2012 Honda Civic Personal Preferences

2012 Honda Civic in depth videos

Honda's Next Sportscar?

Stumbled across this in a recent S2000 fan site forum, interesting, they say that they found it in Road & Track; "According to R&T, this will be a 3.5 liter V6 based on the JDM Accord. The speculation is that the car will have 200 - 250 bhp and will sell in the $25,000 to $30,000 range. They say the car will hit dealers next year!" hmmm, wouldn't be too excited about seeing this car next year.... Source; http://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/850960-s2000-replacement/

VW, Honda and Hyundai could enter F1 in 2013

Jean-Francois Caubet, CEO of Renault Sport F1, says more manufacturers could appear when turbo engines are reintroduced Chief Executive Officer of Renault Sport F1 has revealed that a further three car manufacturers could enter Formula One in 2013 when engine rules changes come into effect. Jean-Francois Caubet revealed that Volkswagen, Honda and Hyndai could start competing for motorsport’s biggest prize in the not so distant future. F1 ENGINES Caubet revealed that "Volkswagen, Honda, and Hyundai" would be interested in joining the sport once 1.6 litre 4 cylinder turbocharged engines replace the current 2.4 litre V8s. The move, initiated by President and CEO of Formula One Management and Formula One Administration Bernie Ecclestone, is aimed at increasing fuel efficiency by up to 50 percent while keep total power output at around 750bhp. Increasingly it seems, several car manufacturers have expressed renewed interest in the sport after a new generation of fuel restricted 'green' engines will make their debut in 2013. Currently, Renault Sport F1 supplies engines to Renault, Team Lotus, and Red Bull - who won the inaugural race of the 2011 Formula One season at Albert Park in Melbourne, Australia, under the expert guidance of its RB7 car by reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel. Source; http://www.manufacturingdigital.com/tags/honda/vw-honda-and-hyundai-could-enter-f1-2013

HondaJet Flies at 489 MPH

It's been not such a long while since Japanese manufacturer Honda presented its newest attempt the take over the corporate skies above, and the Japanese announced today that they have already completed the speed tests of Honda's newest creation. After being cleared for flight for the first time by the FAA last December, the model was put through all its paces this week, the most important of which being the speed. According to the data supplied by Honda, the jet managed to top at a speed of 489 mph, with the number being achieved at 30,000 ft above sea level. "We are extremely pleased with the strong performance of the FAA-conforming HondaJet early in the flight test program," said Michimasa Fujino, Honda Aircraft CEO. "Our flight tests indicate the aircraft is handling and performing as expected, with excellent control harmony and stability.” The exact details of the soon to be new jet in the sky are still kept under wraps but, as it usually happens in this segment of the aviation industry, is not necessarily the power that counts the most, but comfort. And by the looks of it, Honda cut no corners there. “The HondaJet's unique over-the-wing engine mount configuration and natural laminar-flow leading edge and fuselage nose designs significantly reduce drag and greatly contribute to such outstanding performance. In addition, the HondaJet's HF120 engines are exhibiting carefree handling of thrust and are supporting top-level performance and efficiency," added Fujino. The model will enter the market in 2012. Until then, Honda is increasing the efforts to bring the Greensboro production facility in shape to accommodate the new model. Source; http://www.autoevolution.com/news/hondajet-flies-at-489-mph-33498.html

Honda to cut output at U.S., Canadian auto plants

DETROIT (Reuters) - Honda Motor Co (7267.T: Quote) will cut production at its U.S. and Canadian automotive plants starting Wednesday due to disruptions in the supply of auto parts after the Japanese earthquake more than two weeks ago. The temporary changes to the production schedule will vary plant by plant based on the availability of certain parts, Honda spokesman Jeffrey Smith said. He declined to detail the changes in production at individual plants. The automaker operates plants in Canada and three states in the United States. Honda relies on North American suppliers for more than 80 percent of the parts it uses to build vehicles in North America. Honda has suspended production at its two plants in Japan until at least April 3. Smith said most of the company's Japan-based parts suppliers have resumed production or are ready to start. "This is a very fluid situation," Smith said. He added: "We are working with a few suppliers who have yet to resume production to reestablish operations and at the same time, we are evaluating additional sources for some parts." The March 11 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis in northern Japan have left the global auto industry struggling to manage a ripple effect across its production and supply base. Earlier Tuesday, Toyota Motor Corp (TM.N: Quote)(7203.T: Quote) told its dealers to curtail orders of certain replacement parts to ensure an adequate supply. Source; http://ca.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idCATRE72S74M20110329

Honda S2000 'pimped' by Active Design

What a killer rendition.... Source; http://active-design.deviantart.com/art/Honda-S2000-94050763

