All-new Honda CR-V selling?
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All-new Honda CR-V selling?
There were qualms–at first–about whether or not the all-new sixth-generation Honda CR-V would sell when it first arrived on our shores over two months ago . With far steeper price tags compared to its predecessor, many believed this all-new CR-V would hardly ever keep the status it worked so hard for years.
Globally, the “Comfortable Runabout Vehicle” has already sold 13 million units since its introduction in 1995.
Here in the country, the CR-V has already sold over 70,000 units since its inception over 25 years ago.
Today, it still seeks to solidify its position as the leader of the C-segment SUVs.
Despite this CR-V’s hefty price tags: 1.5 V Turbo CVT–P 2,100,000; 1.5 VX Turbo CVT AWD – P 2,280,000 and 2.0 RS e:HEV E-CVT – P 2,590,000, Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. is adamant to reach sales targets it first projected during the model’s launch at the Grand Hyatt Manila in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig back in September.
In fact, HCPI General Manager Atty. Louie Soriano stated during the vehicle’s unveiling: “We’re looking at 300 units per month. And the ratio is about 30% for the CR-V e:HEV and 70% for the VTEC Turbo variants.”
Now, critics and naysayers be damned.
Recently, at the all-new Honda CR-V media drive from Manila to Bataan, Soriano divulged that the company has already rolled out 380 units of the model from its wide dealership network nationwide. The most sellable variant is the mid-range 1.5 VX Turbo CVT AWD, while the hybrid variant is the second most popular.
If this trend continues–which most likely it will, the company is well on its way to reach its targeted sales volume.
Unprecedented full hybrid system
The all-new Honda CR-V was able to combine the marque’s iconic engine with its newest electric technologies to be able to deliver exceptional fuel-rating and driving performance.
The technology is an amalgamation of two electric motors, the Traction Motor and the Generator Motor. These then are mated to a new four-cylinder, 2.0-liter Direct Injection Atkinson Cycle engine, providing 147hp and 183N-m of torque. Combined with the electric motor, it churns out a total of 183hp and 335N-m of torque.
The e:HEV full hybrid system can intelligently switch operating modes depending on the terrain and driving situations. There are three modes. These are EV Drive Mode which lets the vehicle run solely on battery power, Hybrid Drive mode, shifting power between the electric motor and the engine, and the usual Engine Drive Mode.
The ability to run on individual power modes is the main benefit of a full hybrid electric system.
Also, this comes with a Drive Mode Switch, enabling the driver to do this with a cinch, selecting from Sport, Normal and Eco modes.
In a recent study done by the company, the Honda CR-V e:HEV variant was able to produce a remarkable 29.4km/l in an urban setting, while the gasoline variants were able to do 16.4 km/l.
Combine these with top-notch aesthetics, safety technologies and exceptional creature comforts and–definitely–this CR-V becomes a true “All-rounder”, a moniker it has always been known for. Hence, this is probably the reason why this vehicle still continues to in rake in volumes in the local market.
This all-new CR-V is available in five colors: Platinum White Pearl; Canyon River Blue Metallic; Meteoroid Gray Metallic Ignite; Red Metallic (2.0 RS e:HEV E-CVT only) and Lunar Silver Metallic (1.5 VX AWD Turbo CVT and 1.5 V Turbo CVT).
