2012 Honda CR-V Launched in US

• More economical 2.4-liter engine (US market), 10% more economical on highway, power is up 5hp and torque is up 2.7Nm
• Slightly lower roof line (25.4 mm lower) and slightly shorter length (25.4 mm shorter)
• Lighter body
• All new Real Time AWD with Intelligent Control
• New features – Easy Fold Down seats, Motion Adaptive Electric Power Steering, Expanded View Driver’s Mirror, audio system with support for Pandora Internet radio, SMS text messaging with read out function, optional DVD rear entertainment system and reverse camera.

Note that there may be slight differences in the units of measurements. The content here is based on American Honda Motor’s press release, and thus all measurements have to be converted from those ridiculous Imperial units into the more logical multiples of ten metric units.

At this month’s Los Angeles Motor Show, American Honda Co., Inc., introduced its all new 4th generation CR-V to the American media. Being a global car, the American market CR-V will be similar to what we will be getting in Asian markets (and Australia and Europe) next year, minus the Federal Government FMVSS regulation amber turn signal lenses (we will get the Japanese and European style clear lenses) and of course, the Pandora Internet Radio which is not available outside the US. Depending on markets, features shown in the US model here may or may not be available in your local country.

Also, we are likely to continue getting the current 2.0-liter petrol engine, rather than the US market 2.4-liter version. Europe will of course get a diesel version as well. Some markets will also receive 2WD (front) option on top of the standard AWD configuration.

Here is a summary of what you need to know about the all new 4th generation Honda CR-V.

Exterior and body construction

• 25.4 mm lower (AWD models) and 25.4 mm shorter for better aerodynamics and passenger car like driving dynamics. Ground clearance remains the same as previous CR-V.
• Lighter by 9.1 kg while while body strength is improved by – bending rigidity +7%, torsional rigidity +9%
• Aerodynamic coefficient of drag improved by 18%
• Halogen low beam Daytime Running Lights as standard
• Expanded-view Driver’s mirror – convex surface at the outer portion of mirror improves viewing angle by 5.5 degrees.

Body is now lighter and stronger.

Expanded-view Driver’s mirror

Engine and transmission

• Up to 10% improvement in fuel economy
• US market K24Z7 2.4-liter engine now products 185 hp (+2) @ 7,000rpm and 221 Nm of torque (+2.7) @ 4,400rpm.
• ECON driving mode – improves fuel economy by reducing sensitivity of the Drive-by-Wire throttle and incrementally lowers climate control’s upper fan speeds
• Multi-stage Alternator – allows for finer control on battery charging, improves battery life by 30% and slightly improves fuel economy
• Real Time AWD with Intelligent Control – replaced previous system’s dual hydraulic pump unit. Current system is 16 kg lighter with 60% less rotational drag than previous. Current system now takes input from VSA electronic stability control, G-Sensor and electric power steering to respond faster to changes in traction. While the previous unit is reactive, requires a few degrees of tire slip before responding, the current system actively anticipates for changes in traction and minimizes wheel spin before it happens. For example, when starting on snow, or climbing a hill, Real Time AWD with Intelligent Control will deliver power to the rear wheels right from the start.

New Real Time AWD with Intelligent Control

Chassis control

• Higher capacity shock absorbers
• Motion Adaptive Electric Power Steering – prompts the driver to steer towards a correct path by initiating mild steering inputs by working together with VSA stability control. For example, the system mitigates oversteer and understeer by assisting the driver to trace a correct path along a corner. During panic / hard braking on a surface with differing traction levels (e.g. partially wet / dry / snow), the system corrects a driver’s steering angle to maintain stability.

Interior

• Revised door sill for easier entry and exit
• Easy Fold Down 60/40 split rear seats – one touch action to fold the rear seats flat, either via levers located at the boot or pull-straps at each seat side of the car.
• Full colour screen 5″ intelligent Multi-Information Display (i-MID) for audio controls, reverse camera and SMS function. Navigation equipped models get 6.5″ screen.
• Reverse camera as standard, with 130 degree top-view viewing angle, and 180 degree for rear view.
• Optional DVD Rear Entertainment System, with a headliner mounted 7″ wide screen, and one wireless headphone (IR). Additional sets of headphones can be purchased from Honda.
• SMS Text Message – able to receive incoming SMS from your phone, display the message and read it aloud over the vehicle’s audio, plus allowing you to reply with any six preset messages. The system works by pairing your phone over the CR-V’s HandsFreeLink Bluetooh. However, only phones with MAP (Message Access Profile) support can use this feature. According to Honda, Apple’s iPhone 4 does not have MAP support while platforms like Blackberry, Droid X (Motorola) and others support it.

Easy Fold Down – pull this lever from the boot and the rear seats fold flat

Pair your phone via Bluetooth and the car reads your SMS out aloud.

More pictures below.

2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD 2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD.

2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD 2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD.

2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD 2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD.

2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD 2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD.

2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD 2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD.

2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD 2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD exterior details.

2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD 2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD -- expanded view driver's side mirror.

2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD 2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD interior with available Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System.

2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD 2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD interior with available Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System.

2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD 2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD interior with available Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System (SMS text function shown).

2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD 2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD interior with available with Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System (Bluetooth HandsFreeLink).

2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD 2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD interior with available Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System.

2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD 2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD interior instrument cluster.

2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD 2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD interior center console with USB audio interface shown (iPhone not included).

2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD 2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD interior (easy fold down rear seat release lever).

2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD 2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD interior.

2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD 2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD interior.

2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD 2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD interior.

2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD 2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD interior with available Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation system.

2012 Honda CR-V Technical Illustration 2012 Honda CR-V technical illustration: drivetrain illustration of model with Real Time AWD (top view).

2012 Honda CR-V Technical Illustration 2012 Honda CR-V technical illustration: white body.