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HONDA redefines the light four-wheel-drive vehicle market with the release of the all- new Honda CR-V.

This first sports utility vehicle made by Honda features agile double-wishbone suspension, a fuel-saving "Real Time" four-wheel-drive system and a powerful DOHC 2.0-litre engine with a unique compact block design.

Like its award-winning stablemate, the Odyssey, the Honda CR-V creates new benchmarks in its class for ride comfort, handling, performance and functionality at its first attempt.

It comes comprehensively equipped with dual SRS airbags, air-conditioning, power steering, keyless central locking, immobiliser, stereo and choice of five-speed manual or four-speed Grade Logic automatic transmission.

The CR-V is high on innovation, with features ranging from a flat floor for easy movement around the cabin, to a removable picnic table that doubles as the floor of the luggage compartment.

The CR-V has been a sales hit in international markets where it has been launched progressively since 1996. In Japan in its first year, it averaged 9000 units a month or three times the original sales target, while in North America, it toppled the Toyota RAV-4's monthly sales record in its first month.

The Honda CR-V is based on a new monocoque platform reinforced with a strong underframe of multiple crossmembers and stiffeners to create a rugged, rigid box. The crossmembers are welded to the underside of the floorpan, leaving a useful flat floor throughout the cabin.

Short overhangs permit excellent approach and departure angles, while a wide track of 1535 mm provides excellent stability.
The CR-V meets all international passenger car crash regulations, including international side-impact standards.

Ninety per cent of all external panels are galvanised for protection against corrosion. The trademark Honda double-wishbone suspension has been re-designed for the CR-V, providing sure-footed grip and car-like ride.

The Real Time four-wheel-drive system engages automatically when required. Under normal road conditions, the system drives only through the front wheels for maximum fuel efficiency. A central clutch automatically transmits power to the rear wheels when the rotation speed of the front wheels differs to that of the rear wheels.

The Real Time system is controlled by dual hydraulic pumps - one on the front axle and on the rear. When slip occurs, the imbalance in the pressures from the two pumps instantaneously engages the clutch, shifting the vehicle to four-wheel-drive.

The new fuel-efficient, 2.0-litre, 16-valve, dual-overhead camshaft engine develops 94 kW of power and 182 Nm of torque for outstanding highway and off-road performance.

This engine features a worldfirst compact block design that permits a 2.0-litre engine capacity within the external dimensions of a 1.6-litre engine. This is achieved by casting all four iron cylinder liners into a single sequential unit, thus eliminating the conventional alloy separation between the cylinders. This method reduces the width between the bores from 9 mm to 6 mm, allowing bigger bores without expanding the block. Weight is reduced 15-20 per cent.

The engine is mated to a rugged five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic transmission featuring Honda's patented Grade Logic Control. This fuzzy logic system automatically holds a lower gear while climbing a steep grade, eliminating "gear hunting", and also downshifts when travelling downhill for engine braking assistance.

The spacious five-seat interior features reclining seatbacks front and rear, split4olding rear seats and a walk-through area between the front seats.

A two-way tailgate provides access to the rear cargo area, with up to 668 litres of cargo space available with the seats down. Beneath the removable floor/picnic table is a plastic storage well that can be used for storing wet items such as wetsuits and snow boots.

The spare wheel is located low on the rear tailgate for excellent rear visibility.

Honda Australia Senior Director Neal Robertson said Honda's long-awaited first four- wheel-drive vehicle had been designed, engineered and built with all the attributes usually associated with Honda products - innovation, quality, durability and functionality.

"Typically, Honda has put a lot of thought into this vehicle," he said. "It was created as a benchmark, not just in technology and engineering but in value for money too.

"The CR-V has been well worth the wait."

CR-V MAJOR FEATURES

• 2.0-litre 94 kW DOHC 16-valve alloy four-cylinder engine with compact sequential block design.
• Five-speed manual transmission or 4-speed Grade Logic automatic transmission.
• Honda's "Real Time" four-wheel-drive system providing fuel-efficient front-wheel drive for normal conditions, automatically switching to all-wheel drive in slippery conditions.
• Four-wheel double-wishbone suspension.
• Monocoque body with underframe and flat floor.
• Variable-assist power rack and pinion steering.
• Split rear tailgate with low-mounted spare wheel.
• Dual SRS airbags.
• High-output air-conditioning.
• keyless entry.
• Power windows.
• Electric mirrors.
• Folding driver's seat armrest (auto only).
• Fold down 50/50 split rear reclining seat.
• All seats reclining.
• Walk-through facility between front seats for rear seat access.
• Foldable table with cup-holder between front seats.
• Under4loor wet storage compartment.
• Removable picnic table with fold-down legs in cargo floor.
• AM/FM radio/cassette stereo with four speakers.
• Adjustable steering column.
• Intermittent wiper/washers, front and rear.
• Immobiliser.
• Remote tailgate opener.
• Heat absorbing green glass.
• Overhead map lights.
• Cargo area light.
• Door-pocket storage in front and rear.

SALES & MARKETING

The Honda CR-V gives Honda Australia access to a new market with great potential for incremental sales volume.
Previously known as a builder of fine sports cars, sedans and, of course, motorcycles, Honda is making a major impact on the world recreational vehicle market by applying the same standards of design and build quality to new models such as the CR-V.

Just as the 1995 Car of the Year, the Honda Odyssey, redefined the people mover market around the world, the CR-V is reshaping the light 4x4 segment on international markets.

Sales have outstripped supply in Japan, the U.S. and other markets as the CR-V phenomenon spreads around the world.

Honda originally planned to sell around 36,000 CR-Vs a year from one production line for the Japanese domestic market only, but local and export demand forced Honda to triple production capacity in 1997 to about 100,000 units. A further increase is planned for
1998.

Honda Australia expects the CR-V to be one of its top three sales performers (after the Civic and Accord), selling at least 200 units a month.

The CR-V is being launched into a vibrant market segment that has seen light four- wheel-drive wagon volumes jump almost two fold since 1991. The growth shows no sign of waning.

Honda analysis shows that the CR-V is expected to have a high appeal to both sexes, thanks partly to its finely balanced styling that is neither blatantly macho nor overtly trendy.

But the main selling point will be value for money.

Honda General Manager Sales Tony Devers said the CR-V's blend of finely-honed design, durability, quality and user friendliness had been matched to an excellent price.

"We have positioned this vehicle to take maximum advantage of its many attributes. It all adds up to a great package at a great price."