Honda CR-V - more spyshots

About two months ago, the first set of spyshots for the 2012 Honda CR-V surfaced, thanks to the work of Brenda Priddy and Company. Because of the elongated D-pillar, increased length and a heavily covered up rear three-quarter window, many speculated that the next CR-V will spot a 7-seater option. We were quite convinced that a 7-seater model will be sold, at least as an optional extra. We base our conclusion on the fact that market leader Toyota RAV4 is sold with an optional third row seat in the US, giving it MPV-like seating capacity. But we recently came across the latest set of photos - showing inside the CR-V's rear hatch, and surprise surprise! No third row seats. The omission of third row seatbelts points tell us that there aren't any seats folded beneath the cargo either. So we are not too sure now.

It could be also that Honda is playing some games with spyshot photographers. First they heavily concealed the rear-three quarter window area, making it clear for all that they are hiding something important at the back, and then deliberately opening the rear hatch knowing that a photographer is trailing the crew in another vehicle. I say deliberate because if they are really serious on keeping things hidden, typical rules for driving of prototypes on public roads include not stopping a vehicle unless absolutely necessary, and to cover the vehicle in a large black drape before opening the vehicle. Plus, it wouldn't make much sense to lengthen the car's rear and not fit a third row seat option. Trunk space is not something that comes up frequently in CR-V customer clinic surveys.

Note that there are two different cars featured in the image sets above. Scroll up and you will notice that the vehicle in the first set do not have roof racks, while the vehicle in the second image sets comes with roof racks integrated into the roof rails. You will spot a tow kit at the car's rear. The car we saw with the rear hatch opened does not have roof-racks. So the 7-seater model option reserved for a higher range model only?