Indian-spec Honda CR-V to have a diesel engine option for the first time.
After its U.S. launch last year, the fifth-gen Honda CR-V is now rolling out in Asia. According to a report from Autocar India, the new generation Honda CR-V will arrive in India with the 1.6-litre i-DTEC diesel engine next year.
While several previous generations of the Honda CR-V came to India, India never received the diesel option. Like in Thailand, Honda will offer the CR-V with a diesel engine in India for the first time with the introduction of the fifth-generation model. Availability of 7-seat seating configuration is another similarity India will share with this ASEAN market. Honda offers both 5- and 7-seat seating configurations internationally.
The 2017 Honda CR-V measures 4,571 mm in length, 1,855 mm in width and 1,657 mm (2WD)/1,667 mm (4WD), has a wheelbase of 2,660 mm (petrol)/2,662 mm (diesel) and offers a ground clearance of 198 mm (2WD)/208 mm (4WD). The 1.6-litre i-DTEC four-cylinder diesel engine in the Thai-spec version produces 160 PS (157.75 hp) and 350 Nm of torque.
For pricing the diesel model aggressively, Honda will localise the 1.6L engine in India. The company's local subsidiary will produce the engine block, engine head and crankshaft at the Tapukara facility in Rajasthan. The 1.6-litre i-DTEC diesel engine produced here will likely develop 120 PS (118.31 hp) and 300 Nm of torque, making it ready for powering not only the CR-V, but also models like Civic and HR-V that may be in the plan. More details about the same should emerge when the production of the engine starts at the Tapukara plant next month.
Along with the 1.6-litre i-DTEC engine, 2018 Honda CR-V buyers in India will have an option for the 2.4-litre i-VTEC petrol engine. In the Thai-spec version, this engine develops 173 PS and 224 Nm of torque. The diesel model could have the Thai spec version's 9-speed 'Shift by Wire' automatic transmission besides the 6-speed manual transmission, and the petrol model should have a continuously variable transmission. The 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo engine will not serve the Indian-spec CR-V.
Also Read: Japan may get Honda CR-V Hybrid variant
If previous reports are to go by, Honda Cars India is targeting a localisation level of 65% for the 2018 Honda CR-V, and in that case, pricing the car from about INR 20 lakh sounds plausible. The crossover will compete with the Hyundai Tucson, VW Tiguan and Jeep Compass.
[Source: Autocar India]
