- Filed under: Concept Cars, Japan, Honda, Tokyo Auto Salon
Click above for a hi-res gallery of the Sports Modulo S2000 Concept and friends
Detroit's not the only auto show kicking off on January 11. The annual Tokyo Auto Salon (think "Japanese SEMA") also kicks off this Sunday, and Honda has announced the vehicle lineup it'll display at Makuhari Messe. The two headliners are the Sports Modulo S2000 and Fit concepts. The former is a somewhat ghastly take on Honda's two-seat sports car, with a face that belongs in an aquarium and side cladding straight from a '90s Pontiac stylist's wildest fantasies. Inside, the Sports Modulo S2000 Concept is actually very nice, with swanky brown leather adorning a variety of surfaces. It still doesn't atone for that clock-stoppingly ugly body kit, though. Read on for some brief commentary on a pair of other concepts headed to the show, and check out the gallery below for the complete model rundown.
Continue reading Honda unveils 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon lineup
Honda unveils 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon lineup originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Motorsports, Honda, Ferrari
Ross Brawn, who joined the Honda F1 team as Technical Director in 2007 after an extremely successful stint across the paddock at Ferrari, has said that the now-ownerless ex-Honda F1 team he manages would like to ink a deal with its Italian competitor for engines to power its Formula 1 racers. Now that Honda has officially pulled its factory support from the program, the team will need a good, reliable powerplant if it has any chance remaining competitive, and Ferrari already supplies engines to Scuderia Toro Rosso and Force India in addition to its own Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro factory effort.
Regardless of what powerplant Brawn's team chooses, it isn't likely to get an early shot at testing. At this point, the team is just looking to stay on the track as it attempts to find itself a new buyer and any success found on the track for the '09 season would just be icing on the cake. Thanks for the tip, Eric!
[Source: F1 Fanatic - Photo: Tim Wang CC 2.0]Ferrari may supply engines for Honda's ex-F1 team originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Convertibles, Coupes, Hybrids/Alternative, Sedans/Saloons, Sports/GTs, Euro, Plants/Manufacturing, Acura, Honda
Honda's attempt to right-size its development schedule and cope with the economic downturn apparently extends beyond the cancellation of the next NSX. According to Autocar, HoMoCo is right-sizing its plans for the next two years, and that includes rethinking the development of a range of rear-wheel-drive Acuras, a new V8, a convertible based on the CR-Z and the S2000's successor.
Acura seems to be carrying the weight of the bad news, with its RWD 7-series rival, originally due out in 2015, cancelled indefinitely, along with development of a V8 engine that would allow the brand to compete with the best and brightest from Germany. The Euro-market Legend could also be on the block and there's a chance that Honda will stop developing two separate Accord models for sale in the U.S. and abroad, instead opting for one mid-size sedan to be sold worldwide.
Unfortunately, the development cease-fire also extends to Honda's smaller offerings. Honda planned to release a drop-top version of its CR-Z after the hybrid goes on sale next year, but that model has been nixed. Even more disturbingly, 2009 will be the last year of production for the S2000, with no heir apparent waiting in the wings.
We're hoping to get more details on the cut-backs as the week progresses, but needless to say, there's more than enough disappointment to go around.
[Source: Autocar]Honda reportedly kills S2000 replacement, V8 program, RWD Acuras originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Hybrids/Alternative, Euro, Green, Honda
Click above for a gallery of the Euro-spec 2009 Honda Insight
We're still six days away from the official unveiling of the 2009 Honda Insight at the Detroit Auto Show, but the crew at Carscoop just couldn't wait to release images of the European-spec hybrid ahead of its debut.
The Euro model shown here won't differ too much from the U.S. version, but the stylistic differences between the production version and its conceptual predecessor are obvious at first glance. As we've seen before, the front fascia carries over largely unchanged, although the technorific LED headlamps, deeply recessed fog lamps/air intakes and gaudy brightwork are all left on the designer's desk. The side mirrors have grown in proportion to the door handles, and the C-pillar is noticeably thicker than the concept that bowed in Paris. The rear has also been smoothed over, with the Prius-esque (or is that CRX-inspired?) hatch losing a bit of glass, along with the contoured cut-out for the license plate, which is now mounted lower on the bumper, with a prominent "H" badge floating on a body-colored panel.
Although the interior hasn't been revealed in full, we get a brief glimpse of the central-mounted tach, "eco" gauges and second tier speedo, which benefits from a backlight that transitions from green to blue when the driver mashes the accelerator and unleashes the full fury of the small-displacement engine through the CVT gearbox.
