Honda introduces the CR-V Hybrid for the European market

KUALA LUMPUR: It has been a year since the brand new Honda CR-V was introduced. However, the vehicle went on sale in Europe this summer only. Honda has now introduced a hybrid version for the European market. The hybrid is already available in China and is soon to be introduced in Japan as well.

With the new hybrid system, the Honda CR-V has become the first ever hybrid model of the manufacturer to be sold in the European market. The engine replaces the 2.2-litre i-DTEC diesel variant and features an i-MMD (Sport Hybrid Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive) engine. A combination of two electric motors along with a 2.0-litre Atkinson-cycle i-VTEC gasoline engine is present in the hybrid system. The combination is further coupled with a Li-ion battery pack and a direct transmission with a single fixed-gear ratio.

The hybrid system is capable of pumping out up to 184 PS of power and a 315 of peak torque. There is not much information available about the fuel efficiency as of now.

The i-MMD switches between the three driving modes automatically so that it can provide the best possible efficiency. In the hybrid driving mode, the second motor is powered by the ICE and the motor adds the electrical energy from the battery. After that, a lock-up clutch mechanism is activated by the Engine Drive mode that connects the wheels along with the petrol engine.

The system is powered by the Li-ion battery so that it can provide the required power to the propulsion motor to drive the wheels. During its working, the petrol engine remains switched off. This happens only when the SUV is in EV drive mode. At the time of the driving through the city, the system will keep switching between EV Drive and Hybrid Drive in order to meet its prime efficiency.

Production for the European markets will start from the next month, and the pre-bookings or the deliveries of the vehicle will begin early next year.