Happy 2012 from The Honda Portal!

Plan to add pumps may boost natural gas autos

This is great news for people that own Natural Gas Civic's!
By Alan Sayre
New Orleans —The United States has record supplies of natural gas and plenty of reasons to promote natural-gas powered cars. But so far, consumers, manufacturers and fuel suppliers haven't shown much interest.

Now, a major natural gas developer's plans to vastly increase the number of truck stops that offer liquid natural gas could help boost its use in the vehicles that burn the most fuel, while promoting its availability to a wider market.

Lots of natural gas is available, if U.S. drivers decide to use it. In just a few years, domestic natural gas supplies have increased by trillions of cubic feet through shale finds, boosting the supply to the point where plans are in place to export part of the overflow.

The growth of natural gas vehicles in the United States so far has been dominated by fleets of buses, taxis and garbage haulers. Only one natural gas car is commercially produced in the country: the Honda Civic GX, recently renamed the NG. It has sold a grand total of about 13,000 in 13 years of production.

The reasons for the lackluster sales of natural gas cars are many: The fuel is only available at a handful of public stations, tethering the vehicles within a certain distance of a fuel source. And even though the pump price of natural gas can run $1 to $2 less per gallon equivalent than gasoline, natural gas vehicles carry a higher sticker price.

The focus for the natural gas vehicle industry in the United States has been the fuel-guzzlers: commercial vehicles, especially tractor-trailer rigs.

Rich Kolodziej, president of the trade association NGV America, says that makes sense in terms of overall fuel usage. He said a driver who puts 12,000 miles a year on a car at 25 miles to the gallon will use about 500 gallons of gasoline annually. But a diesel-driven 18-wheeler can easily go 120,000 miles a year. At six miles per gallon, that comes to 20,000 gallons.

"If you're trying to reduce foreign imports of oil, you're trying to reduce greenhouse gases and emissions in urban areas, where do you put your effort? You put it on the big vehicles," Kolodziej said.

For reasons of tank space, liquid natural gas is used by commercial trucks, while compressed natural gas is the fuel of choice for cars.

According to the international trade association NGV Global, there are 12.7 million natural gas vehicles in the world, including 6.8 million in the Asia-Pacific rim, 4.2 million in Latin America, 1.4 million in Europe, and 122,000 in Africa.

The U.S. has just 112,000 of them — less than 1 percent of the global total, and less than a tenth of 1 percent of the 253.7 million vehicles in the U.S.

Most of them are in fleets.

"The big reason that they work well for fleets and not the average person on the street is that most fleet vehicles are used for relatively short trips," said John O'Dell, senior editor of Edmunds.com, which follows the vehicle industry. "They go back to the barn in the evening where they have a refueling station that can handle them.

"There is not a really good fueling system in this country," O'Dell added. "You have to have the infrastructure out there to convince people to buy natural gas cars."

Kolodziej said that there are about 180,000 gasoline stations — and only about 1,000 locations to fill up with natural gas.

But that may be changing.

The T. Boone Pickens-backed Clean Energy Fuels Corp. is embarking on a major expansion of natural gas fueling and plans to add liquefied natural gas pumps at 150 truck stops nationwide over the next 24 to 36 months.

"We've mapped out a strategy to cover every major interstate in the domestic United States," said Clean Energy Fuels chief marketing officer James Harger.

Harger and other natural gas proponents are putting stock in pending congressional legislation that would provide tax credits to cover 80 percent of the cost difference between a liquid natural gas tractor-trailer and a diesel. Harger said the five-year bill probably would cost about $1 billion a year. The U.S. spends over $1 billion a day on foreign oil.

"This will help jump-start this industry," he said.

Source;
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20111229/AUTO01/112290345/Plan-add-pumps-may-boost-natural-gas-autos

Honda back in the innovation game

By Richard Russell @ Globe and Mail

Although Honda built its reputation in engineering and innovation, in recent years it has strayed from that path – there have been no new engines, transmissions, hybrid, electric or plug-in systems in an era when the competition is bombarding us with new thinking.

Honda Motor president and CEO Takanobu Ito admits the company has had trouble. “The real challenge facing car companies around the world is the speed at which change is taking place. To be honest, we have not been able to keep up as well as we’d like.”

He also heads up Honda R&D and in that role says his first task as president is to push for advanced technologies, advances that will put Honda ahead of the pack in the fields of batteries, hybrids and fuel cells while working on further efficiencies with the internal combustion engine. “We’re hard at work on all of these at once,” he said recently.

The previous day, at the company’s R&D centre in Motegi, 125 km north of Tokyo near the area decimated by the March earthquake and tsunami, we had sampled a steady stream of new innovations that will find their way into an array of new vehicles in the next couple of years.

We drove a variety of new and future vehicles powered by a completely new family of four- and six-cylinder engines. We tried several new transmissions, a truly innovative all-wheel-drive system, various hybrids including one without a transmission, pure electric vehicles and a sleek sedan powered by a fuel cell.

