Honda has revealed Elevate, its compact utility vehicle (SUV), manufactured in India for the South African market, as a first step in entering the global auto trading scene. Costing R369,900 the vehicle starts doing business in the South market with almost the same specifications as those common in India, although there are some minor alterations.

The differentiator between the SA and the Indian versions of Elevate lies in the interior designs as the Indian model is equipped with a dual-tone dashboard pod (a departure from the all-black schemes used in the South African model). Not only this but also the features included in ADAS (advanced driver-assistance system) indeed are not the same in the launched South African version as it is in the Indian model.

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As such, the entry of the Honda Elevate in the South African market which is the first Made In India SUV, from the renowned Japanese automaker Honda is credible in this direction. Being the same price as Rs. 15.88 lakh that is why the Elevate here is probably more expensive than its Indian ex-showroom starting price which costs Rs 11.57 lakh alone.

The Elevate's international introduction occurred in India in June of the year 2023, while the in-country launch happened in September of the same year. Subsequently, the model underwent several changes in its design namely Honda-Elevate rebranded as the WRV in Japan in November 2023. The news is now that South Africa too becomes the second country after Japan which receives the Made in India variant. This clearly suggests that happenings the parallelism i.e. India emerging as a major export hub in Honda manufacturing.

The engine of the South Africa-based Elevate remains the 1.5 L L15B i-VTEC one which is the same as that of the Indian counterpart, delivering 119 bhp and 200 Nm of torque. In the engine selection, customers can opt for either a 6-speed manual or a CVT. This car, despite its compact exterior, provides enough space inside, the boot of which is quite large (458 litres) and therefore the model has a boot with the capacity of 458 litres.

Feature-wise, the Elevate in South Africa is equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a 7-inch TFT instrument cluster. Additional amenities include push start/stop functionality, keyless entry, and wireless smartphone charging, among others.

The launch of the Made In India Honda Elevate in South Africa underscores Honda's commitment to delivering high-quality vehicles tailored to diverse international markets, while also positioning India as a pivotal production hub in its global supply chain.

The Elevate South Africa is fitted with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system which can be connected to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Additionally, the vehicle has a 7-inch TFT instrument cluster. Particularly, an integrated smartphone app equips the vehicle with push start/stop functionality, push-button start, keyless entry, and the ability to connect with one’s smartphone wirelessly, for charging.

The bringing out of the Made in India Honda Elevate in South Africa highlights Honda's quest to provide top quality cars meeting the diverse requirements of various global markets in line with its global business plan wherein India stands at the core of the manufacturing hub.

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