The Honda HR-V e:HEV has been revealed as an expansion to the brand’s crossover and electrically powered offering. The new product aims to expand the brand’s presence in the European market, among others, with promising consumption claims.
Powering the Honda HR-V will be the naturally aspirated Atkinson-cycle 1,5-litre four-cylinder i-VTEC petrol engine which will be mated to an innovative fixed-gear CVT. This is coupled to an intelligent power control unit that sources power from a lithium-ion battery. Collectively, this drivetrain produces 96 kW and 253 N.m of torque to the front wheels.
With this, the brand claims that the Honda HR-V e:HEV will consume an average of 5,4 L/100 km on a combined WLTP cycle and emit 122 g/km of CO2. Where performance is concerned, a claimed 0-100 km/h figure of 10,6 seconds has been stated.
With the e:HEV system, the Honda HR-V is supported by three drive modes that adjusts the performance of the engine to cater to urban and motorway driving by cycling between electric, hybrid or engine drive, depending on which is the most fuel-efficient mode at that specific driving situation.
When driving at a constant high-speed, such as on the highway, the system operates on engine drive as that is the most efficient for that scenario. If further acceleration is required, such as when overtaking, the car will switch to hybrid drive for that additional performance boost.
Using engineering expertise from its motorsport team, Honda’s race-winning Formula One Hybrid Power Unit programme has inspired the technology in the Honda HR-V e:HEV hybrid system in an attempt to deliver impressive levels of energy efficiency on the road.
Compared to the Honda Fit e:HEV that was recently introduced into South Africa, the Honda HR-V’s system boasts 12 more battery cells to account for the increased mass. Despite this larger battery cell size, interior space has not been compromised. Further revisions to the powertrain include a reduction in the gear ratio between the electric motor and wheels, to cumulatively improve acceleration and the HR-V’s dynamic performance.
Honda South Africa is yet to confirm whether the Honda HR-V will be introduced to our local market.
