Japanese market 2012 Honda CR-V launched

by hans | November 29, 2011 12:53 pm

• Japanese market Honda CR-V goes on sale Dec-2
• Gets front wheel drive 2.0-liter CVT option

Following the launch of the North American market Honda CR-V[1] at the recent LA Motor Show, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced the launch of its Japanese market CR-V, ahead of December’s Tokyo Motor Show. The Japanese market CR-V is the closest to what we can expect to receive in ASEAN markets including Malaysia next year.

There are some minor differences between the North American market CR-V and its Japanese market equivalent.

In the USA, the CR-V is only available with one powertrain option – a 2.4-liter petrol mated to a AWD 5-speed automatic. In Japan, where fuel prices are much higher than in USA, there will be two variants on offer; a 20G 2.0-liter front wheel drive and a 24G 2.4-liter AWD. The more economical 20G front-wheel drive model is mated to a CVT while the the 24G comes with AWD and is mated to a regular 5-speed torque converter automatic. AWD feature has been dropped for Japanese domestic market 2.0-liter variant models.

As with the current model, the K20A 2.0-liter engine is what we will most likely receive, probably with a CVT too. However this does not necessarily mean that AWD is ruled out for markets that only carry the 2.0 engine variant. Even in its current form, the CR-V is already available on FWD only form in certain European (with diesel option as well) markets as well as in Australia. Whether AWD feature will be available as standard for the 2.0 variant or not will depend on the individual market requirements and results of their local market research. Although we suspect Honda Malaysia may just adopt AWD and adopt the Japanese FWD only specs. The strong Yen[2] is hurting earnings of all Japanese companies and HMC may want to push for local markets to adopt a single common powertrain specs for all K20A 2.0-liter engines for better production efficiency. We doubt local buyers will miss the AWD option. Locally, Nissan X-Trail, Ford Escape and Toyota Rush have already gone down the 2WD only path. Frankly, it doesn’t matter Honda does, the CR-V will continue to sell well anyway since it is the sole main player in the compact SUV segment.

Since Japan runs on a different cellular network format from the USA, of course the SMS Text reading feature will have to be dropped.

Differences between Japanese market and North American market CR-V.
Japanese market models gets wing mirror mounted turn signals, clear front turn signal lenses, chrome door handles, ‘shark fin’ antenna and losses the integrated roof rails for a cleaner line.


North American market model (top), Japanese market model (bottom)

North American market model (top), Japanese market model (bottom, 20G variant shown)

Note the ‘shark fin’ type antenna on the Japanese market model (24G variant shown).

Japanese market CR-V also features a built-in prism under the wing mirrors to reduce blind spots, crucial in Japan where roads are far more narrow than in USA.

CR-V North American market model

CR-V Japanese market model

Paddle shift (2.4-liter model only) and engine start button along with Honda Smart Key System keyless entry are also available on the Japanese market model.

Instrument panel lights up in green when vehicle is driven in an economical manner.

Modulo Honda approved accessories line.

Compared to its predecessor, the new CR-V is 30 mm shorter (4535 mm) and the roof line is now 30 mm lower (1650 mm excluding antenna). However, Honda claims that despite having a slightly smaller body, efficient packaging designs freed up additional space, making the new CR-V’s interior slightly bigger than the outgoing model. According to Honda’s own measurement, interior length is now 225 mm longer (2125 mm) and 75 mm wider (1540 mm), while cargo capacity has been increased by 65 liters (589 liters, with all 5 passenger seats up).

The new CR-V will go on sale in Japan by Dec-2. Prices will start from 2.48 million Japanese Yen for the 20G variant and 2.75 million Japanese Yen for the 24G variant.

With the uncertainty of when Honda can resume production at its flood damaged Thai plant, it is very difficult to say when will the new CR-V be launched in the ASEAN region. We estimate it to be no earlier than June-2012.

Source URL: http://www.motorindustry.org/2011/11/29/japanese-market-2012-honda-cr-v-launched/

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