THE European version of Honda's new 4x4, the CR-V, is due to make its debut at next month's Geneva Motor Show before going on sale in the UK in automatic form in June and in manual form in October.

The manufacturer's first sports utility vehicle will be available in two models, likely to be badged LS and ES, and will be priced from about £15,500 to about £17,500 with a target audience of car drivers. The CR-V is being billed as a spacious family carrier which doubles as urban transport, backed by Honda's four wheel drive which automatically sends power to the rear wheels when the front wheels lose traction.

Features range from a transversely-mounted 2.0-litre petrol engine using the Honda-patented quad-sequential sleeve block technology to a cargo area floor which doubles as a picnic table.

The Swiss show will also see the European debut of the new version of the Honda NSX sports car. New models will feature a more powerful 3.2-litre V6 engine, six-speed manual transmission and significant changes to brakes and steering. The new 3.2-litre V6 is complemented by the 256 PF 3.0-litre automatic which features the Formula 1 inspired F-matic gearbox allowing 'shift-it-yourself' clutchless changes.