The image shows a CR-V with a larger upper grille featuring less chrome trim, and a modified lower grille and a reshaped bumper with new lower and smaller fog light housings. Although it's the JDM version — it may or may not translate into what the newish nose on the U.S. and Euro models will look like. We'll be there in person in Frankfurt to find out for ourselves. [Honda via Carscoop]

According to a Mag X article helpfully translated by the good folks at the Honda-happy Temple of VTEC, the 2012 CR-V will be based on the current platform and feature the same K24a 2.4-liter inline four as well as the 2.0-liter in FWD configurations only. The European model will receive the i-DTEC diesel engine, though there are no immediate plans to sell that configuration anywhere else. The U.S. will not receive a V6 option this time around. It's heavily rumored that Honda will completely revise its engine lineup for the 2012 CR-V's mid-cycle refresh, but what that means at this point is anybody's guess.

We're also told exterior design should be finalized by November of this year, with an announcement date of September of 2011, with a formal introduction taking place in October of 2011 at the Tokyo Motor Show.

If you were to believe the Mag X-provided illustration, then we'll likely see a more anime-styled CR-V for 2012 rather than the quirky model that's currently on the market. The design is scheduled to be finalized around November of this year with its public debut occuring at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show. [via TOV]

Famed Honda tuning shop, Japan's Mugen, is introducing a line of CR-V tweakage to sex up the newly rehabbed utility box. With a new, more curvilinear design to draw from, Mugen created a new line of add-ons from special paint, to aero and grille appointments, to engine tuning — well, ok, a decorative top for the engine, not, say, a sicko cam. Maybe they'll have that dialed in by next year's Tokyo Auto Show. [Gallery] – Mike Spinelli

CR-V [Mugen via Carscoop]

Related:
Mugen's Hondas at the Tokyo Auto Salon [internal]

Funny story. We had a tech snafu in the Paris auto show press room this afternoon. Apparently, Gawker ended up on some kind of banned-site list, which turned our online posting page into the Web 2.0 equivalent of the Great Wall of China, and we a trio of ersatz Mongols. (Don't get too excited, CNN wound up blocked, too). It turned out ok because we had time to check out the new hot hatchness over at Honda. The company unveiled the Civic Type R, the UK-built king of Honda's Civic tri-doors (we turn to our friends at World Car Fans, to whose photographic skills we humbly bow, for more extensive action), along with its racing equivalent (pictured). Honda also showed off the new Type S, whose suspension mechanicals form the basis for the Type R, and the Civic Hybrid Sports concept, which shows what can be done when SEMA meets Greenpeace. Beautiful music, indeed. And lest we forget, the homely but practical CRV. May we live in interesting times. [Gallery]

Related:
More on Honda [internal]

Late last week, the auto-journalism overlords at AutoWeek busted out with a feature on the US-bound 2007 Honda CRV, again obliterating the corporate embargo on publication of the press photos. Maybe we'd have cared even slightly had the UK shots not leaked weeks ago. Anyhow, AW says the new CR-V, which has the comport of an angry, appendage-less dung beetle, will start at $21,400, or nearly $28,000 in a higher-spec version that includes AWD. A higher-powered 2.4-liter inline four will provide power, along with a five-speed autobox (no manual) and a real hatch in the rear.

Related:
Embarg-Uh-Oed! AutoWeek Breaks Honda/Acura Embargo, Spews MDX Pics Across The Web!; New Honda CRV in the Blogosphere [internal]

The operatives at Carscoop procured shots of the next Honda CRV, yet to be revealed (UK version, natch). The new model promises to share quite a few visual cues with its upmarket cousin, the Acura RDX, though with a softer, more curvelinear approach taken throughout the rear section — particular in the portal design. More info, we'd imagine, is forthcoming, and we'll likely see it in Paris next month. [UPDATE: Tipster Dave came through again with some photos. Thanks, tipster Dave!] [UPDATE 2: According to Japan's Mag-X the new CR-V is due his month as a 2007 model. Dimensions are reported to be 176.97" x 70.86" x 66.14", a decrease of four inches in length, two millimeters in height, but an increase of .0.67" in width. More here.]

Exclusive: 2007 Honda CRV Official Pictures ! [Carscoop]

Related:
More on the Acura RDX [internal]

On a number of occasions, we've pronounced the Honda CR-V the best vehicle to shag in we've ever...erm, shagged in. But let's face it, it's always been somewhat homely. And well, if these spy photos are correct, they're hewing to the "butterface" theme with this latest model. We're sure it'll feel great once you're inside, but cripes, Honda...who wants to admit they actually did it? You've made good-looking vehicles before. Please start doing it again, or we'll start doing it elsewhere. Quirks are one thing: we can forgive that. Kinks that spring from an addiction to aesthetic unpleasance are another. [Thanks to Carlos for the tip.]

2007 Honda CR-V [Hollywood Confidential]

Related:
Spy Photos: More on the 2007 Honda CR-V [Internal]

World Car Fans offers a few new spy shots of a cladded-up 2007 Honda CR-V, whose disguise may or may not have been inspired by the Apollo space program. This mule's got Ohio plates, but was caught out West, where it was reportedly engaged in shakedown testing, considering the model's set to be introduced later this year. Moreover, despite sources inside Honda saying no hybrid version was forthcoming, WCF's spies say differently. You know what that means: Source vs. Spy fight club!

More Honda CR-V Spy PHotos (US Spec) [internal]

Related:
Spy Photos: 2007 Honda CRV [internal]

The 2007 Honda CR-V may be the sister ship to the Acura RDX — introduced at the New York show this past March — but it won't be getting the same hotshot turbocharged burner as its corporate cousin. Still, as a new set of spy shots suggest, the CR-V is certainly up for a redesign that will likely make it more competitive with the new-generation Toyota RAV4 (and other utes in its class picture). It'll also lose at least of its jeepster pretensions (i.e., the outside spare tire's coming in), but gain a much-needed horsepower boost. Look for it this fall.

More 2007 Honda CR-V Spy Photos [World Car Fans]

Related:
Pre-Release Video of Acura RDX SUV [internal]

The Temple of VTEC found some renderings of supposed upcoming Honda models in a Japanese magazine called, as translated from Katakana characters, "HorideeOoto." Holiday or no, the magazine reports the image above is of the 2007 CR-V. While ToVTEC gives the spread an overall credibility rating of 6, they say the image's likeness to Acura's RDX concept makes it more likely to be accurate. We'll see.

A New CR-V Sketch from [Temple of VTEC]

Related:
Over the Back Fence: New Models from Honda? [internal]

Honda revs up for rest of decade [Freep]

Related:
Sources Say: No Honda CR-V Hybrid; Fit Version a Go [internal]

The folks at Edmunds Inside Line appear to have heard from their Deep Throat at Honda, who says the hybrid CR-V that's been the subject of wide speculation is a non starter. The system is more feasible for cars, is the word from above, possibly referring to a steeper price differential due to the complexity of making the system viable for all-wheel drive. Watch for Acura to host the company's first hybrid SUV. As for the Fit, word is it won't get the Honda Insight's three-cylinder hybrid mill as had been rumored, but will get a new version of the Civic's IMA powerplant.

IL Exclusive: Honda Drops Plans for CR-V Hybrid [Edmunds]

Related:
Is Honda Working up a Fit Hybrid? [internal]