heart transplantation for Honda CR-V:
Indian Stock markets are facing correction(till november 22nd) after a long rally. Similar is felt in Indian SUV market. Tata Motors recently came up with a 2.2L DICOR which replaced the 3.0L engine. Mahindra and Mahindra’s 2.6L engine will pave way for the less displacing 2.2L m-HAWK engine to power the flagship scorpio. Following Tata and Mahindra, Honda will strap a 2.0L(already used in international markets) under the hood of the CR-V. The first Honda CR-V came to India in 2003, was powered by a 2.0L engine. In 2005, Honda launched the CR-V with the accord’s 2.4L engine. Last year Honda unveiled the third generation CR-V but with the 2nd generation K-series 2.4L engine. But the european market received the new third generation R-series engine and it is well receieved by the customers in the europe. Though similar is a case in india, Honda feels that a correction in price and with the next generation engine CR-V will be in a better position to take on the upcoming Chevrolet Captiva, Hyundai santa fe, volkswagen tiguan and automatic scorpio.
B20 -> k20–> R20 engines for CR-V
The R20 engine is basically a stroked version of the R18 engine that powers the Honda Civic 1.8 liter model. The R20 is a SOHC i-VTEC engine, making 150PS at 6,200 rpm and 190Nm of torque at 4,200rpm. The engine is particularly fuel saving at cruising speeds because of Honda’s use of a drive-by-wire throttle. The new 2.0L engine uses the same ECU(Electronic Control Unit) as the Honda K-series engines. During low load conditions, the pumping losses caused by the small throttle butterfly opening are avoided by letting the throttle butterfly open wider than it normally would. To offset the larger amount of air coming in, the intake valve timing is delayed. This reduces pumping losses up to 16 percent.
The reduction in power means you can expect the Honda CR-V to be more frugal. The 2.0 – litre engine is also likely to be sold only in manual form. Since this will enable Honda to take on the Maruti Suzuki’s grand vitara. Honda CR-V 2.0L will be priced lower than the current CR-V.
Diesel punch for the CR-V:
What about Honda launching the CR-V with its sole 2.2 liter turbodiesel i-CTDi engine that makes 140PS in India? “For larger cars, with the 2.2 litre diesel, yes, we are seriously considering it,” Takedagawa added. We shall wait!