The fifth generation Honda Civic is being showcased at the 2017 Bangkok Motor Show. This is an all new CR-V with a seven-seater configuring and a spanking new diesel engine which went on sale in Thailand in the ASEAN-spec. It will likely be introduced in India soon in the same spec.
This new CR-V was unveiled in October last year in America, Honda’s largest market, and got a turbocharged engine for the first time. The new generation CR-V looks more aggressive than before with sharp front-end design elements like LED headlamps with daytime running lights, signature Honda grille, and a muscular stance with short overhangs and dual exhausts. The crossover gets a newly designed 18-inch alloy wheels and for the first time in Honda, an electrically powered tailgate. The longer wheelbase helps to shove in an extra row of seats in the new CR-V. On the inside, the cabin is spacious and features upgraded materials all around. The centre console has a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system which is complemented by a modern TFT virtual instrument cluster. Both the second and third row have recliner seats, with the former also being able to slide fore/aft. There are air vents for the second row, and the third row gets roof-mounted vents. The third-row split folds 50-50, and the boot floor can be set in two positions. The full-size spare tyre is located inside the car, under the third row. The Thai-spec gets an NSX-style button selector instead of a gear lever, but when introduced in India, we’ll get the conventional stick-shift.
Engine wise, the new ASEAN-spec CR-V is powered by a 1.6-litre i-DTEC engine that generates 156bhp of power and 350Nm of torque. The petrol version, on the other hand, continues with the trusted 2.4-litre i-VTEC powerplant that powers the current generation model. The oil burner comes mated to an all-new ZF nine-speed automatic transmission, while the petrol variant gets a CVT, in front-wheel drive and an optional all-wheel-drive setup.
Following the Thai launch, the new gen CR-V is expected to be introduced in India soon. Honda is likely to introduce the CR-V with top-of-the-line variants, and a slight hike in pricing which is expected to be in the range of Rs 21-25 lakh. It will go up against the likes of Hyundai Tuscon, Renault Koleos and Skoda Yeti.
