While Malaysians are eagerly waiting for the Honda HR-V facelift to be officially launched in the local market, the refreshed compact SUV has just been announced for the European market. Lucky for them, Honda has confirmed that Europe buyers will have the option for a VTEC turbo engine!
Updates are the same with the HR-V we will be getting which include new front grille, high-gloss dark chrome above the grille, deeper bumper air intake sections and redesigned LED headlamps with LED daytime running lights. In Europe, higher-grade models get 17-inch alloy wheels, chrome finish exhaust tailpipes and full LED head and tail lamps.
As for enhancements that are not visible to the naked eye include additional insulating materials for the wheel arches, boot structure and door panels. More expensive models come with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology that emits specific sound waves to cancel low-frequency noise in the cabin.
At launch, the HR-V will be available with an improved 1.5-litre naturally aspirated i-VTEC engine that pushes out 130 hp and 155 Nm of torque. The i-VTEC engine has been enhanced with advanced plateau honing that reduces the friction between the pistons and cylinder bores as well as a friction-reducing coating on the timing chain guides to reduce long-term wear and improve engine efficiency.
The 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo engine and 1.6-litre i-DTEC turbodiesel engines that first debut on the Civic FC will be available in 2019. No luck for us residing in Malaysia as Honda Malaysia has confirmed that the Honda HR-V facelift which is set for market debut in Q3 2018 will soldier on with the 1.8-litre four-cylinder i-VTEC and CVT combo with 140 hp and 172 Nm of torque.
IMAGE GALLERY
Honda HR-V Facelift in Europe
