US’ HR-V to land in China and Europe as ‘ZR-V’

Honda has announced the release of a new compact SUV model for China called the ZR-V, which will be manufactured by the local Honda joint venture in Guangqi. The pictures show that the ZR-V that will debut on May 19 is almost identical to the US-spec 2023 Honda HR-V. Furthermore, Honda confirmed that the European-spec ZR-V will be based on the same ZR-V nameplate.

The outside of the ZR-V is pretty much the same as the US-spec HR-V. There are, however, a few changes here and there on different variants. According to the teaser sketch for Europe, the ZR-V will be positioned above the slightly smaller HR-V and below the larger CR-V, occupying the C-SUV segment.

There is a slight difference between the LED headlight graphics and the bumper intakes are decorated with glossy black and chrome elements. Aside from the new design for the wheels, the overall profile of the SUV remains unchanged.

A significantly larger sunroof courtesy of dual glass panels is another major update. At the rear, there is a new chrome element that sits on the lower part of the bumper and houses dual exhaust pipes.

While Honda is yet to reveal the specifications of the ZR-V yet, the SUV is expected to share powertrains with the mechanically-related Honda Civic and Honda Integra. In China, the SUV is expected to come equipped with the turbocharged 1.5-litre gasoline engine, while in Europe, it will be exclusively available in hybrid e:HEV form, just like the entire Honda range. Additionally, a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine, along with a hybrid system, possibly the 184hp Civic e:HEV, could also be on offer.

Using the ZR-V name for this vehicle complicates matters for the smaller sub-HR-V SUV also in development, which was previously rumoured to get the name. Alternatively, the model could be renamed WR-V, which originally appeared on a variant of the previous-generation Jazz.

Guangqi Honda will reveal more information about the Honda ZR-V in a few weeks.

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