The Most Devastating Footage of Japans Tsunami

Remembering the curio classics: the 1989 Honda NSX

What a car.... By Ben Whitworth 28 March 2011 12:15 I spotted the NSX heading London-bound up the A3 early on Saturday morning, on the way to attend my best mate’s stag do. It was pristine, its cherry red paintwork and unscarred five-spoke silver alloys glinting in the sunlight. Low, sleek and barrelling along at a very decent pace, it looked utterly gorgeous. I was instantly struck at just how fresh and modern it looked. For a car launched in 1989, the Honda NSX is still contemporary, clean and head-turningly handsome, pop-up headlamps and all. Honda NSX: still contemporary today Even today, the elements to the car’s development sound fantastic. The perfect distillation of its engineering prowess, it was developed as Honda basked in F1 success. Its mid-engined cab-forward styling was inspired by an F16 fighter jet. Ayrton Senna, Satoru Nakajima and Bobby Rahal honed its dynamics. It was the world’s first car to go into production with a all-aluminium monocoque chassis complete with a sophisticated extruded aluminium bodywork. The NSX's wailing 2977cc V6 V-TEC engine was fitted with titanium conrods – another world first – and it revved to 8000rpm. The suspension was fashioned entirely from forged aluminium. It had telepathic electric power steering. It was hand assembled by a hand-picked crew of just 200 engineers. It weighed just 1350kg. And, of course, the Honda NSX was a gem to drive. The NSX – a supercar ahead of the game The Honda was defined by its brilliant chassis balance and superb agility, qualities that showed its contemporary rivals like Ferrari 328 GTB and Porsche 911 the dynamic back door. Visibility was panoramic, the spacious cabin was an ergonomic delight and reliability was exceptional. But despite this deep-seated talent, the NSX never really took off. It was, perversely, not seen as exotic enough for a blue-blooded supercar. It was criticised as being mundane simply because it was easy to see out of, didn’t break down, didn’t try and spit you into the nearest ditch at every opportunity and had a straightforward cabin design. Our loss, really. I gave the driver a thumbs up as he peeled off the carriageway and he grinned, dropped a cog and nailed it up the exit ramp. The lucky bugger. I spent the rest of my trip up to London trying to figure out where on earth I could find the £40k for a low-mileage 1997 3.2-litre with a six-speed manual. Source (with better pics); http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Community/Car-Magazines-Blogs/Ben-Whitworth/Remembering-the-curio-classics-the-1989-Honda-NSX/

Honda UK: Honda Planning Small Diesel Car

More diesel news, but not for us in North America.... Eco-conscious Car Finance buyers will no doubt by happy to hear that HONDA has confirmed the company's plans to launch a car with a smaller diesel engine to place it in a better position to compete with European car manufacturers. David Hodgetts, Managing Director of Honda UK, told Fleet News in an interview that the company plans to introduce the new engine about a year after the launch of the next-generation Civic model. The possibility also exists that it will be available in some Honda Jazz and Honda Accord models. Honda initially started offering cars with diesel engines in 2004 when they launched an Accord powered by a diesel engine. Subsequently, they also introduced a diesel-powered Civic and a CR-V. The original 2.2 litre 140 i-CTDi engine was used in the CR-V up to 2007 when it was replaced with the new i-DTEC engine delivering 150 bhp. The diesel Accord also switched to this engine in 2008. Honda's competitors were, however, able to attract more business because they offered a wider range of diesel engines. The smaller diesels offered by many European manufacturers allowed them to offer cheaper models aimed at the car finance market, while Honda could only compete in the upper end of the market. The new diesel-powered Honda Civic will apparently have CO2 emission figures of less than 110g/km. Given the popularity of upper-medium cars such as the 1.6-litre CITROEN C5, PEUGEOT 508, FORD Mondeo and Volswagen Passat among car finance fleet owners, it is highly likely that Honda will eventually also bring out an Accord fitted with the new engine. Source; http://www.creditplus.co.uk/used-car-and-finance-news/HONDA/Honda-Planning-Small-Diesel-Car/998699564/

Honda Suspends Dealer Orders on Japan-Built Cars

After Mazda announced last week that it would halt orders on U.S. deliveries of all Japan-made cars, Honda has now decided to follow a similar action. Informing dealers that they can no longer order Japan-build cars, retailers will be forced to move only what is on their lot until the Japanese supply chain can be mended.

Vehicles affected by the order include hybrid models like the CR-Z, Insight and Civic Hybrid, as well as some CR-V models (many of which are also build in North America). The Acura luxury division has also been affected, with the TSX and RL also made in Japan.

With current dealer inventories, this shouldn’t pose a product shortage unless the delay is lengthy.

Other Japanese automakers, including Mitsubishi, Nissan and Toyota, have yet to announce any such supply chain issues.

Source;

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2011/03/honda-suspends-dealer-orders-on-japan-built-cars.html

Toyota Yaris 3 door 2009

 All Toyota Yaris grades will now feature a number of standard safety features, including anti-lock brake system (ABS) with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), driver and front passenger front seat-mounted side airbags, and front and rear side curtain airbags. New exterior colors for the 2009 Toyota Yaris include Zephyr Blue Metallic and Blue Streak Metallic on Sedan and Yellow Jolt and Carmine Red Metallic on Liftback.

Estimated EPA fuel economy ratings are 29 mpg city/35 mpg highway/31 mpg combined for all three body styles with an automatic transmission and 29/36/32 mpg for the manual transmission models.

 The excellent fuel economy, combined with extensive standard equipment and fun-to-drive features make Toyota Yaris an outstanding value. For 2009, Toyota Yaris is available in three body styles: a sedan, 3-door Liftback, and an all-new 5-door liftback, each in Base and Sporty "S" grades.

Toyota Yaris Sedan (2009)

Estimated EPA fuel economy ratings are 29 mpg city/35 mpg highway/31 mpg combined for all three body styles with an automatic transmission and 29/36/32 mpg for the manual transmission models.

