Honda reveals production-ready WR-V at Sao Paulo Motor Show

Honda took the covers of the production-ready WR-V at the Sao Paulo Motor Show 2016 which opened yesterday. The Jazz-based crossover-hatchback is slated to be introduced in India around March 2017.

According to Honda, the WR-V (which stands for ‘Winsome Runabout Vehicle’) has been developed based on the research of customer needs in South America. The company says the WR-V is a “tough and urban” SUV design as well as excellent utility and offers a spacious cabin within a compact body size. Other attributes are high fuel economy and stable handling performance.

The market introduction in Brazil is scheduled to be in the first half of 2017.

India launch in March 2017

Up front, Honda’s new crossover gets an aggressive front bumper with muscular touches along with a prominent chin. The headlights differ from the Jazz and come with black inserts. The grill gets a thick chrome band similar to one seen on the recent Honda models like the BR-V.

Moving on to the sides, the WR-V will get muscular front fenders and prominent body cladding on the wheel arches and on the doors that continues on to the bumpers in order to achieve a rugged, SUV-like look. The doors and the rear fender are shared with the Jazz but at the back, the WR-V gets a different tailgate with the license plate moving below on the bumper. It shares the tail-lamps with the Jazz but gets prominent extensions on the tailgate. The rear bumper continues with the muscular theme and gets a faux aluminum skid pate and thick body cladding. On the insides, the WR-V shares interior bits and seating from the Jazz in order to keep costs in check. 

Under the hood, the WR-V for India will get the same engine and gearbox options as the standard car. These include the 90.0.6hp, 1.2-litre, i-VTEC petrol engine, borrowed from the Brio, and the 100hp 1.5-litre Earth Dreams i-DTEC diesel engine like on the City and the Mobilio. Transmission options include a five-speed manual and a CVT gearbox for the petrol motor; the diesel unit is mated to a six-speed manual.

With the WR-V's unique front and rear styling and rugged exterior bits, Honda aims to take the crossover-hatchback game ahead of its rivals. It will take on the Hyundai i20 Active, Toyota Etios Cross and the Fiat Avventura and also take a shot at the booming compact SUV segment which includes models like the Maruti Vitara Brezza and the Ford EcoSport.