Indian Autos blog

Honda’s released a special edition CR-V with 4WD, front and rear parking sensors, dual-zone automatic air conditioning and Alcantara seats priced at 22,500 Euro.

The next generation CR-V reaches Japanese dealerships today and two weeks from now heads to dealers in USA. This could be the outgoing CR-V’s last hurrah in Serbia and many parts of Europe.

The new CR-V has been the talk of the town lately. Honda has exposed the CR-V in the concept form and some leaked images suggest that the production version of CR-V is no different.

But thanks to Brenda Priddy, we now have images of the production version of the new CR-V. Oh yes, interiors included.

As one can see the production version is not that different from the concept form. It is a complete departure from the old CR-V. It has grown bigger and broader from the earlier generations. The extended tail suggest that now the CR-V will be a 7 seater. The model caught over here is an AWD model and reportedly Honda has promised a 4X2 as well.

The interiors have also been revamped completely. The new CR-V gets dual color interiors, steering mounted controls, a 6 inch display for entertainment needs and another small screen atop for driver information.

The model caught over here is an automatic one. Manual transmission should also be on cards.

It is common knowledge that the new CR-V will continue to use Honda’s 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. Power and performance figures are still known. In order to know every bit of the new CR-V, do visit us during the next week as we get you live updates of the LA Auto show where the CR-V will be launched.

Meanwhile here in India Honda is tight lipped about a local launch. They told us that an Auto Expo unveiling is ruled out for the CR-V and Civic models that have reached dealers in other parts of the world. Honda has to work out a CKD plan to bring down the cost and provide a diesel engine option if the new CR-V has to make the X1 and Fortuner sweat.

We posted an image and details of the 2012 Honda CR-V concept this morning followed by a SRK rendering of the rear. The third update on the new CR-V is a copy-paste job from the official Honda CR-V page which reveals a little more on the expectantly awaited crossover.

This is what it says -

With a new design, enhanced features and improved fuel economy, the 2012 CR-V is designed for you and your friends to be in the center of the action. The exterior of the 4th-generation CR-V is sleek and stylish, while the accommodating and spacious interior promises a host of new possibilities. The 2012 CR-V goes on sale in late 2011, so sign up to receive the latest updates and follow the CR-V on Facebook by clicking “Like” (http://www.facebook.com/hondacrv).

The hype is on now but the question is this – Will the Honda CR-V rise again in India?

Having seen some spyshots of the 2012 CR-V and a photograph of the concept model released online yesterday, we can’t wait for the final outcome of the new CR-V that will set the cat among the pigeons in the crossover segment lead by the BMW X1 in India. The Renault Koleos and the Audi Q3 will step into the ring making it a fiercely contested battle.

We do not have a clear idea about the new generation’s rear-end, so we rang in Shoeb R Kalania to show us how the outcome will be. The Volvo XC60ish tail lamp will certainly be the significant feature design wise.

The bulbous rear end could hide an extra row of seats which Honda isn’t willing to clarify at this moment. The CR-V has always intended to merge the cabin space of an MPV and the comfort of a sedan.

As we said this morning, the same 2.4-liter petrol engine will continue sending drive to the wheels but fuel efficiency figures, like the new Civic’s, will be marginally better. Since the CR-V’s hottest market is America where diesel engines are not a priority, there’s no word on that. The goal of the new CR-V has to be to give BMW and Audi some sleepless nights.

The veil of camouflage is off the 2012 Honda CR-V. After being spied countless number of times on the road, Honda has finally revealed what’s been hiding behind the black covers. The 2012 Honda CR-V concept gives us full details of what the new SUV from Honda would look like. Yes, we know that this is not the production model, but Honda is known to put concepts in production without changing them one bit.

At the outset, it is clearly a huge departure from where Honda left. The new CR-V is certainly bigger than the older one. It is certainly more aggressive than the previous generation with new sharper headlamps and a brand new grill. The headlamps remind of us previous Accord with double barrel projectors. You also get a skid plates in the front and roof rails on top to make it look more outdoorsy.

Instead of the previous generation boxy design, Honda has opted for a more fluidic and aerodynamic approach. Hopefully they have managed to reduce the drag quotient which should result is better fuel economy. Two sharp lines on the side indicate that Honda is really trying to show its designing finesse.

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After the international launch of the new Honda Civic, reactions have been more on the negative side than the positive one. The new Civic has not impressed critics in many of the markets its been put in. This puts even more pressure on the next big launch from Honda – Honda CR-V.

Honda promised us that the next generation CR-V is just around the corner. It seems they are correct because here we have some fresh spyshots of the 2012 CR-V with less camouflage. These test mules are doing their hot-weather testing in California’s Death Valley.

From the spyshots one can easily make out that Honda has ditched the sharp, boxy design and adopted a more fluidic approach for better aerodynamics. The SUV has become considerable bigger than the outgoing model indicating that there may be a third row of seats tucked away in the back. This will ensure that the Honda CR-V will be competitive against other 7 seater SUVs.

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Honda America has gone public with the 2012 CR-V after the official website has a section requesting you to signup to receive updates on the soon to be launched crossover.

Here’s what the website says -

With a new design—both inside and out, new features and new possibilities, the 2012 CR-V will set a new standard for the class. As a top-selling crossover for over five years, expectations for the 2012 CR-V are high and we’re confident they will not only be met, but exceeded. Much more will be revealed over the next several months so be sure to sign up on this page to receive updates.

The new CR-V is a crucial model for Honda in India as the 20-30 lakh rupee crossover/SUV space is prone to a lot of tussling. The Chevrolet Captiva, BMW X1, Toyota Fortuner and the Renault Koleos are very desirable cars and feature-packed and stylish enough to take away limelight away from the Honda. The lack of a diesel engine is hurting its sales in India. In America however this won’t matter as the market share of diesel cars is not considerable.

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This might look like a refrigerator left behind by a careless delivery van, but believe me this is the next generation CR-V testing in China. We’ve aired one clear image of the new CR-V’s side profile before with the Volvo XC60esque tail lamps and these images give some idea about the bulk of the front end.

In China, the CR-V is one of the best selling models wrestling many internationally acclaimed SUVs to the ground. In India, no one talks about the CR-V anymore due to its high price and lack of diesel engine. That segment is beginning to speak German after BMW’s X1 was launched last year. Next year we will see the new Fortuner and Audi Q3 taking more customers away from the CR-V followed by the MFA-based Mercedes BLK somewhere in 2013.

The replacement model will be marginally shorter (4,535mm x 1,820mm x 1,685mm as opposed to the current model’s 4,575mm x 1,820mm x 1,680mm (L*W*H respectively) ) and chances are it will be slightly more fuel economical. Honda could offer 3rd row seating on the 2012 CR-V.

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