On the engine front, a unique combination of variable valve-timing, twin camshafts and direct injection has been developed allowing engines to run on the fuel-savings Atkinson Cycle without the loss of power or torque previously associated with that method. These include a quartet of new four-cylinder gasoline engines ranging in displacement from 1.0 to 2.4 litres and a new 3.5-litre V6. The new 2.4-litre will first appear in the next Accord, late in 2012, and perhaps the new CR-V shortly afterward.

We drove vehicles powered by a new 148-horsepower, 1.8-litre four that would be right at home in a mid-cycle version of the new Civic being readied for the 2013 model year and a 127-horsepower, 1.5-litre four destined for the Fit. In all cases, these preliminary power figures are on the conservative side but considerably higher than current engines of similar displacement, while consuming 10 per cent less fuel. We also sampled a Civic powered by a potent little 1.6-litre turbo diesel.

Honda engineers have developed a trio of new continuously variable transmissions for small and mid-sized cars. On road and track they exhibited less of the “motor-boating” and “rubber-band” effects associated with CVT transmissions. Only when pressed hard on the track did they assume the CVT propensity to sound like a clutch was slipping.

Honda has also come up with a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox for higher power applications.
All of these engines and transmission will appear in standalone or hybrid applications across a wide range of vehicles of all sizes and shapes in the next two years.

Honda also showed off what it says is the world’s most efficient two-motor hybrid system, one that allows a big family-size car to operate without a transmission with a resulting saving in space and cost. Headed for the North American market next year in the next-generation Accord, it can run on electric or gasoline power or a combination of the two.

The main electric motor produces 221 lb-ft of torque and is used to launch the car, which can run for up to 24 km on battery power alone. The second electric motor is used as a generator to recharge the batteries. At highway speeds, the electric motor drops out and a 134-horsepower gasoline engine takes over.

The IC engine also comes into use to drive the generator and keep the batteries charged, much like the Chevrolet Volt. With the big electric motor able to get the car to cruising speed there is no need for a transmission.

The company also turned us loose on the big oval of the adjacent Twin-Ring Motegi racetrack in an Accord-size sedan equipped with the new V-6 sending 310 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels through the seven-speed DSG gearbox and a pair of 27-horsepower electric motors powering the rear wheels.

In addition to the abundance of instant torque when accelerating, one motor is programmed to send more power to the outside wheel in a corner while the other applies negative torque to the inside wheel.

Off-the-line performance can be silent and seamless with the twin electric motors providing the go – or is truly impressive if you get into the throttle and add the V-6 to the equation. Turn-in is exemplary and transient response exceptional thanks to the rear wheels being used to pull the car into the turn. Add to this the ability to get on the power earlier when existing the corner and you’ve got a true sports sedan.

Look for this combination in a forthcoming replacement for the big Acura RL sedan and the replacement for the NSX sports car.

Source;
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/new-cars/auto-news/honda-back-in-the-innovation-game/article2287398/?utm_medium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm_source=Home&utm_content=2287398

Another Next Gen Acura NSX

Source;
http://rumors.automobilemag.com/report-new-acura-nsx-to-have-400-hp-roadster-version-97469.html

New 400bhp Honda NSX

Honda supercar returns with a four-wheel-drive hybrid drivetrain, and the coupe version will debut at Detroit Auto Show
The Honda NSX supercar is set to return as a 400bhp four-wheel-drive hybrid. Honda has already confirmed that a new NSX will be revealed at the Detroit Motor Show in January, and now we have more information on the Japanese Audi R8 rival.

We’ve already seen spy shots of a concept car on the set of the new Avengers movie, and we’ve since had confirmation that the Detroit show car will be heavily based on that model. Our images show a coupe, but the final production version will also be offered as a roadster.

The concept will be shown as an Acura – the firm’s luxury North American arm – but it will be badged as a Honda when it arrives in the UK, and retain its forebear’s NSX name. Power will come from a 3.5-litre V6 driving one axle and a pair of in-wheel electric motors to turn the other. This will give the NSX four-wheel-drive traction and 400bhp-plus. Performance will be impressive, with 0-62mph taking under five seconds.

For full details on the new NSX, including how the hybrid powertrain will be adapted to suit the project, check out this week’s Auto Express magazine.

Source;
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/276454/new_400bhp_honda_nsx.html

Is this the Next Honda Accord?

This pic was sent to me by 'Steve', not sure what to think about this, but it does look good, whether or not this is the Next Generation Accord or not .... we'll have to wait and see.

*UPDATE*
This is the Euro Honda Accord, be nice to see this non-TSX front end here though.

Book: Hoffa is buried beneath the GM Building

Detroit— Some say Jimmy Hoffa is buried somewhere under the west endzone at Giants Stadium in New Jersey. Others say he was cremated in a Hamtramck garbage incinerator or dumped in the Florida Everglades.

But a new book penned by a man who was Hoffa's driver and a Canadian journalist says the legendary Teamster boss is still in Detroit, buried beneath General Motors' headquarters at the Renaissance Center in Downtown Detroit.