 The excellent fuel economy, combined with extensive standard equipment and fun-to-drive features make Toyota Yaris an outstanding value. For 2009, Toyota Yaris is available in three body styles: a sedan, 3-door Liftback, and an all-new 5-door liftback, each in Base and Sporty "S" grades.

Ford VS Nissan Commercial

So, here's the commercial that Ford has become so offended over, lighten up....

The geniuses at Nissan Brazil's ad department dreamed up this ad for the Tiida (aka Versa) showing Ford engineers rapping with bikini-clad models about how much cheddar they make off the overpriced Focus. Ford's response? A lawsuit.

Nevermind that this may be the most eye-catching ad for the Focus ever; it's the rump-shaking rap lyrics that has Ford execs spitting out their caipirinhas, according to Reuters:

"All the luxury that I got, I got it with your money," the rappers boast, showing off their gold rings and chains. "Don't weep because you're paying extra money — your money was well spent, look what I do with it."

When the ad first appeared in February, Ford got a court order to take it off the air. It's now filed a suit against Nissan in Brazil, accusing the company of unfair competition and "improper brand use." Apparently slapping around the competition with hilarious ads isn't something Brazilian automakers have done in the past. Based on what lengths impoverished Brazilians will go to own a car, maybe Nissan has a point.

Source;
http://ca.jalopnik.com/5785705/the-awesome+sexy+hilarious-nissan-ad-that-fords-suing-over

Comparing Gallon to Gallon: An Attempt to put Gas Prices into Perspective

Sure, no one likes to pay four dollars a gallon at the pump, especially when there’s a thirty-plus-mile commute to look forward to everyday, but as Mom always said, it could be a lot worse; just think of how much trouble we’d be in if we had to fill the tank with Starbucks’ lattes or (gasp) nail polish.

Source;

http://holykaw.alltop.com/gallon-to-gallon-gas-prices-dont-look-so-bad

2011 Honda Fit beats Toyota Prius to top Japan sales

In its monthly report, Japan Automobile Dealers’ Association said that in January 2011 Toyota’s Prius had been knocked off the number one position it had occupied for the last twenty months in the country by Honda’s Fit supercompact.  In January, Toyota had sold 13, 711 of its Prius cars, which was 38.5% lower as compared to sales figures in January last year, while Honda sold 14,873 Fit cars, an improvement of 13.9% over the previous year.

Honda’s Fit had last overtaken Toyota’s Prius in March 2009 to emerge as Japan’s best-selling car, before it was toppled off that position by Toyota Prius.  So now the Honda Fit occupies the top slot in Japanese sales charts for the second time.  In total, in July 2010, Honda recorded sales of 3.5 million Fit cars, while in comparison the sales figures for Toyota were about two million Prius cars in September 2010.

Undoubtedly, Toyota’s gas-electric Prius is the best selling hybrid in the world, and was also  Japan’s favorite for close to two years till in January this year Honda’s Fit subcompact which is a much more traditional vehicle and much cheaper too, dealt it a knockout punch.

The redesigning of the Prius two years ago saw its sales zooming, and for very sound reasons too.  The new third-generation Prius not only looks better and drives better, it also has more equipment and gives amazingly good fuel mileage.  Despite this, now Toyota’s Prius has been overshadowed by its top rival Honda’s Fit.  One possible reason why the Japanese seem to favor the Fit over the Prius now could be the large size of the Prius and its expensive price tag in a country mostly dominated by small cars.  Honda’s subcompact gas-electric Fit with a price tag of around ¥1.59 million (approximately $19,331 U.S. calculated at the present exchange rate), costs about $3,500 less than Honda’s Insight as well as Toyota’s Prius.  Commenting on this difference, an analyst had previously suggested it was time Toyota considered slashing the price of the Prius.

Toyota Prius sales also took a beating after most incentives from the government for green cars ended in September.  However, though the incentives have been withdrawn, tax benefits for green cars will continue till April 2012.  Sales of the Honda Fit were not affected as much since it is much cheaper and underwent remodeling recently.  The Honda Fit – the gas-electric hybrid model and the traditional gas-engine models – went on sale in Japan in October 2010.  The new hybrid Fit will also go on sale this year as the Jazz model in Europe, though not in North America.

But it is not just better sales figures and a better price that distinguishes the Fit.  It has also won several awards, such as Japan Car of the Year for 2001-2002 as well as 2007-2008.  Also, it was declared as best small car in 2006 by Top Gear, and as the Best Hatchback for the Money by the U.S. News and World Report.

2010 Toyota Camry

The 2010 Camry is on display for the first time at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). The 2010 Camry and Camry Hybrid have an array of enhancements, inside and out, including exterior styling, performance, safety, audio and convenience features.

The car has a newly upgraded 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with VVT-I (Variable Valve Timing with intelligence). In LE and XLE grade levels it produces 169hp (126kW). A higher-grade SE model ups the grunt factor to 179hp (133kW). Fitted alongside it are two transmission choices, both 6-speed in either manual or automatic with sequential shift. A top-of-the-range model runs a powerful 268hp (200kW) 3.5-litre V6.

