2014 Colombo Live - Honda Vezel

The hybrid variant has a combined output of 152 PS (149.86 bhp).

The Honda Vezel, the current hot sensation in the Sri Lankan market, was on display at the 2014 Colombo Motor Show. The compact crossover SUV which will be called as the HR-V in other international markets, is being imported from Japan by several licensed importers.

Customers in Sri Lanka can order any of the variants including the top-end Hybrid. It's to be noted that the model is yet to go on sale in Europe or USA.

Based on the Jazz platform, the entry-level variant of the Vezel gets power from a 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine which produces 131 PS (129.1 bhp) at 6,600 rpm and 155 Nm of torque at 4,600 rpm. The engine is mated to a CVT and the drive is sent either to the front or all the four wheels.

The top-end variant combines a 30 PS (29.5 bhp) /160 Nm electric motor to the 1.5-litre engine to have a combined system output of 152 PS (149.86 bhp). Available in both front-wheel and all-wheel drive variants, the Vezel Hybrid is equipped with a 7-speed dual-clutch auto transmission.

The 2WD Hybrid variant is the most efficient of the lot with a combined fuel efficiency of 27 km/l in the Japanese driving cycle.