New Honda CR-V: the long-awaited hybrid version arrives in October

Redacción 21 September 2018 2 min.

New Honda CR-V: the long-awaited hybrid version arrives in October

Production of the Honda CR-V hybrid will begin next October.

The new Honda CR-V currently offers a single engine in its range: the 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol unit producing 173 CV (with manual gearbox) or 194 CV (with CVT automatic transmission). However, as we announced a few months ago, the Japanese mid-size SUV is set to receive a new hybrid version in early 2019. The new CR-V will therefore become the first Honda model to offer a hybrid version. We do not yet know how much this hybrid version will cost, but we do know the prices of the Honda CR-V in its petrol version.

181 CV hybrid powertrain

The electrified version of the SUV will use a 2.0-litre i-VTEC petrol engine alongside two electric motors. The combined output of this powertrain is 181 CV and 315 Nm of torque.

i-MMD system: maximum optimisation of hybrid technology

The car features an intelligent driving mode system called i-MMD (Multi-Mode Drive). This technology automatically switches between the three available driving modes to deliver the highest possible efficiency. In “EV Drive” mode (100% electric), the powertrain draws energy solely from the lithium-ion battery to power the electric motor, with the combustion engine disconnected. In “Hybrid Drive” mode, the petrol and electric motors work together. Finally, in “Motor Drive” mode, the car uses only the combustion engine. In this way, the i-MMD system alternates between “EV Drive” and “Hybrid Drive” during urban driving, while on the open road it activates only “Motor Drive”, as this is the most efficient mode in those conditions.

Honda says that the transition the i-MMD system makes between driving modes is practically imperceptible to occupants. They also confirm that the powertrain operates extremely quietly.