Honda Launches Nigeria-Made HR-V For Small SUV Market
The new Honda HR-V model presented to the Federal Government regulatory Agency, the National Automotive Design and Development Council, the NADDC. Image: Auto Report
LAGOS (PUNCH) -- Honda Automobile Western Africa literally rolled out the drums on Thursday in Lagos to celebrate the entry of its new HR-V (Hi-Rider Revolutionary-Vehicle). The ceremony was graced by the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yutaka Kikuta; and the Director-General, National Automotive Design and Development Council, Mr Jelani Aliyu.
The ambassador, who relayed his Honda experience and family members’ attachment to the auto brand, said Honda had been part of “Nigeria’s diversification, technology transfer and general development goals since four years ago when it went into auto assembly in the country.”
Jelani also acknowledged the rich history of Honda, from a manufacturer of bicycles to motorbikes, vehicles and now aircraft.
“Honda occupies a position of strength in global automobile industry and we are happy to have Honda producing automobiles in Nigeria,” said the NADDC DG.
The Lead, Sales Marketing, Honda Automobile Western Africa, Remi Adams, presented the features of the new vehicle, which he described as a proudly Nigeria-assembled SUV.
The five-seater HR-V, according to him, is a fun and sporty SUV designed to change the industry norm, especially with its magic seat.
EXTERIOR
The new HR-V comes with enhanced grille. Under the chrome band, the grille opening has been restyled to emphasise a wide look, and the fog-light housings enlarged to give the vehicle a more aggressive stance.
Adams said, “Also in the front is a sporty front bumper that gives an elegant yet rugged look combined with LED headlights and fog lights. In the rear, taillights with integrated led-light bars give the HR-Va distinctive sporty look.
“New to the SUV-B segment is the panoramic sunroof, in the leather grade, making the HR-V to deliver the feel of a larger sporty SUV ready for the next adventure.”
It has an elegant dashboard with the latest technology, which is incredibly easy to understand and use. Its black aesthetic combination (fabric and leather grade) gives the interior a premium comfort feel beyond its class.
The vehicle has a clever, comfortable and spacious interior. A centrally mounted fuel tank provides the HR-V with a huge boot.
Talking about the magic seat, Honda said it was a further evidence of smart thinking and could be moved in many ways to increase the vehicle’s carrying capacity.
“The HR-V has the feature of the 60:40 split rear seats. These ingenious 60:40 split seats can dive down to the floor, making a large space truly vast, or tip up to allow for sideways loading of awkward objects such as a bicycle.
“With the new stay-spring mechanism for the hatch, it’s now easier than ever to access the HR-V’s cargo space of 1456 litres. The HR-V also offers up to 100.1 cubic feet of passenger space with abundant rear seat head and legroom,” Adams said.
Its other features are a 6.8-inch display audio with touch screen with USB and HDMI ports that allow riders to connect their smart phone, play favourite music and use the phonebook to make calls to contacts.
“A multifunction steering wheel puts the audio and cruise controls at your fingertips making it a driver-friendly interface,” Adams added.
The HR-V leather grade has an automatic climate control to adjust the temperature of the cabin with the touch of a button.
Standard on both grades is the smart entry and push-button start. With just a touch of the door handle, the door opens without the need to bring out the key; same way a push on the button strategically located for easy sighting will ignite the engine either on/off as required.
SAFETY
The new vehicle comes with the electric parking brake that provides easy braking especially in a full stop park position. The automatic brake hold is useful during stop-and-go traffic situation in busy cities.
“With a push of the ABH button, the vehicle brake holds even after disengaging the foot brake and the vehicle moves only if when driver accelerates without necessarily disengaging the ABH. This happens throughout the drive until the ABH is disengaged or engine turned off,” Adams explained.
The 2019 HR-V also benefits from a standard list of safety features such as vehicle stability assist with traction control; driver and passenger front airbags; side airbags and side curtain airbags on the leather grade only; electronic brake distribution, hill start assist and Honda’s next-generation advanced compatibility engineering body structure.
ENGINE
The HR-V comes with a 1.8 litre i-VTEC petrol engine which maximises economy and efficiency, with 50-Litre tank capacity. It is a front-wheel drive, with a Continuously Variable providing the ability to drive the car in a relaxed automatic mode.
The new vehicle comes with the electric parking brake that provides easy braking especially in a full stop park position. The automatic brake hold is useful during stop-and-go traffic situation in busy cities.
“With a push of the ABH button, the vehicle brake holds even after disengaging the foot brake and the vehicle moves only if when driver accelerates without necessarily disengaging the ABH. This happens throughout the drive until the ABH is disengaged or engine turned off,” Adams explained.
The 2019 HR-V also benefits from a standard list of safety features such as vehicle stability assist with traction control; driver and passenger front airbags; side airbags and side curtain airbags on the leather grade only; electronic brake distribution, hill start assist and Honda’s next-generation advanced compatibility engineering body structure.
ENGINE
The HR-V comes with a 1.8 litre i-VTEC petrol engine which maximises economy and efficiency, with 50-Litre tank capacity. It is a front-wheel drive, with a Continuously Variable providing the ability to drive the car in a relaxed automatic mode.
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