On the outside the Camry features a redesigned front grille and bumper, larger lower air intake, new tail lamps, 16-inch alloy wheels for LE and XLE, and larger headlights. The SE gets 17-inch wheels. Vehicle Stability Control with traction control is standard with all models.

The Right Way To Buy A Car 2011

Car payments are a huge burden for many American families. It is not uncommon for a family to be paying as much as $800-$1,000/month on family cars. In “The Financial Physician: How to Cure Your Money Problems and Boost Your Financial Health” the longest chapter deals with the car buying process and how to buy right. Here is an exerpt:

WASTING MONEY ON A LIFETIME OF CARS

THE AILMENT

After our homes, cars are the costliest items that most of us buy. In the course of our lives, we will buy as many as 10 to 15 cars. So how we buy and finance our cars can make a huge difference in our financial health.

Years ago, most families had one car, which they kept until it died of old age. Today, families tend to have more than one car and will buy a new one every four or five years. And many people trade up more frequently.

The problem is that cars are both expensive and awful investments — in fact, they’re not really investments. They are de-investments, which is my term for assets that are guaranteed to decline in value. When you invest, you hope that the value of your investment will increase, but when you buy a car, you know that its value will steadily drop. Since the main purpose of a car is to provide transportation, to get you from point A to point B, it may be time to rethink how you purchase cars.

Cars are depreciating assets. Let’s say that you just bought an auto for $22,000. The salesman congratulated you for making such a great deal and as you drive home, you feel like a million bucks. Actually, you should be crying because you lost $4,400 the moment you left the lot.

New cars lose about 20% of their value as soon as you take ownership. Then they depreciate anywhere from 6% to 13% annually. So in the first year, you could lose $5,720 to $7,260. Ouch! The money you lost could have been saved or invested in assets that usually appreciate over time.

If you buy 10 cars during your life at an average cost of $25,000 each, you will lose $65,000 to $82,000 in first year depreciation alone.

Although the car manufacturers won’t like it, I’m going to make a bold, but true, statement:  Unless you’re wealthy, never buy a new car. It will damage your financial health.

TREATMENT   

 1. What to do

Buy a two or three year old vehicle that has just come off a lease. Over the years, the quality and reliability of cars have improved dramatically. Today’s cars are built well and can be expected to run for at least 150,000 to 200,000 miles when they’re properly maintained.

Many used cars, especially those less than four years old, have low mileage and look new. If you have them checked out mechanically, you won’t have to worry about buying someone else’s problem and you can expect years of safe, dependable service.

When you buy a used car, the original owner has absorbed the early depreciation. Instead of paying $25,000, you may pay $17,000, which is 32% less that the original owner paid. You also have to finance much less so your monthly payments, insurance and fees will be lower. If you decide to sell the car, you’ll get more of your money back because your car will have held more of its value. Over the course of your car-buying life, buying late-model used cars can save you lots of money.

When cars are returned to banks or finance companies at the end of leases, the lenders don’t want the cars. They want to sell them as quickly as possible to get their money back. So they work with dealers that specialize in selling off-lease vehicles for lenders.

These dealers are called lender liquidation dealers or liquidators. Every month, liquidators receive a large numbers of recently returned cars. The liquidator that I’ve bought cars from gets 1500 cars a month. It takes the best 250, put them in their showrooms and sells them to walk-ins. Then, they wholesale the rest at auto auctions. Since lenders are eager to sell, their liquidators frequently sell returned cars below book value.

Liquidators work with a number of banks and leasing companies and are paid a commission or a percentage of the sales price of the vehicles they sell. The balance of the sale proceeds they receive are turned over to the lenders.

My local liquidators’ showroom is filled with 150 to 200 cars so you always have a good selection from which to choose. They look new, have low mileage (most have between 10,000 and 30,000 miles), have been cleaned up and are certified as mechanically sound by the liquidator. Most cars are priced at three to five percent below book value. You can buy an extended warranty, finance your purchase through the liquidator or lease it or purchase it outright.

I’ve purchased six new-looking, dependable cars from a local liquidator. I bought each for less than book value and have always been well pleased. Buying from a liquidator involves little or no haggling because the cars are so well priced to begin with.

Vending Machines to Charge Electric Cars in Japan 2011

We all know that soda and other beverages, and even candy can be sourced from a street-side vending machine.  But in Japan they even have vending machines offering hot beverages like tea and coffee in the winter.  And now, guess what Japanese vending machines will be doing next?  They’ll be helping the Japanese motorists to charge their electric cars as well!

Recently, there was an announcement by a consortium of companies from Japan that they had decided on installing a number of electric vehicle chargers at beverage vending machines across the country.  The consortium comprises telecom companies, electronics makers, and a vending machine manufacturer – Forking Co. – an organization that owns around half of the vending machines, over one million in all, across Japan.

The reasons behind this interesting move include the setting up of additional recharging infrastructure in the country which was sadly lacking till now, and to bring about higher sales of electric cars.  According to Forking, eventually, the chargers will be incorporated into the vending machines themselves.

The innovative proposal of providing electric vehicle chargers at the ubiquitous street corner vending machines could also provide the solution to another problem.  It could help allay the fears and concerns in Japan about electric cars not being able to go a long enough distance on a charge.  To help relieve the apprehensions of consumers, Japan’s electric car manufacturers, Toyota and Nissan, had announced last year that they would be attempting to standardize the recharging stations across Japan, and would eventually create an international standard.  Electric cars usually have to depend on expensive batteries, but yet provide consumers with a disappointingly short driving range.  This is one of the main drawbacks of electric cars and the reason why they are still not very popular even though they are environment friendly vehicles.

