biker

The problem is that unlike the smartphone industry, in the car world, the pie is not growing much, if at all. And like in the smartphone industry, an Android equivalent car could seriously eat into CR-V sales. The iPhone 5 will certainly not rest on its laurels and make do with the current A4 CPU.

Legend2TL

That's so true, the lifespan of a PDA smartphone is what maybe a 12, 18 months?

Grove's philosophy and Moore's law rules, gotta keep evolving or get passed by in the electronics world.

The 2G iPad is suppose to have a dual-ARM Cortex core in the next A4 (A5?).

dom

Its based on the Civic correct? So I doubt its going much bigger than it is.

Colin

Do you think that if Apple felt they could sell their production capacity without changing the A4 in the iPhone 5 that they would leave it? You bet your ass they would. They will change it only if they deem they're at a competitive disadvantage that would force them to (gasp) discount the phone to make it sell.

The phone analogy is not the best, but I was using to show that the goal of any manufacturer is to sell all they can make while keeping costs as low as possible. If Honda could sell all they can make of an all-new CR-V with the K24, I say more power to them. Personally, I think the V6s are going to be replaced before the K series anyway since the 6's are ~15 years old and the K ~10.

PortlandRL

This will be interesting to see. As some of you know, I work part-time out at the Port of Portland where we get shiploads from Honda as well as vehicles transported to Portland by rail for local distribution. We've gotten ships in that have offloaded almost all CR-Vs, sometimes in the thousands at a time whereas I've only seen a maximum of five US-built CR-Vs off loaded from rail cars here.

If they are serious about removing the import equation, they'll need to seriously ramp up the production at the US plant.

Colin

I was wondering about capacity. I'm guessing the Civic plant will be running full steam ahead so that's out. I'd guess they're not going to sacrifice the new Odyssey production for a new CR-V either. My guess is the TL/RDX line might be able to step up. But then again, that line does not normally make 200K units (after the Accords are built) so maybe that's out too.

Edit: I think Marysville is already full, http://www.ohio.honda.com/manufacturing/map.cfm

East Liberty might have some capacity with the demise of the Element http://www.ohio.honda.com/manufacturing/elap.cfm

biker

That's where the anology doesn't work - that's exactly what Apple did with the 3GS vs. 3G and sales went up anyway. They could leave the iPhone 4 alone and the sales would also go up - just not as much as they will with whatever improvement they make with the model in June. The analogy also doesn't work since the production capacity is much less of an issue for Apple than for Honda.

Consumer tastes are sometimes fickle and outside influences can also affect sales. Giving the marketeers something to brag about in the new model would make it easier to keep the competition at bay. Actually, Honda's biggest issue won't be the lack of drivetrain improvements - it's making sure they don't make a 4G TL type design mistake.

Colin

Are you saying that Apple has more capacity than Honda?

Design is a tough thing to predict, especially with the long lead times for a car. IMO, Honda pushed the envelope a bit with the new Odyssey and it seems to be well received. Especially considering how conservative the minivan market must be.

blue.fired

I like the Odyssey a lot, they just need to thin the huge hole that the sliding door needs on the sides. 99% of the people point to it as THE flaw in the car.

biker

Yes - it's a lot easier to up the volume in a smartphone factory compared to a car factory.

phile

Infamous425

100x better than the current CRV

biker

The problem is that this photochop is probably better than any of the designers at Honda could come up with.

vybzkartel

Don't think that's real.

Looks like a photoshop. Like the doors came from the new Sorento. And the rear is obviously the current CR-V. Just my

biker

It is interesting that it mentions a 2.5 l engine.

dom

According to TOV a 12' CR-V prototype to debut next week at the New York show.

http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=973022

Talk about going out on top. IMO they should consider extending the current one for at least another year.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

I like CR-Vs for some reason.

Moog-Type-S

I wonder how much of the current CRV will be carry-over.

Engine?
Tranny?
Platform?

dom

I'd bet engine and tranny for sure. And while there's nothing wrong with them, where's the progress? Think 12' Civic.

Moog-Type-S

Remember the good old days when Honda innovated, and produced exciting vehicles?