The book — "The Weasel: A Double Life in the Mob" (Wiley; November 2011) — is the latest tome to expose what really happened to Hoffa. The book's authors are Marvin Elkind, a self-described "chauffeur and goon for mob bosses" who turned police informant, and Adrian Humphries, who has written two other books about the mafia.

Elkind claims he learned Hoffa was buried under the RenCen during a Teamsters conference in Detroit in 1985. Reputed mob boss Anthony Giacalone told him and a group of delegates, Elkind told the New York Post.

As the group left the hotel across the street from where the Renaissance Center was under construction, Giacalone nodded toward the new building's foundation and said, "Say good morning to Jimmy Hoffa, boys."

Source;
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20111227/METRO/112270331/-1/archive/Book-Hoffa-buried-beneath-RenCen

Honda begins scrapping over 1000 cars damaged from Thailand floods

Vehicles are seen after floodwaters receded at the Honda factory in Ayutthaya province on Nov. 26. Thailand's worst floods in 50 years have killed 610 people and devastated industry, but the situation is slowly improving, with water receding in many affected areas.

A Honda worker lifts a flood damaged car at the Honda factory in Ayutthaya province on December 27, 2011. Japanese car assembler Honda automobile (Thailand) started to scrap 1,055 cars which were damaged by the recent floods in Thailand, ensuring that damaged parts would not be sold, the company said in statement.

A flood damaged Honda car is destroyed at the Honda factory in Ayutthaya province on Dec 27. Japanese car assembler Honda automobile (Thailand) started to scrap 1,055 cars which were damaged by the recent floods in Thailand, ensuring that damaged parts would not be sold, the company said in statement.

Workers walk amidst Honda cars that were damaged by the flood before the destruction demonstration at Honda automobile plant in Ayutthaya province, central Thailand on Dec. 27. The 1,055 unit of Honda cars, mostly Brio eco-cars and City subcompacts, were destroyed in an action to assure to customers that the flood-damaged cars will not be repaired and sold.
Natalia Jimenez writes

In an effort to prove that no flood damaged vehicles will not be sold to customers, the Honda factory in Thailand's Ayutthaya province began destroying over 1,000 cars. The factory was one of the hardest hit by the several months of record flooding, which only receded a few weeks ago. The devastating floods were the worst the country experienced in 50 years and left over 700 people dead. According to AFP, the scrapping process is expected to take one month.

Honda's production was disrupted from the floods and only recently returned to normal. According to AP, American Honda Executive Vice President John Mendel says it will not be until March that dealers will be fully restocked.

Aerial images of the submerged cars in the Honda lot provided powerful visuals of the effects of the severe flooding on businesses. (One of the images made it into our selection of the Year in Pictures: 2011.) The area is home to large production centers for global car and computer industries. According to Bloomberg, Toyota had to suspend local production of its Camry and Prius lines, and Apple faced delays in parts used for Mac computers. Western Digital shares hit a year low in October and is now working to regain their losses, according to Reuters.

See more images of the severe flooding in Thailand on PhotoBlog.

Source;
http://photoblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/12/27/9737801-honda-begins-scrapping-over-1000-cars-damaged-from-thailand-floods

Honda plans to make lighter vehicles - Nikkei

Dec 24 (Reuters) - Honda Motor Co plans to adopt new design and assembly methods to make its vehicles lighter, the Nikkei business daily reported.

Some of Honda's new manufacturing methods involve welding outer panels to the frame, rather than assembling the ceiling, side and other panels, to reduce the use of bolts and reinforcing materials, the Japanese newspaper said.

Honda plans to spend tens of billions of yen to revamp production lines in Japan and overseas, using the new methods on small vehicles initially, then on all models within several years, the Nikkei said.

The automaker has begun steps to scale back on materials, parts and processing steps for producing its minivehicle, the N Box, which was launched last Friday, the daily said.

Honda modified one of the two production lines that assemble the N Box at its Suzuka plant in Mie Prefecture, the Nikkei said. The move will help make the N Box 10 percent lighter and lower manufacturing costs, the paper added.

By making lighter and cheaper automobiles, the carmaker aims to fast track its advance into emerging markets, which is one of its top priorities, the newspaper said.

Source;
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/23/honda-idUSL3E7NN2XB20111223

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from The Honda Portal!

I hope everyone has a great safe and happy holiday!

Report: Honda Will Revise Sales Forecasts Up While It Revises Civic

By Ben Timmons
Honda’s not taking its recent Civic-related setbacks quietly, and it certainly isn’t giving up in the face of natural disasters, supply problems, and cheap plastics: the company is shooting to increase sales by 24 percent next year.

Automotive News reports that Tetsuo Iwamura, the President and CEO of American Honda, is predicting a 24 percent increase next year in sales, as the company works to upgrade and fix its 2012 Civic coupe and sedan. If Honda can pull off both of these ideas well, it would spell a great 2012 for a company that struggled through 2011. Its Civic sedan is down 13 percent thanks to inventory problems and quality problems, and the whole nameplate is off 5.3 percent year-to-date.

Keep in mind, also, that Honda was one of the hardest-hit Japanese automakers in last March’s Great East Japan Earthquake, and it continued to suffer during the Thai floods later this year. Sales of Honda’s hybrids, which are either produced in Japan or rely on Japanese parts, were down 53 percent in November 2011 from the same period in 2010.

