Honda Launches All-New 2017 CR-V in MEA Market

Honda Motor Co. Africa and Middle East Office recently launched the All-New 5th Generation CR-V at the Waldorf Astoria in Ras Al Khaimah. The new Honda-CRV is notable for its bold new styling, a more luxurious interior and several new technologies and features that will further strengthen the CR-V’s status as the trendsetter in the compact SUV segment.

The new CR-V offers the highest level of driving comfort with its ride comfort, steering precision, cabin quietness and body control. The New CR-V is available in four grades; DX and LX in 2 Wheel Drive (2WD) and EX and Touring in All Wheel Drive (AWD).

New Powertrain and Chassis Technology:
The 2017 CR-V is powered by a 2.4-litre DOHC, direct injected i-VTEC engine that is paired with a smooth shifting and sporty continuously variable transmission (CVT) having Honda G-Shift control logic. The 2.4-liter engine has an output of 184 hp @ 6400rpm and a torque of 244NM @ 3900rpm. Fuel consumption is 15.5km/L for the DX and LX grades and 14.7km/L for the EX and Touring grades.

The body and chassis design has been refined with driver comfort in mind with better drive refinement, more flexible handling, and better overall versatility. The vehicle’s front MacPherson strut and rear multi-link suspension have specially tuned low-friction dampers, in the case of both the FWD and AWD models as well as tubular front and solid rear stabilizer bars for quicker turns and flatter cornering. Dual-pinion, variable ratio Electric Power Steering (EPS) also contributes to the CR-V’s direct and satisfying steering feel.

Bold and Sophisticated Exterior Styling:
The CR-V now looks bolder and more sophisticated with aggressively styled headlights which are surrounded by wing-shaped LED Day Time Running Light (DRL) array on all grades. The touring model has signature Honda LED headlights. The vehicle has a more aggressive stance owing to elements like longer wheelbase, short rear overhand and its wide, muscular fenders with athletic wheel arches. The CRV is a vehicle that is compatible with any lifestyle.

The distinct LED taillights and option to choose wheels in 17 inches (DX and LX grades) and 18 inches (EX and Touring Grades) will make the SUV more noticeable. The Power Programmable Tailgate, which can be opened and closed just by touching a button is a bonus for long, adventurous trips. The Touring variant has a tailgate height-adjustability feature which can be customized for drivers of all heights. Other features which are available as standard include rear fog lights, power door mirrors, headlight off timer for the forgetful types, side mirror LED indicators, various chrome garnishes and auto rain sensing wipers (Touring only).

Premium, Spacious and Technologically Advanced Interior Styling:
The cockpit and interiors of the new CR-V has been completely redesigned to lend the SUV a more premium feel. The cabin is more spacious and offers the best rear seat legroom in its class. With respect to the materials used for the interior, they have all been upgraded, with the seats having more intricate stitching and a new soft-touch instrument panel. A color TFT driver information interface (DII) center meter display adds a touch of class.

Thanks to the 60/40 split rear seat design and Easy Fold Down seats, there is plenty of space for passengers and for cargo of different shapes and sizes.

On the technological front, the CR-V has the latest vehicle connectivity and audio performance features. While the DX and LX grades have a 5-inch Color Screen Audio, the EX and Touring grades come with a 7-inch touch screen Display Audio interface using Android operating system. To make things easier, it has a physical volume knob and Navigation system. Customers can seamlessly continue using their smartphone features and functions like GPS navigation and voice controlled search capabilities while in the car as the 7-inch touch screen Display Audio is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto platforms.

The dashboard has a clean and compact design to place key information like average fuel consumption, turn-by-turn navigation and AWD torque identification directly in the line of sight. The Driver Attention Monitor detects driver fatigue and alerts the motorist through a series of visual and audio cues that he needs to focus more on the road.

Sticking to your lane is easier with the Honda LANEWATCH feature in EX and Touring grades. This technology uses a camera that is installed in the passenger door mirror to give motorists a clear image of the lanes and any vehicles that are on the lane on the 7-inch Display Audio screen. The Multi Angle Rearview Camera with dynamic guidelines shows steering input direction, to make parking quick and easy.

Some of the key features that make the new CR-V comfortable and convenient include rear A/C ducts in all grades, a smart entry and remote engine start (for LX, EX and Touring grades only), front USB ports, rear 2.5A USB charging ports, Auto Dimming Rear View Mirror (EX and Touring only), single zone air conditioning in DX and dual-zone climate controls in the remaining grades, Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Brake Hold function, and front passenger seat with 4-way power adjustment and driver’s seat with 8-way power adjustment and 4-way power lumbar support.

Advanced Safety:
Both when it comes to the body and the features, the all-new 2017 CR-V features the best. It uses Honda’s next-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure and has earned the highest available collision safety ratings, including an NCAP 5-star Overall Vehicle Score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The conventional vacuum Brake Booster has been replaced by the Electronic Brake Booster (EBB). The motor of the EBB controlled by a microprocessor that keeps a close watch on the vehicle speed as well as the braking pressure applied by the driver, and helps build higher hydraulic pressure more quickly and with less pedal effort in all kinds of braking scenarios.

Other active safety features that are normally seen in Honda models like Electronic Brake Distributor (EBD), Tire Pressure Monitor System(TPMS), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with Traction Control Systems (TCS), Anti-Lock Brake Systems (ABS), Agile Handling Assist, Brake Over Ride System and Hill Start Assist (HSA) are available in the new CRV. The LX, EX and Touring trims have rear parking sensors.

Color Availability:
The All New CR-V comes with two options for the interior colors- ivory and black. When it comes to the exterior, it is available in nine different shades including Crystal Black Pearl, Lunar Silver Metallic, White Diamond Pearl, Obsidian Blue Pearl, Modern Silver Metallic, Sandstorm Metallic, Basque Red Pearl, Gun Metal Metallic and Dark Olive Metallic.