The international show of the automotive industry in Sao Paulo, which opened its doors to the general public in early November 2016, served as a platform for the official premiere of the new subcompact crossover Honda WR-V, developed by the efforts of the Brazilian division of the company.
The all-terrain vehicle, whose name is defined as "Winsome Runabout Vehicle" (attractive pleasure car), in 2017 began its "career" from the Brazilian market, after which it began to develop other countries in South America and India (before Europe and Russia, it is likely just won't get there).
Outside, the Honda WR-V immediately attracts attention with its expressive, bold and self-sufficient appearance - the modern style of the Japanese brand came in very handy on a SUV of such a compact format.
The car has a scowling front end with a "family" radiator grille and a powerful bumper, an energetic silhouette with a short hood, embossed sides and a "flying" window sill line and a kind of stern with boomerang lamps and expressive "folds".
The "all-terrain" orientation of the "Japanese" is emphasized by the unpainted plastic surroundings along the perimeter of the body and the increased ground clearance.
The overall length of the Honda WR-V is 3995 mm, the width is 1750 mm, and the height does not exceed 1570 mm. The size of the wheelbase of the SUV is 2600 mm, and the ground clearance in the "stowed" form does not go beyond 170 mm.
The interior of the car is designed in the "family" style of the brand with a beautiful and modern design, where asymmetry of structures and shapes prevails, and is cut from solid materials. A stylish multifunctional steering wheel, a catchy instrument cluster with a large speedometer in the middle, a spectacular center console with a 7-inch screen and different-sized "washers" of the air conditioner - inside there is not only something to catch the eye, but there are no obvious ergonomic mistakes.
Formally, the Honda WR-V salon is five-seater, but in fact, only two passengers will be able to more or less freely sit on the second row of seats. The five-door has no problems with the front seats - it is a well-thought-out profile with unobtrusive lateral support and sufficient adjustment intervals.
How roomy the trunk of the SUV is - the Japanese have not yet reported. At the same time, it is obvious that the "hold" has a convenient configuration, and the back of the "gallery", divided into two unequal sections, forms a flat surface when folded.
The technical performance of the Honda WR-V is kept secret. It is expected that in Brazil the crossover will be offered with an uncontested 1.5-liter i-VTEC petrol "aspirated" with four "pots", direct injection and adjustable valve timing, developing 116 horsepower (it can also run on bioethanol).
In turn, the car must reach India with a 1.2-liter gasoline engine, which has about 90 "cobbles" in its arsenal, and a 1.5-liter i-DTEC diesel "four" with a 16-valve layout and a Common Rail system that generates 110 "Stallions".
Among the gearboxes there will be a 5-speed "mechanics" and a continuously variable variator, directing the entire flow of power to the front wheels (an all-wheel drive transmission will not be installed even as an option).
At the heart of the Honda WR-V is the third-generation Fit five-door aggregate base with an engine transversely installed in the front part. The crossover has independent front (MacPherson struts) and semi-independent rear (elastic cross member) suspension, rack and pinion steering system with electric power, as well as ventilated brake "pancakes" in the front and drum devices at the rear.
Honda WR-V sales in India, Brazil and other South American countries will start in the first part of 2017. The estimated cost of the SUV in the basic configuration is about 17 thousand dollars (~ 1.10 million rubles at the current exchange rate).
It is expected that already in the "state" the car will be able to grab at least front airbags, ABS, ESP, EBD, air conditioning, audio system, power windows, power steering and other relevant options.