Still, Honda hopes that its product portfolio will carry it to victory next year, as it pushes the one-two punch of natural disasters further and further in the rearview mirror. It is looking to replenish dwindling inventories of the Civic as it readies the update, and along with the all-new CR-V, sell roughly 1.25 million Hondas in 2012.

It’s a lofty goal, but we’ll see just how attainable it is in the coming months.

Source;
http://rumors.automobilemag.com/report-honda-will-revise-sales-forecasts-up-while-it-revises-civic-96285.html

Feds' crystal ball sees tough times for 2 bailed-out automakers

By Christina Rogers

DETROIT -- President Barack Obama boasts about the successful reorganization of General Motors and Chrysler, but some in his administration are using forecasts that anticipate a lackluster future for those automakers.

Projections released by the EPA and the Department of Transportation predict that by the 2025 model year, Chrysler's sales will plunge to less than half of what they were in the 2008 model year, when the Wall Street financial crisis triggered an auto industry depression and catapulted GM and Chrysler toward government-run bankruptcies.

The U.S. Treasury still owns a 32 percent stake in GM; Chrysler has repaid its government loans.

GM sales in the 2025 model year are projected to be just about what they were in 2008, while overall U.S. vehicle sales are expected to climb 25 percent to 17.3 million vehicles in the same period.

Meanwhile, Volkswagen and Hyundai are expected to more than double their U.S. sales.
These are some of the predictions tucked away in the administration's 567-page proposal to lock in tougher fuel economy rules for the U.S. auto industry.

The proposal, released in November by the EPA and Department of Transportation, seeks roughly to double today's standards by raising requirements to an average of 54.5 mpg for each automaker by the 2025 model year. The new rules received the backing of 13 automakers in July.

VW and Daimler AG have refused to endorse the proposal because it creates no new incentives for diesel cars.

Rulemaking process
The 2025 model year projections are a part of the rulemaking process and are based on forecasts obtained by the federal agencies from the Department of Energy, as well as outside forecasting firm CSM Worldwide (now a part of IHS Automotive). A custom forecast, covering the years 2017-2025, was purchased from CSM Worldwide by the agencies in December 2009.
The figures will be updated before the rules are made final, and the public will have a chance to comment on the EPA-DOT rules in January.

The long-range estimates help set a baseline for where sales in the industry are trending even before the more stringent standards are in place. The projections are compiled by the government. Typically, automakers don't release such long-term forecasts publicly.
Chrysler, GM and Ford declined to comment on the 2025 projections.

In a statement, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the arm of DOT that prepared the analysis, said: "The agencies' projections are based on the best information available to the agencies at the time. Such forecasts are always subject to change as the industry and economy shifts."

NHTSA declined to comment further.
The EPA also said in a separate statement: "The data were from DOE and CSM, a respected independent research firm. When EPA and NHTSA finalize the rule, we will update it with the more current data that becomes available."

The projections offer a glimpse into how U.S. regulators view the sales landscape in the coming years. The forecasts predict U.S. vehicle sales will hit 17.3 million for the 2025 model year -- up from 13.9 million in 2008 -- with major carmakers like Honda, Toyota, Kia and Nissan posting healthy double-digit sales increases.

Chrysler, now owned by Italian carmaker Fiat S.p.A., is the only major automaker expected to lose business during this time frame. Its sales are expected to plummet 54 percent from 1.7 million in the 2008 model year, to 768,241 in model year 2025.

That's a big departure from Chrysler's own publicly announced projections: U.S. sales of 2 million in 2014, up from 950,000 in 2009.

GM's sales will rise 3 percent to 3.2 million between model years 2008 and 2025, while Ford is expected to increase sales by 26 percent to 2.2 million in the same period, according to projections cited by the agencies.

Tesla, which sold 800 electric cars during the 2008 model year, is expected to sell 31,974 in 2025.

Dubious forecast?
Jeff Schuster, senior vice president of forecasting at LMC Automotive, said the government's figures for each automaker are a bit dated, especially given all the changes in the industry over the last few years.

Chrysler, which historically has had a truck-heavy lineup, is starting to add small car options that will help sustain sales even if gasoline prices rise.

Other automakers also will adjust their lineups in response to advances in fuel-saving technologies and shifts in consumer demand, making it tricky to forecast sales so many years in advance.

"When you get that far out, as a forecaster it becomes a crapshoot," Schuster said. "They don't even know what their lineup is going to be in 2025, so it's difficult for a forecaster to know."
Feds' projections for auto sales

The EPA and Department of Transportation include future sales projections for each automaker in the agencies' proposal for tougher 2017-2025 fuel economy standards released in November. The annual sales estimates are based on data provided by the Department of Energy and outside forecasting firm, CSM Worldwide.

