Honda Vezel

Honda Vezel
Overview
Manufacturer	Honda
Also called	Honda HR-V
Production	2013-present
Assembly	Yorii, Saitama, Japan Guangzhou, China (Guangqi Honda)
Body and chassis
Class	Subcompact crossover SUV
Body style	5-door wagon
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel-drive Front-engine, all-wheel-drive
Related	Honda Fit Honda WR-V Honda XR-V
Powertrain
Engine	1.5L L15B I4 1.8L R18A1 I4
Transmission	7-speed automatic CVT
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,610 mm (102.8 in)
Length	4,295 mm (169.1 in)
Width	1,770 mm (69.7 in)
Height	1,605 mm (63.2 in)
Curb weight	1,180–1,270 kg (2,601–2,800 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Honda HR-V (first generation) Honda Crossroad (Japan)

The Honda Vezel is a subcompact crossover SUV manufactured by Honda. The vehicle was first introduced to the Japanese market in late 2013, and made its North American debut at the New York Auto Show in April 2014 with the revived name Honda HR-V.^[1] The HR-V nameplate has been carried over to other markets, including Sri Lanka, Australia and Canada.^[2][3] In Singapore the official Honda distributor sells the HR-V, while the parallel imported version retains the name Vezel.^[4]

Origin and debut

Honda "Urban SUV Concept" (2013)

The Urban SUV Concept is based on Honda's Global Compact Series, which includes the Honda Fit subcompact and the Honda City subcompact sedan. This vehicle was unveiled in 2013 North American International Auto Show as the reintroduced Honda HR-V.^[5][6]

Honda Vezel (2013-)

Honda Vezel (Singapore)

The design of Honda Vezel is based on Honda "Urban SUV Concept". “Vezel” is coined from “bezel”, the oblique faces of a cut gem, with the “V” for “vehicle.”^[7]

The vehicle was unveiled in 2013 Tokyo Motor Show.^[8] Japan models went on sale on 20 December 2013. The Vezel is available with two powertrains, as a conventional gasoline-powered and as hybrid electric vehicle.^[7] In Japan, it is regarded as a luxury vehicle as the width dimension exceeds Japanese Government dimension regulations, and Japanese buyers are liable for yearly taxes as a result. The Japanese road tax obligation is held to a more affordable tax bracket due to the engine displacement being held under the 2.0 L threshold.

The conventional Vezel is equipped with a 1.5-liter direct-injection DOHC i-VTEC inline-four engine coupled to a continuously variable transmission (CVT), and it is available in front-wheel and all-wheel drive versions.

The Vezel hybrid version is equipped with Honda’s next-generation sport hybrid i-DCD system that combines a 97 kW (130 hp), 156 N·m (115 lb·ft) 1.5-liter direct injection engine with a 22 kW (30 hp), 160 N·m (118 lb·ft) motor, Honda’s Real Time AWD, Reactive Force Pedal. The hybrid version fuel economy is 27.0 km/l (76.3 mpg_-imp; 63.5 mpg_-US) (3.7 L/100 km) in the Japanese JC08 cycle, while the gasoline version has a fuel economy of 20.6 km/l (58.2 mpg_-imp; 48.5 mpg_-US) (4.9 L/100 km) in the JC08 cycle.^[7]

European launch is expected in 2015 and will be sold under the Honda HR-V name.

Tokyo Auto Salon 2014 concepts (2014-)

The Vezel Modulo Concept includes red leather upholstery at seats, centre console, dashboard.^[9] There was also a Mugen Vezel Concept, fitted with various Mugen accessories.^[10][11]

The vehicles were unveiled in Tokyo Auto Salon 2014.^[12][13][14]

Engines

Transmissions

Recall

Vezel Hybrid produced in Japan from July 2013 through February 2014 were recalled due to a problem with the software program controlling the 7-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT) which could cause a delay in the ability to begin driving or the inability to move at all.^[15]

Honda recalled 160,000 Fit subcompact and Vezel sport-utility vehicles, manufactured from August 2013 through February 2016, in Japan, because of defective power steering and a part that controls the electric current in the vehicles. The recall does not affect any Honda models sold abroad.^[16]

See also

• Honda Fit

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Honda Vezel.

External links

• Honda pages: Japan