking, braking and curve contours with refined handling. The automatic reductions provided by the EDDB also contribute to the excellent consumption levels of the New HR-V.

Improved dynamics and constructive care... The New HR-V is manufactured at the Itirapina (SP) plant, one of the most modern Honda factories dedicated to the production of automobiles in the world, and which has the technology to give SUVs and other vehicles produced there a constructive standard of excellence.

The care taken with the structural rigidity of the New HR-V's body resulted not only in a safe cabin for the occupants, but also in superior dynamic performance, an aspect that directly influences driving pleasure and full driver control. Compared to the previous HR-V, the torsional stiffness of the body was increased by 10%.

This evolution in the structure of the New HR-V was achieved through the application of special high-strength steels, specification 980/780 Mpa, not used in the previous HR-V, but which now represent 8% of the total used in the manufacture of the bodywork. The practical result is not only greater strength but also restraint in increasing weight.

The New HR-V offers better directional stability, which stems from the evolution of the steering system and suspensions. With more rigid attachment points, the steering assembly provides agile responses from the car in relation to the application of movement to the steering wheel. In the suspensions, in addition to the work to reduce the friction of the components to improve the rolling behavior on uneven ground, there are new rubber stops for the rear shock absorbers and new bushings. The improvements have increased cornering behavior and significantly increased comfort, especially for those traveling in the rear.

Sound insulation has also evolved in the New HR-V through the adoption of more efficient sound-absorbing material, as well as expanding polyurethane foam in hollow points of the structure.

Safety for all...Safety is one of Honda's pillars and, without a doubt, one of the priorities in the New HR-V. The model has Honda SENSING as standard in all its versions. Honda SENSING is a package of safety and driver assistance technologies that is based on images captured by a long-range, wide-angle camera (about 100º) and a high-capacity image microprocessor. It offers the following functions in the New HR-V:

ACC - Adaptive Cruise Control - Assists the driver to maintain a safe distance from the detected vehicle in front of them. It has Low Speed ​​Follow, which allows keeping the distance from the vehicle ahead even at low speeds;

CMBS - Collision Mitigation Braking System - Activates the brake when detecting a possible frontal collision, with the objective of mitigating accidents. It is able to detect and identify pedestrians and vehicles that are in the same or opposite direction. Bicycles and motorcycles can also be detected by the camera;

LKAS - Lane Keeping Assistance System - Detects lanes and adjusts direction in order to help the driver keep the vehicle centered on the marking lines;

RDM - Lane avoidance mitigation system - Detects lane departure and adjusts direction in order to avoid accidents;

AHB - Automatic headlight adjustment - Automatic night switching of the low and high beams of the headlights according to the situation.

In addition to the Honda SENSING, all versions of the New HR-V have several safety devices, including: six airbags (front, side and curtain type), stability and traction assistant (VSA), LaneWatch (assist for Reduction of blind spot by camera in the passenger side mirror), Hill Start Assist (HSA), Emergency Light Activation System in Severe Braking (ESS), Isofix system (child seat attachment), low alert tire pressure (TPMS), multi-vision reversing camera and parking sensors.

New to the New HR-V is the Hill Descent Control (HDC), which operates on low-grip surfaces and automatically maintains speed, allowing the driver to focus exclusively on steering control, with no need to act on the brake pedals or accelerator. The system operates between 3 and 20 km/h.

Connectivity: technology debut...An important new feature of the New HR-V is the introduction of myHonda Connect, the brand's first ever connectivity platform. It was created to connect the driver to his vehicle, via smartphone application.

The services offered improve the customer's life, as they increase the safety of the driver and other occupants, as well as comfort, with day-to-day facilities.

Some of the functions of myHonda Connect are: consulting vehicle status, activating remote controls - such as starting the engine and turning on air conditioning for cabin climate from a distance -, finding the car with map support, as well as receiving alerts, making review schedules, among many other features. The technology will be available in Touring and Advance versions.

List of equipment and colors...The New HR-V has a very complete list of equipment and technologies in all its versions.

New HR-V EX Honda SENSING - Full LED headlights, start button (Start/Stop Engine), Normal and ECON driving modes, 17-inch aluminum wheels, automatic air conditioning with dual output at the rear, two USB ports for rear seat passengers, 8.0-inch touchscreen multimedia center with wireless Android Auto and Apple Car Play, 4.2-inch high-resolution TFT digital dashboard, Magic Seat, fabric-covered seats, 60/40 split rear seat, six airbags, Honda SENSING, HDC (ramp descent control), LaneWatch (blind spot reduction assistant), reversing camera, EPB (Electronic Parking Brake with Brake Hold function) and Tire Pressure Alert (TPMS).

New HR-V EXL Honda SENSING - All the above equipment and/or: leather-covered seats, Smart Entry (key approach unlocking), electrochromic rear-view mirror, LED fog lights, leather-covered steering wheel with paddle shifts, support center arm on the rear seat, 17-inch aluminum wheels (exclusive to EXL Honda SENSING and Advance versions), front tweeters (2) and rear parking sensors.

New HR-V Advance - All of the above and/or: myHonda Connect, induction cell phone charger, 7.0-inch high resolution TFT digital display, dual zone automatic air conditioning, driving modes (ECON, Normal, Sport) , sports bumpers, dual exhaust tips, electric folding of the rear-view mirrors, Tilt-Down function in the right mirror, front parking sensors and rain sensor.

New HR-V Touring - All of the above and/or: electrically operated driver's seat, remote engine start, uniquely designed 17-inch aluminum wheels, motion sensor automatic trunk opening with closing function (Walk Away Close), piano black exterior bezels, darkened taillights and rear tweeters (2).

As for the color offer, the New HR-V will have different options, common to all versions: solid White Taffetá; the metallic Basalt Gray (unprecedented in Honda's portfolio), Cosmic Blue and Platinum Silver; and the pearlescent White Topaz, Gray Graphene (new in the HR-V), Black Cristal and Red Mercury.

The standard interior lining color is black, with fabric on the EX Honda SENSING and leather on the EXL Honda SENSING. The Advance and Touring versions with bodywork in Topaz White, Basalt Grey, Cosmic Blue and Graphene Gray are covered in light gray leather.

The EX Honda SENSING and EXL Honda SENSING versions will begin pre-sales on August 2, the date on which the model will be released virtually to the public via the Honda Automóveis YouTube channel. Arrival at dealerships is scheduled for the end of the same month. Sales of the Advance and Touring versions will begin in October.

Autonews