Source;

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20111222/OEM11/111229956/1424

Motor Trend: 2012 Honda Civic Si Sedan Review

December 22, 2011
By Carlos Lago Photos Michael Shaffer

Two hundred dollars won't buy you an iPad. It won't even pay for a half-decent coffee maker. But in the case of the Civic Si, $200 pays for two more doors, an easier-to-access trunk, and more passenger and cargo volume. Most importantly, those extra doors and enlarged capacities of the 2012 Honda Civic Si sedan come without sacrificing the fun-to-drive nature found in the Si coupe, or the performance. It's the same fun, now comfortably seating four.

In its transformation from coupe to sedan, the Civic Si grows 1.8 inches longer and 1.5 inches taller. Interior dimensions, as you might expect, grow most notably for rear passengers. Rear seat headroom expands to 1.9 inches, legroom to 5.4 inches, and shoulder room 1.1 inches. These increases mean little to overall weight. On our scales, the Si sedan weighed in a negligible 13 pounds heavier than the 2012 Civic Si coupe we tested, and its front/rear weight balance, at 61/39 percent, remains the same.

Also identical is the sedan's figure eight lap time. At 26.4 seconds, it matches the best lap we've seen from the Si coupe. Disappointingly, the sedan also retains the same understeer. During limit handling, the Si doesn't offer many choices; its rear tires resolutely follow the fronts. With lateral acceleration at a 0.88 g average, grip is admirable, but we found ourselves longing for some personality. Once the front starts plowing, your only option is to sit and wait for the understeer to end.

And that's with the summer tires. If you enjoy driving (and of course you do, you're buying a Si), avoid the all-seasons. During a back-to-back test with both tires on our figure eight, the Michelin Pilot Exalto summer rubber turned a 0.4-second quicker lap time than the all seasons. That lap time difference may seem slight, but the difference behind the wheel was most telling. The all-seasons exacerbated the understeer, squealing too easily and barricading you from fun.

Buy this car with summer tires, even if you don't plan on racing around two skidpads as fast as possible all day. Under normal driving, on city streets, the Si is an agreeable car to drive quickly. Its steering, though light, feels nicely precise. The clutch engages positively, and the gearbox slinks between gears as fast as you want it to. The absurdly short 4.76 final drive means you get to row that delightful shift knob frequently. The gearing also pays dividends in acceleration, where the Si sedan reaches 60 mph in 6.4 seconds and the quarter mile in 14.9 seconds at 94.8 mph. Lugging around town, you can get into fourth as early as 25 mph, something rare for performance-orientated Hondas. When approaching intersections, I frequently shifted into second when I should've shifted into third.

While the shifter is tidy and quick, we can’t say the same for the engine. This 2.4-liter mill hangs on to revs every time you depress the clutch between shifts, as if it were suspended in zero gravity. So you have to wait (and wait some more) to engage the next gear, which makes smooth shifting difficult. Honda says it is the result of chasing smooth deceleration when the throttle is lifted, an attempt to minimize torque shock. But to us, waiting for the revs to fall is frustrating because it is so at odds with the attitude of the rest of the car.

There's another oddity: You can't option summer tires with navigation, as you can with the coupe. Word from Honda is that the take rate on that combination in the previous generation was too low. At $24,675, even the most expensive, nav-equipped Si sedan costs $3590 less than a comparably equipped GTI and $2255 less than a comparably equipped Mazdaspeed3. That difference easily covers a set of wheels and summer tires. Those all seasons? Save 'em for winter.

The Si sedan encapsulates the same things we enjoy from the coupe (and the things we aren't particularly fond of) without diminishing any of the performance. Understeer at the limit and rev hang notwithstanding, the Si sedan still delivers the driving satisfaction we've come to expect from the badge. For $200, we're still hunting for a downside. And a better deal.

Source;
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/1112_2012_honda_civic_si_sedan_first_test/

Hyundai America Nabs BMW Designer Christopher Chapman

Smart....
If there's one thing that Hyundai and Kia can lay claim to, is that both companies eventually understood the importance of design and made significant efforts to improve the styling of their vehicles in the past few years.

To achieve their goal, the Koreans didn't hesitate to bring in experienced designers from other brands, with the most notable transfer being that of Peter Schreyer from Audi who took over and revolutionized Kia's design language.

The South Korean group continues to inject its brands with foreign designers, with its latest hire being Christopher Chapman of former BMW fame. Chapman was named chief designer of the Hyundai Design Center in Irvine, California, and will be responsible for new vehicle and concept design for Hyundai.

“With over 22 years of experience in the industry working on esteemed automotive brands, Chris provides a level of talent that will help further our design portfolio,” said SukGeun Oh, Head of Design, Senior Executive Vice President Hyundai Design Center. “We are thrilled to have Christopher Chapman as chief designer for Hyundai and look forward to continuing the strong momentum of our vehicle designs.”

Chapman started his career at the Isuzu Technical Center of America in Cerritos, California, in 1989 and was the designer chosen for the exterior of the XU-1 show car, which won Best Concept at the 1993 Tokyo Motor Show.

In 1994, he joined the BMW Group at DesignworksUSA in California, where he designed the exteriors of the X5 Sport Activity Vehicle and X Coupe concept car before he moved to Germany to design the CS1 concept shown at the Geneva Auto Salon in 2002, followed by the first generation 1 Series production Coupe and its derivatives.

