Story and Photos by Patrick P. Tulfo
HONDA CARS PHILIPPINES INC. (HCPI) has officially launched the most advanced CR-V yet last September 13 at the Grand Hyatt Manila in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
The All-New Honda CR-V is the sixth generation of one of the company’s most successful model which was first introduced way back in 1995.
The latest generation represents the manufacturers’ goal of realizing carbon neutrality for all its products and corporate activities by 2050. The 6th-generation Honda CR-V is a major step in the firm’s electrification journey, the top variant CR-V 2.0 RS e: HEV E-CVT offers the most advanced safety and driving technologies in a CR-V.
THE FIRST-EVER E: HEV FULL HYBRID SYSTEM IN THE ALL-NEW CR-V
The All-New CR-V is equipped with Honda’s proven gasoline engine that is combine with the latest electrification technologies designed to achieved exceptionally low fuel consumption while providing a new level of driving pleasure.
The system is a powerful combination of two electric motors, the Traction and Generator Motor that is mated to a new four-cylinder, 2.0-liter Direct Injection Atkinson Cycle engine.
The engine is rated at 148ps and 183 N-m of torque while the electric motors have a rated output of 184ps and 335 N-m of torque.
While the electric motors operate throughout the low to high-speed range, the e: HEV relies on the gasoline engine alone for high-speed cruising. The e: HEV provides a unique combination of environmental performance and driving pleasure that is not possible with the engine alone.
The e: HEV full hybrid system can intelligently switch operating modes to suit various driving conditions and there are three modes to choose from.
The EV Drive Mode lets the vehicle run solely on battery power, Hybrid Drive Mode shifts the power between the engine and electric motors, and last but not the least is Engine drive mode that uses the power of the engine alone.
Aside from the powertrain mode the all-New CR-V is also equipped with Drive Mode Switch that enables the driver to easily select mode that suits their driving style, and these are the Sports, Normal and Econ Mode.
The e: HEV features a self-charging system that is achieve through its regenerative braking system and traction motor, the system harvest energy from braking and deceleration and recovers friction losses that would otherwise be unused.
The battery is also recharged via engine which serves as a generator to keep the electric drive system primed for action at a moment’s notice.
The All-New CR-V 2.0 RS e: HEV E-CVT comes with an 8-year or 200,000-kilometer battery warranty (whichever comes first) for added peace of mind of buyers.
Meanwhile, the other variants such as the 1.5 V Turbo CVT and the 1.5 VX Turbo CVT AWD (All Wheel Drive) uses the 1.5-liter Direct Injection DOHC engine equipped with Honda’s proven VTEC technology, a highly responsive and efficient turbocharger and exhaust system that helps maintain the engines peak power over a wide power band.
The engine delivers the highest power output yet for a CR-V at 190ps and 240N-m of torque. The substantial power increase gives confidence when overtaking slower vehicles, acceleration and when its fully loaded.
Both powertrains provide outstanding fuel economy with the e: HEV achieving an astonishing 29.4 KM/L in city driving and 16.4 KM/L for the non-hybrid variant also in city driving.
FULLY EQUIPPED WITH ADVANCED SAFETY AND DRIVING TECHNOLOGIES
All variants are equipped with the latest generation of Honda SENSING driver-assistive technology with a new front sensor camera and radar system. The new camera has a wider field of view at 90 degrees. While the radar mounted behind the Hondas logo on the grille now has a 120 degrees field of view which is up by 70 degrees from the previous model. This helps better in detecting cars, motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians.
HONDA SENSING now includes the following features;
- Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS)
- Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)
- Road Departure Mitigation System with Lane Departure Warning (RDM with LDW)
- Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow (ACC with LCF)
- Auto High Beam (AHB) and for the first time Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) (exclusively for the RS e: HEV CVT variant), an intelligent LED headlight that helps enhance visibility as well as adjusting the height of the light beam to avoid blinding cars and pedestrians.
- Lead Car Departure Notification System (LCDN)
ENHANCED SAFETY, SECURITY AND CONVENIENCE WITH HONDA CONNECT
The new Honda Connect allows a seamless connection between the vehicle and the owners smartphone thru an application. By introducing this feature, Honda strives to promote greater safety, security, comfort and convenience to all would be buyers.
The Honda CONNECT, for example, comes with the following features such as Find My Car, Geofencing Alert and Emergency Call. In Find My Car, owners will now have an easy way of tracking their car’s location in parking lot by sending a pin location to their mobile device. Geofencing Alert on the other hand notifies the owner if their vehicle is taken beyond a set area limit and finally the Emergency Calls access emergency contacts through the app.
The Honda CONNECT also enables owners remotely Start and Stop their engines, remotely turn on their air conditioners, Remote lock/unlock and even a Remote light control.
But its most salient feature is the apps’ ability to schedule an appointment to their nearest service center when it automatically reminds the owner that their unit is due for servicing.
The all-new Honda CR-V was awarded with five stars rating by the ASEAN New Car Assessment Program (ASEAN NCAP) thanks to features found in the Honda SENSING. It also achieved a strong performance in impact protection with the active and passive safety features working together. The all-new Honda CR-V received an impressive overall score of 87.16 out 100 in safety.
The All-New CR-V 1.5 V Turbo CVT and 1.5 VX Turbo CVT AWD variants will arrive this month while the 2.0 RS e: HEV E-CVT will be available in October and with the following prices,
1.5 V Turbo CVT – P2,100,000
1.5 VX Turbo CVT AWD – P2,280,000
2.0 RS e: HEV E-CVT – P2,590,000
Interested customers are invited to experience the All-New CR-V at the Drive the Future event in SM Mall of Asia Central Atrium on September 21-24, 10:00 – 10:00 pm, interested buyers may also visit any of the 37 Honda Cars dealerships nationwide or HCPI’s website www.hondaphil.com.