First look: Honda's next CR-V surfaces

HONDA’S third-generation CR-V has officially broken cover ahead of its global public debut alongside the Civic Type R at the Paris motor show later this month - and its Australian premiere appearance at the Melbourne motor show next March.

Likely to go on sale nationally just before that, Australia’s all-new CR-V will be built in Thailand alongside our Jazz, Accord and Civic, and will replace the Japan-built second-generation CR-V that went on sale here in December 2001.

Honda Motor Co says that in response to customer demand for more upmarket compact 4WDs (and in the absence of the small US-only RDX off-roader here), the redesigned CR-V will offer more car-like driving dynamics and styling, plus a more comfortable and luxurious interior – without sacrificing CR-V’s trademark practicality.

Hence, the redesigned 2007 model offers a lower centre of gravity, wider footprint, greater towing capacity, a number of new safety and convenience technologies and, for the first time in Australia, the likelihood of diesel power.

An oil-burning CR-V won’t be a reality from the new model’s launch but, unlike a new 115kW/190Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine based on Civic’s SOHC i-VTEC 1.8-litre inline four, Honda says its 103kW 2.2-litre i-CTDi diesel powerplant could join the range "down the track".

Meantime, the new CR-V will continue to be powered Down Under by a variation of the current model’s 118kW/220Nm i-VTEC 2.4-litre petrol four, to be available with both new six-speed manual and five-speed automatic transmissions.

A 35mm lower centre of gravity, new suspension geometry, revised steering and a new "Real Time 4WD" system are claimed to improve on-road handling. Now fitted with a "quiet, fuel-efficient, dual-pump system with a one-way cam unit", the lightweight and compact new AWD system transfers 20 per cent more torque to the front wheels and is claimed to better sense front wheel slippage.

Apart from the new "cab-forward" body styling that features a double front grille, projector-style headlights and heavily tapered rear side glass to improve aerodynamics by a claimed 12 per cent, the new CR-V’s biggest news is the first-in-class availability of radar-controlled Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), see-round-the-corner Active Front Lighting (AFS) and the new Legend sedan’s Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS).

The latter warns the driver if the distance to the vehicle in front decreases beyond "an acceptable level", before applying brakes and retracting the front seatbelts "if the situation becomes critical".

While both class-leading technologies are likely to be optional in base variants, standard across the European CR-V range will be 17-inch wheels, twin dual-stage front airbags, twin front side airbags, twin full-length side curtain airbags and front/rear seatbelt reminders.

Active front head restraints will also be standard on most grades and a more extensive options list should include leather trim, 18-inch alloys, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, front/rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera and a panoramic glass sunroof.

Combined with CR-V’s Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) stability control system as standard is Trailer Stability Assist (TSA), which monitors and corrects towing performance. On the diesel, CR-V’s towing capacity increases from 1500kg to 2000kg.

Anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), brake assist (BA) and a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) will be standard in the US, where LX, EX and EX-L variants will be available.

Honda says high-tensile steel now comprises 58 per cent of the CR-V’s monocoque body, bringing significant reductions in noise, vibration and harshness levels, as well as improving crash performance. The company expects maximum (five-star) occupant, (four-star) child and (three-star) pedestrian protection ratings for the new model.

Interior space remains lineball with the current CR-V despite a 30mm increase in both body width and wheel tracks. Overall body length shrinks by about 75mm largely because the vertically opening tailgate no longer houses a spare wheel, which is now located beneath the cargo floor.

Honda says interior practicality and luxury is improved via larger and more comfortable front seats, a steering wheel that’s adjustable for both rake and reach, the relocation of the gear shifter to the centre console stack, larger doors that open wider, lower sills and rear seats that slide and recline.

Rear seat bases are also split 60/40 and the seatbacks are split 40/20/40 to allow the centre section to fold flat while still accommodating two rear passengers. A "Double Deck" luggage area, created by a 330mm-high cargo shelf, allows a standard stroller to be stowed beneath it.

Some 2.5 million CR-Vs have been sold globally in the past 11 years and CR-V has been a regular best-seller in its class locally since September 1997. Despite its age and newer rivals like Toyota’s RAV4, sales were particularly strong in August.

The second-generation CR-V (which introduced 2.4-litre power) was released in December 2001 and has offered a class-best five-speed auto since October 2004. It remains entrenched as the fourth most popular compact SUV behind the top-selling RAV4, Subaru’s Forester and Nissan’s X-Trail.