Honda WR-V crossover SUV based on Jazz unveiled; coming to India in early 2017

Japanese carmaker Honda's much-awaited new crossover SUV, the WR-V, made its grand debut at the ongoing 2016 Sao Paulo Auto Show not long after the design sketch of the model gave peekaboo. The WR-V, the SUV based on the Jazz platform, is expected to make its entry into the market early next year.

The WR-V will be developed under the leadership of a team in Brazil and will hit the assembly lines in Brazil from the first half of 2017, reports Reuters. The crossover SUV will show the doors to Honda's Fit Twist in Brazil. The WR-V stands for Winsome Runabout Vehicle and looks chic with its new rugged look.

On the design front, the new WR-V gets 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. Inside the cabin, the WR-V takes lot from Jazz.

Coming to the engine bit, the WR-V is likely to get Fit's 1.5 Flex engine with the five-speed manual gearbox or CVT. In India, the powertrain of the new crossover SUV 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. It can generate power of 90bhp with a torque of 110Nm at 4,800rpm. The other engine, a 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel motor, can pump 100bhp of power with 200Nm torque.

The WR-V is expected to be launched in the country by March 2017 and when launched, the crossover will be pitched to rival models like Vitara Brezza and EcoSport.