2012 Honda CRV gets a Diesel engine in Europe; Is Honda India listening?
Honda recently unveiled the 2012 CRV for the European market. It is not very different from the American version which we have comprehensively covered over here.
The European version features subtle design changes such as:
- Revised front bumper
- Front LED daytime running lights
- Rear LED lights
- Redesigned OVRMS with turning lights
- A fin-style antenna
The interesting thing fact has really caught our eye is the that European Honda CRV will be offered with two diesel mills:
- A 2.2-liter i-DTEC diesel, carried from a previous model, good for 148hp and 350Nm of torque
- An all new 1.6-liter turbo diesel with EarthDreams technology good for 118HP and 300Nm of torque
The 2012 European Honda CRV will make its public debut at the Paris Motor Show this September and will go on sale across Europe in October.
The 1.6 diesel mill is very interesting for the Indian market. Honda India is currently working on a smaller capacity diesel for its mass market products such as Brio, Jazz and City. Unfortunately, no diesel developments have been confirmed for the luxury line of Honda India such as Civic, Accord and CRV. This super efficient 1.6L diesel mill is ideal for Honda’s luxury lineup.
The Honda CRV was once a very popular SUV in India when petrol prices were rational. Despite of being offered only in a petrol variant, it was loved by the masses because of its easy drivability.
However, the Indian model of the Honda CRV was introduced long back in 2002 with a facelift in 2005. Age and lack of diesel option has almost made this once popular SUV disappear from the Indian streets
Honda India has confirmed that it will not launch the all new Civic in India. However, the possibility of the new CRV coming to India is very strong. In such a scenario, we would love to see the diesel model with the EarthDreams power plant.
Do you also think the 2012 Honda CRV with a diesel mill is the right choice for India?
[Source: Carscoop.blogspot.com]
