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 4x4 manual version, and from 195g/km to
176g/km for the 4x4 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. 
