Saturday, June 26, 2010

2011 Honda CR-Z Priced From $19,200

2011 Honda CR-Z

The base model of Honda's all-new 2011 CR-Z has been priced at $19,200, which doesn't include a $750 destination fee. The sporty hybrid coupe will get a price bump to $20,760 for the EX trim and top out at $23,210 with navigation and a continuously variable automatic transmission.

2011 Honda CR-Z

While more expensive, the CVT increases fuel economy from 31/37 miles per gallon in the city and 35/39 mpg on the highway. There's no doubt that Honda was eager to push the starting price below the $20,000 threshold (and below its own Insight), making the CR-Z the cheapest hybrid available.

Friday, June 25, 2010

2011 Honda CR-Z Price

2011 Honda CR Z Priced From $19,200 2011 honda cr z

2011 Honda CR-Z Hybrid will go on sale in America from August, starting from just $19,200, with $750 destination charge. That’s a very good price for a sporty coupe, but the fact is that CR-Z is not sporty! It’s got a 1.5-liter iVTEC 4-cylinder engine with 125 hp. It’s just a good-looking hybrid car.

The CR-Z can be had with a six-speed manual transmission or an automatic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. It also has a 3-mode drive system which allows the driver to configure the vehicle’s responsiveness for Sport, Normal or Econ (Economy) driving modes. Driver efficiency tools include Eco Assist and Eco Scoring, which together can help drivers find improvements to efficient driving styles, while also comparing economy achievements to previous trips as well as the life of the vehicle.

The car is comes with two trim levels. The standard CR-Z features an AM/FM/CD/USB audio system with six speakers, automatic climate control, power windows and door locks, remote entry, cruise control. While the CR-Z EX also gets a 360-watt AM/FM/CD high-power audio system with seven speakers – including a subwoofer – Bluetooth HandsFreeLink, leather-wrapped steering wheel and more. The CR-Z EX is available with the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with Voice Recognition.

A fully loaded CR-Z EX with navigation costs $23,210.

2011 Honda Odyssey

2011 Honda Odyssey

Honda has released a new version of their best-selling Odyssey MPV in America and they say that it will redefine the whole concept of minivan! And they’re kinda right, because despite being a van the Odyssey looks like fun. That’s mainly due to the new crazy design, and the fact that it’s 1.6 inches lower and 1.4 inches wider than the old model.

Underneath that sleek and trendy design, you also get a lot of practicality and convenience. It’s a proper seven-seater and the Honda says that the view for the third-row seats is also improved. All of the rear seats also fold completely flat into the floor, making a huge cargo area. The cabin also features a very nice entertainment system for the rear passengers, with high-definition connectivity and split-screen viewing.

Monday, June 21, 2010

2011 Honda Odyssey Pictures and Details

2011 Honda Odyssey
The all-new 2011 Honda Odyssey seeks to redefine the concept of the minivan with its aggressive stance and sporty "lightning-bolt" beltline. The lightning bolt not only provides an exclusive appearance, but also adds increased visibility for third-row passengers. New interior features add more convenience for families, while available entertainment technology introduces high-definition connectivity and split-screen viewing. Currently the best-selling minivan in the U.S., the all-new 2011 Honda Odyssey is set to go on sale in the fall of 2010. Compared to the previous Odyssey, the 2011 model's lower roofline (-1.6 inches versus 2010 Odyssey EX) and wider track (+1.4 inches) contribute to a sleeker, stronger and more dynamic presence with improved aerodynamics that help increase fuel economy and also translate into more interior width.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

2011 Honda CR-Z, Brake Override Both on Their Way to Honda Customers

Honda has run into a number of challenges so far in 2010, including sales that are lagging the industry and a major delay to its next-generation Honda Civic program. But the company is planning to turn things around by launching a number of potential customer satisfiers in the coming months, including the 2011 Honda CR-Z.

