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

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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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Honda will not discontinue sedans in India. City and Amaze sales to continue

Honda will not discontinue sedans in India. City and Amaze sales to continue

by with No Comment car insurance online

Honda Car India will not discontinue its sedan range in India amidst launching new SUVs, contrary to a recent report. The Japanese automaker confirmed to HT Auto that the Honda City and Amaze sedans will continue to be sold in the country, even as it surges forward with an SUV-focused strategy. Honda recently introduced the Elevate compact SUV, its first all-new offering in three years and an all-new nameplate in 10. The automaker plans to bring five new SUVs to India by 2030.

By: Sameer Fayaz Contractor
| Updated on: 03 Nov 2023, 18:37 PM

The Honda City and Amaze models have remained the brand’s popular sellers for years, only joined by the Elevate compact SUV this year

While SUVs will clearly be Honda’s priority over the next few years, the company will continue retailing its bread-and-butter models as well. The Honda Amaze is the brand’s most accessible offering and continues to average about 3,000 units every month, taking on the Maruti Suzuki Dzire, Hyundai Aura and Tata Tigor.

Also Read : Honda announces 5 new SUVs for India by 2030, Elevate Electric to arrive by 2026

Honda Amaze facelift
The Honda Amaze is the brand’s entry-level offering in India (HT Auto/Sabyasachi Dasgupta)

The Honda City, its most celebrated model in India, brings in about 1,500 units month on month. The numbers are on par with models like the Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus, which average a little over 1,500 units every month, while the new-generation Hyundai Verna is the segment bestseller bringing in over 2,500 units every month.

Sedans may have lost their popularity across segments over the years but there’s no denying that the cars continue to bring in considerable sales and revenue for automakers. Both the Honda Amaze and City enjoy admiration for their respective reliable engines, good build quality and easy ownership. Moreover, the Honda India plant not only caters to the domestic market but also exports both sedans overseas. The Right Hand Drive (RHD) Amaze and City are shipped to South Africa and the neighbouring countries around India. On the other hand, the Left Hand Drive (LHD) is exported to Mexico, Turkey and the Middle East market. Both models are built at the Tapukara plant in Rajasthan.

Also Read : Elevate SUV helps Honda Cars clock 9,400 unit sales in October 2023

Honda Elevate first drive review
The Honda Elevate kicks off the brand’s SUV strategy with an electric version planned in 2026, apart from other models

That said, the Honda Amaze is expected to get a new lease on life with the third generation reportedly in the works. The new-gen Amaze could arrive in 2024 and will be based on an evolution of the current version’s platform that has been around since 2018. It is also expected to get a design and feature revamp. The Honda City, meanwhile, holds a lot of importance in the APAC region, apart from India, with no announcements to discontinue the model in these markets. This still leaves room for the next generation to arrive in India when the model is ready globally.

Watch: Honda Elevate SUV: First drive review

Honda Car India’s SUV strategy kicked off with the Elevate this year. The automaker has confirmed the arrival of the electrified version in the next three years. A subcompact SUV, possibly based on the Amaze platform, is also said to be on the cards. Previously, the automaker confirmed that it plans to launch one new model every year in India, which includes hybrids and EVs. The company is also expected to bring premium models via the CBU and CKD routes in India.

First Published Date: 03 Nov 2023, 18:37 PM IST


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