Honda UK: Honda FR-V to be phased out

For those of us North Americans that don't know this Euro Honda, it's basically a flexible Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe....
Production ends in August
13,531 sold in the UK
Still on sale, from £16,700

Honda is phasing out its FR-V six-seat MPV.

The final car will roll off the production line in August and there are no plans to replace it.

Launched in 2004, Honda says that 13,531 FR-Vs have been sold in the UK. The only other MPV that uses the same unusual seating layout – with two rows of three seats – is the Fiat Multipla.

Too big to survive
Tom Gardner, head of marketing for Honda Cars UK, said: 'The FR-V has been very successful in its niche market, but the MPV sector is a mature one and downsizing has become the dominant trend more recently. With cars such as the Jazz and Insight,l we can serve this emerging market very well.'

The FR-V remains on sale, with prices starting at £16,700 for 1.8-litre petrol models and £18,000 for 2.2-litre diesel versions.

No front-wheel-drive CR-V
While more family buyers are choosing the CR-V SUV, Honda has confirmed that, unlike rivals such as the Ford Kuga and VW Tiguan, the range won't be expanded to include a cheaper, front-wheel-drive model.

Source;
http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/honda-fr-v-to-be-phased-out/241467

UK Used Review; Honda FR-V

Here's a write up on a vehicle that we won't see here in North America anytime too soon, and it's a pity because it sure looks good.
Honda FR-V
Used Car

The Honda FR-V is a masterpiece of clever packaging: shorter than a BMW 3-series and narrower than a Ford C-Max, it can accommodate six, and has a boot about 90 litres larger than that of a Volkswagen Golf.

It is the perfect car for families who want the space and practicality of an MPV without the bulk and fuel costs of such vehicles.

The FR-V was launched in November 2004 and was an instant hit. Under the bonnet, Honda initially offered just two petrol engines: a 1.7 litre and a 2 litre producing 125bhp and 150bhp respectively. Expect to pay some £850 more for a 2 litre than you would for an equivalent 1.7 litre.

In September 2005, the long-awaited 2.2 litre diesel engine appeared. Producing 140bhp and just 167g/km of CO2, at the time it was among the cleanest and most refined diesels money could buy. With more than 250 lb ft of torque available from just 2000rpm, it is also perfectly suited to propelling a heavily laden vehicle with ease.

However, the diesel’s desirability is also reflected in second-hand prices; so expect to pay £10,000-plus for a three-year-old example — that’s £2,500 more than for a similarly equipped 1.7 litre petrol model.

The unique character of the FR-V becomes apparent only when you slip behind its wheel. Three individual front seats are mirrored behind, and Honda has moved the gearstick and handbrake from the floor to the dash to liberate space. While none of the seats can be removed, the rear ones stow into the boot floor — increasing boot space to more than 1,000 litres — and the front middle seat has a huge amount of fore and aft adjustment.

In the world of people carriers, the FR-V is something of an oddball, but none the worse for it. Combining a decent drive with plenty of space, and with residual values that look strong, it could be a sound investment for cash-conscious families.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/used_car_reviews/article5433596.ece

For more informataion here's a blog put on by 'Acer Vicius' on the FR-V (thanks for following);
http://hondafrv.blogspot.com/