Honda releases image of their all-new, fourth generation, CR-V Concept

Honda has just released a teaser image of their new fourth generation Honda CR-V Concept which is set to go on sale in the United States by the end of 2011 and in Europe in Autumn 2012. This is the first official image of the new concept and shows the styling direction Honda is taking with this popular SUV.

The new Honda CR-V has a distinctive and bold styling taking on a much more aggressive stance than the outgoing model, with deeper sculpting of the body lines and a bolder front fascia. The front bumper also wraps upward to show off its SUV credentials with the overall front bumper design integrating smoothly into the fascia for greater aerodynamics.

At the rear, the car’s vertical tail-lights have a more three-dimensional style and the new CR-V will come with more fuel-efficient engines when launched. This is an important model for Honda as it is one of the top-selling SUVs in the world, having been sold in more than 160 countries throughout Europe, Asia, North America, South America and Africa. It will be offically unveiled at the Orange County International Auto Show in Anaheim, California in September of this year.  If you can’t wait until 2012 for your new Honda CR-V then we have the current model available on Honda contract hire now.
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Infiniti reveals C-segment ambitions with new ETHEREA concept

Nissan’s luxury arm, Infiniti, has today released the first images of its concept car for the Geneva Motor Show next March. Called ETHEREA, it is a compact luxury model that previews how a future entry-level Infiniti could well look.

Featuring a bonnet very much reminiscent of production Infiniti cars, the concept reveals an evolving marque identity, and has the Audi A3 and new Lexus CT-200h in its sights, should a production ready version make an appearance later in the year.

“ETHEREA is about a new type of luxury for younger buyers,” said Toru Saito, Corporate Vice President and Leader of the Global Infiniti Business Unit. “It is not just a smaller version of a typically conservative and traditional luxury car.”

Designed under the direction of Senior Vice President of Design Shiro Nakamura, ETHEREA blends elements of coupé, sedan, hatchback and even crossover in one highly sculptural, near-mono volume form.

Measuring 4.4 metres in length, the car fits comfortably into the C-segment territory, and the compact concept promises an efficient use of space and innovative access arrangements. The ETHEREA also features the distinctive crescent-shaped C-pillar first seen on the Essence concept but a design feature which will be used on new production models in the future.

Should the Infiniti ETHEREA make it to production? Can it compete in the competitive luxury C-segment market? Let us know your thoughts in the comments box below.
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