Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI), Honda's automobile unit in the Philippines, is set to
launch the updated Honda HR-V this week and beyond the usual facelift and styling tweaks, it will now have a
new range-topping variant in the
1.8-liter RS Navi CVT.
The updated HR-V sports
new full-LED headlights and daytime running lights to go along with the
more prominent and bolder grille and a
bumper that features deeper air intake sections. Other aesthetic changes to the exterior are the
new rear bumper and
new 17-inch alloy wheels.
As for the new variant, the RS Navi CVT is
fitted exclusively with Honda's RS Design package, giving it a sportier and stylish character than the standard model. Based on the specifications of the RS in other ASEAN markets, the exterior changes include the 18-inch wheels, black chrome front sports grille, black mirror caps, dark chrome door handles, honeycomb front lower grille and fog garnish, piano black body kit, and RS badging. Inside, the RS has a new seat design clad in leather with the RS trim across driver and all passenger seats, black roof lining, smooth sports leather steering wheel, and leather gear knob and sports pedals.
One RS feature that other markets get--that we hope we'll get as well--are the
RS-specific suspension and handling. These come in the form of sports stabilizers and quick-ratio steering via a new variable gear ratio steering within the motion-adaptive electric power steering. At high speeds, the steering becomes more stable at higher speeds and becomes less sensitive to small movements while at lower speeds, the steering wheel requires less movement to turn the front wheels, translating to a more dynamic, direct ride and handling.
With the updated HR-V, HCPI has cut down its model offerings to
two variants--the
E CVT and the
RS Navi CVT--in the following colors:
- Phoenix Orange (New color; exclusive for 1.8 RS Navi CVT)
- Passion Red Pearl (New Color)
- Taffeta White
- Modern Steel Metallic
- Lunar Silver Metallic (1.8 E CVT only)
HCPI will reveal more details about the updated Honda HR-V at the launch although customers
may reserve a unit or two right now at any of the
38 Honda Car Dealerships nationwide. The prices for the two variants are:
- 1.8 RS Navi CVT: PHP 1.5 million
- 1.8 E CVT: PHP 1.3 million
We'll post more details of the updated Honda HR-V once HCPI reveals them during its launch
on Thursday, August 23.