Honda brought the new Euro-spec CR-V at Frankfurt in a Hybrid prototype form, previewing its first SUV to be offered with a hybrid powertrain in Europe.
Although the company didn’t share any figures of the Intelligent Multi Mode Drive hybrid system, it did say that it combines a 2.0-liter i-VTEC petrol with an electric motor and a separate electric generator motor.
The transmission is a single fixed-gear ratio unit that directly connects the moving components for a “smooth transfer of torque within the system”. There are three driving modes: EV Drive, Hybrid Drive and Engine Drive.
In EV Drive, the electric motor is being fed solely by the battery pack. When in Hybrid Drive, the petrol engine supplies its power to the electric generator motor which in turn feeds the electric motor and sends any excess power from the combustion engine to the battery pack. Finally, Engine Drive allows the petrol engine to send its power directly to the wheels, with the electric motor acting as a power booster if needed.
The hybrid version of the new Honda CR-V will be joined by a 1.5-liter i-VTEC turbo unit, once the model hits the European market in 2018. Honda has also confirmed that the new generation CR-V will not be offered with a diesel powertrain in Europe.
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