Honda is gearing up to launch its second car for the year, the WR-V. The company has started accepting bookings for the car at all its dealerships for a booking amount of ₹21,000. The company has also revealed the car’s technical specifications, variants and equipment on offer. Here’s what you need to know:
1. The car is based on the Jazz
The Honda WR-V is a crossover. It shares several parts with the Jazz, including the drivetrain, platform, certain body panels as well as interior bits. Honda has, however, heavily reworked the front fascia, tweaked the rear styling and added a new tailgate, revised tail-lamps and bumper. View it from the side and you’ll notice the striking resemblance to its sister, save for the body cladding.
The interior too is similar to the Jazz’ though with some added kit and a few revised surfaces. It’s got new seat fabric, a slimmer gear knob and a front-centre armrest. You get two colour options for the upholstery as well.
2. It’s larger and heavier than the Jazz
Despite the increase, Honda has kept the WR-V in the sub-four-metre segment. At 3,999mm length, the WR-V is a good 44mm longer than the standard Jazz with width up from 1694mm to 1734mm. In terms of height, the WR-V sits a good 57mm taller than the standard Jazz at 1601mm, which is courtesy the roof rails, raised ground clearance (up 23mm at 188mm) and larger 16-inch steel or alloy wheels (depending on the trim).
The WR-V’s wheelbase, at 2555mm, is longer than the Jazz’s 2530mm. Boot space is up from 354 litres to 363 litres. The car is also heavier than the standard Jazz.
3. It shares the same engine
The WR-V uses the same engine and gearbox combination as the Jazz. These include a 90hp 1.2-litre i-VTEC petrol mated to a five-speed manual and a 100hp 1.5-litre Earth Dreams i-DTEC diesel mated to a six-speed manual. The company claims to have tweaked this car’s gearing to improve acceleration. Honda claims fuel efficiency figures of 17.5kpl and 25.5kpl for the petrol and diesel engines, respectively. Also, this car doesn’t come with the option of an automatic transmission.
4. Available in two trims
The company will offer the WR-V in two trims – S and VX – with both petrol and diesel engines. Honda has also added more equipment. The car features LED daytime running lights integrated into the headlamps, large 16-inch alloy wheels on the top variant, a new touchscreen infotainment system, roof rails and a front centre armrest. The diesel model comes with cruise control and keyless go on the top variant. The car doesn’t come with certain features available on the standard Jazz, such as the magic seats from the top spec Jazz, auto headlamps and rain sensing wipers.
Dual airbags and ABS are offered as standard on all trims of the WR-V.
5. Will launch in India in March
The WR-V is set to launch in India on March 16, 2017 and the company will position it slightly above the Jazz. It will go up against the likes of the Hyundai i20 Active and the Fiat Avventura, as well as compact SUVs like the Maruti Vitara Brezza and the Ford EcoSport.