Honda’s big reveal at the Geneva Motor Show is the European production version of its all-new CR-V which, for the first time, includes the option of seven seats and hybrid technology.
Design features broader, muscular wheel arches, sharper contours on the bonnet and rear quarters, as well as the latest Honda family ‘face’ with its signature headlight graphic.
The new interior incorporates a horizontal emphasis to the dashboard layout to highlight a more spacious cabin, by accentuating the feeling of width and conveying a sense of strength.
The dashboard features two 7-inch displays, while the layout of controls has been rationalised with a simple cluster for air-conditioning management located beneath the central touchscreen.
A slightly larger exterior than its predecessor, along with longer wheelbase and wider stance enable a significantly roomier interior allowing a deeper boot with a longer load bay.
Where selected, the third row of seats offers good leg room and heel step height, as well as a 101-degree seat angle to ensure long-distance passenger comfort. Access to the third-row seats is via a wide and low step-in aperture.
The new CR-V will be available with Honda’s Intelligent Multi Mode Drive (i-MMD) hybrid system, comprising a 2.0 litre i-VTEC Atkinson cycle petrol engine and two electric motors, to deliver real-world efficiency and effortless driveability.
The i-MMD system does not use a conventional transmission – instead, a more compact unit has a single fixed-gear ratio, to create a direct connection between moving components and a smoother transfer of torque.
A 1.5-litre VTEC TURBO petrol engine is also available. Power is delivered via a six-speed manual gearbox, or an optional CVT automatic transmission tuned to deliver a more linear response.
The petrol and hybrid powertrains are front-wheel drive as standard, but both can be specified with Honda’s latest all-wheel drive technology – ‘Real Time AWD with Intelligent Control System’ – which gives the CR-V genuine all-terrain capability. Ground clearance has been increased by 38mm for all variants, up to a height of 208mm for the AWD petrol model.
First deliveries of Honda CR-V fitted with the 1.5-litre VTEC TURBO petrol engine are expected in Autumn 2018 with hybrid models following early in 2019.
