Could the 2022 Honda HR-V for SE Asia get VTEC Turbo?
All-new Honda HR-V for Indonesia spotted with a pair of exhaust pipes
When the all-new Honda HR-V made its ASEAN debut in Thailand last November, it signaled the crossover’s eventual arrival in other markets in Southeast Asia.
During its launch, however, it was only available with the e:HEV hybrid powertrain. It uses a 1.5-liter naturally-aspirated inline-four that’s helped along by two electric motors. It has a combined system output of 131 PS with 253 Nm of torque and is paired to a CVT. Honda claims that it has an average fuel consumption of 25.6 km/L, making it one of the most efficient crossovers in its segment.
Thai-spec 2022 Honda HR-V with just one exhaust pipe
All well and good, but where is the 1.8-liter R18 i-VTEC engine? Sadly, that has been discontinued and is no longer available. Even the Civic that also used to have the 1.8-liter engine no longer has it. Does this mean the HR-V for Southeast Asia will only come in hybrid form? According to a recent sighting in Indonesia, that might not be the case.
Spotted by Instagram user ‘Indra_fathan’, the 2022 HR-V seen in Indonesia looks to have the same design and appearance as the one launched in Thailand. From the RS body kit to the distinct red hue, the crossover looks pretty similar to the Thai-spec model.
2022 Honda HR-V spotted in Indonesia with dual exhausts
But there was one particular feature that made the Indonesian-spec HR-V stand out, it has a pair of exhaust pipes sticking out the back. While some might say this is nothing special, the Thai-spec version only had a single exhaust that's tucked underneath the rear bumper (which you can see in the first inline image).
This could indicate that the all-new HR-V might also come with the 1.5-liter turbocharged engine derived from the all-new Civic. With it, the crossover could produce 178 PS along with 240 Nm of torque. Compared to the outgoing HR-V with the 1.8-liter R18 engine, the turbo model puts out 36 more horsepower and an additional 68 Nm of pull.
2019 Honda HR-V Sport for the European market
So far, there are no details or specs yet available for the Indonesian HR-V. But this is not exactly the first time Honda put a turbocharged engine under the hood of the HR-V. Back in December 2018, Honda revealed the HR-V Sport for the European market. Not only did it have a somewhat similar twin exhaust layout, but this particular model also came with a 1.5-liter turbo inline-four that put out 182 PS plus 220 Nm of torque when mated to a CVT. When paired to a six-speed manual, torque is increased to 240 Nm.
Honda Cars Philippines Inc has yet to officially announce when the HR-V will arrive. But given that it’s now in Thailand (and recently spotted in Indonesia), we might just be a few months away from its local debut. Here’s to hoping the PH-spec HR-V comes with the rumored turbocharged 1.5-liter VTEC engine from the Civic.
