The Honda
HR-V-based EV has leaked online in patent images. It is the Japanese
automaker’s first mass-production EV for China. The Honda HR-V-based EV was
previewed with the Honda Everus EV Concept at Auto China 2018 in April. The production
version looks very close to the global SUV from which it originates. Most
design changes are at the front. The charging port is located behind a flush
panel in the upper grille, while the distinctive lower grille is a closed-off
piece meant just for aesthetics.
Vertical LED DRLs
are positioned on the latter’s flanks, inside the C-shaped pronounced
outer-ends of the redesigned bumper. The blue colour above the charging port is
likely a charging status indicator. The same hue is an accent inside the
headlamps and a tint of the tail lamps’ lower portion. The tail lamps are
connected via a stripe, although it’s unclear whether it’s light as on the
concept or just a tailgate embellisher.
The Honda
HR-V-based battery-powered SUV is a GAC-Honda product. It will go on sale
before the end of this year under the Everus brand that the joint venture
company relaunched with the debut of the concept mentioned above. There’s no
word on the driving range, charging time, maximum speed or other specification
of the pure electric sub-compact SUV. One thing for sure is that it’s a
China-only model.
A pure electric
Jazz is planned for launch in H1 2020, and perhaps that sub-compact Honda EV is
the one intended for global markets. As for the Honda HR-V itself, that's not
an India-bound model either, IAB revealed in an exclusive report recently.
