Honda has been generous enough to show us a “concept” version of the 2012 CR-V. If past Honda “concepts” are any indication, however, the word concept is employed loosely. When Honda flaunted the 2012 Civic “concept” at this year’s it was almost identical to the production model that debuted later. In other words, the production 2012 CR-V should look almost identical to the concept seen here.
The CR-V received a , but the redesign for the 2012 model will be much more significant. The visual transformation begins with an entirely new nose, which incorporates more rectangular headlights, a new grille that mimics that of the Accord, restyled foglight housings, and an upswept skid plate designed to sport up the action. The CR-V’s body sides wear new strakes and creases, while the hatch now bows in a convex shape, as opposed to the flatter rear of the 2011 CR-V. The hatch line is echoed by the C-pillar, which takes on a boomerang shape thanks to a triangular rear side window.
The redesign makes the new CR-V appear sportier and chunkier than the version extant, although we expect that the tinted headlights, gloss-black rocker panels, and big five-spoke wheels are too showy to make it to the production car. No images of an interior have been released as of yet.
Honda is mum on whether the CR-V will receive any mechanical upgrades, although the 2012 model is said to be more fuel-efficient than the current model. That could mean revisions to the CR-V’s 2.4-liter inline-four engine, or perhaps a switch from the standard five-speed automatic to a six-speed unit. The 2011 CR-V is rated at 21/28 mpg (city/highway) in front-wheel-drive configuration, or 21/27 mpg with four driven wheels.
The CR-V doesn’t need any help attracting customers, with healthy sales of 203,714 units in 2010 and 110,916 through the first six months of 2011. Still, an upgrade for the 2012 model year will help Honda’s most popular SUV stay fresh as other manufacturers launch or redesign competing compact crossovers. Expect the new 2012 CR-V to go on sale by the end of 2011.
**UPDATE: Honda has revealed that the production version of the 2012 CR-V will be revealed in September at the Orange County International Auto Show in Anaheim
Honda’s CR-V isn’t quite ready for public consumption, but the CR-V concept — which previews the production model’s look — is: the automaker showed off the concept at the Orange County Auto Show in Anaheim, California, ahead of a production car release.
The CR-V concept is an evolution of the previous model, which is nearing the end of its five year model cycle. The look has been updated with a three-bar grille, vertically wrapped tail lamps, and pointed rear windows next to an angular D-pillar.
A supplier PDF by Automotive News says that the CR-V will now offer two engines: either the old 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 175 hp and 170 lb-ft, or a new 2.5-liter L-4 with 201 hp and 177 lb-ft. Both engines will be mated to a five-speed automatic transmission that carries over from the last CR-V, as well as the same all-wheel drive system.
The CR-V will make its production car debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November, at which point it will have already begun production: Honda claims production on the 4th-generation CR-V starts this month in East Liberty, Ohio, and Honda will formally put the car on sale in December of this year. It expects to sell around 286,000 copies of the CR-V in 2012
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