Text and photos by Lester Dizon
Honda Cars Philippines, Inc unveiled the new and refreshed Honda BR-V compact sport utility vehicle on June 25, 2019 at the Grand Ballroom of the City of Dreams Hotel in Paranaque City.
Before unveiling the vehicle, HCPI President and General Manager Noriyuki Takakura said more than 14,500 BR-Vs have been sold since its introduction at the 6th Philippine International Motor Show in September 2016, with numerous Philippine awards to boot, such as the 2017 People’s Choice Award for the Subcompact SUV of the Year and 2017 Best Compact Crossover for Two Wheel-Drive.
Because of the overwhelming demand, HCPI decided to produce the BR-V here in the Philippines as part of the company’s commitment to help the Philippine automotive industry. The locally-made Honda BR-V is available in two variants—the 1.5 S and the 1.5 V—both with Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology continuously variable transmissions (CVT).
HCPI President and GM Noriyuki Takakura stands proud with the new Honda BR-V.
Honda’s Product Planning Adviser Koki Hattori explained that the new Honda BR-V revolves around the grand concept of “Enhanced SUV Image” with its masculine and premium look. He pointed to the new, more muscular chrome front grille and new front bumper, halogen headlights and fog lights, 16-inch alloy wheels, roof rail, and newly-designed rear bumpers as the focal points of these new design concepts. The 1.5 V CVT variant further enhances the masculine and premium look of the BR-V with its new LED daytime running lights, power folding door mirrors with integrated turn signal lamps, and shark fin antenna.
Hattori-san continued to showcase the interior of the new Honda BR-V, which remains spacious and comfortable. The new Dark Steel decoration adds first-class cabin refinement while 7-inch capacitive touchscreen display infotainment system and reverse camera is now standard to improve driving and parking ease. The 1.5 V CVT’s infotainment system is further enhanced with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto while a new stylish leather interior, red leather accents on the door panel armrest, red stickers on steering wheel and shift knob differentiate its cabin.
Powered by the same tried-and-tested 1.5-liter i-VTEC single overhead cam (SOHC) inline 4-cylinder that churns out 120 PS at 6,600 rpm and 145 Newton-meter of torque at 4,600 rpm, the new Honda BR-V promises to deliver a smooth, refined and fuel-efficient drive. Its Eco Assist System, which consists of the ECON mode and Eco-Coaching ambient light, is designed to promote driving efficiency. The 1.5 V CVT variant comes with Smart Entry with push start system and paddle shifters. Both variants feature Honda’s G-force Control (G-CON) collision safety body, driver and front passenger SRS airbags, anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), Hill Start Assist (HSA), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), speed-sensing auto door locks, and ISO-FIX anchors. The new Honda BR-V was awarded a 5-Star ASEAN NCAP rating in the Adult Occupancy Protection (AOP) category.
Hattori-san added that the new BR-V will be available in six exciting colors—Taffeta White (1.5 S CVT only), Lunar Silver Metallic, Modern Steel Metallic, Premium Amber Metallic (now also available for 1.5 S CVT), Platinum White Pearl (1.5 V CVT only) and Passion Red Pearl (1.5 V CVT only). HCPI Sales Division Head Louie Soriano announced that the new BR-V will be available at all the thirty-eight (38) Honda Cars dealerships across the country starting June 26, 2019 and the suggested retail prices (SRP) are P1,035,000 for the new Honda BR-V 1.5 S CVT and P1,155,000 for the new BR-V 1.5 V CVT. He invited everyone to visit the nearest Honda Cars dealership to view the enhanced masculine and premium look of the new, refreshed and proudly Philippine-made Honda BR-V.