Early this year, Mazda announced it was going to take a leap into the electric vehicle arena launching its own battery-operated vehicle in Japan by 2012.  Ford has announced its own lineup of electric car models in the US. President Obama has asked his countrymen to make the U.S. the first nation in the world to have one million electric vehicles on the road by the year 2015.  Till now however sales remain low.  As per Engadget’s announcement, only 67 Nissan Leafs and 281 Chevy Volts were sold in February in America, thus indicating brighter chances for Japan to lead the electric vehicle race.

During the first year of the project, scheduled to commence soon, the consortium plans to install 10,000 electric chargers at various vending machine sites across Japan.  So now electric vehicle  owners in the country can look forward to better recharging facilities.

Toyota Camry 2007

The redesigned Toyota Camry, the hottest-selling car in America, has been declared as the Car of the Year 2007 by Motor Trend, the world’s automotive authority and part of  PRIMEDIA’s Consumer Automotive Group.  The award announced yesterday goes to the entire Camry range, including the Camry Hybrid.  Last year’s winner was the Honda Civic.

‘Toyota Camry is a car that is innovative yet has a broad mainstream appeal. This is one of the toughest tasks facing any automaker. The Camry is the one car rival automakers all wish they could build. It offers something for nearly everyone – performance, efficiency and space – at a price most Americans can afford’, magazine Editor-in-Chief, Angus MacKenzie, said in a statement. The Japanese car maker offers the Camry in various models – with a regular four cylinder engine, or a sporty V-6 that enables it to hit 60 mph in just six seconds. Fuel economy conscious buyers can choose the Camry Hybrid, which uses the same innovative hybrid power train technology used in Toyota’s Prius to save gas.

The Camry beat 26 other models that were totally new or redesigned in the year prior to Jan. 1, 2007 – comprising six models from the U.S., 10 from Japan, five from Korea, four from Germany, one from the U.K.,  and one from Sweden.

Camry won in a very strong competitive field.  There have never been more choices available to American car buyers. That is a fact of life in the 21st century.  According to Autodata Corp.  Toyota sold 350,481 Camrys this year through October to lead all cars in U.S. sales.  The No. 2 car in sales is Toyota’s Corolla at 330,995.

Toyota, the world’s second largest automaker, last won Car of the Year in 2004 for its redesigned Prius hybrid. Toyota’s Tacoma pickup was Motor Trend’s Truck of the Year in 2005.

2012 Honda Civic update: Bits N' Pieces

-All models will have Bluetooth except the base DX.

-New feature; Motion Adaptive Steering: It’s a new driving stability technology which initiates steering inputs that prompt the driver to steer in the correct direction during cornering and in slippery road conditions.

-New Smart Audio Interface; sorry, I'll have to see the car to know what this does.

-High Tensile Steel is up to 55% now, from 45% in the 2011, this means the car should be even safer.

-The 2dr will be shorter than the 4dr.

-Improved aerodynamics for noise reduction.

-Auto headlights will be on certain trims.

-More plates on the under carriage of the vehicle cutting the coefficient drag down to .315 from .318.

-2dr side mirrors fold now.

-The 2.4L Si engine will have a 198hp rating and uses high performance camshafts and intake.

-The Si has 31 more torque at a lower range; 170 @ 4300 versus 139 @ 6200 in the 2011, this translates to faster times; the 4th gear is 1sec faster and in 6th 2.4sec faster.

Source;
Honda Canada

2011 Honda Odyssey Achieves Historic Safety Milestone

Odyssey becomes the only minivan to earn top U.S. safety ratings from both IIHS and NHTSA under more-stringent testing guidelines

MARKHAM, ON, March 22 /CNW/ - The 2011 Honda Odyssey minivan achieved a historic safety milestone, becoming the first and only minivan to earn the highest possible U.S. safety ratings from both the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) under their respective more-stringent testing guidelines. No other minivan this year has received both a 2011 TOP SAFETY PICK award from IIHS and an "Overall Vehicle Score1" of five stars from NHTSA.

The Odyssey was recently named a 2011 TOP SAFETY PICK from IIHS, the U.S.-based institute's highest honour. The award recognizes vehicles that do the best job of protecting vehicle occupants involved in front, side and rear crashes, plus rollover performance based on ratings in IIHS tests, as well as having a standard electronic stability control system. The Odyssey earned the highest-possible score of GOOD in all four ratings, including the more rigorous roof-strength test.

In addition to earning the TOP SAFETY PICK designation, the Odyssey was one of the first vehicles to achieve NHTSA's best-possible "Overall Vehicle Score" of five stars. The newly introduced Overall Vehicle Score is part of the U.S. government's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) that is first being applied to 2011 models. The Odyssey achieved its top "Overall Vehicle Score" with five-star ratings for the frontal crash safety test and both side crash safety tests2 in all evaluated front and rear seating positions and scenarios. The Odyssey also received four stars for the rollover rating3.

