2012 All-New Honda CR-V Launched In Japan, Promising More Of The Same

The 2012 all-new, fourth-generation Honda CR-V, which made its world premiere at the Los Angeles Auto Show, has been launched in Japan, in 2.0 and 2.4 forms, though only the former is likely relevant to Malaysians. Honda claims a continuation of the same formula that made the previous three generations of the CR-V such a sales success.

Despite a shorter length and a lower height, coupled with the same width and wheelbase, compared with the current Honda CR-V, the upcoming CR-V looks more imposing than before thanks to a more angular roofline and a more striking rear end. Still, overall, the CR-V appears more like an evolution of the existing design rather than one drawn from the ground up.

The Honda CR-V remains a five-seater with a slightly roomier interior but now offers a clutter-free centre console, a lower cargo floor height and 65 litres more loading space. The new Easy Fold-Down 60/40 split-fold rear seats can be easily folded nearly flat using one of the release levers located near the tailgate, or a pull-strap positioned on the seat side.

New technology firsts for the US-version Honda CR-V include a full-colour intelligent Multi-Information Display (i-MID); a multi-angle rear-view camera with guidelines; an SMS text messaging function, which reads received text messages aloud over the audio system; and Pandora's internet radio interface integrated into the car's audio system.

Yet another new feature, Eco Assist is present to encourage efficient driving via "green" visual cues around the speedometer. An ECON mode that changes the Honda CR-V's mechanical characteristics is also available on board. The Pandora feature would not be coming to Malaysia, but we are hoping the others do.

The 2.0-litre R20A engine is carried over from the current Honda CR-V, with the same peak power of 150 HP at 6200 rpm and a peak torque that is 1 Nm higher than before hitting 191 Nm at 4300 rpm. Gone is the five-speed automatic gearbox, replaced by a CVT gearbox, which is linked to a front-wheel-drive setup.

Paired to a five-speed automatic gearbox and a four-wheel-drive system, the 2.4-litre K24A engine generates 190 HP at 7000 rpm and 222 Nm at 4400 rpm. Honda claims that both 2.0 and 2.4 variants accelerate equally fast, thanks to the more efficient CVT, which at the same time returns the 2.0 a class-leading fuel economy of 14.4 km/litre versus the 2.4's 11.6 km/litre. Enjoy the official photo gallery of the 2012 all-new Honda CR-V below!