The all-new hybrid is slated to go on sale later this summer, and Honda will continue to build excitement around its launch by debuting it at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles on June 15. The annual event is a major tradeshow for the video-gaming industry, providing an ideal venue for reaching the CR-Z's target audience.

With a design that Honda calls "evocative of video games," the CR-Z features a futuristic appearance, both inside and out. The exterior showcases a bold wedge-shaped look that gives the car an aggressive, forward-leaning stance, while the interior is a high-tech masterpiece that looks like it comes right out of a cutting-edge driving simulator.

http://www.autotropolis.com/wiki/images/1/15/2011_Honda_CR-Z_production_3.jpg

Notably, the CR-Z also will bring Honda's hallmark approach to dynamic driving to a whole new segment. The industry's first sport hybrid coupe even offers a "Sport" driving mode that adjusts the CR-Z for performance driving. Once drivers engage the "Sport" mode, the car automatically optimizes engine throttle response, steering effort, electric-motor power assist functionality and more. Yet with a continuously variable transmission, the car still boasts an impressive EPA rating of 36 mpg city/38 mpg highway.

The CR-Z will be the automaker's second dedicated hybrid to go on sale in the U.S. in the past year, following the Honda Insight. The affordable, practical Insight can attain EPA ratings of 40 mpg city/43 mpg highway and is available with a base MSRP of under $20,000. The car has been gaining traction in the U.S. market, with sales up almost 160 percent through April.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

2010 Honda Civic EX-L

An absolute stalwart in the Honda line-up, the Civic maintains its popularity as a practical and quality economy car even after almost 40 years on the market. But, as the latest 2010 Honda 2010 Honda Civic EX-L

2010 Honda Civic EX-L

Civic shows, popularity comes at a price. Offensive to none, the Civic is a perfectly average little car to which only the most particular person would turn up their nose.

The Civic received its last major update for the 2006 model year, acquiring smooth sides and hovercraft like overhangs. Honda did get a little radical with the instrument cluster, using a bilevel arrangement with the tachometer in the usual place, and a digital speedometer just below the windshield.

Nav needs update
Minor updates for the Civic EX-L model with navigation that we reviewed include the addition of a Bluetooth cell phone system and iPod integration. But the navigation system in particular highlights the aching need for Honda's next generation Civic, due to arrive as a 2012 model. Not only are the maps low resolution, with jaggy graphics, but the route guidance is poor and response time is slow.

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Honda Recalls 167,000 Acuras

2010 Acura TSX Sports Sedan
2010 Acura TSX Sports Sedan
2010 Acura TSX Sports Sedan
Honda Motor Co Ltd (7267.T) said it would recall 167,255 Acura TSX sedans sold in the U.S. market to address the risk that power steering fluid could leak and cause an under-the-hood fire.

The recall, covering 2004-2008 model year Acura TSX vehicles with 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engines, comes after one fire was reported due to leaking fluid.

Honda and U.S. safety regulators said that over time power steering hoses may crack and leak.

U.S. safety regulators in a statement issued Friday morning said power steering fluid "leaking onto a hot exhaust pipe will generate smoke and a burning smell, and could potentially result in an under hood fire."
2010 Acura TSX Sports Sedan 2010 Acura TSX Sports Sedan

Honda will notify U.S. Acura TSX owners and its dealers will repair the Acuras for free, beginning on May 28, said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in a report.

The repair, Honda said, involves installation of a new power steering hose, O-ring gasket and fluid.
2010 Acura TSX Sports Sedan
2010 Acura TSX Sports Sedan

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Oklahoma will be getting natural gas-powered Honda Civic

Honda Civic GX

Honda Civic GX

Much to the chagrin of buyers in many states, the Honda Civic GX is currently sold only in the States of California, New York, and Utah. The reason? Infrastructure. The GX is natural gas powered and therefore requires natural gas filling stations, or home filling stations. Oklahoma has now been added to the list of states in which the car will be available for consumer purchase; it had previously been available in Oklahoma to commercial fleets.

