jasonwdp10

first somewhat official pic
http://www.caranddriver.com/news/car...image_and_info

phile

they cleaned it up well

krio

krio

Motorauthority

Though it isn’t set to go on sale until the end of the year, the new 2012 Honda CR-V crossover has been previewed in concept form and it’s safe to say the upcoming production version will closely resemble the lines seen here today.

It looks as though we’ll get a fairly conventional crossover design for the new CR-V, though there’s a chance a third-row seating option will be offered this time ‘round to give it more ammunition against its closest rival, the Toyota RAV4, which currently offers the option.

Despite its age, the current CR-V remains a top seller in the small to mid-size crossover segment, selling in numbers as high 200,000 units per year in the recent past, so with the new generation Honda was never going to rock the boat when it came to its design.

Expect front-wheel drive as standard, as well as a naturally-aspirated 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with output ranging somewhere between 180 and 200 horsepower. Fuel economy should also better the 21/28 mpg city/highway of the front-wheel drive model found in the current lineup. All-wheel drive versions should return slightly worse figures.

Finally, a new six-speed automatic is expected to replace the five-speeder of the current model.

As mentioned, the production 2012 Honda CR-V should go on sale at the end of the year, most likely with a debut at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show this November. You can bet the blacked-out headlights, oversized wheels and aggressive front skid plate seen on this concept will all be gone once production ramps up.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

That looks pretty damn good.

F23A4

That's a MUCH more attractive vehicle than its predecessor. Looks like there's hope for Honda yet, in the styling department.

Invisible

Man, that is really good looking.

CCColtsicehockey

If that is what it ends up looking like it will be the first time I ever liked the look of the CR-V.

Legend2TL

Looks OK, I agree with that article I can't see Honda offering that radical a wheel even as a option.

YEH

I agree, it looks sharp.

For some reason, it's been getting a lot of crap from posters on auto sites (some thinking it's worse than the current CR-V).

Don't know what they are thinking; this is probably the most attractive design Honda has done in some time.

Better looks, more space - will be a big seller for Honda.

krio

Autoblog

UPDATE: Honda has confirmed the image above is the real deal, and it's even confirmed that the CR-V will debut at the Orange County International Auto Show in Anaheim this September.

krio

Hondanews

07/25/2011 - TORRANCE, Calif.

The 2012 Honda CR-V Concept provides the first official glimpse of the styling direction for the all-new, fourth-generation CR-V set to go on sale in the United States by the end of the year, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today.

"The 2012 CR-V Concept introduces the exterior styling for the more sophisticated and dynamic design of the upcoming production model," said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda. "Long considered the benchmark for packaging and user-friendly design in the small SUV segment, the all-new CR-V will offer an added dimension of style, amazing interior versatility and Honda's latest technologies for convenience and refinement."

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 with a lower cargo floor.

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 on display at the Orange County International Auto Show in Anaheim, California, in September.

Type34

With only a 180-200hp I-4, I don't think we'll see much beyond 18" wheels on a CR-V anytime soon. Even the "upgrade" accessory wheel on the current CR-V is only 17":



Overall, I like the new design. It'll be interesting to see how the un-tinted headlamps integrate with that grille and bumper, but overall, not too drastic and clean.

Moog-Type-S

Well, for the first time in a very long time, Honda appears to have an exterior design winner here! Looks more rugged, grown up, and more refined.

Here's hoping the interior quality will be up to snuff.

Perhaps we will even get some new drive-train tech?....or at least offer something that is competitive with what the competition offers.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

According to the article above, a 6AT is rumored. Im curious if it will trickle down into the Civics, Accords, and TSXs.

CarbonGray Earl

I've liked concepts from Honda...its always the execution of the vision that isn't 100% for me.

These design reveals are like the picture on the frozen dinner box. You get to the meal, and while its similar, it doesn't live up to the promise of the pic on the box.

TorontoTL

I think that the new CRV will be the best designed vehicle out of the Honda design studios in quite some time.

biker

Why bother with a "concept" this close to production? It looks good so far - like the notion of less weight and lower floor.

Hapa DC5

Not bad at all. Definitely worth a look.

dom

Looks great. See, was that so hard Honda? Not sure where rumors of the 6AT are coming from but a couple of dealers have already confirmed the 5AT on all trims. Look for the 6 speed at the mmc.

phile

i was thinking the same. 6-spd is reserved for the top of the line Odyssey in the Honda lineup currently.

i wouldn't think they'd introduce it on the new CR-V across all trims. if anything maybe on the EX-L trim. but even then that sounds sketchy.

Sarlacc

So far so good.

Now is it too much to hope for 3rd row seats...and either a turbo 4 or a v6 option???

probably

JnC

iTrader: (12)

^^ You'd think that it'd be a no brainer to offer the motor from RDX in the new CR-V

Moog-Type-S

5 speed eh?.....The new 2012 Honda CRV with 5 speed automatic transmission....With "cutting edge" technology like that....party like it's 1999.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

There seems to be a lot of talk over on ToV about the 6AT for the CR-V and some are saying its a definite. The people posting it are usually pretty reliable as well, but I dont know what to think (and I dont honestly care since Im not in the market for a CR-V).

dom

This was posted in the CR-V forums over there at the end of June. And I think confirmed by at least a couple other dealers.

Maybe things have changed? Although I seriously doubt they'd offer the 6AT is such a high volume vehicle. They seem to be taking the slow roll out approach with low volume offerings this time.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Invisible

Don't care if it has a 6 or 5 speed. The current 5-speed auto is a damn fine unit, and I doubt on extra gear would change much if anything.

But, I would like to see Honda offer better headlights, the panoramic roof offered on the Euro CR-V, and a few other touches.

Moog-Type-S

^^ Wow...

Legend2TL

My guess is this is the year the 6AT gets introduced across more Honda/Acura product platforms than last year. It was slowly introduced last year so the number of vehicles should be greater this year. Risk mitigation

phile

I really think the 6-spd will be reserved for the 6-cylinders only. that's where the Honda engine isn't the top dog anymore so they need that extra gear.

4-cylinder-wise, the 2.4 has a lot of potential (Honda can easily tune it to 200hp like in the TSX).

YEH

This pretty much screws the assertion that Honda played it safe w/ the new Civic b/c it is such a big seller for Honda and they didn't want to run the risk of alienating long-time buyers since the CR-V is one of Honda's "big-3" sellers.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

Mpg-wise, the 6 speed might not help much, may be another 1mpg. Performance wise, I'd imagine the difference would be more noticeable.

krio

It's maybe more a question of "image" that of fuel economy... 5AT are now considered "old" school technology, even in a SUV.

Invisible

Take it even farther. Since many are now offering 7,8, even 9 speeds planned, a 6-speed auto is "old" school.

Invisible

New CR-V already destroying the Toyota Highlander and Lexus RX
http://www.notcot.com/archives/2011/...r-accident.php

Hapa DC5

^ lol love it.

Legend2TL

That was pretty funny, glad the guy was not seriously hurt.

Moog-Type-S

Real world crash testing......nice move, Honda!

03tLsNBP

iTrader: (9)

guess they made visibility worse in the 2012 model