Honda CR-V Hybrid Prototype previews Honda’s new 2018 CR-V SUV

The Honda CR-V Hybrid Prototype has been revealed ahead of a Geneva debut, previewing not just a new Hybrid CR-V, but the new 2018 Honda CR-V.

There’s a new Honda CR-V SUV on the way for 2018, and Honda are previewing its arrival with this, the Honda CR-v Hybrid Prototype, even though the new CR-V is expected to launch with petrol engines (and, apparently, no diesel options), with the CR-V Hybrid arriving a bit later.

The firts time the new CR-V has been seen in Europe, it gets an evolutionary update, is wider, taller and longer than the current model, bigger wheels and tyres, sharper lines and Honda’s latest family face.

Under the skin of the CR-V Hybrid lurks a 2.0 litre i-VTEC Atkinson Cycle engine and a pair of electric motors (well, and electric motor and electric generator), as well as a single fixed gear ratio.

It uses what Honda are calling ‘Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive’ (i-MMD) which automatically determines which mode – EV Drive, Hybrid Drive and Engine Drive – is best suited to the driver’s style and road conditions.

In EV drive, unsurprisingly, it’s all down to the electric motors to keep you moving, in Hybrid Mode the petrol engine sends power to the electric generator which delivers power to the electric motor, and in Engine Drive the petrol engine drives the wheels with an on-demand power boost from the electric motor when needed.

Honda isn’t giving out any information on the power output or efficiency of the Hybrid set-up in the new CR-V, but that will doubtless come when it’s officially revealed at Frankfurt.

The new Honda CR-V will be launched in the UK and Europe in 2018.