2012 Honda CR-V Spied During Testing

Two 2012 Honda CR-V prototypes have been captured by one of Motorauthority spy photographers undergoing hot-weather testing in California’s Death Valley.

Considering the competition, Honda will need to pull something special out of the bag to ensure its CR-V will draw in the customers. The current model, despite its age, remains a top seller in the small to mid-size crossover segment, selling in numbers as high 200,000 units per year in the recent past, and this is surely performance Honda would not like to lose.

In these new spy pics we can see that the high-expectations for the upcoming 2012 Honda CR-V may actually be met by the automaker’s design team. The shape of the prototypes seen here looks to be much more fluid than on previous generations, a gentle update to the current car, with a look almost like to the Porsche Cayenne.

Analyzing the pictures, these two prototypes look to be longer than the current model, suggesting that Honda may be readying a third-row seat to ensure the CR-V remains competitive with the Toyota RAV4, which currently offers the option.

We expect it to make between 180 and 200 hp—although the number may be closer to the bottom end of that range. It may be powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. The fuel economy also should improve slightly; in front-drive spec, the current model is rated for 21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway.

Look out for a world debut of the new 2012 Honda CR-V at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show this November.

Source: Motorauthority