In 2002, Chapman was appointed Director of Automotive Design and has been responsible for leading several conceptual and production vehicles including the new X5, X3, Z4 and the first BMW 1-series E87.

“Christopher Chapman is an outstanding addition to the design team at HATCI,” said John Krafcik, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. “We are proud to add such a talented individual to lead the team of dedicated designers at HATCI that will continue to develop innovative vehicles for both the United States and global auto markets.”

Source;
http://www.carscoop.blogspot.com/2011/12/hyundai-america-nabs-bmw-designer.html

Updated 2013 Honda Civic Coming Late Next Year, Company Says it Expects to Improve Sales

With less than two weeks to go before the year’s end, we can safely say that one of the biggest disappointments of 2011 was the ninth generation of Honda’s U.S.-market Civic. Launched in April as a 2012 year model, the new Civic was criticized for its drop in quality and was even removed from Consumer Reports’ “Recommended” list.

Honda Motor CEO Takanobu Ito took personal responsibility for the new Civic's poor performance. And now, the company's executives confirm earlier reports that Honda is rushing back to the drawing board much earlier than originally anticipated.

Honda U.S. executive vice president of sales John Mendel may claim that “building a good car isn’t good enough for us, we have to build a great car”, but we suspect that the 13 percent drop in sales to 200,690 units in 2011, is probably the reason why the Civic is getting ready for a redesign only a year after launch.

Tetsuo Iwamura, Honda’s top North American executive, told Bloomberg News that the 2013MY Civic will go on sale by late next year and that it will be “upgraded”. That was to be expected, as the Civic is Honda’s second best-selling car in the U.S. after the Accord.

Iwamura admitted that “the gap between the Civic and the competitors has been narrowed”, adding that “we have to make it wider”. Thus, he revealed that the Japanese carmaker will improve the styling, driving dynamics and comfort of the 2013 MY Civic.

The performance of such a critical model only added insult to injury for Honda, as the March earthquake that hit Japan seriously diminished its inventory and resulted in a 5.3 percent drop in the company's U.S. sales through November.

Despite this year’s performance, Japan’s third biggest carmaker has set quite a high target for next year: it wants its U.S. sales to increase from about 1 million units in 2011 to 1.25 million, and its luxury brand Acura to improve its record even more, from 126,000 to 180,000 deliveries.

“It looks like quite a high jump, but because of the availability problem we had a really low year in 2011”, Iwamura told Bloomberg. “That is the reason why growth looks huge, but for us, it’s a natural growth.”

Source;
http://www.carscoop.blogspot.com/2011/12/updated-2013-honda-civic-coming-late.html

Consumer Reports Gives the Honda Civic Si a “Recommended” Rating

Just when Honda announced it is developing a revised Civic for the 2013MY that will be launched in the U.S. in late 2012, Consumer Reports, the publication that started the storm of negative publicity on Honda’s compact model, has awarded the Si version with a “Recommended” on its latest report.

CR still stands by its original verdict on the base 2012 Civic when it stated, “while other models like the Hyundai Elantra have gotten better after being redesigned, the Honda Civic has dropped so much that now it ranks near the bottom of its category.”

The difference is that the model tested this time is the sportier Si version fitted with the more powerful 2.4-liter engine. According to the test results, it earned a notably better score than the basic model and as a result, CR says it now recommends the Si.

Most of the improvements are due to the 201HP engine, which CR says offers “terrific acceleration” at high rpm and at the same time, more low-end torque, as well as the "slick shifting" six-speed manual gearbox. The publication also notes that the Si returned "a very good" combined fuel economy of 29 mpg.

On the other hand, CR repeats that the Si suffers from the same cheap plastics, harsh ride, noisy cabin and vague steering as the basic versions, which placed the base Civic at second-to-last place. The Civic Si ranked 9th out of 11 tested models in Consumer Reports' sporty car category.

"The Civic Si has a great powertrain, but it needs a better car wrapped around it," said David Champion, sr. director of Consumer Reports Automotive Test Center.

Source;
http://www.carscoop.blogspot.com/2011/12/consumer-reports-gives-honda-civic-si.html

Lexus LF-LC 2+2 sport coupe Concept Leaked

This compliments this previous post;

http://www.thehondaportal.blogspot.com/2011/12/lexus-to-unveil-sport-coupe-concept.html

Lexus to Unveil Sport Coupe Concept Vehicle at North American International Auto Show in Detroit

TORRANCE, Calif., Dec.21, 2011 – Taking the new Lexus design direction one step further, the LF-LC 2+2 sport coupe will be unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit at 1:25 pm Eastern time on January 9, 2012.

"Crafted from a clean sheet of paper at the request of Lexus headquarters in Japan, the LF-LC blends both high technology and organic shapes to connect the driver to the machine," said Mark Templin, Lexus group vice president and general manager. "The clean lines of the vehicle emphasize motion, creating a distinctive look for this futuristic sport coupe."

Conceived as a design exercise to explore the future of Lexus design, the LF-LC was created at the company’s Calty design studio in Newport Beach, Calif.


