Following the same exterior redesigns as its Aussie sibling, the Old Continent bound HR-V boasts restyled front and rear bumpers, projector headlights with Civic-inspired daytime running LEDs, a thicker chrome logo bar, new fog light surrounds, a deeper lower air intake and on top spec models, newly designed 17-inch alloy wheels, blacked-out taillight clusters with full LEDs and a chrome tipped exhaust.
Rounding off the changes is a chrome dark finish on the tailgate and a new Midnight Blue Beam Metallic paint finish that joins the existing colour options, Platinum White Pearl, Crystal Black Pearl, Milano Red Pearl, Lunar Silver, Ruse Black Metallic, Modern Steel and Brilliant Sporty Blue.
Compared to its exterior, the HR-V’s interior changes are minor and consists of reshaped seats finished in upgraded upholstery, more sound-deadening materials around the bulkhead, in the boot linings, on the door panels and around the wheel arches, as well as a leather/fabric seat combo with double stitching.
Depending on the model selected, the HR-V also comes with Active Noise Cancellation technology that uses two cabin positioned, noise monitoring microphones to cancel out any unwanted sounds “with precisely-timed 'reverse phase' audio signals through the speakers”.
Initially, the HR-V will go on sale powered by a single engine; a 1.5-litre normally aspirated petrol that produces 96kW/155Nm, hooked to a six-speed manual gearbox with a CVT being optional. While no top speed figures were revealed, Honda claims a 0-100km/h dash of 10.7 seconds for the manual and 11.2 seconds for the CVT.
Unlike in Australia, European buyers seeking more power will not be privy to the 105kW/172Nm 1.8-litre petrol motor, but will have to wait until 2019 for the same 1.5-litre turbo-petrol that power the Civic and CR-V. No details surrounding this engine’s outputs were revealed, although in the Civic, it produces 127kW/220Nm with the CR-V’s mill outputting 140kW/240Nm. An 88kW/300Nm 1.6-litre i-DTEC turbodiesel will also be added next year.
With sales in Europe due to kick-off in October, expect the updated HR-V to arrive on local shores before the end of the year or in early 2019, again powered by the normally aspirated petrols, both mated to a CVT.
