Honda CR-V Heritage and Pedigree

AUTO CENTRAL – August 28, 2012: Originally launched at the 1995 Tokyo Motor Show, the Honda CR-V was one of the first of the modern generation of ‘soft roaders'. It became a benchmark for this fast growing segment with its practical size and excellent utility. The CR-V was designed primarily for on-road use, but with SUV styling and the quality customers expect from a Honda product. Sales began in Europe in 1997 and the CR-V quickly became a firm favourite with buyers. Production of European specification CR-Vs started at Honda's plant in Swindon, United Kingdom in 2000.

Launched in late 2001, the second generation CR-V took many cues from the original, retaining all of its best features including the rugged 4x4 styling and the ‘on demand' Real Time Dual Pump 4WD system. It offered improved performance and economy, achieved through the introduction of Honda's 2.0-litre i-VTEC petrol engine, while the new body structure delivered increased interior space.

A further sales boost came in 2005 with the introduction of Honda's much acclaimed i-CTDi diesel engine. Perfectly complementing the petrol engine, the high output, high torque engine significantly enhanced the CR-V's all-round appeal.

In 2007, the introduction of the third-generation CR-V marked the first CR-V to feature a vertically opening tailgate, a feature made possible by removing the spare wheel from the back door. Lower in height, shorter in length and wider than its predecessors, it offered improved on-road dynamics. A mid-life facelift in 2009 introduced the new generation i-DTEC diesel engine and saw a diesel engine combined with an automatic transmission for the first time in the CR-V.

Over five million CR-Vs have been sold across the world since its introduction in 1995 and the new, fourth generation builds on the success of its predecessors with even greater quality, practicality and refinement. The model that helped define the compact-SUV sector has been comprehensively redesigned for the European market.

For the first time in Europe, the new CR-V will be offered with a choice of both two- and four-wheel drive, while improvements to both the petrol and diesel engines have resulted in a significant reduction in CO2 emissions.

Sales of the new CR-V will begin in Europe in October 2012 and, as with previous generations will continue to be built at Honda's production facility in Swindon, United Kingdom.

Ryouji Nakagawa, the Large Project Leader (LPL) for the CR-V commented:

"The first generation set out to combine the best elements of a car and an SUV. For the new CR-V, we have now achieved a perfect, centred balance between the efficiency of a car and the functionality and security of an SUV. In doing so, we have created a model that is efficient, versatile and capable."