Upcoming 2023 Honda WR-V has been spied on our roads for the first time undisguised
The 2023 Honda WR-V facelift has been spied undisguised for the first time. It features drastic changes at least at the front. The compact SUV will likely go on sale in early next year and will compete in the heavily crowded compact-SUV segment.
For starters, Honda is already developing a compact-SUV codenamed PF2 and a midsize SUV codenamed PF2S based on the successful Amaze platform. And the Amaze’s platform itself is based on the third-generation City sold here from 2008 to 2014.
Some of the greatest advantages of this platform are its easy adaptability, centrally placed fuel tank, and its adhering capabilities to Honda’s man-maximum machine-minimum philosophy.
Initially, we thought the upcoming PF2 would replace the current WR-V in the compact SUV space but now we feel the PF2 could be more of a Tata Punch and Mahindra KUV100 NXT competitor as the company is now readying the WR-V facelift for India.
Coming to the spied car, its overall silhouette looks exactly like the WR-V but the more smoothed out edges remind us of the now discontinued Ford Ecosport. Honda might have gone ahead with the design due to Ecosport’s huge success in India.
The inverted trapezoidal shape grille of the current model has been replaced with a new octagonal shaped dual-done dotted grille something we see in today’s EVs. The large chrome strip of the current model has been removed for a more sleek looking body coloured line which holds the Honda logo between the bonnet lip and the grille.
The fog lamp surrounds get a matte black treatment and they slightly look different than the outgoing model. The LED headlamps look sleek with drls running on top like an eyebrow. They get projector setup in separate segments.
Rest all the design elements looks exactly similar to that of the outgoing model which is why it’s more of a facelift than a generation change. The compact SUV will continue to get the same powertrains as the existing model.
The petrol variant will feature the 1.2-litre iVtec mill that puts out 88.5 HP and 110 Nm while the diesel variant will get the 1.5-litre iDtec engine that exerts 100 HP and 200 Nm. The petrol engine will come mated with a 5-speed gearbox while the diesel variants will get a 6-speed unit.
Honda will also consider launching a automatic variant. The upcoming WR-V facelift will command a slight premium over the outgoing model. Expect a prices from Rs. 9.5 lakhs to Rs. 12.5 lakhs (ex-showroom).