Source;
http://www.lexus.com/concept/_pdf/Concept_Vehicle_Press_Release_12_21_2011.pdf

New Four-cylinder 2012 Honda Crosstour EX and EX-L Combine Affordability, Fuel Efficiency and a Sleek Crossover Design

12/21/2011 - TORRANCE, Calif.
Two new four-cylinder, two-wheel-drive Honda Crosstour® models are set to go on sale next month, broadening the vehicle's appeal through a lower price point and EPA-estimated fuel economy that increases 3 mpg1 in the city and 2 mpg1 on the highway.

Equipped with a 2.4-liter i-VTEC inline four-cylinder engine producing 192 horsepower, the newest Crosstour is available in two trim levels, including the Crosstour EX and leather-upholstered Crosstour EX-L. A Honda Satellite-linked Navigation System2 is available on the Crosstour EX-L.

EPA-estimated fuel economy on the four-cylinder Crosstour is 21 mpg1 city and 29 mpg1 highway, a significant increase from the 271-horsepower 2WD V6 model's EPA estimated 18 mpg1 city and 27 mpg1 highway.

With the launch of the new four-cylinder Crosstour models, some useful features are now standard across the entire Crosstour family, which first debuted for the 2010 model year with V6 power. Standard features now include an automatic dimming rearview mirror, a rearview mirror back-up camera display for improved rear visibility (non-Navigation models), convenient auto-on/off headlights, Bluetooth®3 HandsFreeLink® and USB audio interface.

Bold Exterior and Functional InteriorHonda Crosstour approaches the crossover SUV formula from a distinctively sleek, sporty and fuel-efficient perspective, while also maximizing the interior's cargo capacity, versatility and premium feel.

The exterior design emphasizes a bold, aerodynamic look that also conceals an accommodating rear cargo area. The four-cylinder model includes body-color door handles and unique 17-inch alloy wheels with P225/65 R17 all-season tires. Two new colors are available on all 2012 Crosstour models: Twilight Blue Metallic replaces Glacier Blue Metallic, and Basque Red Pearl II replaces Tango Red Pearl.

Premium interior styling, appointments and details extend from the passenger compartment all the way through the cargo area. An under-floor storage area in the rear of the vehicle adds functionality, while reversible cargo floor panels accommodate dirty objects.

Efficient Four-cylinder PowertrainThe new four-cylinder Crosstour models come with a 2.4-liter, 16-valve DOHC i-VTEC® engine for power and efficiency. The engine produces 192 horsepower at 7,000 RPM and 162 lb-ft. of torque at 4,400 RPM, while achieving an EPA-estimated city/highway/combined fuel economy of 21/29/24 mpg1. To maximize efficiency, a technologically advanced 5-speed automatic transmission with Grade Logic Control is standard equipment.

Comprehensive Feature ListIn addition to auto-on/off headlights, Bluetooth3 HandsFreeLink®, USB audio interface and rearview mirror back-up camera display with integrated guidelines, additional standard features on the new four-cylinder Crosstour EX include projector-beam headlights, a moonroof, body-colored power side mirrors with defrost, auto-up/down driver and front passenger side windows, and rear privacy glass. Inside are air conditioning with second-row ventilation, a 360-watt AM/FM 6-disc audio system with seven speakers, steering wheel-mounted cruise, audio and phone controls, an easy fold-down 60-40 split rear seatback, a hidden removable utility box and more.

Crosstour EX-L adds leather-trimmed seating surfaces with heated front seats, a memory driver-side seat and memory-linked side mirrors with reverse gear tilt-down capability, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift knob, dual-zone automatic climate control, an automatic dimming rearview mirror, a premium audio system with Kevlar® cone speakers and front aluminum dome-type tweeter speakers, XM® Radio and more. Also available on the Crosstour EX-L is the Honda Satellite-linked Navigation System2 which includes a rearview camera with guidelines integrated into the display.

Safety AssetsSafety technology includes the Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure, a Honda-exclusive body design that enhances occupant protection and crash compatibility in frontal collisions. Additional safety equipment on the Crosstour includes Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®), anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution and brake assist, side curtain airbags with a rollover sensor, driver's and front passenger's side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS), dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags, and active front seat head restraints.

The Crosstour is assembled in Ohio at the Honda of America Mfg., Inc., East Liberty Auto Plant using domestic and globally sourced parts.

WarrantyThe 2012 Honda Crosstour is covered by a 3-year/36,000-mile new-car limited warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, and a 5-year/unlimited-mile corrosion limited warranty.

Additional media information including detailed features and high-resolution photography of the 2012 Honda Crosstour is available at www.hondanews.com. Consumer information is available at automobiles.honda.com.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.com/channels/corporate-headlines/releases/new-four-cylinder-2012-honda-crosstour-ex-and-ex-l-combine-affordability-fuel-efficiency-and-a-sleek-crossover-design

Honda named as most pothole-proof brand

I am surprised that the 'luxury' brands didn't fare better than what they did....-Honda tops pot hole list
-Chryslers susceptible to pot-hole damage
-£309 average repair bill because of pot holes

Honda cars are best-equipped to cope with potholes on UK roads, with only 1.4% suffering significant damage as a result of damaged roads.

