Peter Rydberg

Last month, the European-spec Honda HR-V – set to debut at the Paris Motor Show later this week – was revealed, but Honda declined to disclose detains regarding the car's powertrain options. Now, the first details of what will power the B-segment SUV have been released.

In Europe, at least, the HR-V will be motivated by either a 1.5 litre i-VTEC petrol or a 1.6 litre i-DTEC diesel engine, both of them featuring the company's Earth Dreams technology. Both motors are mated to a six-speed manual as standard, with the 1.5 litre i-VTEC petrol also available with a "semi-automatic" CVT.

Peter Rydberg

No output figures have been released so far, but we're expecting the petrol mill to be similar to the 131 PS/155 Nm 1.5 litre direct-injected i-VTEC four-pot on the Japanese-market Vezel, while the diesel engine also made an appearance on the facelifted CR-V making 160 PS and 350 Nm.

Elsewhere, this Honda HR-V (still officially badged as a "prototype") looks pretty much identical to the Vezel, except for a revised grille – with a chrome strip running across – as well as a new wheel design. Honda has also confirmed that the European HR-V will also receive the Vezel's Ultra Seats (called Magic Seats in Europe) derived from the Jazz.

Honda Vezel
Honda HR-V (US version) and XR-V (China)