Honda concept previews next-gen CR-V

This is the first image of a Honda concept that will ostensibly preview the next-gen CR-V. No official details have yet emerged, but the design study (which appears all but production-ready) may well be rolled out at September's Frankfurt motor show.

The existing CR-V has been a huge seller for Honda, but it's been around since 2007 and is starting to get towards the end of its lifespan.

A MY2010 refresh brought a redesigned front fascia with a new horizontal-slat chrome grille and honeycomb-designed lower front grille, revised front and rear bumpers and taillights, but the technical package has remained largely unchanged.

It's believed the next-gen model will adhere to the existing formula, with motive power again likely to come from a 2.4-litre engine, albeit with efficiency gains vis-à-vis the current unit.

The rumour mill suggests the present model's five-speed auto tranny will be ditched in favour of a six-speeder, and some sources are even speculating about the possibility of a pair of third-row jump seats being introduced -- we'll believe that when we see it.

Expect the production reality to retain much of what you see here, barring the smoked headlight lenses, large-diameter wheels (they look to be 20-inchers) and high-gloss finish on the lower sill panels.

The show car points to a more attractive vehicle than the slightly gawky current CR-V, which nevertheless continues to sell consistently well, both here and overseas.

In the US, the CR-V in 2007 became one of the 10 best-selling vehicles of the year, outselling the Toyota RAV4, Ford Escape and Chevy Tahoe by tens of thousands. It even overtook Ford's Explorer, which had held the title for 15 years (1991–2006), to be the number-one selling SUV in the US.

Locally, the CR-V (3102 sales for the first half of this year) is now starting to lag behind the Subaru Forester (6493 sales), Hyundai ix35 (5743 sales), Toyota RAV4 (5563 sales) and Nissan X-Trail (5428 sales). Clearly, the new model will have a big job to do if it's to reinstate Honda among the heavy-hitting compact SUVs.

Honda says a replacement CR-V is slated to arrive in US showrooms as early as the end of this year with Europe to receive its first deliveries in Q3 of 2012.

Honda Australia told motoring.com.au this morning that it has not yet made a decision of when the model will arrive here.

Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at the carsales mobile site