-Not only did Honda make a strong showing at the 2015 SEMA show, with tuned versions of everything from the new Pilot crossover to the Acura ILX, a refreshed CR-Z, and a peek at the next Ridgeline pickup, but it did seemingly the impossible. That is, it made the decidedly conservatively styled but ultra competent HR-V appear cool. How did it do that? By handing out examples of its new tiny crossover to four tuners and telling them to show up with something neat.
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Bisimoto Engineering HR-V
-While not nearly as disturbed as the 1029-hp Odyssey minivan Bisimoto displayed in Honda’s SEMA stand a few years ago, the tuner’s HR-V nonetheless receives a big horsepower bump. Bisimoto’s preferred power-enhancement method—a turbocharger—is employed as well as an ECU tune, a cat-back exhaust, and a Turbonetics blowoff valve, netting the normally 141-hp HR-V 230 ponies. Buddy Club supplies the wheels, coil-over suspension, front seats, and a brake kit. Our favorite part of Bisimoto’s HR-V build? It’s based on the more-fun-to-drive, stick-shift, front-drive HR-V. Save the Manuals!
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MAD Industries HR-V and “Street Fighter” Grom Motorcycle
-No offense to MAD Industries and its successful manipulation of the HR-V’s somewhat homely appearance into a neat hot hatch, but the Grom motorcycle on the trailer behind the crossover just stole its thunder. We like the tiny Grom—and even put one in our office for some riding—so naturally we’re crazy about MAD’s custom race-ready version. Its frame has been stretched, the suspension lowered, the shocks swapped for Ohlins pieces, and the 125-cc engine modded to displace 204 cc. Most of the trim pieces are now carbon fiber, and the wheels are custom, too. It even rides on a neat little trailer with wheels that match the HR-V tow vehicle’s. As we said before, the HR-V is quite cool with its matte-white body wrap, forged 20-inch rims, lowered suspension, and custom leather interior, and Rockford Fosgate sound system. But just look at that Grom!
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Fox Marketing HR-V
-In terms of downright meanness, the Fox Marketing–modified HR-V sits right up there with the Bisimoto job. Squatting on coilovers, with those dark-finished Konig wheels over colossal brakes, the Fox HR-V is more hot hatch than suburban cruiser. The look is cool, even though powertrain modifications are limited to a cold-air intake and a Magnaflow exhaust setup. In fact, as it sits, Fox Marketing’s creation gives the Fit a run for its money (visually, at least).
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Kylie Tjin Edition HR-V
-We aren’t quite sure where to start with Tjin’s HR-V. The front fascia and wide-body kit gifts the HR-V with a resemblance to a chubby baby whose cheeks are being pinched by an enthusiastic grandparent, and, well, it’s pink. Men as comfortable as ourselves aren’t put off by the potential sneering—we’re preoccupied with the paint’s unfortunate pairing with those bright gold wheels. The ultra-slammed air suspension serves only to highlight the HR-V’s potato-shaped profile, and the only performance enhancements are bigger brakes and an exhaust. But hey, if you’re trying to make a statement and the HR-V is the only canvas handy, brush broad and bold strokes, right?
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