So far, the novelty has debuted in the status of a concept, the serial version of the budget SUV is expected towards the end of the year.
Honda unveiled the current three-row BR-V crossover in 2016. This car is based on the Mobilio van – a seven-seater MPV, which has been in the brand’s lineup since 2014 (in 2017, it underwent restyling). The model belongs to the budget segment. According to a report from the local Honda division, last year BR-V sales fell by 63% (only 2,289 units were sold). Such a noticeable decline cannot be explained only by the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, it is probably also that customers are waiting for a successor to the model.
And it, apparently, will not keep you waiting. At the moment, Honda held an online presentation of the N7X concept (stands for “New 7-Seater eXcitement”, which means “new seven-seat excitement” and the highlighted “X” probably hints at an SUV). This show car is already very close to its serial incarnation. It is assumed that the company will show a commercial version towards the end of this year.
The exterior of the Honda N7X concept has recognizable design cues from other current models from the brand, such as the recently unveiled HR-V and the CR-V crossover. The new show car has a large front grille with horizontally positioned chrome slats and a black insert running through the logo of the Japanese brand. On the sides of the “grill” are LED headlights. “Fog lights”, as well as a relatively small air intake with trim and aluminum inserts are built into the front bumper. This is the proposal of Honda to recycle the batteries of its hybrids and electric
The car received a black plastic body kit around the perimeter. The show car’s roof rails and B-pillars are the same color. The rear LED lights of the conceptual crossover Honda N7X are arranged horizontally, they “float” over the tailgate. Also, a large spoiler adorned the stern, the roof was a shark fin antenna, and the profile was two-tone alloy wheels (diameter not specified).
The interior of the future novelty in the company has so far decided not to show. It is only known that the salon is designed for seven riders. Recall that the current BR-V also has three rows of seats.
There is no information yet on what engines will be under the hood of a production car based on the N7X concept. It is possible that the new crossover will have the same engine as the current Honda City. We are talking about a 1.5-liter gasoline engine with 122 hp. and a maximum torque of 145 Nm. It is paired with either a six-speed manual transmission or a CVT. Local media also suggest that Honda may add a 1.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine from the City RS (offered in select Asian markets) to the lineup. Its power is also equal to 122 hp, and the torque is higher – 175 Nm.
The first market for a serial crossover based on the N7X show car will be Indonesia, where it will presumably compete for buyers with the Toyota Rush and Mitsubishi Xpander. Subsequently, the budget three-row SUV may enter other markets.