All 2011 Odyssey vehicles utilize the Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure. ACE is an exclusive body design that enhances occupant protection and crash compatibility in frontal crashes. The ACE design utilizes a network of connected structural elements to distribute crash energy more evenly throughout the front of the vehicle. This enhanced frontal crash energy management helps to reduce the forces transferred to the passenger compartment. Standard safety equipment includes Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) with traction control; an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS); three-row side curtain airbags with rollover sensor; dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags; a driver's front side airbag; and a front passenger's side airbag with an occupant position detection system.

Overall, the Odyssey improves for the 2011 model year with greater interior functionality, a more distinctive style and higher fuel economy. Significant enhancements to the interior include a new 3-mode second-row seat design that is more comfortable for centre passengers (Odyssey EX and above). A more powerful and efficient 3.5-litre i-VTEC V-6 engine features Variable Cylinder Management (standard on all models for 2011) and produces 248 hp while delivering a city/highway/combined fuel economy of 11.7/7.2/9.7 on the LX, EX and EX-L models and 10.9/7.1/9.2 mpg on Odyssey Touring models.

New technology available on certain models includes a rear entertainment system with a 16.2-inch ultrawide split-screen display and an auxiliary High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) video input, an "intelligent" Multi-Information Display (i-MID) with customizable wallpaper and much more.

The 2011 Odyssey is truly a North American-made vehicle - designed, engineered and assembled in the U.S. The Odyssey is produced exclusively at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama using domestic and globally sourced parts.

# # #

Government star ratings are part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program (www.safercar.gov). Model tested with standard side-impact air bags (SABs). Vehicles tested under this program cannot be compared to model-year 2010 and earlier vehicles. Ratings can only be compared with similar ratings on model year 2011 and later vehicles if rated under the new program.

Includes a new, additional test mode for side-pole impact.
Vehicle tested includes electronic stability control as standard equipment, branded as Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) on Honda and Acura vehicles.

Source;
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/March2011/22/c5464.html

Japan's version of the 2012 Honda Civic sedan

Very slight difference between the North American version and the Japanese version....
Source;
http://jp-cardesigncorner.blogspot.com/2011/03/photos-of-new-jdm-honda-civic.html

MotorTrend: First Look: Chevrolet Colorado Show Truck

Nice looking concept, wonder if this is going to have anything really new (in bed trunk or something like), Chevy is sure committed to that Malibu front end....
Ahead of its public debut at the Bangkok Auto Show, General Motors has taken the wraps off of the preview version of its next-generation midsize pickup, which has been (not so) imaginatively dubbed the Chevrolet Colorado Show Truck.

Why Thailand? As it so happens, the southeast Asian country is the number one market for midsize trucks in the world and about 43% of the new cars sold there are trucks.

Technical details on the Show Truck are few. GM has said that under the hood is a 2.8-liter turbodiesel engine and that it's equipped with all-wheel drive, which helps to lend it a taller stance. GM currently uses a 2.8-liter diesel inline-four in the Brazilian-market Chevrolet S-10, where it makes roughly 138 horsepower and 251 pound-feet of torque. It's likely that the Colorado Show Truck is employing a version of this mill.

The extended-cab truck sports the same dual-port grille that's become a signature of Chevrolet's design. In this case, it looks much like that of the Malibu midsize sedan. The truck rides on 20-inch aluminum wheels fitted with off-road tires and its exterior features details such as LED turn-signals in the rear-view mirrors, Pepperdust Metallic paint with aluminum details in the fascias, projector-style headlamps with LED accents, and LED taillamps. GM vice president of global design Ed Welburn says that "its broad-shoulders proportions are derived from nearly a century of Chevrolet truck heritage."

Much time and money was reportedly spent on the interior. It features a dual-cockpit instrument panel that flows into the doors that's highlighted by motorcycle-inspired, three-dimensional gauges in the instrument panel. Other interior details include contrasting trim, chrome accents, and soft-touch materials. There are copious storage compartments throughout the cabin, including a covered center console and dual glovebox. The truck is also equipped with dual-zone climate control and a seven-inch LCD display in the center stack.

As for whether the truck will replace the existing U.S.-market Colorado/Canyon, GM continues to remain silent. However, a GM official we spoke with said that the automaker has no plans to abandon the midsize truck market and that a new version of the truck is on the way. We're betting it will come out looking much like the show truck, with different engine options and a steering wheel on left side, of course.

Whatever it ends up being, it will surely built somewhere in the NAFTA area to avoid the so-called "Chicken Tax" that makes importing trucks from countries like Thailand unprofitable. GM says details for the production model will come later in the year, so stay tuned.

Source (with more pix!);
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/trucks/1103_chevrolet_colorado_show_truck_look/index.html

Honda puts Honda FIT Shuttle intro on hold

Not for the North American market....
The devastating earthquake and its aftermath in Japan have forced Honda to postpone the market launch of its new Fit Shuttle. The introduction of the car in Japan was scheduled to take place this month. Honda said it has not yet decided on a new release date and that the company will follow up with an announcement with more details soon.

The new Fit Shuttle is approximately 510mm longer than the hatchback, which is also known as the Jazz in Europe and other international markets. In Japan, it will be offered with a similar engine lineup to the hatchback model including a conventional 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and a hybrid variant featuring a 1.3-liter gasoline unit and a 10 KW electric motor.

