The New Honda HR-V
Honda Australia has announced the addition of a sporty RS grade and standard AEB to the refreshed HR-V line-up.
Honda has a storied reputation for creating cars and SUVs that are simply a joy to live with. Through its design philosophy known as “Man Maximum, Machine Minimum”, Honda ensures its vehicles are designed around the customer to be both stylish and functional. Honda’s HR-V has in turn earned a reputation as Australia’s most versatile Small SUV, by delivering an unsurpassed combination of interior flexibility, space, and storage.
The refreshed 2018 Honda HR-V builds on this strength with fresh styling across the range, and the addition of a sporty RS model. The new HR-V RS adds sporty design elements in the form of 18-inch alloys, piano black body kit including mirror caps and license-plate garnish, a honeycomb grille, and dark chrome exterior accents. Interior highlights includes a leather sports steering wheel, and new-design leather seats which are heated for both driver and front passenger.
Driving dynamics are sharper through new Variable Gear Ratio (VGR) steering, which is similar to the technology used successfully on the Honda Civic and Honda CR-V. The HR-V RS also adds front stabiliser bars, and improved suspension making it the most engaging HR-V yet.
Honda has also made its AEB-equivalent City-Brake Active System (C-BAS) standard across the HR-V range. C-BAS activates when driving at speeds of less than 30 km/h, via a laser radar built into the front windscreen. This enables the HR-V to detect possible obstructions, and apply the brakes automatically if the driver fails to brake.
Key Honda HR-V RS grade features are:
- 18-inch black and silver alloys
- Piano-black body kit
- Black rear licence plate garnish
- Leather sports interior, leather steering wheel
- Black mirror caps
- Honeycomb sports grille
- LED front foglights
- RS badge
A new Phoenix Orange Pearlescent paint option will also be introduced, available exclusively to HR-V RS customers.
The Honda HR-V is powered by a proven 105 kW, 172Nm four-cylinder engine offering a great combination of power and fuel economy.
Honda Australia Director, Stephen Collins, said the arrival of the revised Honda HR-V will continue its strong momentum. “With our iconic Honda Civic and CR-V performing strongly, particularly with private buyers, our focus now shifts to HR-V. It’s been a consistent Top 3 seller with private buyers since its launch, and with the new car offering more style and more safety, we expect this trend to continue,” he said. Since the current model was launched 2015, the company has sold more than 36,000 HR-Vs and it has become a firm favourite among Small SUV buyers.
“Since HR-V arrived in 2015, we’ve built a very loyal group of owners who have very specific requirements built around space, versatility, and reliability,” he said.
“HR-V’s versatility really shines in its ability to nail ‘life admin’ tasks during the week, plus easily fit your mates and gear to get out there on the weekend. So the brief for the new HR-V was clear; keep what customers love, like the 18-way ‘Magic Seats’ and versatile roomy interior, and add some newfound style, sportiness, plus AEB across the range.”
Collins said the HR-V’s coupe-like roofline, strong lower body and powerful nose, provided a natural canvas to add the sporty RS model. By adding the sports grille, the HR-V’s ‘solid wing face’ design is enhanced. HR-V is also equipped with advanced collision safety features, including Honda’s ACE body structure, impact-mitigating front seats designed to help mitigate the risk of neck injury and six airbags.
Pricing and full specifications will be available closer to launch. For customers wishing to register their interest in the new HR-V, go to: https://www.honda.com.au/hr-v-pre-registration.html