2012 Honda CR-V Concept Makes World Debut

Concept version of upcoming production model reveals dynamic, new look
09/22/2011 - ANAHEIM, Calif.
The 2012 Honda CR-V Concept made its public debut at the Orange County International Auto Show in Anaheim, Calif., today, and introduced the styling direction for the all-new, fourth-generation CR-V. The 2012 CR-V is set to go on sale in the United States by the end of the year and will debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November.

"The 2012 CR-V Concept strongly hints at the more dynamic and refined look of the upcoming model," said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda. "As the best-selling SUV in each of the past four years, the 2012 CR-V promises to build on its highly successful formula with even more style, innovative features and higher fuel economy."

The CR-V Concept embraces a distinctive and bold styling direction for the top-selling1 SUV in the United States. Compared to the current-generation CR-V, the concept model takes on a more aggressive stance with deeper sculpting of the body lines and a bolder front fascia. The front bumper's smooth-flowing lines are highlighted by a horizontal three-bar grille and deeply set multi-reflector headlights. The lower front bumper wraps smartly upward to convey SUV capability with a generous approach angle, while the lower front bumper design now integrates more smoothly with the fascia for improved aerodynamics.

The CR-V's signature vertical rear taillights remain for 2012 with a more three-dimensional style that wraps further into the design of the vehicle. The CR-V Concept's large 5-spoke machined alloy wheels and bold fender flares emphasize the vehicle's dynamic presence and capability.

The all-new 2012 CR-V will improve upon the current model in a variety of ways, and will feature a more fuel-efficient engine and reduced body weight. In addition to all-new exterior styling, the 2012 CR-V will have an all-new interior with a more accommodating and spacious design.

Currently in the fifth year of its model cycle, the CR-V continues to sell at a record pace. The 2011 CR-V was among the highest-ranked vehicles in its segment for initial quality in J.D. Power & Associates' 2011 Initial Quality Study (IQS), where it finished second to the Honda Element in the compact SUV segment. The CR-V is sold globally in more than 160 countries throughout North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Africa. In the U.S., CR-V is manufactured in Ohio at the East Liberty Auto Plant of Honda of America Manufacturing, Inc., using domestic and globally sourced parts. The East Liberty Auto Plant earned a Silver Award for outstanding quality in the recently released J.D. Power 2011 Initial Quality Study. The 2012 CR-V Concept will be at the Orange County International Auto Show from September 22 to 25 in the Honda display.

Connect with Honda:
Honda Media Newsroom (for journalists): www.hondanews.com
Honda Future Vehicles (for consumers): automobiles.honda.com/future-cars
Honda on YouTube: www.youtube.com/honda
Honda on Flickr: www.flickr.com/hondanews
Honda on Twitter: www.twitter.com/honda

1The CR-V is the best-selling SUV in the United States by calendar year from 2007 thru 2010.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.com/channels/corporate-headlines/releases/2012-honda-cr-v-concept-makes-world-debut

2012 Honda CR-V Concept - Official Image and Info

Honda calls it a concept, but this is the next CR-V.
BY JUSTIN BERKOWITZ, PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBERT WHITLEY, KGP PHOTOGRAPHY, AND THE MANUFACTURER July 2011

Honda has released a picture of the concept version of its next-generation CR-V, and it looks, well, pretty much like we expected based on recent spy photos. The vehicle seen here is, as is typical with Honda’s concepts, a loosely disguised version of the production car.

That’s not to say that when the fourth-generation CR-V arrives at dealerships some time in late 2011, it will be festooned with some of the concept’s more colorful design elements. Items like the smoked-out headlights, prominent front skid plate, gargantuan wheels, and polished black lower trim likely will remain the domain of the show car. Otherwise, though, what you see here is what we’ll get.

Despite a relatively significant change in the CR-V’s design—it’s major by Honda’s conservative standards, at least—the new car will be mechanically similar to the one it replaces. Front-wheel drive definitely will again be standard, with optional all-wheel drive returning to the menu, too. It’s doubtful that Honda will make any major changes in the engine department from last year’s car, meaning that buyers will probably get a 2.4-liter inline four good for about 180 hp. Unlike the 2011 CR-V, which had a five-speed automatic transmission, the new model is likely to receive a six-speed unit. If Honda does go this route, you can expect a modest boost in fuel economy over the current CR-V’s 21 mpg city/28 highway for front-drive models and 21/27 for those with AWD.

While the CR-V has never fully roused the enthusiast’s soul, it has always been one of the more involving small crossovers to pilot. (Pun intended as an excuse to post a link to the face-lifted 2012 Pilot, which Honda also announced.) At the same time, the CR-V has been one of the more practical and easy-to-use small utes, too, a factor we’re sure is of higher importance to most of the people with one in their driveway. (There are a lot of those people: 227,760 CR-Vs were sold in the past 12 months alone.) We don’t expect those traits to change with this next-gen model, although we’ll have to wait until Honda decides to show us the production model to find out for sure.

Source;
http://www.caranddriver.com/news/car/11q2/2012_honda_cr-v_concept-official_image_and_info