Honda 2FM/Honda WR-V
Honda’s second compact SUV based on the
Jazz platform, codenamed Honda 2FM and reported to be branded ‘Honda WR-V’, was
photographed on test in Brazil recently. The test mule despite being
camouflaged, reveals the outline of the bootlid which appears very similar to
that of the Jazz. The shape of the taillights too appear to be inspired by the
hatchback.
The Honda WR-V will be presented at this
year’s Sao Paulo Motor Show which is scheduled to start on 8 November 2016.
Post its South American debut, the compact SUV is expected to arrive in Indian
shores in early-2017, where it will compete with the likes of recently-launched
Maruti Vitara Brezza, Ford EcoSport and pseudo-crossovers like the Hyundai i20
Active, VW Cross Polo and Toyota Etios Cross.
In markets abroad, Honda will position
the WR-V below the HR-V, also based on the Jazz platform. However in markets
like India where the HR-V is not sold (owing to its premium pricing), the WR-V
will slot beneath the soon-to-launch Honda BR-V.
In the Indian market, the WR-V will be
powered by the 1.5-liter i-DTEC diesel engine in addition to an i-VTEC petrol
engine (1.2L or 1.5L depending on the overall length of the product). For the
Brazilian market, reports state it will use a 1.5-liter i-VTEC flex-fuel engine
paired to manual and CVT boxes.
