The third-generation Honda HR-V was first revealed in February this year and has since gone on sale in markets like Japan and Europe. Before 2021 comes to a close, the B-segment crossover will reportedly make its launch debut in Thailand in early November, according to Headlightmag. Honda Thailand has yet to provide an official launch date, but in the past weeks, camouflaged units of the latest HR-V have been sighted in the country. This, along with claims that sales personnel are being trained with the new model, are deemed as signs that a launch will take place within the mentioned timeframe.
A November introduction would be timely,
as the model can then be put on display at the Thailand International Motor
Expo, with the 38th edition of the show set to take place in early December. A
launch at the event is also another possibility, although this wasn’t mentioned
in the source report. In Japan, the HR-V (known as the Vezel there) is offered
with two powertrains, with the first being a 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated
i-VTEC petrol engine that provides 118 PS and 142 Nm of torque. The mill is
paired with a CVT, with front- and all-wheel drive available. The other option
is the e:HEV hybrid, which features a front electric motor rated at 131 PS and
253 Nm. A 1.5 litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder petrol engine (106 PS and 127
Nm) acts as a generator with the help of an integrated electric motor, juicing
up a lithium-ion battery that powers the propulsion motor – all-wheel drive is
an option too.
There are three interchangeable drive
modes, automatically selected for the situation. From a rest, the HR-V pulls
off in electric mode, seamlessly changing to hybrid mode when the engine is
under high-torque demand, with the petrol engine going solo using a lock-up
clutch when driving at higher, more constant speeds. Both powertrains could be
offered with the Thailand-market HR-V to help bolster the local hybrid line-up
that currently includes the Accord, City Hatchback and City. Other details like
equipment and available trim levels will only be known when the crossover is
launched.