AIMS: New CR-V to hit $29,990 driveaway

Honda will seek to double its compact SUV volume in 2013 with the launch of its first-ever front-drive variant of its new CR-V. And it has tagged the two-wheel drive CR-V with a sub-$30K driveaway entry level price to get the ball rolling.

Honda pulled the sheets on its local CR-V line-up this morning at the Australian International Motor Show (AIMS) in Sydney. Though the car has been on sale for almost a year in the USA, today was the first appearance of the CR-V Down Under. It will go on sale officially on November 21.

The six model CR-V line-up will include three 2.0-litre petrol front-drive models and another trio of 2.4-litre petrol all-wheel drive variants. The pricing for the range will stretch from $27,490 for the base model manual front-drive CR-V VTi through to $42,290 for the top of the range VTi-L automatic.

Honda says the volume models are still expected to be auto all-wheel drive. So equipped, the VTi kicks off at $32,790.

Honda Australia’s Director and General Manager Sales and Marketing, Stephen Collins, told motoring.com.au that the brand was looking to the new model to rebuild CR-V's fortunes Down Under. He says Honda plans to build CR-V sales to above 1000 units per month and stated up to 40 per cent of that volume could be the new front-drive variants.

Honda has sold over 130,000 CR-Vs Down Under since the nameplate debuted in 1997. Mr Collins stated owner loyalty was strong with up to 45 per cent of CR-V buyers sticking with the nameplate.

"We have a very loyal owner base but conquest is important [to rebuild volumes]. The value proposition of the whole range is critical – we think we have that right, especially with a front-drive model under $30,000 driveaway," Mr Collins stated.

The 2.0-litre CR-V front-driver is powered by a SOHC 2.0 litre i-VTEC engine rated at 114kW/190Nm. Honda says ADR combined fuel economy for the six-speed manual is 7.8L/100km. The five-speed automatic variant is a touch more economical at 7.7L/100km.

The all-wheel drive models' 2.4-litre engine pumps out 140kW and 222Nm. No manual variant is offered, with the auto – also a five-speeder -- rated at 8.7L/100km.

All grades include the typical suite of safety and convenience mod-cons plus cruise control, Bluetooth phone connectivity and reversing cameras. Alloy wheels are standard on all grades and all-wheel drive variants add roof rails and some other minor trim items. All variants are expected to gain a five-star ANCAP rating.

At the higher VTi-S grade Honda adds dual-zone aircon and park sensors, while the top-line VTi-L gets leather upholstery, sunroof, keyless entry and start, power driver and front passenger seats and active HID headlamps.

Conspicuous by its absence, there is no turbodiesel option for CR-V. At this stage Honda Australia is projecting an early 2014 introduction for the powertrain but would not speculate on trim grade availability or pricing.

Mr Collins told motoring.com.au the European sourcing of the CR-V turbodiesel was the main reason for its delayed introduction. Petrol CR-Vs are sourced from Thailand.

AIMS also saw Honda roll out its fourth hybrid model, the Jazz Hybrid. Jazz joins CR-Z, Insight and Civic Hybrid and will go on sale locally in February 2013. It features a 72kW/167Nm drivetrain, combining a 1.3-litre petrol engine, an electric motor and CVT gearbox.

No pricing was announced for the Jazz Hybrid, however, Mr Collins suggested Honda Australia's target for the light car five-door hybrid was "at the low end of the mid-$20K range".

He says Honda will seek to sell around 40-50 units per month.

                                                     
                                                  
                    


Four-wheel Drive

Head to www.motoring.com.au for full 2012 AIMS photo gallery from the Australian International Motor Show

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