New York 2012: Honda Crosstour Concept *UPDATED*: Comments

[William Maley]

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William Maley

Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

April 3, 2012

A few weeks ago, we reported that Honda would show a Crosstour concept at the New York Auto Show. Well, the time has come and here is the Crosstour Concept.

At first glance, you're left wondering what has changed. Then after a second look, you notice a new grill and front bumper. Also, there is new body cladding along the side.

We'll update this when we get more information on the Crosstour concept.

*UPDATE*

William Maley

Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

April 4, 2012

Earlier today, Honda showed the Crosstour Concept at the New York Auto Show.

Honda is re-aiming the Crosstour at "active consumers," with its "more capable-looking styling". Hence why the concept has a rugged-esque front bumper and dark trim running around the sides.

Inside, the Crosstour gets updated trim, eight-inch display, keyless start, and LaneWatch blind-spot detection.

Power will either come from 2.4L four-cylinder or a 3.5L V6 that goes through a six-speed automatic.

The new Crosstour will go on sale sometime in the fall.

Press Release is on Page 2

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Honda Unveils 2013 Crosstour Concept at New York Auto Show

Next Crosstour to feature more capable-looking styling, more efficient V-6 drivetrain along with host of new safety and visibility features.

NEW YORK, April 4, 2012 – Honda unveiled the 2013 Crosstour Concept today at the New York International Auto Show (NYIAS), providing the first official glimpse of a more capable looking exterior styling direction for the luxurious mid-size CUV. Set to go on sale this fall, the Crosstour's defined lines will resonate more clearly with the active consumers that form the largest portion of the premium crossover segment. The 2013 Crosstour V-6 will feature improved fuel economy thanks to its new 6-speed automatic transmission, while both four-cylinder and V-6 versions will benefit from a host of safety and visibility upgrades.

"Fueled by a combination of versatility, luxury, and efficiency, owners have demonstrated remarkable devotion to the Honda Crosstour," said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda. "The 2013 Crosstour Concept shows how Honda will strengthen the styling and add even more content to one of the most efficient offerings in the class."

Concept Design

The Crosstour Concept features a more capable, SUV-like styling direction for Honda's mid-size crossover. A more aggressive and athletic front end, new contrasting moldings on the lower door garnish, and cleaner front and rear fascias anchored by the rugged look of finished sill plates provide more visual strength to the Crosstour Concept. Adding to the SUV-like stance, new rear-fender finish helps give the Concept a more solidly planted appearance.

Up front, the new integrated foglamp treatment is complemented by a slotted finish beneath the headlights, which helps integrate the new, bolder grille. The revised tailgate sports a more horizontal design to add visual width to the sculpted lines at the rear of the Crosstour.

The Crosstour Concept is coated in a fresh hue, similar to one of two new shades that will appear on the 2013 Crosstour. Anchoring the Crosstour Concept are unique 5-spoke 19-inch wheels, while the 2013 Honda Crosstour will feature new 18-inch alloy wheels.

Though not on display in the Crosstour Concept, the luxurious interior of the Honda Crosstour will see even further refinement for 2013, including heavily revised trim materials, the addition of an 8-inch, in-dash information display, keyless ignition, and steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters on V-6 models.

Advanced and Efficient Powertrains

The Crosstour will offer two powertrains for the 2013 model year: a re-engineered and more powerful 3.5-liter, 24-valve, SOHC, i-VTEC V-6 engine, or a 2.4-liter i-VTEC inline four-cylinder engine. The 2013 Crosstour V-6 models will feature a 6-speed automatic transmission and utilize Honda Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM®) technology to achieve class-leading V-6 fuel economy1 along with an overall improvement in fuel economy compared to the outgoing model. Also available on Crosstour EX-L V-6 models is Honda's Real Time 4WDTM system, which sends power to all four wheels when front-wheel slippage is detected.

The four-cylinder Crosstour models are powered by a 2.4-liter, 16-valve DOHC i-VTEC® engine producing 192 horsepower at 7,000 RPM and 162 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 RPM. To maximize efficiency, a 5-speed automatic transmission with Grade Logic Control is standard equipment.

Safety and Technology Innovations

The 2013 Crosstour will introduce numerous new safety features, and is targeted to earn top scores in the federal government's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). The next Crosstour will be available with Honda's Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Forward Collision Warning (FCW) technology. Both systems use a camera mounted behind the windshield to alert drivers if the car is moving out of its lane or to warn drivers of a potential collision in front of them.

The 2013 Crosstour will provide a host of visibility enhancements, and will be one of the first models to receive the Honda-exclusive LaneWatch™ blind-spot display, which uses a camera system mounted on the passenger mirror for an enhanced view of the passenger-side roadway. Standard equipment to further enhance visibility on the 2013 Crosstour will also include re-shaped rear headrests, a rearview camera and an Expanded View Driver's Mirror.

Standard Crosstour convenience features include an automatic dimming rearview mirror, auto-on/off headlights, Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® and USB audio interface. Other available features on the 2013 Crosstour will include a hard-drive based navigation system, Pandora internet radio interface, XM satellite radio and an SMS text-to-speech function.

Sales, Accolades and Manufacturing History

First launched in 2009, and now available with both V-6 and four-cylinder engines, the Crosstour remains one of the most versatile choices in the midsize crossover segment, and earned the distinction of J.D. Power and Associates' "Highest Ranked Midsize Crossover/SUV in Initial Quality" in their 2011 Initial Quality Study SM (IQS). The Crosstour is produced2 at Honda's East Liberty Plant in East Liberty, Ohio.

High resolution photography and video of the 2013 Crosstour Concept is available on the Honda Media Newsroom at www.hondanews.com. More information about the Honda Crosstour, including high resolution photos and video, is available at www.hondanews.com.

1. Preliminary EPA mileage estimates determined by Honda. Final EPA mileage estimates not available at the time of printing.

2. Honda products are produced using domestic and globally sourced parts.

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[ZL-1]

wow... vomit inducing...

[David]

wow... vomit inducing...

This car still turns me off :barf:I cannot seem to understad how far off the mark Honda is with this car.

[!!!TED!!!]

Terrible!

[frogger]

Makes the Venza look like a supermodel

[CanadianBacon94]

I would like to see something along the lines of Motor trends "Refreshing or revolting" articles on new models

picture comparisons, and yes, i'm aware i can go find pictures,and there would be a big work load with all the new cars , but i think they make interesting articles

[Blake Noble]

Interesting idea, Mr. Bacon.

Anyway, I only have one thing to say about the Crosstour Concept: Why bother?

[Intrepidation]

Dear gods its so ugly it offends all my senses.

[Drew Dowdell]

192 hp and a 5-speed auto, way to bring the high tech stuff there Honda.

[regfootball]

just not understanding Honda here.

[Robert Hall]

Ok...they made it uglier..

[!!!TED!!!]

They should have built this in the first place!

Edited April 5, 2012 by !!!TED!!!

[ZL-1]

They should have built this in the first place!

The fact that a mule made up up from a Euro Accord wagon body and a US-Accord front end looks a 100000000x better than the production Crosstour says it all...

[FAPTurbo]

Honda is re-aiming the Crosstour at "active consumers," with its "more capable-looking styling". Hence why the concept has a rugged-esque front bumper and dark trim running around the sides.

Sooo, the same people that Subaru targets? Flannel-clad lesbians with even worse taste than the typical flannel-clad lesbian?

[bobo]

Interesting Euro Accord mule, which I guess Honda decided to sell instead as the Acura TSX wagon.

As for the Crosstour, I don't know that it's any worse than the original. It's just been given the "Outback" treatment.