Honda CR-V Hybrid Prototype revealed

THE Honda CR-V Hybrid Prototype has been locked in for a Frankfurt Motor Show debut, featuring a 2.0-litre petrol engine paired with an electric motor and generator, and looking only slightly different to the SUV’s sharp new electron-fuelled looks unveiled in Shanghai recently.

The concept car is Honda’s first-ever electrified SUV. Its 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine uses the same fuel-efficient Atkinson cycle as Toyota’s locally-made Camry mid-size sedan, but pairs with one electric motor that assists the front wheels, and another that acts as a generator to draw electricity from the energy normally lost during braking and feed it back into the batteries.

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According to Honda, the hybrid CR-V doesn’t use a conventional automatic transmission. Instead it appears to be fitted with a single fixed-ratio planetary gear “that creates a direct connection between moving components, enabling a smooth transfer of torque within the system”.

A three-mode system allows the experimental CR-V to run on battery power alone, a combination of electrons and hydrocarbons, or exclusively on the petrol engine. The electric motor can kick in while accelerating to provide “an on-demand peak power boost”.

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European versions of the Honda CR-V will use either the hybrid system, or the 140kW turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine that is used in the CR-V line-up sold here.

The recently launched fifth-generation CR-V introduces an optional third row of seats for the first time.

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The hybrid CR-V differs only slightly to a hybrid-badged version unveiled in Shanghai in April; this European version is fitted with what looks like LED daytime running lights instead of conventional-looking fog lamps.

No drivetrain output details or fuel consumption figures were revealed.