Sales will begin in the U.S. and abroad this spring, with a starting price rumored to hover around $20,000.
[Source: Carscoop]Leakage: Euro-spec 2009 Honda Insight originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Recalls/TSBs, Safety, Chrysler, LLC., GM, Honda, Nissan, Toyota
After such a gloomy 2008, automakers are looking anywhere they can for a ray of sunshine. One such glimmer came in the form of a preliminary report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that recalls were down 30% last year compared to 2007, and at their lowest levels since 1994.
It's not all good, though. While automakers recalled a combined 10.2 million vehicles in 2008, the total number of recall campaigns hit a record number of 642 -- a 9% jump over 2007 - and also included a 233 safety investigations last year, up from only 98 in 2007.
David Kelly, acting NHTSA administrator, said his agency is attributing the drop in recalled cars to an early warning system used to alert manufacturers to problems as quickly as possible. Early fixes in a product's production puts fewer flawed cars on the road.
Among the top six automakers, Chrysler had the fewest recalled cars in 2008 at 360,000. That's a huge drop from the 2.2 million it recalled in 2007. GM, on the other hand, recalled 1.9 million in 2008, up from 538,000 in 2007. Honda and Toyota both saw their recall numbers increase, while Nissan's dropped.
[Source: The Detroit News]Vehicle recalls down 30% in 2008 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Acura, Honda
Just two weeks after we learned that Honda had suspended plans to introduce a new V10 NSX sports car in 2010 comes word that we may see the car anyway. Sort of. The production program is still dead, but it is being reported that the previously scheduled "concept" will appear at Detroit's North American International Auto Show in a couple of weeks.
In typical Honda fashion, a concept version of a new model appears a few months for the street edition. In this case, the NSX was set to debut next fall at the Tokyo Motor Show with the conceptual preview at the Detroit auto show. Since the concept was already prepared before Honda made the decision to scrap the program, they will show it anyway. Honda's presence in Cobo will still be low-key however, with its press conference having been canceled. The NSX and the production Insight will simply appear on the show floor.
[Source: AutoTeleGraaf.nl]Undead: Will Acura show NSX in Detroit even after killing it off? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Dec 2008 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Spy Photos, Minivans/MPVs, Honda
The corporate grille that's been inflicted on all of Honda's recent cars and trucks continues to spread roughshod through the rest of the automaker's line and the 2010 Honda Odyssey minivan isn't immune. While it's hard to get excited about a vehicle that's sole purpose in life is to transport humans and their stuff from one place to another, the Odyssey has always been one of the best options available, and while we're anything but smitten with the new schnoz, it isn't going to change the driving dynamics, and you can't actually see that six-sided, angular beak from behind the wheel anyway. The new grille joins a front-end that looks a bit more aggressive and better integrated than before, with what appears to be a steeper slope towards the ground from the windshield. The rest of the van appears unchanged.
[Source: BurlappCars]Spy Shots: 2010 Honda Odyssey to get more corporate schnoz originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Car Buying, Trends, Ford, GM, Honda, Nissan, Toyota
If you shopped for a used car in 2008, odds are you researched the Honda Accord, at least if you were checking out CarMax. For the third year in a row, the Accord topped the search list of CarMax.com, which is dominated by imports, like another popular search site. The list is a big bite of commonplace cars and trucks, the most zooty being the Ford Mustang. We think the CarMax search data just goes to show how smart and practical most buyers are; it would be hard to go wrong with anything everyone else was shopping for. Hit the gallery for the full top-ten.
[Source: CarMax.com]Continue reading Carmax Reveals Most Searched Used Vehicles
Carmax Reveals Most Searched Used Vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Motorsports, Honda
Have you heard the one about the former F1 team that gets bought by the Mexican billionaire? Yeah, well, we heard it, too, and it's completely untrue. Not only has Carlos Slim has not bought Honda, but a spokesman makes clear that "There is no deal for the Honda team. There is neither agreement nor negotiations."
Nevertheless, Honda says it is leaving the team in good shape and everything is still moving forward. Team chief Ross Brawn said "We have enough funding to get us through to Melbourne and we still have a competitive package." Brawn also said so many folks are snooping around that they've got to sort the jokers from the serious players. Cue Dave Richards...
