This is the production version of the European market Honda CR-V that was previewed through a thinly disguised prototype at this year’s Geneva Motor Show in March.
Compared to the North American model that went on sale last December, the European CR-V sports some subtle design changes and a wider engine lineup that includes a pair of thrifty diesel units.
On the outside, the European model features a number of refinements including a revised front bumper, front LED daytime running lights and rear LED lights, reshaped mirrors that incorporate turning signals and a fin-style antenna. There are no notable changes to the interior.
Honda says the length (4,570mm) and height (1,650mm) of the car have been reduced by 5mm and 30mm respectively compared with the current model, without reducing the interior space. The vehicle’s width remains the same.
The CR-V has a boot capacity of 589 liters or 1,648 liters with the rear seats folded down, an increase of 148 liters over the previous model. The boot’s load length has been increased by 140mm to 1,570mm, while the height of the load lip has been reduced by 25mm. In addition, there’s a power tailgate, which Honda says is unique to the European market model.
The fourth generation of Honda’s compact crossover will be offered with three powerplants, including a 2.0-liter i-VTEC petrol and a 2.2-liter i-DTEC diesel that are carried over from the previous model, plus a brand-new 1.6-liter turbo diesel.
For the first time in Europe, the CR-V will be available with front-wheel drive only versions in conjunction with the 2.0-liter petrol and 1.6-liter turbo diesel engines.
The power output of the updated 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline unit has grown from 148hp (150PS) to 153hp (155PS) while peak torque is up by 2Nm to 192Nm (142 lb-ft).
Honda says that despite the increased performance, CO2 emissions have fallen from 192g/km to 174g/km for the 4×4 manual version, and from 195g/km to 176g/km for the 4×4 automatic, while the new two-wheel drive model drops to 170g/km.
The 2.2-liter i-DTEC diesel engine continues to produce 148hp (150PS) and 350Nm (258 lb-ft), but the CO2 emissions fall from 171g/km to 153g/km (10%) for the manual gearbox model, and from 195g/km to 175g/km for models fitted with the five-speed automatic transmission.
Honda’s new 1.6-liter turbo diesel that is rated at 118HP (120PS) at 4,000 rpm and 300Nm (221.3 lb-ft) at 2,000 rpm, will become available next year.
The new CR-V features a revised version of Honda’s Real Times AWD system in which the hydraulically activated “dual-pump” system of the third generation model has been replaced by an electronically activated system that is said to provide a faster response when a loss of traction is detected.
The crossover model will be available with a raft of electronic systems such as Hill Start Assist (HSA) and Hill Descent Control (HDC).
All European market CR-Vs are produced at Honda’s production facility in Swindon, UK. Following its debut at the Paris Motor Show in September, the CR-V will go on sale across Europe in October.
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