Honda to Unveil HR-V RS Turbo at PIMS; All-New BR-V Too?

The Honda HR-V RS Turbo was revealed at the Indonesia International Motor Show last April 2022. Photos from: autofun.co.id

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. just sent out a teaser for its display lineup at the upcoming 8th Philippine International Motor Show this coming September 15 to 18. Among the more prominent models it will display is the all-new Honda HR-V RS Turbo Honda Sensing. HCPI will also showcase an accessorized City 1.5 CVT and Civic RS Turbo CVT Honda SENSING.

If all those sounded like a mouthful, HCPI kept its lips shut for one all-new Honda model that says “will only be shown during the motor show.” 

The all-new Honda BR-V will possibly be revealed at PIMS. Photos from wapcar.my

Like you, we are at the edge of our seats in anticipation of this new model. Given what’s available in the region, our guess is it would be the All-New Honda BR-V. Just launched in Thailand last August 19th, it sure makes sense to roll it out next to the Philippines, given the outgoing model was launched way back in 2016, in that year’s PIMS. The 2023 Honda BR-V will be made in Indonesia, a country that seems to be turning into the MPV manufacturing capital of the Southeast Asian Region.

Not to take anything away from the HR-V RS Turbo, which should feature a unique RS-style front fascia, a new 18-inch wheel design, and possibly red interiors on top of the 177 ps, 240 Nm 1.5-liter VTEC Turbo,  but the 2023 Honda BR-V might even be a more significant model given its seven-seat configuration. 

Suppose the Thailand market is anything to go by. In that case, we could end up with two variants of the All-New BR-V with the main differences centered around the weight -  1,268 kilograms for the lower E variant vs. 1,285 kilograms for the top-spec EL; the wheel size - 16-inches vs. 17-inches; and piano black front grilles, LED front fog lamps, auto-folding side mirrors, black interiors, paddle shifters, a third-row power socket, six speakers, and side curtain airbags again all for the higher EL variant. 

The 2023 BR-V is also 33 millimeters longer in wheelbase, 45 millimeters wider,  and 9 millimeters taller in ride height. And it should come equipped with Honda SENSING technologies as well. But some things remain unchanged such as engine power at 121 ps and 145 Nm of torque from the same 1.5-liter DOHC i-VTEC engine as what we have now.

HCPI also mentioned it will have test drive units available at PIMS, where you can experience what their Honda SENSING suite of driving safety technologies can do. This set of safety features will eventually find itself integrated into all Honda models in the future.

Another feature HCPI will present at PIMS is its upcoming smartphone-based Honda CONNECT platform. Features of the app include Automatic Collision Detection, Security Alarm Detection, Speed Alert, Live Car Location, and possibly even Tow Away Alert. Let's wait and see, as PIMS is less than two weeks away.

Are you excited to see Honda’s new models this coming PIMS?