While the Honda Elevate continues to enjoy a successful run in India, it has been announced for the Japanese car market under the new moniker, WR-V. Honda plans to introduce the Elevate as the new “WR-V” in Japan, scheduled...
While the Honda Elevate continues to enjoy a successful run in India, it has been announced for the Japanese car market under the new moniker, WR-V. Honda plans to introduce the Elevate as the new “WR-V” in Japan, scheduled for its debut at the Tokyo Auto Salon next year. Alongside the standard SUV version, Honda will also showcase the rugged-looking Field Explorer Edition of the Honda Elevate at the event.
Similar to the recently launched Volkswagen Taigun GT Edge Trail Edition, the new Honda WR-V Field Explorer concept will represent a robust variant of the Honda Elevate sold in India, featuring several visual tweaks and add-ons. The primary visual changes are at the front, where the Field Explorer concept of the Honda Elevate displays a distinct all-black grille, with Honda lettering replacing the “H” logo, complemented by triple LED lights above it.
The all-LED headlamps of the Honda Elevate Field Explorer concept also exhibit a blacked-out appeal, along with the fog lamp surrounds and central lower air dam. Similar to the grille, the fog lamp housings incorporate tiny yellow lights. The side profile of the Honda Elevate concept model showcases gloss black alloy wheels and side body moulding, accompanied by a roof rack and modified roof rails. However, details about the changes to be introduced to the rear profile remain unclear, though it is expected that the SUV will feature a blacked-out effect for the LED tail lamps.
Honda claims to have sold 20,000 units of the Elevate in India within the first 100 days since its launch, significantly raising Honda’s profile in the market. The Elevate marked Honda’s initial foray into the midsize SUV segment in India following the discontinuation of its other SUV and crossover offerings like BR-V, CR-V, and WR-V.
In India, the Honda Elevate, soon to be introduced in Japan as the Honda WR-V, is available with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine, shared with the Honda City. It comes with a 6-speed manual and CVT gearbox options, delivering 121 PS of maximum power and 145 Nm of torque.
Priced starting from Rs 10.99 lakh (ex-showroom, India), the Honda Elevate competes with various midsize SUVs, including the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, and MG Astor.
Honda to launch electric cars and SUVs
Honda Motor Co. announced a strategic shift to focus exclusively on sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) in the evolving Indian automotive market. The CEO of Honda Motor Cars stated that no new sedans will be offered, and the company will launch five new SUVs by 2030, focusing on electrification. The move aligns with Honda’s plan to introduce a total of five new models in India. One of the first new SUVs to launch will be an all-electric iteration of its popular sub-compact SUV, Elevate. The automaker plans to make fresh investments to materialize this plan and contribute to India’s electrification efforts. Honda also aims to develop emerging technologies through alliances that benefit all partners.
Takuya Tsumura, president of Honda Cars India, stated, “By 2030, we plan to launch five more models such as Elevate-based EV and other SUVs. With those in the market, we would be able to compete against other companies and be able to really win.”
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