Beijing show: Honda launches Avancier

HONDA has uncovered two new SUV models at the Beijing motor show with the all-new Avancier taking the position as the Japanese brand's flagship in the Chinese market, while the CDX slots into the more compact end of the crossover line-up wearing Acura badges.

While Australia continues to develop an appetite for SUVs of all shapes and sizes, the pair of high-riders were developed for the Chinese market and are not destined to appear in Honda's local line-up.

“The Avencier is a China-only model,” said Honda Australia group public relations manager Neil McDonald.

“Likewise, the Acura CDX was developed for the Chinese market and we prioritised the needs of our Chinese customers.”

Honda's new Chinese range-topper is the production version of an angular SUV show car, dubbed the Concept D, that aired at the Shanghai show a year ago.

For the showroom version, Honda has toned-down the outlandish concept's styling, while the unapologetic gold paint has been replaced with a more conservative black.

A 2.0-litre turbocharged engine provides power for the Avancier and is the first of its kind to be offered in a Chinese market Honda, but the company has not released any performance or fuel economy figures for the new model.

Little has been revealed about the Avencier's equipment and specifications but it is equipped with Honda's Sensing “advanced safety and driver-assistance technologies” which provide “customers with further enhanced joy of mobility”.

There is also little information regarding the Acura CDX, but the company it would be powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, coupled to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The compact crossover will be produced at Honda's ZengCheng Chinese manufacturing facility in Guangzhou City and will start rolling out to homes in July.

Honda Motor Co president, CEO and representative director Takahiro Hachigo said Honda's recent success would continue in the Chinese market with a range of new vehicles and powertrains.

“We are so grateful that our sales in China reached the one million unit-milestone in 2015. We view 2016 as a year for us to make another leap forward,” he said.

“We will begin local production of our hybrid vehicle and turbo engines and further accelerate the localisation of our business. Honda will continue taking on new challenges in China.”