HR-V

Known in its home market as the Vezel, the Aussie-spec HR-V follows the same subtle exterior updates in the form of new LED headlights taken from the Civic, a thicker logo bar, restyled front and rear bumpers, new fog light surrounds and blacked-out LED taillights.

While the Vezel is sold exclusively with a 1.5-litre hybrid powertrain, the HR-V Down Under will only be offered with the familiar 1.8-litre petrol engine that produces 105kW/172Nm. As before, the power is routed to the front wheels via a CVT.

In terms of equipment, the HR-V will be available in four trim levels with items on the entry-level VTi being a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, satellite navigation, USB and Aux input, 16-inch alloy wheels, daytime running LEDs, keyless entry, climate control, City Brake Autonomous Emergency Braking and a multi-angle reverse camera.

Building on this, the VTi-S comes with Honda’s LaneWatch system that features a mirror mounted camera on the passenger’s side with the image being displayed on the central screen, automatic LED headlights and fog lights, push-button start, 17-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, leather wrapped steering wheel and gear knob and rear parking sensors.

New to the HR-V range, the RS essentially serves as an appearance package and adds 18-inch alloy wheels, unique bodykit with piano key black detailing, dark chrome door handles, black grille and mirror caps, RS badging, a black lower honeycomb grille and in terms of equipment, leather seats with the front chairs being heated, a sports steering wheel and aluminium pedals, and RS badges.

Sitting at the top of the range, the VTi-LX boasts chrome door handles, a panoramic sunroof, LED interior lighting, front parking sensors, auto-dimming rear mirror, eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat and Honda’s Advanced Safety System consisting of High-Beam Assist, Lane Departure Warning and Forward Collision Warning.

Heading for Australian dealership floors on August first, Honda South Africa has yet to announce a local launch date, but expect it to offer the HR-V in flagship Executive spec powered by the 1.8-litre engine and the Comfort motivated by an 88kW/145Nm 1.5-litre petrol.

PRICING

Civic Type R

The unofficial record holder for front-wheel drive production cars around the ‘Ring, the Type R snapped by motor1.com sported masking on the front bumper, around the grille and headlights, as well as on the rear bumper, hinting as a possible faster model.

According to the online platform, and given that the Type R was only unveiled last year, the updates are too soon for a mid-life revision, therefore implying that it could possibly gain more shove from the 228kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, although this is purely speculative at present.

As well as the white Type R pictured, a red variant has also been spotted with the same level of disguise at the front, but with a noticeably smaller rear wing, masking instead of graffiti patterns over the “Civic” and “Type R” badges on the bootlid as well as the Honda logo, and a completely naked rear bumper.

Expect more details on the reasons for the two prototypes to come forward in the coming weeks.