The Dongfeng-Honda JSC has just introduced a new version of its HR-V crossover for China. Only the exterior has been shown so far, but the cabin and the drivetrain aren’t exactly unfamiliar to anyone who knows what model it is related to.
The important thing to realize is that Honda offers multiple different cars under the HR-V badge worldwide. Follow closely: first, there is the international model that’s technically similar to the Honda Fit/Jazz. Second, there is a Civic-based HR-V model made primarily for the United States.
In China, the same Civic-based model is known as the ZR-V and is assembled at the local GAC factory. However, a very similar modification of it is also being offered by Dongfeng in that country. It wears the HR-V badge and is identical to the China-spec ZR-V in everything except for minor design features, like the front fascia or the taillights. Whew!
Anyway, this exact Dongfeng-made HR-V is now inching closer to production. As you can gather from the official photos, it is marked as an ‘e:Hybrid’. The manufacturer uses two main engines in its hybrid lineup, a 1.5L turbo and a 2.0L non-turbo, and it remains to be seen which one makes it under the hood of this new CUV.