Honda has made their decision in light of Oklahoma being the second leading state in natural gas production and the incentives offered by the State of Oklahoma.

Oklahoma will be getting natural gas-powered Honda Civic

Honda Civic GX

Honda Civic GX

Much to the chagrin of buyers in many states, the Honda Civic GX is currently sold only in the States of California, New York, and Utah. The reason? Infrastructure. The GX is natural gas powered and therefore requires natural gas filling stations, or home filling stations. Oklahoma has now been added to the list of states in which the car will be available for consumer purchase; it had previously been available in Oklahoma to commercial fleets.

Honda has made their decision in light of Oklahoma being the second leading state in natural gas production and the incentives offered by the State of Oklahoma.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Honda To Discontinue 4-Door Civic Type R

Civic Type R
HONDA HAS today announced that it will discontinue production of the Japan-market four-door Civic Type R, killing any chance of the performance model joining its three-door sibling and the regular Civic sedan here in Australia.

Civic Type R


While Honda has not revealed the specific reasons for the demise of the four-door Type R, the Japanese carmaker has also announced that it will launch a limited edition release of the three-door Civic Type R in the Japanese market.

Honda Stops Production Of Four-door Civic Type R

Honda Civic Type R
Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd says it will end sales of the four-door Civic Type R, following an announcement from Honda Motor Co. Ltd Japan that it will discontinue production of the car.

Currently, Malaysia is the only country outside Japan to sell the four-door Civic Type R.

"After having evaluated the model based on environmental performance, which is the new method of calculating emissions in JC08 mode, as well as current market demands, we believe that the time has come for us to discontinue production of the 4-door Civic Type R," said the Managing Director and Chief Executive officer of Honda Malaysia, Toru Takahashi in a statement here today.

To date, Honda Malaysia has sold 234 units of four-door Civic Type R since August 2007.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Is Honda Considering A Hotter Hybrid Sports Coupe?

2011 Honda CR-Z
The 2011 Honda CR-Z hasn’t even hit U.S. showrooms, but rumors are already circulating about the automaker possibly crafting a larger, more powerful hybrid sports coupe.

Honda’s new CR-Z sports hybrid combines a small 1.5-liter gasoline engine and an electric motor to put out a total of 118 horsepower -- not too much for a sports car.

A Honda insider told Motor Trend, however, that a larger hybrid sports coupe is planned for the near future with CR-Z-crushing performance. Details of the powertrain are still iffy, but the source says a car was originally conceived to mate a V-6 with a hybrid system. Now, engineers are considering using a more efficient 2.5-liter I-4 instead of the six-banger. The V-6 system is still being considered for use in U.S.-spec minivans and SUVs.

Honda’s planned hybrid sports coupe is reported to be around the same size as the current Accord Coupe, providing seating for four. Although it will vastly outperform the CR-Z, the car will still be very efficient. One Honda engineer hinted that there are driver-selectable settings to aim for either performance of fuel economy.

Honda Settles Class-Action Suit Over Brakes

2008 Honda Accord EX-L V-6 sedan.
2008 Honda Accord EX-L V-6 sedan.

Honda has agreed to settle a class-action suit that claims the rear brakes in 750,000 late model Accords and Acura TSXs are wearing out more than twice as fast as they should.

The suit was filed in September, claiming that unreasonable wear was due to a defective design that caused “excessive force to be applied to the vehicle’s rear wheels.”

It covers 2008–9 Accords and 2009 Acura TSXs as well as a small number of 2010 models. The suit says the rear pads wear out in 15,000-20,000 miles when they should last at about 70,000 miles, that Honda has refused to provide repairs under the new-car warranty and failed to warn new buyers that the rear brakes would require such frequent repairs.

