Honda CR-V is all set to make its re-appearance in India after a sad exit a few years back. With the SUV market more inclined towards diesel’s torque and economy, a petrol only urban SUV , Honda CR-V could not hold onto its initial popularity and had to face a slow demise when Honda put the axe on the model.
Now, Honda is ready to launch its all new fifth generation CR-V in India by 2018. The model that will be sold in India will be very similar to the one sold in ASEAN markets such as Thailand as opposed to the model sold in the US. In fact, the ASEAN model comes equipped as a 7-seater while the North American version is happy with a 5-seat offering.
Powering the new Honda CR-V is the same petrol unit from the earlier generations, a 2.4 litre i-VTEC petrol mill which is capable of producing 190 Bhp and comes mated to an automatic gearbox. The more important news is that Honda is also planning to equip its soft roader CR-V with a diesel engine as well.
The diesel version of the Honda CR-V will get a 1.6 L i-DTEC motor which can generate a peak power of 158 Bhp at 4000 rpm and a peak torque of 350 Nm at 2000 rpm. The diesel CR-V will come mated to a ZF sourced 9-speed automatic gearbox.Honda is also planning to locally assemble its 1.6 L diesel mill in India to price it competitively. Also, both the petrol and diesel variants will come equipped with a front wheel drive or an optional all wheel drive. It is however sad that Honda’s 1.5 liter turbo petrol motor, which is seen duty in the US spec CR-V does not make it to India.
As far as styling is concerned, the new Honda CR-V is very different from the current model. While the current model’s design seems to have a more subdued, straight looks, the newer one gets a more angular styling than its predecessor which looks more modern and similar to the design language carried by the likes of Honda Civic and Honda BR-V. The newer CR-V also gets a 41 mm increase in the wheelbase which should result in better interior space and a larger boot space.
On the inside, the new Honda CR-V gets a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The dash gets soft touch materials to increase the luxury quotient. Other major features include a remote engine start, dual-zone climate control, heated wing mirrors, an electric parking brake, USB charging for second row, a 4-way power adjustable front passenger seat and an 8-way adjustable driver seat.
The addition of a diesel engine to the Honda CR-V should help it muscle better against the likes of Hyundai’s Tucson, the upcoming Jeep Compass and the recently launched Volkswagen Tiguan.
[Source: AutoCarIndia]