If 2022 promises to be calm for Honda in Europe, the brand promises to work hard in 2023 with three new SUVs on the menu: one in the B segment, 100% electric and derived from the HR-V, the replacement for the CR-V , available as a plug-in hybrid, and a new model located between the two.
A major player in North America and Japan, Honda is content to play supporting roles in Europe. A status that could have pushed him to reduce the sails. Some models are already taking their time before landing on our market, like the new Civic. But during a videoconference organized to present the e:HEV hybrid version of this compact, the brand recalled that it still had ambitions on the Old Continent. The year 2023 even promises to be particularly busy for her, with the launch of three electrified SUVs and the new Civic Type R. The argus unveils the contours of this program in preview.
e:NY1: the electric brother of the HR-V
Unveiled in the form of a “prototype”, a term that designates an almost definitive model at Honda, the e:NY1 sports a name as poetic as a mathematical equation. But its body is already more telling, since it strongly resembles that of the new HR-V. The arrival of an almost full grille completes the story: it will be a 100% electric version of the small Japanese SUV. Note also that the brand had already announced the launch of two very similar models in China for this spring under the names of e: NP1 and e: NS1. The technical characteristics, however, remain secret. Let’s bet all the same on a greater autonomy than that of the Honda e city car, which cannot hope to reach very high sales figures because of its small radius of action and its salty prices.
Honda’s Electric Vision event not only saw the unveiling of the #allnewCivic e:HEV, but the announcement of three all-new electrified models. Find out more here: https://t.co/s0cCIGuS60#ElectricVision pic.twitter.com/aB9meRNYR1
— HondaEuropePR (@HondaEurope_PR) March 23, 2022
A new model between HR-V and CR-V
Even if the HR-V is one of the most imposing in the B segment, there is still room between its 4.34 m long and the 4.60 m of the CR-V. Especially since the latter could still grow with the arrival of its next generation. Honda will therefore slip a new SUV between the two, with a name still mysterious. If some of you follow automotive news across the Atlantic, the two official designs of this novelty will however perhaps be familiar to you.
They had indeed been unveiled by the North American branch in January to announce the arrival of a more imposing HR-V than ours, with a specific body. It is therefore this model that will be imported to us, not without having previously adopted another name to avoid any confusion. It will also give up its heat engines to receive the non-rechargeable hybrid technology e: HEV. We should have a more precise overview on April 4 thanks to the official presentation of the American HR-V. This strategy is in any case not unlike that of the great rival Toyota, which decided to import a Corolla Cross not really studied for Europe at the start in order to fill the gap between its C-HR and its RAV4.
A CR-V available as a plug-in hybrid
On the other side of the ocean, the big CR-V should also unveil its sixth generation this year. But the arrival on the European shore is only set for 2023. Honda also mentions the presence of an unprecedented rechargeable hybrid version e: PHEV, a first for the brand on our market. A classic e:HEV hybrid engine, at much more affordable prices, will however always be offered. As for the look, even though the Japanese automaker didn’t show anything during its videoconference, it has already been well fanned by the leak of a patent image. In the wake of the latest in-house productions, this family SUV, approximately 4.60 m long, will sport more consensual and less busy lines than those of its predecessor.
The Civic Type R faithful to thermal
Despite the disappearance of the NSX coupe and a program very centered on SUVs, sports enthusiasts will not be completely forgotten. Honda has confirmed that the future Civic Type R would have the right to land here next year. It was not won in advance, because it should remain faithful to a thermal engine, without hybridization, with CO emissions2 raised to the key. If Honda has announced the total electrification of its European range from 2022, it has indeed added that this only concerns “general public” models. Under the hood of this muscular compact, we expect to find an evolution of the 2.0 turbo 320 hp of its predecessor, associated with a six-speed manual gearbox. The look will remain exuberant, with a large spoiler and three exhaust outlets. But, like the “classic” versions, this Type R will still present overall wiser lines than before.
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