The suit attributes the problem to a new braking system that included four-wheel discs and an electronic brake distribution system that became standard on the 2008 Accord and 2009 TSX.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

2012 Honda Odyssey Concept

2012 Honda Odyssey Concept
2012 Honda Odyssey Concept


2012 Honda Odyssey Concept
Honda Odyssey Concept

2010 Honda CR-Z Price

2010 Honda CR-Z
Honda (UK) has announced competitive new pricing and an impressive specification for its new CR-Z hybrid coupe, which customers can order through the Honda dealer network from this Friday, 5 March.

The CR-Z is the world’s first sporty hybrid coupe; a great looking car that’s exciting to drive and has all the benefits of advanced, low emission hybrid technology.

As well as Honda’s petrol-electric IMA system, the car features three driving modes, which allows the driver to adapt the settings of the car to suit their needs – to maximise economy or to dash in and out of traffic, for example.

Pricing

CR-Z S £16,999
CR-Z Sport £17,999
CR-Z GT £19,999

Friday, March 12, 2010

Honda CR-Z Specifications and Prices Unveiled

Honda has announced recently its new competitive pricing and remarkable specification for the new Honda CR-Z hybrid coupe. This is Honda’s first ever sporty hybrid coupe which customers have been able to order from March 5th 2010 and has caused excitement due to its hybrid technology and great design.

Honda CR-ZThere are three driving modes which allows for the driver to adapt the setting of the car to their needs so whether they need to drive economically or switch to then drive in heavy traffic they can do so with ease.

The prices of the Honda CR-Z are as follows-:

CR-Z S £16,999
CR-Z Sport £17,999
CR-Z GT £19,999

All models come with Climate Control, Six Speaker CD player and an engine start button. The S grades have heated door mirrors, rear dimming mirror, electric window and daytime running lights.

2011 Honda CR-Z First Drive Test

2011 Honda CR-Z
2011 Honda CR-Z
Honda's once-proud sporting image has taken a beating lately. Its last foray into Formula 1 was a disaster, made even more embarrassing by the fact its former team swept the championship the year after it pulled out -- with Mercedes engines. The on-again, off-again NSX supercar program is now truly dead, along with the iconic S2000, both killed in favor of channeling resources toward good, clean family transport like the Fit, Civic and CR-V. But now an unlikely hybrid sports coupe with a 6-speed manual gearbox -- a world first for a hybrid drivetrain -- is set to inject some passion back into Honda's performance heritage. It's called the CR-Z.

The production CR-Z's exterior is nowhere near as taut and tight as that of the concept Honda revealed at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, which sent the blogosphere into a frenzy of anticipation: Was Honda bringing back the CR-X? While the production CR-Z lacks some of the muscularity of the concept, it still looks like nothing else on the road; that large, imposing grille and upslanting headlights start a design motif that finishes with a bold swish for a C-pillar and a sculptured rear deck.

Many readers will remember the wedge-shaped CR-X of the early 80s and see some strategic resemblances. But as project leader Norio Tomobe pointed out at our drive session: "We were not aiming for a modern day CR-X. We wanted to create a totally new type of hybrid sports coupe that would take us into a more discerning and environmentally-conscious 21st century. The fact that's it's a hybrid just adds another intriguing dimension to the sporty mix. If it reminds you of the CR-X then that's purely coincidental."

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Honda 3R-C Concept - Auto Shows

Honda 3R-C Concept

Honda has been delving deep into the weird lately, but at least this latest concept is something you sit in, rather than on (the unicycle), or next to while it plays a trumpet—oops, that’s Toyota’s robot; Honda’s Asimo only walks and shakes old people’s hands. Never mind.

The three-wheeled 3R-C will debut at the Geneva auto show, where it will share floor space with the decidedly less weird EV-N. Like the EV-N, the 3R-C is an electric vehicle, although this one only holds one occupant, rather snugly it appears—kind of like an electric sock you drive. The batteries are said to sit low in the vehicle, keeping the center of gravity close to the ground.

