HONDA Malaysia's new small sports utility vehicle (SUV) is about to make its debut and is now available for booking at 101 of the brand's dealerships nationwide.
Targeted towards young adults and families with an active lifestyle, the Winsome Runabout Vehicle (WR-V) is positioned as the company's more affordable SUV in the present line-up.
"We are thrilled to be the first Japanese mass market manufacturer to introduce a brand-new small SUV in the non-national segment to Malaysians, set to launch in Q3 2023," said Honda Malaysia managing director and chief executive officer Hironobu Yoshimura.
The WR-V measures at 4,060mm in length, 1,780mm in width and 1,608mm in height. It has a high ground clearance of 207mm.
It is powered by a 1.5L DOHC i-VTec engine paired to a Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) with G-design shift technology which delivers a maximum power of 121PS and a maximum torque of 145Nm.
It will come with features such as a power retractable door mirror and all-round LEDs from auto headlights, Daytime Running Lights, front fog lights, and sequential turn signals.
It'll be fitted with Honda Sensing which comes with features such as Lead Car Departure Notification, Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keep Assist System, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Departure Warning, and Auto High Beam.
Honda LaneWatch and Honda Connect are also present.
It will be available with an RS variant which features a newly designed RS emblem, unique front grille, coupe-style rear door handles, and 17-inch dual-tone alloy wheels.
No official price has been given though the automaker has hinted it could potentially be priced below the RM100,000 mark.
Honda Malaysia will be having special previews of the WR-V in the run-up to its launch at selected Honda dealerships nationwide - with customers being among the first in Malaysia to get a glimpse of the new model.
Starting with the Southern region in Seremban (Ban Lee Heng Motor Sdn Bhd), Johor Bahru (Kah Motor Co Sdn Bhd - Tebrau), and Pontian (Unite Automobile Sdn Bhd) dealerships from June 16 to 18.
Butterworth (Formula Venture Sdn Bhd), Ipoh (Kah Motor Co Sdn Bhd - Ipoh), and Teluk Intan (Tian Siang Auto (Intan) Sdn Bhd) will be part of the Northern region leg from June 23 to 25.
Central region sees Sg Buloh (AutoWorld Asia Sdn Bhd), Elmina (Elmina Motors Sdn Bhd), Glenmarie (HZN Cars Sdn Bhd), and Damansara (MH Prestige Auto Sdn Bhd) play host from June 30 to July 2.
Lastly, the East Coast will see action in Temerloh (Chuan Thye Motor Sdn Bhd), and Kuala Terengganu (Syarikat Tan Eng Ann Sdn Bhd) from July 7 to 9. Following which it is predicted the WR-V would be officially launched not long after.
Sneak peak
Selected local media were given the opportunity to give the WR-V a go in Thailand at the end of last month.
The four-day introductory excursion took participants from Bangkok to Pattaya and onto Rayong before making their way back to the capital in reverse order.
Models all came in the RS variant which will also be debuting in Malaysia once the model is officially launched here.
A replacement to our outgoing seven-seater BR-V, Honda Malaysia is taking the fight to the A- and B-segment of the subcompact crossover SUV market circle.
After exchanging notes between fellow media members it is agreed upon that the WR-V will certainly stir the local competition.
Keeping it realistic, its anticipated pricing below the RM100,000 mark also means a compromise to interior refinement is to be expected one way or another when compared to its pricier siblings.
Design (sport and compact) and drive performance looks to be the WR-V's strongest asset. Fuel consumption which is recorded at 16.7km/L finds itself in the middle ground of economy.
As with most vehicles in this segment the official price will determine if the WR-V comes out a winner.