[Source: Eurosport]Psych! Honda F1 not being bought by Mexican billionaire originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Hybrids/Alternative, Green, Honda
Click above for more shots of the leaked 2009 Honda Insight brochure
As is so often the case these days, some early details regarding Honda's upcoming Prius-fighter have leaked out before the hybrid's official unveiling at the Detroit Auto Show. Included among the surprises is a Modulo-trimmed Insight featuring a full set of body mods from Honda's accessory catalog in Japan. We can't be sure if any of those bits will come Stateside (we're not betting on it), but it wouldn't be surprising if we got three trim levels similar to what's slated to be available in Honda's home market of Japan. We could get a base DX trim along with an up-level LX edition and a sportier EX model with such tasty bits as a paddle-shifted CVT automatic transmission and navigation system with 7-inch screen.
With just 88 horses underhood along with an additional 14 from the hybrid's electric motor, don't expect the Insight to be a tire scorching performer, as its true calling with be in delivering the best fuel economy possible. In Japanese testing, the Insight has scored over 70 miles-per-gallon, which may be lower than what the Prius was able to register, but the Insight is also expected to cost several thousand dollars less than its rival.
[Sources: Temple of VTec, Insightman via Carscoop]Leakage: Honda Insight coming to Japan with Sporty Modulo trim originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Economy, Japan, Hatchbacks, Honda
Click above for a gallery of the Honda Zest Spark
Honda apparently decided that its home-market Zest Sports wasn't zesty enough. Away it went to the plastic surgeon for a freshened look with more flavor. The result is the Zest Spark. Instead of basically carrying over the base Zest's vanilla look up front, the Spark gets a new fascia with a V-shaped grille/lights combo hovering above the car's big, flat bumper. 660cc NA and turbo kei-spec engines reside underhood. Inside, it's basic kei car stuff, with seating for five four that can be arranged in an optimal date night configuration. Yeah it's small, but it's practical, see?
[Source: Honda via NihonCar]Japan: Honda Zest gets extra Spark originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Motorsports, Honda
According to La Stampa, Honda F1 has a buyer: Mexican telecom billionaire Carlos Slim Helu. Reports claim he paid the single dollar Honda was asking. He trumped Force India F1 owner Vijay Mallya, who was suspected to want the Honda team only for its tech know-how, and Prodrive's Dave Richards.
When Honda announced its immediate departure from F1 on December 4, it gave the outfit 27 days to find a bona fide buyer who would make a credible 3-year commitment to run the team. If the team did find such a purchaser, Honda said it would assist with finances and technical support. Carlos Slim has the finances and the experience: he is reportedly the second richest man in the world, and his companies are already involved in motorsport.
If the transaction proves to be true, and assuming the team gets funded properly, it will mean a few good things for the 2009 F1 season: it will add another privateer team to the grid, it will let Ross Brawn continue creating the team he's been dying to lead since he was at Ferrari, and it will return the name "Senna" to the grid. Bruno, Ayrton Senna's nephew, is sponsored by Embratel, a subsidiary of Slim's Telmex company, and will certainly replace Rubens Barrichello as the one flying the Brazilian flag.
[Source: La Stampa via My Automovil]Honda F1 SOLD! to a man named Slim originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 27 Dec 2008 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Honda, Toyota
Honda and Toyota may not be joining their colleagues at Nissan, Mitsubishi and Suzuki in canceling their participation in this year's Detroit Auto Show, but they still won't be laying on the glitz and glamor that have become the mainstay of past events.
For starters, both Honda's and Toyota's CEOs won't be attending, even though the market is vital to their success. Beyond that, neither will be holding press conferences to unveil their new hybrids, simply placing the vehicles on their show stands and waiting for questions. No parties, either, as they acknowledge the economic state of the industry leaves little to celebrate this year. The automakers didn't give any specific reasons for their decision to scale things back, but sources suggest that the move was made out of deference to the difficulties faced by their rivals in Detroit.
[Source: The Detroit News | Image: Junko Kimura/Getty]
Japanese CEOs sitting out Detroit show, scale back the glitz originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Dec 2008 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Motorsports, Honda, UK
What goes around comes around, or so the saying goes. This is certainly true for Prodrive's front-man David Richards, who never seems to be lacking for opportunities. Having run racing programs for Subaru, Aston Martin, BMW, Porsche, MG, Alfa Romeo, Ford and Ferrari - to name just a few - Richard's Prodrive outfit was contracted by Honda to run its Formula One program, then running under the BAR banner. Honda then decided to operate the team in-house, and Richards moved towards fielding his own entry. As it turns out, neither plan panned out, and Richards is now considering leading a consortium of investors to acquire the Honda team anew.
Similar to the deal that saw Richards take the reins at Aston Martin, the veteran racing guru is talking with Investment Dar about financing the operation. Of course, Richards would assume his old role as team principal, especially given his newfound free time since Subaru canceled its partnership with Prodrive in the World Rally Championship.
