The Honda SUV will get a 1.5L strong-hybrid powertrain

Honda’s upcoming SUV for India has been spotted testing on roads, under heavy camouflage. Honda’s Hyundai Creta rival is most likely to be launched around the Diwali season, this year. Currently, the Japanese automaker has no hold in the highly profitable and competitive mid-size SUV segment. This is the first time that the SUV has been spotted on Indian roads.

The SUV seems to be about 4.2 to 4.3 meters long. The front fascia, even under camo, makes a resemblance of many globally sold Honda SUVs like the Asia -Euro-spec Honda HRV. The design elements from the test mule reveal the upright nose and grille along with the sleek headlamps. A sunroof can also be seen in the spy shots. The tail lamp looks similar to the Indonesia-launched new-gen WR-V. The roofline gets a slopping style and a tailgate-mounted spoiler. Square-ish wheel arches indicate the possible muscular design it could get. Multi-spoke wheels are another noted highlight. The prominent shoulder line and the larger glasshouse is visible in the test mule. The SUV’s wing mirrors is attached with cameras, pointing at the possibility of a 360⁰ view or Honda’s Lane Watch System.

In terms of powertrain, the new SUV will get the 121hp, 1.5-litre NA petrol engine from the fifth-gen City and the 1.5-litre strong-hybrid powertrain from the City Hybrid. This will help the Honda SUV to compete against the likes of the strong hybrid tech of the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and Toyota Hyryder. The engine will be mated to a 6-speed manual and a CVT for the 1.5-petrol and the strong hybrid will get an eCVT. The new SUV won’t get a diesel engine as Honda is discontinuing all diesel powertrains from their cars ahead of the RDE norms, which will come into effect from April 2023.

Sources tell that the new SUV could be highly localised, making it a fierce rival for many mid-size SUVs in the market. The company could price it competitively, making it a direct rival to SUVs like Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Skoda Kushaq ,VW Taigun, etc. The vehicle is part of the 3 proposed launches from the Jap in the days ahead.

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Source : Autocar India