Honda CR-V diesel arriving January

Honda has confirmed a diesel-powered CR-V will join the petrol models in January 2014, and crucially it will be offered with an automatic transmission.

The CR-V diesel breaks new ground for the company as Honda Australia's first diesel auto model, which is expected to be a premium-priced model, available only as a 4WD with either six-speed manual or five-speed auto, and plenty of extra fruit. It is likely the new turbo-diesel CR-V will be priced in the high $30K bracket.

Powered by a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine, the new model will produce 110kW/350Nm while maintaining very low (claimed) fuel economy of 5.8L/100km. Its CO2 emissions are rated at 151g/km.

Sales of the CR-V, Honda's second-most popular model after the Civic, have increased almost three-fold since the new model was launched in late 2012, with year to date sales of 9962 representing a 273.4 per cent increase on last year's 2668 units. 

Honda Australia Director, Stephen Collins, said the economical diesel CR-V has huge potential and will increase the vehicle's appeal in 2014.

"This fourth-generation model has been a strong, consistent performer since it was first launched in December 2012 and we expect to see a boost in sales with a diesel option. This year, we've sold just shy of 10,000 units, making the CR-V second only to the much-loved Civic range," he said. "We know how much our customers are looking forward to this addition to our line-up."

Honda expects the new model to add between 200 and 300 sales per month on top of the current petrol-only average of about 1000 sales per month. Petrol-powered Honda CR-Vs are built in Thailand while the new diesel models will be sourced from the UK.

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