2013 Honda CR-V crossover to get the 1.6 Liter EarthDreams i-DTEC diesel engine from the Civic

The 2013 European spec Honda CR-V crossover has now been officially revealed after the Japanese automaker showcased the concept of the CR-V at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show earlier this year. The crossover, which features a few stylistic changes when compared to the American variant also gets different engine options in the form of two turbo diesel engines. While the 2.2 Liter i-DTEC diesel engine that does duty on the European models of the Civic and the Accord will continue to be offered right from the launch of this crossover in October 2012, the crossover will also get a 1.6 Liter i-DTEC diesel engine.

However, the 1.6 Liter- i-DTEC turbo diesel engine, unveiled a while ago to power the new Civic sedan, will be available only on front wheel drive models of the CR-V as an entry level diesel variant. This potentially indicates that the specs of the 1.6 Liter diesel engine, at 118 Bhp-300 Nm could remain pretty much unchanged. The petrol engine to power the CR-V will remain the 2 Liter i-VTEC mill. The CR-V will be available in front wheel drive guise along with this petrol engine too while the four wheel drive option will be standard on the top end variants of this crossover.

The 2012 Honda CR-V crossover features improved interiors and styling but comes with the same 5 seat capacity as the previous model. In due course of time, the CR-V is expected to be launched in India as well. Currently, the CR-V is imported into India as a completely built unit. This has resulted in the cost of the 5 seat crossover shoot up by quite a bit when compared to the likes of the Toyota Fortuner and the Ford Endeavour SUVs, both of which offer 7 seats apart from being powered by turbo diesel power. The  Indian CR-V however has to make do with the 2.4 iter i-VTEC petrol engine, leading to sales being very slow.

That said, the Honda CR-V enjoys a dedicated fan following in India with many owners floored by the crossover’s car like handling despite a high ground clearance rivaling that of an SUV. In fact, the Honda CR-V was one of the first crossovers to be launched in India. In the best couple of years, the 2013 CR-V is expected to be launched in India, however with a diesel engine under the hood. That perhaps is the only way Honda can do justice to the good sales potential of this crossover, which currently is badly impaired by the lack of a turbo diesel engine option.

Source;