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The Honda CR-V is a compact crossover SUV manufactured by
the Japanese automaker Honda. It was loosely
derived from the Honda Civic platform to satisfy a public demand for
a sport-utility vehicle from Honda. There are discrepancies as to
what "CR-V" stands for, with Honda sources in different markets
citing different meanings. Though Honda sales literature in Europe
and Australia makes references to "Compact Recreational Vehicle",
other Honda references cite "Comfortable Runabout Vehicle". It is
available in both all wheel drive and front wheel drive, although in
many markets such as the United Kingdom only all wheel drive is
offered due to higher consumer standards of expectations resulting
in lack of demand for lower specification front wheel drive
models.
Honda produces CR-Vs in the United Kingdom and Japan for
worldwide markets. Production will move to one of its Ohio plants in
2006. The CR-V is produced for the Chinese market by the Dongfeng
Honda Automobile Company, a joint venture with Honda.
Honda CR-V was introduced in Japan in 1996, it is
Honda's first in-house designed SUV and was originally
intended only to be a niche vehicle. Honda was hesitant to market
the vehicle since many felt the car did not have potential to sell
alongside the Honda Passport and to take over the role of Honda's
entry-level SUV. In the United States, it was displayed for the
first time at the 1996 Chicago Auto Show. Citing strong sales from
the comparable Toyota RAV4 upon its release, the model was then
brought stateside in February 1997. Shortly afterwards, CR-V sales
outpaced those of the smaller RAV4, and the compact SUV has
maintained strong sales and gained accolades ever since Honda's
first in-house designed SUV and was originally intended only to be a
niche vehicle. Honda was hesitant to market the vehicle since many
felt the car did not have potential to sell alongside the Honda
Passport and to take over the role of Honda's entry-level SUV. In
the United States, it was displayed for the first time at the 1996
Chicago Auto Show. Citing strong sales from the comparable Toyota
RAV4 upon its release, the model was then brought stateside in
February 1997. Shortly afterwards, CR-V sales outpaced those of the
smaller RAV4, and the compact SUV has maintained strong sales and
gained accolades ever since
HONDA CRV 2007
A redesigned CR-V will be launched for the 2007 model year. It
will share its chassis with the Acura RDX. Details remain scarce;
however, Honda has a teaser website where users can request
information as it becomes available.
Unlike the turbocharged RDX, the CR-V will be powered by the
latest version of Honda's standard 2.4 liter 4-cylinder engine. A
2.2 liter i-CTDI diesel will also be offered in the European and
Asian markets and possibly in North America at a later date. Due to
the success of the competing Toyota RAV4, a V6 engine may also be
offered for the North American market.
For the first time, CR-V models for the North American market
will be assembled locally at Honda's East Liberty, Ohio plant (the
home of the Civic and Element). Previously, all CR-Vs produced for
the North American market were imported from Honda's plants in Japan
and the UK, where production will continue for those respective
regions.
Spyshots have surfaced of the new Honda CR-V, without any
disguise.
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