Honda Elevate Hybrid: Testing Signals Possible Indian Market Introduction

Recent spy images from Brazil reveal that Honda is testing a hybrid variant of the Elevate SUV, which previously launched without a strong hybrid option in India. The new version is expected to feature a similar interior and safety standards to the India-spec model, while borrowing its powertrain from the City e:HEV. Despite initial statements against providing a hybrid model for the Indian market, the current trends may encourage Honda to reconsider its strategy regarding the Elevate.

Honda has been reportedly testing a hybrid version of its Elevate SUV in Brazil, a model that has already made its debut in India. This comes after the surprise decision by Honda not to launch a strong hybrid variant when the Elevate first rolled out, despite the fact that it shares its platform with the Honda City, which offers a strong hybrid powertrain. The recent series of spy images suggests that Honda is indeed working on a greener iteration of the Elevate, utilizing a combustion engine. The camouflaged unit seen in Brazil appears to closely resemble its India-spec counterpart. While the heavy camouflage makes it challenging to detect minor visual variations, the updated alloy wheels are a notable feature. The Elevate maintains its distinctive flat front profile characterized by an all-black rectangular grille and sleek LED headlights, alongside a compact tail light design. Regarding the interior, it is anticipated that the Elevate hybrid will mirror the specifications of its Indian variant, featuring a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.25-inch multimedia system, automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a gear selector knob, and a wireless smartphone charger. Safety provisions will likely encompass six airbags along with Level 1 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), which include features such as automatic emergency braking, road departure mitigation, lane keeping assist, collision avoidance, and adaptive cruise control. Focusing on performance, the Elevate hybrid is expected to incorporate the same powertrain as the City e:HEV, which utilizes a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine combined with two electric motors. The petrol engine alone generates 98 bhp and 126 Nm of peak torque, while the electric motors together deliver 108 bhp and 253 Nm of torque. The battery serves as the power reserve for the electric motors, allowing for electric-only operation for limited durations. Initially, Honda had declared its intentions not to introduce a strong hybrid variant of the Elevate in India. Instead, the company is pursuing the development of a fully electric version of the Elevate, projected to launch by 2026. Nevertheless, given the current trends of declining sales in the electric vehicle market, introducing a hybrid variant in India might not be an ill-advised decision.

The Honda Elevate SUV was initially launched in a competitive compact C-segment market in India without a strong hybrid option, which led to speculation about a missed opportunity. The Elevate is based on the same platform as the Honda City, which does offer a strong hybrid variant. Given Honda’s reputation for maintaining secrecy regarding its development projects, recent spy shots from Brazil suggest that the company is pivoting towards developing a hybrid version of the Elevate, possibly in response to global market dynamics favoring hybrid technology over fully electric vehicles. The Elevate, known internationally as the WR-V in various markets including Japan, is anticipated to include advanced technological features and safety mechanisms akin to those found in the City e:HEV model.

The emergence of spy images of the Honda Elevate hybrid in Brazil indicates that Honda is actively working on a more environmentally friendly version of its SUV, which may address previous criticisms regarding its absence. Although the company initially indicated that it would not pursue a strong hybrid version for the Indian market, the evolving automotive landscape, including a possible slowdown in electric vehicle sales, could lead to reconsideration of this strategy. The Elevate hybrid aims to provide modern features, strong safety provisions, and robust performance via its shared powertrain with the City e:HEV—marking a potential shift in Honda’s approach in India.

Original Source: www.financialexpress.com