Suggested retail prices in Japan will start from 1.61 million Yen (about US$13,900) for the gasoline engine only model and from 1.81 million Yen (US$15,800) for the hybrid variant.

Source;

http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2011/03/honda-postpones-launch-of-fit-shuttle.html

Honda Odyssey, Safest Minivan for 2011

As a testimony to the way in which Honda's new Odyssey minivan has been designed, two of America's most renowned safety organizations, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National

Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have both given the model their highest scores in the crash test conducted this year. The achievement, in the case of other models not surprising, comes to establish the Odyssey as the first and single minivan to have achieved top scores from both organizations this year.

Both of the organizations crash tested the Odyssey in the beginning of the year, but only now the Japanese car maker can safely say that their vehicle is the best in its class as far as the safety of the occupants go. The new Odyssey, launched last year, is Honda's take on a segment that, because of the competition, is growing harder and harder to control. Several important players fight for a piece of the market that stands for a whole lot more in the US than in Europe.

Honda's Odyssey, seen by the manufacturer who produces it as one of the most successful minivans it has ever made, is trying to build on the all-American appeal by being designed and engineered in the US and assembled at the Honda Manufacturing of Alabama (HMA) plant, using mostly domestic parts.

For the new model year, Honda has tweaked the model a bit, adding little extras like a more powerful 3.5l i-VTEC V6 engine (248 hp), a new 3-mode second-row seat design or a rear entertainment system with a 16.2-inch ultrawide split-screen display.

Source;
http://www.autoevolution.com/news/honda-odyssey-safest-minivan-for-2011-33127.html

Report: Japan will affect all automakers

Alisa Priddle / The Detroit News

Every major automaker will be affected by the disaster in Japan by mid-to-late April, according to a report released today by automotive forecasters IHS Global Insight of Northville.
"It is not a matter of if, but when," said Michael Robinet, director of Automotive Forecast, in an analysis of the impact on the auto industry of the earthquake and subsequent tsunami in northern Japan. The damage halted domestic vehicle production and affected the supply chain, which is causing disruptions at plants around the world that rely on Japanese-sourced parts.

The IHS analysis concluded that light vehicle output in Japan is expected to be impacted by about 335,000 vehicles by Friday and that figure could be in the 450,000 range by the end of March. That is based on a loss of about 37,000 cars and trucks a day if all Japanese assembly plants are affected.

Toyota Motor Corp. and Nissan Motor Co. are gingerly resuming production of components for overseas plants and hope to restart vehicle assembly plans in Japan later this week.

Some of the most fuel-efficient vehicles offered by Japanese automakers are only built in Japan. As supplies diminish of vehicles such as the Toyota Prius hybrid, average transaction prices for some models are starting to creep up and incentives are likely to evaporate, said Aaron Bragman, IHS automotive analyst, in a separate report also released today.

TrueCar.com says prices of Japanese models in the U.S. are rising already, with the Prius up $169 per vehicle, on average, in the past week in response to the supply crunch, Bragman notes.

"If the supply of imported Japanese fuel-efficient vehicles cannot be restored quickly, an opportunity may arise for well-placed competitors to start stealing U.S. market share from Japanese automakers," Bragman said.

Among the well-situated is Ford Motor Co., which has made fuel-efficiency a priority and has a number of new models that get 40 miles per gallon. General Motors Co. also has new small vehicles as well as the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid. Hyundai Motor Co. also has a lineup of strong contenders.

"The initial estimates are that this could be a protracted shutdown of the Japanese industry," Bragman said. In addition to issues with vehicle production and parts supply, there are rolling blackouts because of damage to the electric power grid and a nuclear disaster in addition to other infrastructure damage as well as port and shipping issues and the loss of workers.

Robinet said it could take seven weeks of full production, with overtime, at a facility to make up for one week of lost production.

But competitors will only be able to fill any voids created by a shortage of Japanese models if they have the parts to keep their own assembly lines running as well.

So far, lost volume outside Japan is only about 10,000 vehicles, according to Robinet. That includes General Motors Co.'s truck plant in Shreveport, La., which suspended work because of parts shortages.

The Japanese-made components most affected include semi-conductors, integrated circuits, sensors and LCD displays, but IHS said shortages also may be felt in resins and synthetic rubber in the next few weeks. And the quake zone is home to powertrain parts such as gears and clutch components. Specialty materials such as silicon and certain types of glass and metals could also run short, Robinet forecasts.

Source;
http://www.detnews.com/article/20110321/AUTO01/103210409/1020/Report--Japan-will-affect-all-automakers

Honda CRV Hotwheels style

I've seen a lot of body kits on Civic's, Fit's, Accords, Preludes, even Ridgelines, this is my first really pimped out body kit for a CRV that I've seen....
Source;
http://www.blazingtype-r.com/2009/02/custom-bodykit-for-crv-2007.html

Consumer Reports: Mythbuster: Can cars imported from Japan be radioactive?

As Japan struggles to emerge from the recent earthquake and subsequent tsunami, and faces further potential disaster from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power complex, the auto industry is wrestling with how to cope with the enormous logistic challenges these tragedies have created. Japanese automakers and their suppliers have suspended production, and it may be months before things are fully back up to speed. As the world waits to see what happens next, from when rebuilding the ravaged nation can begin to how its recovery could impact markets, some consumers have pondered, are there risks from cars imported from Japan being radioactive?

