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High winds that uprooted trees and brought down power lines in Canterbury during the week disrupted the launch of the new Honda CRV and the company's plans to take the main road from Hanmer Springs to Christchurch.
Instead, the fleet took a 30km detour on a single-lane gravel road out of Hanmer and rejoined the main road further down the line.
"It was an old road with a number of one-way bridges, but it was nothing most cars couldn't handle," said Honda New Zealand marketing manager Graeme Meyer. "The CRV made it look easy."
Honda had given the new-look lifestyle vehicle its first test of back-country roads the previous day on a 160km hike from Richmond over the Rainbow Track and Wairau River between the St Arnaud and Raglan ranges, and into Hanmer for the night. But police closed part of the Hanmer-Christchurch road early the next morning and Honda and its guests had to circle the CRV wagons at the resort until after lunch. Another 150km mix of metal and main roads got them to Christchurch about seven hours later than planned. The forced change of route suited Honda's executives down to the ground: the CRV and its improved all-wheel-drive system had gone where no CRV had gone before.
"The CRV steps up to set the benchmark for a true driver's sports utility vehicle, with performance matched by space and specification," said Honda NZ managing director Graeme Seymour.
"We are shaping tomorrow with leading-edge style, more power, sharper handling and a big dose of high-tech to re-engineer the third-generation CRV as a true driver's SUV."
The latest CRV - the first-generation model appeared here in 1996 - is wider than its predecessor but not as long. Overall length has been reduced by 76mm, due to the relocation of the spare tyre from the tailgate to underneath the rear cargo area.
Honda says the vehicle is stronger, quieter and more refined. Its suspension system has been reworked for improved ride and handling and the all-wheel-drive system provides 20 per cent more drive to the rear wheels for better traction. The cabin blends innovative storage solutions with improved architecture, it says.
The CRV is powered by a low-emissions 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 125kW (170bhp) and 218Nm of torque and mated to either a five-speed automatic or six-speed manual.
Prices start at $38,400 through to $46,500.
