Facelift for Honda’s H-RV
AREFRESHED Honda H-RV has been revealed and the Japanese car maker claims it is the most sophisticated compact SUV it has created. The new model will be available in October and features a new-look as well as interior updates. From launch the new H-RV will be powered by a 1.5-litre I-VTEC naturally aspirated petrol engine, with an output of 130ps giving it a 0 to 60 time of 10.2 seconds with a six-speed manual transmission. A CVT gearbox will also be offered giving a claimed 10.9 seconds acceleration time and average fuel economy of 53.2 mpg with CO2 emissions of 121g/km. Honda says a sportier 1.5-litre VTEC turbo model and a 1.6-litre I-DTEC diesel will be coming on stream in 2019. Upgrades to the exterior design include a more substantial interpretation of Honda’s ‘Solid Wing Face’ graphic, with a new, high-gloss dark chrome panel that replaces the black-andchrome combination above the grille. The front bumper features deeper air intake sections that house circular fog lights, and the headlights now have projector lenses with redesigned LED daytime running lights as standard. At the rear, a dark chrome garnish across the tailgate mirrors the new trim at the front, and the rear lights sit within darker lens casings. Higher-grade models feature a new 17-inch alloy design and the exhaust tailpipe has a chrome finisher while the headlights and rear lights are upgraded to full LED units, and the rear casings are enhanced with ‘smoked’ effect. Honda has retained its Magic Seat system while the front seats have been redesigned to offer more support with higher grade material. Top specification models come with a leather interior. Honda says it has improved the interior quietness and refinement of the HR-V by adding greater levels of insulating material around the car, including around the front bulkhead and wheel arches, the boot structure, and both front and rear door panels. Depending on model grade, the new HR-V will also be equipped with Active Noise Cancellation for the first time which is designed to reduce low-frequency noise in the interior and then cancelling them out with precisely-timed ‘reverse phase’ audio signals through the speakers. Prices for the new models are still to be announced but the current H-RV range runs from £19,555 to £27,155.