......now they build appliances with wheels.

biker

Since they already have the best seller there's no need to do much but I hope they do. I am kinda worried about the exterior looks, the trend has not been good.

phile

I'm worried about the interior. cr-v is the last Honda to have chrome door releases, all of the remodeled cars have gone over to that fake metal thing. The plastics are textured and there are no jagged edges *coughPilotcough* in the plastics. little chrome accents on the vents, a chrome shift stalk. I even can tolerate the plastic metal trimming on the doors because you don't touch those to feel how flimsy they are, unlike the door release. The CR-V has an older 1990's Honda Accord feel to it - everything just fits and looks nice, it's like just a hint of lux, not quite VW quality. It's only lacking the soft touch dash of those older Hondas.

dom

Well, according to TOV the CR-V probably won't debut next week because of delays caused by the quake.

IMO they could sail through the 2012 MY with the CR-V as is.

biker

I would think too many pieces were in place for the new model - things will just get delayed but not postponed that long.

TSX69

2012 Honda CR-V Spy Photos
Honda continues its trend of gentle evolution with the next-gen CR-V.

A fearless Car and Driver reader in Washington, D.C., snapped this picture of the next-generation Honda CR-V crossover, which will debut this fall. The vehicle looks ready for production, wearing its own sheetmetal (rather than the modified body of an existing Honda model) with the badge buried in tape on the tailgate.

Like other Japanese auto companies, Honda is as tight-lipped as can be about its future products. We’re left to use recent history and this photo to determine that the next CR-V will represent a gentle update to the current car, rather than a radical redo.

Figure on a naturally aspirated 4-cylinder being the only engine available. It should displace 2.4 liters like today’s CR-V engine, and we expect it to make between 180 and 200 hp—although the number may be closer to the bottom end of that range. Fuel economy also should improve slightly; in front-drive spec, the current model is rated for 21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. (All-wheel-drivers are rated for 21/27.)

If there are any major changes to the upcoming CR-V, it could be in the seating layout. Until now, every CR-V has been a strictly 5-seat affair. Given the long rear overhang of the car in this photo, however, it looks like there just might be room for a small 3rd row of seats for short-legged passengers. Toyota sells a 3-row RAV4, but most others in the segment serve a maximum of 5.

Few would call the CR-V in its present form a pulse-raising vehicle, but it’s a staple for Honda, offers good driving dynamics, and is a sensible choice for more than 200,000 Americans per year. Even without concrete details on the next-generation CR-V, we feel confident saying it will maintain the current car’s sales success. We expect the 2012 CR-V to debut at the Los Angeles auto show this November.

Costco

Hmm.... a reason why I've never been a fan of a good number CUVs/SUVs is they tend to prioritize style over substance, especially in the hatch area. The RX is probably the worst offender that comes to mind - super sloping rear hatch that cuts down on visibility as well as cargo space.

We shall see...

sho_nuff1997

iTrader: (2)

Don't like the back and the c-pillar looks quite awkward. Maybe it's the camo though.

SpiderX1016

Kind of looks like a Mazda from the side and Volvo at the rear.

biker

Isn't it supposed to be on sale by then?

It makes no sense to make it a 7 seater, like the writer suggests.

The styling of the Civic and now the CR-V does not bode well for the next gen Accord.

ThermonMermon

that upper rear piece is almost identical to the XC60. So close, they could possibly get sued. wow...unless they masked it a certain way to disguise it as an XC60. probably the latter, im sure.

Yumcha

Need more pics before I hate or rave.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

doesn't matter if it's pretty or ugly..it will still sell....lol

Moog-Type-S

Very "Volvo" inspired rear....not bad.

...but still too early to tell.

phile

i'm biased cause i'm a CR-V owner and i'm just in love with mine. i kinda like the overall shape here, the rear end is totally Volvo.

LuvMyTSX

It doesn't look bad at all, but the rear is a bit too Volvo for sure. IMO these things need a little more power - wish they'd update the engine.

biker

^ perhaps you didn't get the memo - every maker will be aiming at better mileage, and increased power is usually not in that equation.

Invisible

Moose Muscles

Nice I guess...I will reserve real judgement until some better photos come up.

biker

Like the rest of the industry, the belt line is getting higher with every generation. Rear visibility is getting to be poor at best.

oonowindoo

2.4 TDI AWD....better fuel econ and better performance.