[Source: Autosport.com | Image: Andreas Rentz/Getty]
Prodrive/Aston chief David Richards considering Honda F1 buy-out originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Dec 2008 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Etc., Green, Honda, Lifestyle, Motorcycles
Honda might be killing off the NSX and pulling its factory support out of various two- and four-wheeled racing events along with its long-running Honda Hoot gathering, but the automaker has managed to find the resources to invest in a five-story top hat-wearing Asimo float to lead the Rose Parade on January 1. In addition to the towering presence of Asimo, a hydrogen-powered FCX Clarity will pace the event, which moves pretty slow and therefore probably doesn't really need a pace car at all. No matter, this spectacle will be witnessed by millions of people tuning in to watch the 120th Tournament of Roses and the event will celebrate Honda's 50th year in the United States.
In addition to the giant Asimo robot and FCX Clarity, which will be accompanied by a Super Cub motorcycle, Honda will be providing 166 Metropolitan scooters and 12 generators to power the event. As you may have guessed, Honda is a major sponsor to the Tournament of Roses and is hoping to win another major award, as it's done in 13 of the last 14 years.
Continue reading Honda testing 49' Asimo for Rose Bowl
Honda testing 49' Asimo for Rose Bowl originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Dec 2008 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Archive for the 'HONDA' Category
Thursday, March 27th, 2008
Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, SUVs, Crossovers/CUVs, Honda
We were there when Honda trotted out its Pilot Prototype in Detroit, and our snoozy first impression is apparently what the public at large is feeling, too. Sales of the current Pilot have dropped off by nearly 25 percent, so Honda’s feeling the pressure with this redesign. It doesn’t bode well, then, that the Pilot’s new duds leave the buying public unmoved. CNW Research polled several hundred drivers from LA, Chicago and Detroit, and many respondents found the 2009 Pilot a yawn to behold. Nothing about the newly-squared off exterior struck a chord, which is unusual for a new design. Usually, something distinctive garners attention, but the exterior design only earned a 7.5 point score on CNW’s 12-point scale, off at least a point and a half from what most new vehicles do. We found the Pilot’s freshening a little boring, but mainly the headlights leave us very unnerved, like trying to stare down a bird of prey.
[Source: Inside Line]
Posted in World Cars, Passenger Cars, Automotive News, HONDA, Concept Cars | No Comments »
Saturday, March 10th, 2007
The 2007 Honda Accord Coupe Concept was unveiled Monday at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show. Detroit news
Posted in World Cars, Passenger Cars, Tuning Cars, Automotive News, HONDA | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 6th, 2005
Details info: Alternative names:
FR-V (2004-) (Honda Europe - Belgium)
Honda Edix MPV
Sales Company:
Honda Europe (Belgium)
Available version:
1.7 16v aut.
1.7 16v
1.7 16v 4WD aut.
2.0 16v aut.
2.0 16v
2.0 16v 4WD aut.
2.2 CDTi
Previous version:
Variation:
Info:
New 6-seater MPV built on CR-V platform. Edix comes from edit + six, referring to the reconfigurable interior. The car will be called FR-V (Flexible Recreational Vehicle) in Europe.
Assembly Plants:
Donors:
Posted in HONDA | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 6th, 2005
Details info: Alternative names:
Honda Acty (Mk.III.) - Vamos (Mk.II.) Vamos Hobio
Sales Company:
Available version:
0.7 12v 3AT
0.7 12v 4wd 4AT
0.7 12v 4wd 5MT
0.7 12v 5MT
0.7 12v Turbo 4AT
0.7 12v Turbo 4wd 4AT
Previous version:
Variation:
(Acty)
MicroVan Estate
(Vamos Hobio)
(2003 - )
MicroVan Estate
(Vamos (Mk.II.))
(1999 - )
MicroVan Pick-Up
(Acty Truck)
(1999 - )
Info:
Assembly Plants:
Donors:
Posted in HONDA | No Comments »
Tuesday, April 5th, 2005
Details info: Alternative names:
Accord (2002-) (Honda Europe - Belgium)
TSX(2004-) (Acura - United States of America)
Honda Accord (Mk.VII.) Limousine 4d
Sales Company:
Acura (United States of America)
Honda Europe (Belgium)
Available version:
2.0 16v
2.0 16v aut.
2.0 16v Awd aut.
2.2 CDTi
2.4 16v
2.4 16v aut.
Euro-R - 2.0 16v 162kW
Previous version:
Variation:
Mugen (Japan) Honda tuning
Info:
Assembly Plants:
Acura (United States of America)
Donors:
Posted in HONDA | No Comments »