Honda Is Top Car Maker

A new study released by Consumer Reports finds the best all around car makers in its annual auto issue.

Honda took the top spot for the fourth straight year.

Subaru followed in second, Toyota took third and Hyundai landed in fourth.

The worst of the pack was Chrysler.

The ratings are based on road test and reliability score.

Other categories were ranked as well. Here is a list of the top cars in different categories:

Best Family Sedan - Nissan Altima
Best Small Sedan - Hyundai Elantra SE
Best Sporty Car - Volkswagen GTI
Best Small SUV - Subaru Forester
Best Family SUV - Chevrolet Traverse
Best Car Overall - Lexus LS 460L
Best Sports Sedan - Infiniti G37
Best Family Hauler - Mazda5
Best Green Car - Toyota Prius
Best Pickup Truck - Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

2010 Honda Accord Crosstour EX-L AWD

Honda Accord Crosstour

The new Honda Accord Crosstour looks weird. Its nose is too long, its roofline a little too low, and the back-end comes from outer space, with no known automotive predecessor. If an elephant sat on an SUV, you might end up with something like the Crosstour. But weird is not necessarily bad.

The 2010 Crosstour is undeniably functional, the rear hatch having inserts that lets it be either a large cargo space or a traditional closed trunk. And once in the driver's seat, the car feels like a Honda Accord, until you look in the rear view mirror. With its horizontally bisected rear glass, the view out the back looks the same as in a Prius or Insight.

The Crosstour that we reviewed was in EX-L trim, with the surprising addition of all-wheel drive. As we drove it up a rocky embankment to position it for a photo shoot, it began to feel like a capable off-road vehicle, high enough from the ground not to bottom out on a ridge. With the Crosstour, Honda is stepping into Subaru's market, offering a car-like all-wheel driver with enough cabin room for weekend ski trips.

An Acura interface
In EX-L trim, the cabin features wood trim, leather seats, and generally soft plastics covering every surface. The effect falls a little short of luxury, but it is nicely done overall. Familiar to us from many drives in Acuras was the large knob in the center of the stack, below the navigation LCD. This knob works as a joystick and dial to make selections onscreen. The Crosstour dashboard and steering wheel also suffer from button overload, a disease caught from Acura as well.

Honda Announces Limited Edition Civic Type R Mugen 200 for U.K.

Honda Civic Type-R Mugen 200

Honda’s announced a Civic Mugen for the masses. We’re big fans of the hardcore Honda (track test video here), but its 20-strong production run and £38K price hinder its success somewhat. This Civic-Type R Mugen 200 should remedy that.

While the standard Type-R’s 198bhp 2-litre VTEC engine remains, there are aerodynamic and styling mods similar to those of the full-strength Mugen, including tweaked bumpers and skirts, 19in ‘Lightning’ alloys and the obligatory Championship White paint scheme. The Mugen 200 also benefits from the fitment of a limited-slip differential. It’s the same one that transformed the Type-R White edition we ran on our long-term fleet, that car now effectively off sale.

Friday, January 1, 2010

Honda Small-Size Vehicle Concept at Auto Expo 2010, New Delhi

Honda has announced today that it will unveil the concept model for its new small-size vehicle at the Auto Expo 2010 that will be held in New Delhi, India from January 5 ~ 11, 2010. Honda is targeting India and other emerging nations with the small-size vehicle which will compete against the Tata Nano and Toyota EFC (Entry Family Car).

2009 Honda CR Z Concept Front Side View Honda Small Size Vehicle Concept at Auto Expo 2010, New Delhi

  • Honda is also expected to showcase its new hybrid concept – CR-Z Concept 2009, which made its world premiere at the Tokyo Motor Show in October 2009.
  • Honda’s Humanoid Robot, ASIMO is also scheduled to be showcased at the aptly named Honda booth “Inspired by Dynamism – Truly Honda by Nature”
  •