Honda Europe has just introduced a sportier variant of the Honda HR-V for the European market, powered by a VTEC turbo engine, uprated chassis and suspension as well as bespoke design features.
The new Honda HR-V Sport packs a 1.5-litre VTEC turbo four-cylinder petrol engine pushing out 182 hp and a maximum torque of 240 Nm. You’ll only get the 240 Nm guise if you opt for the six-speed manual but the optional CVT will have a lower torque figure of 220 Nm – similar to the Honda Civic FC sold in Malaysia.
Key performance figures were not quoted but expect the HR-V Sport to complete the century dash a lot faster than the HR-V 1.8L’s (CVT) 10.1 seconds. After all the turbo mill is pushing 42 hp and 48 Nm more than the naturally aspirated mill.
To complement the increased output, Honda has introduced a Performance Damper Technology that keeps body roll in check, variable ratio electric power steering wheel (similar to the VGR system on our local spec HR-V RS) as well as Agile Handling Assist (AHA) technology that applies brake-based torque vectoring on the inside wheels mid-corner for better turn in – similar set up found on the Civic Type R.
Elsewhere the HR-V Sport gains a high-gloss black chrome Honda Solid Wing Face grille, slim front splitters, more aggressive rear bumpers, black finish on the body kit, dual exhaust pipes, 18-inch alloys and sportier seats with red interior trim accents.
Closer to home, the sportiest HR-V money can buy is the Honda HR-V RS (RS for Road Sailing) that comes with a Variable Gear Ratio (VGR) steering system, larger alloys and stickier rubbers. Other than that it soldiers on with the same 1.8-litre naturally aspirated SOHC i-VTEC mill and CVT like the rest of the HR-V range.
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Honda HR-V Sport for Europe
Honda HR-V RS Preview in Malaysia
