The all-new Honda HR-V is definitely one of the hottest models to be launched in 2022 but before Malaysians get too excited, it seems that Indonesia might be the third market in ASEAN to get the crossover after Thailand and Singapore.
In fact, the third-generation HR-V was caught undisguised in Indonesia for a commercial shoot. Based on a video recorded by @akuayman and shared by Indonesian automotive sleuth, Indra Fathan, two units of the all-new HR-V were spotted just outside Jakarta.
The two units appear to be the RS and SE variants and it’s the former that is of interest. In the video, the RS is the red unit and if you look closely, you would spot two twin tailpipes at the rear.
Could Indonesia be the market that will see the debut of the all-new turbocharged HR-V? Currently, the HR-V is offered with a naturally-aspirated 1.5-litre engine (118 PS/142 Nm) or an e:HEV hybrid system that mates a 1.5-litre Atkinson-cycle naturally-aspirated engine (106 PS/127 Nm) to an electric motor (131 PS/253 Nm).
Both engine options only have a single exhaust pipe but twin tailpipes were offered on turbocharged versions of the previous-generation HR-V that was only available in Europe and Japan.
The turbocharged 1.5-litre VTEC unit on the previous-gen makes 182 PS and 240 Nm for the 6-speed manual or 220 Nm for the CVT automatic.
Also read: Here's why the manual transmission still matters
Granted, it is uncertain whether the same unit would be used on the all-new HR-V Turbo. The last time the turbocharged crossover was spotted in the region, it was in Thailand but that was a camouflaged unit that was likely used for development and testing.
Also read: Spied: Is that the all-new 2022 Honda HR-V with VTEC turbo?
Recall that the Thai-spec HR-V is only available with the e:HEV hybrid engine. Meanwhile, Singaporeans get a petrol-powered variant in addition to the hybrid but their HR-V is fully-imported from Japan.
Also read: All-new 2022 Honda HR-V launched in Thailand, hybrid only, from RM 123k
As for Malaysia, it is uncertain whether we would be getting the turbocharged HR-V into the country or whether Honda Malaysia will follow Honda Thailand in offering a hybrid-only range. However, you can expect prices for the all-new HR-V to be much higher than the outgoing model (RM 104k – RM 118k) when it arrives later this year.
Also read: Originally planned to launch in Malaysia on Q1 2022, all-new Honda HR-V gets pushed back
