Overview
The HR-V’s chassis combines sophistication and fun together in one compelling driving package. Ride quality is sporty when the driver and road conditions demand it, as well as comfortable and secure when boulevard and highway travel beckons. These broad capabilities directly result from the HR-V’s chassis dynamics, steering tuning and suspension geometry, including the application of front and rear Amplitude Reactive Dampers (ARD). Motion-Adaptive EPS functionality additionally assists the driver in tricky situations such as wet roads. The 2016 HR-V also features standard 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels, convenient Hill Start Assist and Electric Parking Brake (EPB).
Key Chassis Features
- MacPherson strut front suspension
- High-rigidity H-type torsion beam rear suspension
- Low front and high rear roll center height
- Amplitude Reactive Dampers (ARD)
- Electric Power Steering (EPS)
- Motion-Adaptive EPS
- 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
- 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS and EBD
- Hill Start Assist
- Electric Parking Brake (EPB)
- Automatic Brake Hold
Suspension
The HR-V has independent front suspension and a torsion-beam rear suspension with front and rear Amplitude Reactive Dampers for a sophisticated blend of agility, ride comfort, and interior roominess. The MacPherson strut front suspension has optimized caster angle and trail to promote excellent response, feel and feedback, along with a self-aligning trait for a secure feel. Along with the Amplitude Reactive Dampers, a low front roll center and front 24mm stabilizer bar also contribute to quick steering turn-in with reduced body roll, making the HR-V equal parts fun and confidence inspiring.
At the rear, the torsion-beam suspension design provides multiple benefits, starting with the low, flat and wide trunk area. Using a high-rigidity, double-wall H-type torsion beam, the design provides constant rear wheel camber, which helps optimize the HR-V’s tire contact patch in all driving situations. Incorporating a higher rear roll center increases agility through better roll-steer characteristics, and roll stiffness was likewise increased through the use of rigid suspension components. The HR-V AWD models add a 19mm rear stabilizer bar to further reduce body roll in vigorous cornering.
Amplitude Reactive Dampers
The HR-V’s Amplitude Reactive Dampers provide both superb ride comfort and sporty handling for a truly engaging driving experience in all situations. Two separate damping mechanisms are utilized, one tuned for maximum efficiency on smoother roads with small inputs and the other is tuned to handle large inputs such as rough roads and sudden steering and braking inputs. As a result, the HR-V remains composed and comfortable in a wide range of conditions. Amplitude Reactive Dampers operate on a purely mechanical basis and do not require electronic controls.
Core technology contained within the Amplitude Reactive Dampers includes two separate damping pistons, a main piston and a second piston. Together, these two separate systems extend the damping force range beyond that of a traditional damper. To improve overall ride comfort, when smaller inputs occur during normal driving conditions, only the main piston works to provide the ideal damping characteristics. Then to improve ride and handling during more severe conditions, the second piston operates to provide additional damping force. A rebound spring smoothens the suspension action when the dampers reach maximum extension, such as when the HR-V drives over a speed bump or hump in the road.
Electric Power Steering (EPS)
The HR-V’s Electric Power Steering (EPS) system provides a high-quality steering feel that is both refined and sporty. When compared to the operation of a conventional hydraulic pump power steering system, the lightweight brushless EPS motor increases efficiency because it does not draw continuous power directly from the engine. Other advantages of the EPS system include its simplicity and compactness (no hydraulic system is needed) and lower overall power consumption, which helps improve fuel efficiency.
A 15.2:1 steering ratio is used on all HR-V models and trim levels. An EPS torque sensor uses both steering angle and rate signals to provide a smooth, linear initiation of steering assist at all speeds, providing a feeling of accuracy and refinement. It also improves steering self-centering from full steering lock in all driving conditions. Solid mounting points for the steering components, and a large-diameter column shaft, improve steering linearity and reduce vibration for an even more direct and positive steering feel.
Motion-Adaptive EPS
The 2016 HR-V also includes Motion-Adaptive EPS. Using vehicle speed and steering angle data, Motion-Adaptive EPS works with Honda’s Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA®)1 to detect instability in slippery road conditions, both during cornering and under braking, and automatically initiates steering force that prompts the driver to steer in the correct direction. (See Safety and Driver Assistance section for more information.)
Wheels and Tires
All HR-V models ride on 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels with 215/55R17 all-season tires. The wheels feature a distinctive 5-spoke design that compliments the new body design, while the all-season tire specifications enable confident all-weather and multi-surface driving while also contributing to excellent road holding and ride quality, and low interior noise levels. A T135/90D16 temporary spare tire mounted on a steel wheel is located in the under-trunk storage space.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)2
A standard Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) alerts the driver whenever the air pressure drops significantly below the recommended level. Located in the Multi Information Display (MID), the TPMS graphic indicates the air pressure level on a real-time basis. A TPMS icon illuminates to alert the driver whenever any of the tires has a significantly low-pressure reading that requires the driver’s attention.
4-wheel Disc Brakes with ABS and EBD
All 2016 HR-V models feature power-assisted 4-wheel disc brakes. In front are 11.5-inch ventilated discs with dual-piston calipers, and in back are 11.1-inch solid discs with single-piston calipers.
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) and Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD)
A standard 4-channel anti-lock brake system (ABS) and Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) enhance stopping performance by adjusting front-to-rear brake pressure according to vehicle load distribution for optimum brake balance at all times. Sensors at each wheel send signals to the control module, which can modulate braking pressure based on individual wheel speed, optimizing brake pressure balance on all four wheels.
Hill Start Assist
The HR-V’s braking system also incorporates Hill Start Assist, which helps prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards when the driver switches from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal while stopped on a hill by maintaining brake pressure briefly after the brake pedal is released. (See Safety and Driver Assistance section for more information.)
Electric Parking Brake (EPB)
A first for a production Honda vehicle, the HR-V’s new, standard Electric Parking Brake (EPB) is simpler, more convenient and comfortable to use than a traditional parking brake. Engaging the parking brake now requires only a pull on a switch on the center console. To release the parking brake, the driver simply presses on the accelerator pedal (while the seatbelt is buckled) when the transmission is in drive or reverse or when they push on the parking brake switch.
Besides promoting the use of the parking brake, EPB makes hill starts easier when the HR-V is parked on a grade. As with a traditional manually activated parking brake, EPB functions on the rear wheels only.
Automatic Brake Hold
When activated, Automatic Brake Hold retains brake pressure when the vehicle comes to a stop such as at a traffic light or in heavy traffic. This frees the driver from continually pressing the brake pedal to maintain the vehicle in a stopped position, a significant improvement in driving enjoyment in difficult conditions.
Operating the system requires two simple actions from the driver:
- Activating/deactivating the system via a switch on the center console
- Pressing on the brake pedal until the vehicle comes to a stop
Once these steps are taken, Automatic Brake Hold will indicate engagement and then maintain brake pressure when the vehicle has come to a stop, even if the driver later releases the brake pedal. A green “Brake Hold” icon on the instrument panel illuminates to show that the system is functioning. The HR-V then remains stopped – even on a hill – until the driver presses the accelerator pedal. At this point Automatic Brake Hold releases the brakes and the vehicle resumes normal braking function.
1 VSA is not a substitute for safe driving. It cannot correct the vehicle’s course in every situation or compensate for reckless driving. Control of the vehicle always remains with the driver.
2 For optimal tire wear and performance, tire pressure should be checked regularly with a gauge. Do not rely solely on the monitor system. Please see your Honda dealer for details.
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