Japanese automaker, Honda is readying an all-new compact crossover for the global markets. The new SUV is rumoured to be introduced in mid-2021 in the home market, where it will challenge the Toyota Raize and Daihatsu Rocky. It was speculated that the upcoming Honda sub-4 meter SUV will be based on the City platform, which underpins the new City and the Jazz. In fact, the second generation Honda HR-V is also expected to use this platform.
Few media reports claim that the City’s platform would prove to be costlier for a small SUV, which will mainly target price sensitive developing nations such as India, Indonesia and the Brazil. The compact SUV could be designed and developed on the second-generation Amaze platform. This platform is versatile enough to accommodate different body styles and different engine options.
In fact, the Honda BR-V and the Mobilio are based on the old Brio’s platform. The new platform also brings major improvements in the form of strength and stability. This platform will help Honda to achieve competitive pricing for the new SUV.
Honda has trademarked the ZR-V nameplate, which is rumoured to be the name for the upcoming compact SUV. The new sub-4 meter SUV will be positioned against the likes of the Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Ford EcoSport, Tata Nexon and Mahindra XUV300. It is expected to share styling cues from the next-gen HR-V and the XR-V crossover on sale in China.
The new Honda ZR-V sub-4 meter SUV is expected to be offered with two petrol engine options. It could receive the 1.0L, 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that powers the new City in Thailand and Indonesia. This engine produces 121bhp of power and 175Nm of torque. It is also rumoured to feature a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine with Honda’s compact hybrid system (e-HEV). This hybrid system is also available with the international-spec new-gen Jazz hatchback. It will also be offered with the India-spec City RS Hybrid, which is scheduled to be launched in 2021.
