Honda HR-V: We finally know everything – News – Auto – Pravda.sk – PRAVDA.sk

The new generation of Honda HR-V starts at the price where the previous one ends. Nowadays, there is nothing to wonder about. The novelty comes exclusively with hybrid technology and a complete package of assistance systems.

Honda tried to correct the fiasco with the current generation of the 2014 HR-V crossver, with the first one it produced between 1999 and 2006. And overall, it succeeded. Although it is not her best-selling model in Europe, her growing interest in compact cars with raised chassis has played a role. It was able to find between 21,000 and 33,000 customers a year. That’s twice the first one, somehow ahead of time. Of course, last year’s pandemic year, sales fell to 14,390 units, but the current HR-V is basically over.

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The next generation is at the start. Although it was introduced at the beginning of the year, the information came from Honda like a hairy blanket. Only now do we really know everything about her. As in the past, the third generation is built on the extended Jazz platform, this time on the Global Samall platform, ready for a specific hybrid drive, which Honda refers to as the e: HEV. The novelty has a length of 4,340, a width of 1,866 and a height of 1,582 mm. Compared to the previous generation, it is therefore six millimeters shorter and 23 mm lower, but up to 76 mm wider. The wheelbase remained at the identical 2,610 mm.

If we compare HR-V with Jazz, there has been a significant increase. The compact SUV or rather crossover is up to 250 mm longer and its axles are 90 mm more apart. The more mature proportions are accompanied by a completely new design. Honda bet on minimalism and a premium hallmark. The HR-V has a high-lying hood and a bold slit mask painted in body color. The plastic protection of the lower parts and higher ground clearance clearly place it in the class of compact crossovers. The rear, steeply sloping pillar and camouflaged rear door handles evoke a coupe. And basically he wears big wheels with a diameter of 18 inches.

Narrow lights, connected at the back, use exclusively diode technology. The flat sides of the body provide plenty of interior space. It is not disturbed even by integrated hybrid components. The good news is that the HR-V still has a tank under the front seats, which means maintaining the ingenious rear seats of the Sea Seats. Their “seats” can be folded down similarly to a cinema and the entire seats can be folded down to the floor. However, it was not possible without compromises. The suitcase has a volume of only 319 liters, which means up to 129 less than in the past. And when the seats are folded down, the loss climbs to 168 liters. There are a total of 1,305 of them.

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The interior looks really mature, especially compared to the Jazz. The horizontal dashboard is covered with soft materials. The new ventilation vents, which extend across the entire width, together with the additional L-shaped openings, are intended to provide a “curtain” of fresh air. But the important thing is that Honda has not succumbed to the fashion of integrating most functions into the touch interface. Although we have a modern infotainment system with a 9-inch screen, we also have a classic instrument panel with “alarm clocks”, complete with a 7-inch TFT display and even today a rare separate air conditioning panel. Finally, Honda has promised to be careful about digitization.

But that doesn’t mean the HMI can’t mirror smartphones. There’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In addition, it is significantly faster and its menu more logical. There is also a complete package of Honda Sensing assistance systems based on a new monocular camera and radar. HR-V thus distinguishes not only cars, but also pedestrians and cyclists. It manages maintenance in the driving stream, assisted driving in columns, monitors the blind angles of mirrors and reads traffic signs. Adaptive cruise control is a matter of course. All this is HR-V in the standard equipment of all versions.

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As expected, only the e: HEV hybrid system known from Jazz operates under the hood. However, it has been adapted to the needs of larger dimensions and higher weight. The HR-V is powered by a 96 kW traction electric motor with a torque of 253 Nm. It is powered by a generator connected to a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder i-VTEC, which operates in the Atkinson cycle and offers 79 kW at 6,000 rpm. The fuel saving is recuperation, which collects energy during braking into a li-ion battery under the trunk floor. Compared to Jazz, the battery has a higher capacity, as the number of cells has increased by 25% from 48 to 60.

Honda promises a smooth driving performance, typical of electric cars, an average consumption of 5.4 liters of gasoline per 100 km, which is 0.6 liters less compared to the previous generation and acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h in 10.6 seconds. This is the same figure for hair as the run-out model. However, he could also count on a more powerful i-VTEC Turbo engine tuned up to 134 kW with a sprint to 100 in 7.6 seconds, so from this point of view, the new HR-V got worse. It’s a tax on ecology. On the other hand, it is supposed to please quiet operation, as Honda has worked hard on soundproofing to avoid large acoustic differences between the on and off modes of the internal combustion engine.

The HR-V has also improved in driving performance. The significantly redesigned chassis has McPherson strut front struts and a rear trailing axle. However, the springs have a larger overlap, which reduces the transverse forces acting on the shock absorbers. Ball joints have also been optimized. Low vibrations eliminate hydraulic bushings. A stiffer body with a higher proportion of high-strength steel and added reinforcements in the area of ​​the C-pillars plays a role. The result should be precise steering, shock absorption and comfort on board. But you will pay extra for everything compared to the past. While the outgoing generation starts at 19,990 euros, the new one at 26,990 euros. It doesn’t need a comment.

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