In a word, no.

The vast majority of factories are located well outside the evacuation range surrounding the Fukushima Daiichi complex. Automakers report they are taking precautions to ensure their factories, components, and staff are protected. Likewise, they will ensure that vehicles meet safe levels for radiation before distributing.

"Toyota will take any necessary steps to ensure the cars we deliver to customers are safe in every way," said Javier Moreno of Toyota Communications. He stated that the majority of Toyota Motor Corporation's operations in Japan are located about 240 miles southwest of the nuclear power plant and no unusual radiation activity has been detected.

We spoke with several companies, all of which have been working to protect their workers and consumers, while rebuilding their businesses. The sentiments expressed by the automakers were similar, though clearly some were harder hit than others.

"We are evaluating the situation very carefully, of course, safety is our number one concern," said Jeffrey Smith of Honda Corporate affairs. He added that the nearest port to the impacted area that Honda uses is about 125 miles away. Honda had 17 employees injured in the Tochigi area during the earthquake, plus an associate killed at an R&D facility.

Beyond the safety measures in place in Japan, consumers are further protected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), an agency focused on preventing terrorists and weapons from entering the United States. Among its tools, the CBP uses sensitive, large-scale Radiation Portal Monitors (RPM) to scan all maritime cargo and mail arriving from Japan. In addition, agents use a wide range of technologies, including radiation isotope identifiers, to scan people, vehicles, and cargo containers. The radiation isotope identifiers are hand-held devices that can detect gamma and neutron emissions from radioactive sources, including nuclear, medical, and industrial isotopes. With hundreds of such devices in the field, any car or other product carrying an unsafe level of radioactivity would be discovered and halted at the more than 140 Border Patrol stations and more than 150 ports of entry.

As one would expect, the CBP tells us that they are monitoring developments in Japan carefully and specifically assessing the potential for radiological contamination associated with the ongoing impact of the earthquake and tsunami to Japan's nuclear facilities.

There are many valid concerns surrounding the crisis in Japan, including the human toll, cultural impact, and market forces, but radioactive consumer goods is not one of them.

Learn what you can do to aid Japan (via CNN), and donate to the American Red Cross.

—Jim Travers and Jeff Bartlett

Source;
http://blogs.consumerreports.org/cars/2011/03/mythbuster-can-cars-imported-from-japan-be-radioactive.html

New Honda Brio Promotional Video

Driver films moment his car is engulfed by tsunami

2009 Bugatti Sports Cars Veyron Reviews

In a highlight on this year’s agenda of centennial celebrations, Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. presented four Bugatti Veyron specials at Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza. These one off models are reminders of Bugatti’s glorious motor-racing history which played a central role in popularising and ultimately establishing the myth which the brand continues to enjoy to this day.

The Bugatti brand is almost inextricably linked to the Type 35. The Type 35 Grand Prix was by far the most successful racing model. The unmistakable radiator grille and eight-spoke aluminum wheels of the Type 35 have become defining features of the Bugatti automobile. In its day, the Grand Prix was also well ahead of its time in terms of engineering ingenuity.

The front axle design of this vehicle, which, for reasons of weight minimization, is hollow, is a true masterpiece of workmanship and was deemed nothing less than revolutionary. Its springs were passed through the axle to produce a high level of stability. The Grand Prix’s brake drums were integrally fitted into its lightweight aluminum wheels. Unfastening the central wheel nut allowed the wheel to be easily removed within a matter of seconds and the brake to be exposed. This was a crucial advantage at the pit stop.

The blue racers made their first appearance on the race track at the Grand Prix held by Automobil Club de France in Lyon in 1924. In the decade that followed, they remained practically unchallenged thanks to sophisticated manufacturing efforts, their lightweight design and easy handling. During that ten-year era, they won almost 2000 races – more than any other model ever has.

BUGATTI SPORTS CARS GALLERY

Grand Prix races were highly fashionable events in those days, and Bugatti was not the only brand with considerable interest in substantiating the reputation of its products by winning races. In fact, in the 1920s, Europe was regularly host to a number of different races in different countries on a single weekend. The teams set up by different automobile manufacturers competed at popular race circuits such as Targa Florio, Le Mans, Monza and Spa as well as in Rome, Nice, Antibes and even a village in Alsace.

The main reason Bugatti won such an enormous number of races – on the back of which successes the brand was also able to forge its image – was the fact that Bugatti sold not only its normal sports and touring cars to private buyers, but its racing cars too. Thus it was that its automobiles took part in such a large number of Grand Prix events.

Tradition being what it is, the Bugatti Veyron Specials built to mark the 100th anniversary of the brand feature the racing colors of the respective countries: blue for France, red for Italy, green for England and white for Germany. Each of the four new Veyrons has a specific “predecessor” in the form of an original Grand Prix Bugatti on which it was modelled.

These four historic race cars represent the generation of legendary Bugatti Grand Prix racers which were piloted by world-famous race-car drivers and which scored countless racing victories in the 1920s and ‘30s. Each of the four Veyron Specials is named after a Bugatti race-car driver of the 1920s and 30s. Jean-Pierre Wimille has given the blue Veyron its name, Achille Varzi the red one, Malcolm Campbell the green one and Hermann zu Leiningen the white Veyron.