HONDA CROSSTOUR CONCEPT AT NYIAS

Honda unveiled the 2013 Crosstour Concept at the New York International Auto Show, 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.

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. 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.
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, a 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 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.
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 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 economyalong 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 4WD 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 7,000RPM and 162 lb-ft of torque at 4,400RPM. To maximize efficiency, a 5-speed automatic transmission with Grade Logic Control is standard equipment.
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 unexpectedly out of its lane or to warn drivers of a potential collision in front of them. It 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 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.