European suited Honda CR-V debuts as preview of SA model

Less than a year after debuting it in the key market that is the United States, Honda has launched the sixth generation CR-V in Europe solely as a partial electrified model for the first time.

What has changed

A model, likely to preview what South Africa, could get expect later this year, the European CR-V’s differences from the model sold in North America comprises not only a new grille, but also restyled LED headlights and a unique front bumper with L-shaped side air inlets, as well as no honeycomb pattern faux vents on the side of the lower air intake.

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Somewhat surprisingly, the European CR-V keeps the North American mandated indicator repeaters on the front wheel arches, albeit blacked-out instead of being orange.

At the rear, the facia is almost identical sans the optional colour coded faux diffuser on higher-end models and a U-shaped design line underneath the numberplate.

Buttons and dial but no lever inside

Dimensionally unchanged from the North American model, the EU CR-V’s interior is also largely carried over, although without a traditional gear lever as this makes way for a push-button arrangement.

While Honda didn’t reveal any specification details, the provided interior image confirms the presence of the nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system available in North America and on the South African Civic RS, the 12-speaker Bose sound system reserved for the Stateside EX-L and Sport Touring derivatives and the seven-inch digital instrument cluster.

Safety comes via Honda’s Sensing system that includes, amongst others, a new omnidirectional scanning setup that renders Blind Spot Monitoring obsolete.

Charged power

As mentioned, the CR-V takes leaves of all non-electrified powertrains as a result of the looming Euro 7 emissions regulations.

While this means the end for the 1.5-litre turbocharged engine that remains in the US, the European range now kicks-off with the e:HEV that combines a normally aspirated 2.0-litre petrol engine with a pair of electric motors.

Although Honda didn’t state any power outputs, in the US, the configuration develops 150kW/335Nm delivered to the ground via an electronic or e-CVT.

At the top of the range is the plug-in hybrid or e:PHEV that uses the same setup, but with a battery pack of unknown capacity and output replacing the secondary electric motor.

Again, no combined power figure was revealed, though claimed range was at 82 km, along with a waiting time of two-and-half-hours.

As the e:PHEV is not a full EV, compatibility with a fast charging outlet is impossible. However, unlike the e:HEV, the CR-V e:PHEV will come with the option of all-wheel-drive.

Announcement before year-end

Going on-sale in Europe within the coming months, CR-V has been confirmed for South Africa and will arrive before the end of the year likely powered solely by the mentioned turbocharged petrol engine.

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