Off-road spec Honda Elevate to be showcased at Tokyo Auto Salon 2024

Off-road spec Honda Elevate to be showcased at Tokyo Auto Salon 2024

The Honda Elevate was recently announced for the Japanese market as the Honda WR-V. The SUV will be made in India and exported to the Japanese market with sales set to begin in March next year. With the new WR-V all set to arrive in Japan, the automaker has previewed a special off-road spec version of the SUV that will be showcased at Tokyo Auto Salon 2024 in January.

By: Sameer Fayaz Contractor
| Updated on: 26 Dec 2023, 22:22 PM

The Honda WR-V Field Explorer Concept will bring a more rugged look to the compact SUV, and is based on the Elevate sold in India

The special off-road spec Honda WR-V has been named the WR-V Field Explorer Concept. The concept gets a host of accessories to give it a more off-road-specific look. The teaser image reveals what Honda calls a “Tough Style” exterior. The chrome bits have been finished in gloss black along with smoked headlamps. The SUV also gets a different grille finished in all-black, three pilot lights, and yellow fog lights. The bumper gets additional black cladding and side cladding for a more muscular look.

Also Read : Made-in-India Honda Elevate unveiled in Japan as the new-generation WR-V

Honda WR-V Japan Elevate
The Honda WR-V for Japan will go on sale in March 2024 and will be exported from the automaker’s Tapukara facility

The black treatment continues on the ORVMs and roof spoiler, while the taillights appear to get the smoked look as well. A roof rail has also been added to the SUV to complete the rugged appeal. Expect to see more changes and accessories added to the concept when it is fully revealed next month.

It needs to be seen if Honda will make any changes to the mechanicals on the WR-V Field Explorer Concept. The standard WR-V announced for Japan will get the 1.5-litre petrol engine paired with only an automatic transmission. The India-spec model gets a 6-speed manual as well. The Japanese and Indian models are largely identical barring a few subtle differences on the interior including a different infotainment system on the former.

Apart from the HondaWR-V Field Explorer Concept, the company will also showcase the Accord e:HEV Sports Line and the Red Bull RB19 F1 race car at Tokyo Auto Salon 2024. The annual event will be held between January 12-14.

First Published Date: 26 Dec 2023, 22:22 PM IST


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Made-in-India Honda Elevate unveiled in Japan as the new-generation WR-V

Made-in-India Honda Elevate unveiled in Japan as the new-generation WR-V

Honda has unveiled the new-generation WR-V SUV for the Japanese market and the all-new offering is none other than the Elevate sold in India. The Honda Elevate made its global debut in India earlier this year and the compact SUV is being manufactured and exported from the automaker’s Tapukara plant in Rajasthan to its home market. Interestingly, the WR-V was also a nameplate used by Honda Car India for its Jazz-based crossover, which was discontinued earlier this year.

By: Sameer Fayaz Contractor
| Updated on: 16 Nov 2023, 14:49 PM

The new Honda WR-V for Japan is the made-in-India Elevate exported from the automaker’s Tapukara facility

Honda says the WR-V name stands for “Winsome Runabout Vehicle” and winsome stands for “fun” and “cheerfulness.” The company says the new SUV has been developed keeping the versatile lifestyles of customers. While both versions look visually identical, there are plenty of changes on the Japanese model to take note of on the Japanese model.

Also Read : Honda Elevate SUV helps Honda Cars clock 9,400 unit sales in October

Honda WR-V Japan Elevate
The Japanese-spec Elevate gets a different touchscreen infotainment system while missing out leather inserts on the dashboard, wireless charging, and an electric sunroof

The new Honda WR-V for Japan comes with an all-black cabin and different upholstery. In contrast, the Indian version gets brown and tan colours across the interior. The leather accents on the dashboard have been skipped as well. Honda Japan is also offering five monotone shades as against seven monotone and three dual-tone shades on the Indian version.

On the feature front, the JDM-spec model gets a different touchscreen infotainment system with buttons on the right, instead of the 10-inch infotainment unit seen here. The unit does come Honda remote control that allows you to remotely access certain functions on the car. It also gets Honda ALSOK rush service for theft and mischief, navigation, and in-car Wi-Fi. However, it misses out on features like an electric sunroof and wireless charging, which are otherwise available in the Indian model.

Also Read : Honda Elevate first drive review: Late to the fight but worth the wait?

The Japanese-spec Elevate also gets Honda Sensing bringing a suite of ADAS features like a LaneWatch camera, reverse camera, Collision mitigation brake, Adaptive cruise control, Lane keeping support System, Auto high beam, parking sensors and a whole lot more. Power on the JDM-spec model will come from the 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated i-VTEC engine that’s also available in India. The petrol motor develops 119 bhp and 145 Nm of peak torque and will be available with only the CVT automatic option. India gets the 6-speed manual transmission as well. Much like India, Japan also does not get a hybrid version of the Elevate.

Watch: Honda Elevate SUV: First drive review

Honda will release more information about the new WR-V in December with sales to begin around April 2024. The company says the new WR-V will be priced from a low 2 million Yen range (approx. 10.99 lakh), which is identical to the Indian version. The Honda Elevate in India is priced from 11 lakh, going up to 16 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The SUV takes on the Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, MG Astor and the like in the segment.

First Published Date: 16 Nov 2023, 14:49 PM IST


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