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Euro-spec 2018 Honda CR-V Abandons Diesel for Hybrid Engine

They call it a prototype, but only because you can't see the interior - this is the all-new 2018 Honda CR-V for the European market. It's going to have a year-long delay over the U.S. version, but that's because engineers have had to develop an all-new powertrain.
Euro-spec 2018 Honda CR-V Ditches Diesel for Hybrid Engine 12 photos
Photo: SB-Medien
Euro-spec 2018 Honda CR-V Ditches Diesel for Hybrid EngineEuro-spec 2018 Honda CR-V Ditches Diesel for Hybrid EngineEuro-spec 2018 Honda CR-V Ditches Diesel for Hybrid EngineEuro-spec 2018 Honda CR-V Ditches Diesel for Hybrid EngineEuro-spec 2018 Honda CR-V Ditches Diesel for Hybrid EngineEuro-spec 2018 Honda CR-V Ditches Diesel for Hybrid EngineEuro-spec 2018 Honda CR-V Ditches Diesel for Hybrid EngineEuro-spec 2018 Honda CR-V Ditches Diesel for Hybrid EngineEuro-spec 2018 Honda CR-V Ditches Diesel for Hybrid EngineEuro-spec 2018 Honda CR-V Ditches Diesel for Hybrid EngineEuro-spec 2018 Honda CR-V Ditches Diesel for Hybrid Engine
Two years ago, the CR-V replaced its 2.2-liter diesel engine with a 1.6-liter that had two turbochargers instead of one. The powertrain also included a brand new 9-speed automatic gearbox. But due to the fear of future regulations, Honda has admitted diesels aren't the way to go and ditched them completely.

We're not sure how the buyers are going to take it, especially since hybrid models are heavier and don't come with manual gearboxes. But judging by Toyota's sales, everything should be okay.

Under the hood is an all-new Intelligent Multi Mode Drive (i-MMD) two-motor hybrid setup, composed of an electric motor, a 2.0-liter Atkinson engine and an ISG. Honda hasn't revealed any of the specs yet, but the Chinese model makes 212 system power.

That sounds like a lot, but unlike something like a Prius hybrid, this car will have a usable EV mode. Obviously, there will be a number of tweaks that are specific to the European market, so a bit of testing should take place in the coming months. For the CR-V, the default drive mode will be Hybrid, under which the car acts just like you'd expect. However, there's also going to be an Engine Drive mode where maximum power is extracted.

The only other engine available on the CR-V in Europe is the 1.5-liter turbo, also packing around 200 horsepower and fitted with a CVT gearbox.

Honda isn't going to be alone in this segment though. The popular Toyota RAV4 also has a hybrid version, as does the Rogue/X-Trail. Volkswagen showed the Tiguan GTE, a plug-in, but never put the concept into production.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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