The new Honda Vezel compact SUV gets a hybrid counterpart

The brand new sparkling compact crossover that Honda unveiled recently, named the Vezel has garnered a lot of consumer interest. This compact SUV is supposed to be for the developed car markets; however its arrival in the Indian car market is possible as well, as Honda is studying its feasibility. Now, it has been known that Honda will include a hybrid variant to the Vezel SUV’s range.

The new model is going to be offered for sales in the Japanese car market initially before making it to the other global markets. This new hybrid model is meant to be pitched against popular car models such as the Nissan Juke and the Ford Ecosport in a segment which is increasingly getting popular with passing time. However, this new Vezel Hybrid is not expected to go on sale in the European car market until the year 2015.

In Honda Motor’s home market of Japan, this new Vezel hybrid model will be offered to the customers in both the drive systems of 2Wheel and all 4 wheel drive. The models will be either petrol versions or hybrid models featuring the new i-DCD hybrid powertrain that was debuted in the Honda Jazz hatchback. However, Honda claims that the Vezel Hybrid’s drivetrain is a lot more efficient than the previous one, and similar to the Jazz hatchback’s system, this system propels the new model to a best in class fuel efficiency. The new Vezel hybrid is claimed to give a fuel efficiency of 3.7 liters per 100km that is equivalent to about 76 mpg.

Reports says that this particular all new next-gen hybrid system has not yet been made available in the European car market and, as the reports has already revealed before, it still remains unclear whether or not Honda will consider bringing this technology in Europe. In case the Japanese carmaker does offer its all new hybrid system in the European car market then, it could be debuted with all new Jazz, that is also due for its market launch in Europe in the year 2015.

The new Vezel Hybrid SUVs powertrain consists of a 1.5 liter direct-injection petrol engine that is coupled with a 22 kW electric motor for enhanced power delivery. This new hybrid is also the first hybrid model from the house of Honda that comes with All Wheel Drive system that evenly distributes the torque to the front and rear wheels of the car very accurately with electronic control.

The Vezel SUV is a little bigger and looks more practical than its market rival Juke.  Honda explains that it designed the new Vezel amalgamate the various qualities of different cars, namely the vibrancy of a SUV, a coupe’s elegance and a minivan’s functionality.

The Honda Vezel crossover offers ample passenger space even in the rear seats, and comes along with 453 liters of cargo space.

Whether Honda will launch the Vezel in the European market with the same name or with a different moniker is not known yet.