Announced today for
the European market, the HR-V Sport gets the 1.5-liter turbocharged VTEC four
from the Civic, kicking out a far more impressive 179 hp and
as much as 240 Nm of torque. (That’s with the six-speed manual; the
CVT gets the same amount of power but less torque at 220 nm)
The more potent
engine isn’t the only element that sets the Sport model apart from “lesser”
HR-Vs. It also gets a Performance Damper – sort of an adaptive roll bar
– that keeps the vehicle level through the corners and softens up on bumpier
roads. The variable-ratio electric steering is also unique to the HR-V Sport.
And there are some visual changes inside and out as well.
There’s a new body
kit with front splitter, side skirts, wheel-arch moldings, and more
aggressively styled rear bumper, all finished in black to match the mirror
caps. The Sport model also rides on its own set of 18-inch alloys (bigger than
the 17s offered on the North American version), and features dual exhaust
pipes, LED lighting, darkened exterior trim, and an interior upgraded with more
generously bolstered front seats, black and red upholstery, and a black
headliner.
It all adds up to a
decidedly sportier take on the HR-V (also known as the Vezel in some markets),
and makes us wish we could get one in America.
