Honda Reveals HR-V Sport With 1.5-Litre VTEC Turbo Engine In UK

Honda UK has revealed details of the new HR-V Sport, a specific grade for the revised 2019 model equipped with the 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo petrol engine as well as upgrades to the chassis and suspension.

Upgrades to the exterior design include a redesigned version of Honda’s 'Solid Wing Face’ graphic, with a high-gloss black chrome panel that replaces the darkened chrome of the standard 2019 HR-V. An exclusive black honeycomb finish is also applied to the front grille garnish, which carries over into the fog light surrounds. 

LED headlights come as standard and incorporate high and low beams, LED indicators and LED daytime running lights.

At the rear, a black chrome garnish across the tailgate mirrors the trim at the front, while the tail lights are enhanced with a dark ‘smoked’ effect and black inner bars as the standard 2019 HR-V.

Other key exterior features include a slim front splitter, side skirts, plus wheel arch mouldings and a more aggressive rear bumper – all finished in black.

The Sport trim also includes black door mirror caps, dual exhaust pipes and 18-inch alloy wheels in a unique design. 

Inside, there are unique new red-and-black combi seats, providing enhanced support in the seat cushion and back rest.  

Under the hood, the 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo engine in the HR-V Sport, which was first seen in the latest generation Honda Civic, is offered with a choice of a six-speed manual gearbox or a CVT transmission depending on market.

When coupled with the manual transmission, the powertrain produces 182 PS and 240 Nm of torque. With the CVT, output remains the same but torque figure stands at 220 Nm.  

As part of a package that aims to deliver an optimised balance of body rigidity, suspension control and steering feel, the HR-V Sport is equipped with bespoke 'Performance Damper' technology.

The damper system is integrated at the front and rear of the car and works by counteracting the relative lateral and torsional movement through the chassis. It keeps the car flatter through corners, enhances stability during sudden lane changes, and reduces vibration over uneven roads. 

The steering set-up is unique to the model, employing a variable ratio electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion system, which is complemented by Honda's Agile Handling Assist technology.

It delivers a steady response at on-centre and near-centre steering angles, and a smoother response at off-centre steering angles. 

That being said, production of the 2019 model year Honda HR-V Sport is set to start in December 2018.