2017 All-New Thai Market Honda CR-V Gets i-DTEC Diesel Engine

Honda Automobile Thailand have confirmed the upcoming all-new Honda CR-V, will be offered for the first time, with a 1.6-litre i-DTEC turbodiesel engine, and paired to a 9-speed automatic transmission.

The 1.6L i-DTEC 4-cylinder turbo engine was developed by Honda’s engineering team in Japan under its “Earth Dreams” technology program.

The key system features of the 1.6L i-DTEC 4-cylinder Turbo engine are a 2-stage turbo system, which is able to create high torque at low engine speeds. The 1.6-litre i-DTEC is also very light, some 47kg lighter than the previous 2.2-litre i-DTEC turbo diesel engine, thanks to an aluminium cylinder head and open-deck aluminium engine block.

The engine produces of 160hp at 4,000 rpm and maximum torque of 350Nm at 2,000 rpm, while still managing frugal fuel economy of 5.3litres/100km. When paired to the 9-speed automatic transmission, emits 141 g/km of CO2.

The all-new Honda CR-V was launched for the North American market recently, based on recent spy shots, hint at a Thai market launch very soon.

The Malaysian market should also receive the all-new Honda CR-V in 2017, however, the diesel engine it is unlikely to be offered here. Thailand's emissions based excise duty structure dictates, that low-CO2 emitting diesel vehicles which enjoy greater tax breaks are needed over there. 

Malaysia's insistence on rolling out B10 biodiesel adds another layer of uncertainty to manufacturers, while the necessary Euro 5 diesel grade is not yet available nationwide.