Honda WR-V crossover SUV based on Jazz India launch by mid-2017: Report

Japanese carmaker Honda's new crossover SUV, which made its debut at the 2016 Sao Paulo Auto Show, is expected to come to the Indian market in 2017. The emerging reports suggest that Honda has already started testing the new WR-V at its plant in India.

A report of MotorOctane says that the launch of the new crossover SUV of Honda is likely to take place in India by mid-2017. Although the WR-V, the SUV based on the Jazz platform, borrows design cues from its giver, it does sport interesting appearance with aggressive front bumper with headlights with black inserts, C-shaped daytime running lamps along with Chrome grille. The grille will have a thick chrome slat in line with the Honda City sold in India. The body-cladding that runs on the wheel arches and doors give the new WR-V the crossover traits and at the rear, the WR-V completes the looks with new tailgate and bumper.

Developed under the leadership of a team in Brazil, the WR-V stands for Winsome Runabout Vehicle. As far as the engine of the new WR-V is concerned, in India it is expected to include same engine as the Jazz hatchback. It packs the 1.2-litre i-VTEC petrol engine that powers the Amaze and the Brio, which can generate power of 90bhp with a torque of 110Nm at 4,800rpm and a 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel motor that can pump 100bhp of power with 200Nm torque. Globally, the WR-V likely to get Fit's 1.5 Flex engine with the five-speed manual gearbox or CVT.

When launched in India, the WR-V is expected to take on the likes of Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza and Ford EcoSport.