Honda sketches new seven-seat SUV

Honda has released a couple of teaser images of an upcoming seven-seat SUV that will "address various customer needs" in Asian markets – possibly including Australia.

Billed as the BR-V (for ‘Bold Runabout Vehicle’), all-new vehicle will make its world debut in prototype form at the 2015 Gaikindo Indonesian International Auto Show on August 20.

The BR-V is said to be capable of providing seating for up to seven occupants, split across three rows and endowing it with greater seating capacity than the five-seat CR-V.

As we've reported, Honda plans to produce a new seven-seat SUV based on the same platform as the next-generation CR-V due on sale within two years.

It's not clear at this stage whether this is that vehicle or a smaller seven-seat crossover, but Honda Australia's official statement is that the BR-V "is not part of our plan".

However, that doesn't mean a version different to the Indonesian-market BR-V model this sketch previews won't eventually find its way to Australia.

Information in the official press release was thin, Honda saying only that it will be powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine and a choice of "two advanced transmissions".

No dimensions have been announced and it’s not known if it is a 2WD-only model like the Jazz-based HR-V compact SUV, or whether it will be offered with all-wheel drive like the mid-size CR-V.

However, the company has confirmed the BR-V will be available to order in Indonesia via local distributor PT Honda Prospect Motor as soon as it premieres at Tangerang in August.

Developed for the Asian market by Honda R&D Asia Pacific in Thailand, the company says the BR-V "will be introduced to the Indonesian market as Honda’s new generation crossover utility vehicle to address various customer needs".

Honda says the BR-V will feature a "tough and solid exterior design with high ground clearance, big and stylish alloy wheels and sleek roof rails", adding that it will also bring a "comfortable and spacious cabin with seven seats in a three-row configuration" plus "high standard safety features".

“The all-new Honda BR-V has been developed for the needs of customers in Indonesia,” said PT Honda Prospect Motor president Tomoki Uchida.

“We are confident that the Honda BR-V will be loved by Indonesian customers for its appealing design and value."

As we've reported, if Honda produces a seven-seat version of the fifth-generation CR-V it will follow similar moves by direct rivals like the Nissan X-TRAIL, Mitsubishi Outlander and, soon, Mazda's CX-5.

It would also give Honda Australia a seven-seat SUV in the absence of right-hand drive versions of North America's Honda Pilot and Acura MDX.

While sales of the current CR-V, which will be bolstered by a smaller 1.6-litre diesel engine early next year, are down by almost 16 per cent so far this year, the smaller, newer and more popular HR-V has been a sellout success in Australia's booming small SUV sector, which is led by Mazda's CX-3.