Honda owners emerged as those least likely to have to make a claim due to suspension or axle damage, with Toyota and Hyundai owners not far behind.

However, the cars most likely to suffer pothole-related suspension damage are Chryslers, which have a 12.2% chance of damage in an average year according to Warranty Direct. Overall, there's around a 6% chance of any car suffering such damage in an average year.

'We've found some cars have an uncanny ability to absorb the jolts from even the most severe road craters, while others aren't so resilient,' said Duncan McClure Fisher of Warranty Direct.

He also pointed out that luxury brands, such as Jaguar, Mercedes and Land Rover all featured in the least-resilient list.

'Particularly surprising is that high-end manufacturers are just as vulnerable, if not more so, than 'value' manufacturers.'

According to Warranty Direct, the average pothole-related repair is £309, but some have been as high as £2420.

Most resilient brands
1. Honda
2. Toyota
3. Hyundai
4. Nissan
5. Kia
6. Mitsubishi
7. Mini
8. Suzuki
9. Ford
10. Mazda

Least Resilient Brands
1. Chrysler
2. Smart
3. Mercedes-Benz
4. Land Rover
5. Jaguar
6. Saab
7. Fiat
8. BMW
9. Seat
10. Vauxhall

Source;
http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/honda-named-as-most-pothole-proof-brand/260541

We Hear: Honda EV-STER Concept to Be Built, with Gas Power?

Honda CEO Takanobu Ito told German auto magazine Auto Motor und Sport that the funky Honda EV-STER concept we showed you last month during the Tokyo Motor Show will go into production. The EC-STER was conceived as a modern-day Honda Beat and comes close to the size of that Japanese market Kei-car.

The concept comes in less than two inches wider than the Beat and the JDM Kei-car standard. The concept is powered by a 58kW (78 horsepower) lithium-ion motor and is said to hit 60km/h (just over 37 mph) in 5.0 seconds. Power is sent to the rear wheels. Honda says the electric-powered EV-STER would have a range of 100 miles and top speed of 100 mph.

But don’t fret if these numbers don’t impress. The Honda EV-STER is package-protected for a gasoline engine – behind the seats, making it a mid-engine, rear-drive replacement for the gone but not forgotten Honda S2000. Still no word on size or power level of the hypothetical internal combustion engine, but it would likely create more power and produce better times than the electric motor.

One show car feature that would not likely make production is the twin-lever steering. A conventional steering wheel would probably get the nod for the production car. No details whether either model will come stateside. We are crossing our fingers for the gas-powered version with at least 200 horsepower – maybe from the rumored 1.6-liter turbo four-cylinder.

Source;
http://wot.motortrend.com/we-hear-honda-ev-ster-concept-to-be-built-with-gas-power-147349.html

Honda Canada announces 2012 CR-V pricing

With its new 2012 CR-V set to debut January 4 at dealerships, Honda Canada has released pricing for the popular-selling compact sport-ute.

Pricing will start at $25,990 for the CR-V LX (2WD), while the top-of-line, Canadian-exclusive Touring model with Real Time All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) with Intelligent Control System and other features will be offered with a suggested retail price of $34,990.

As of the end of November, the CR-V is the third-best-selling compact SUV in the country with more than 23,000 units sold, behind the Ford Escape and Dodge Journey.

“The new CR-V represents excellent value for Canadian buyers of popular compact SUVs from top-of-class fuel economy to the largest cargo capacity of any vehicle in its segment,” says Jerry Chenkin, executive vice-president of Honda Canada. “The new … CR-V adds up to $2,500 in additional value in standard features and technologies compared to the outgoing model.

Honda also says that “as of early next year,” all CR-Vs sold in Canada will be built at its assembly plant in Alliston, Ont.

All fourth-generation CR-Vs are powered by a 2.4-litre i-VTEC four-cylinder engine with 185 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque.

Source;
http://life.nationalpost.com/2011/12/19/honda-canada-announces-2012-cr-v-pricing/

2013 Chevrolet Impala Imagined by Casey/Art and Colour

I've got to say, this looks really good....
"2013 Impala—The next large Chevy sedan will be based on the same architecture as the new Cadillac XTS. I've created a Chevy version of that car, and I'm guessing it's pretty close to the real deal. I've used classic Impala logos and wheels, as well as very 1961-like Chevy lettering on the hood. Compared with the XTS, I've simplified the bodysides and given it a late-model Impala greenhouse, as well as smoothing out the trunk shape."

Source (via www.woodyscarsite.com);
http://artandcolourcars.blogspot.com/2011/12/2013-chevrolet-impala-sedan.html

Honda plans new range of direct injection petrol and smaller diesel engine

Honda plans new range of direct injection petrol and smaller diesel engine
Among the world best small petrol engine without turbo and direct fuel injection develop for use in Honda car around the world start from last decade is nearly at the end of it life.

As Honda announced at the Tokyo Motor Show that is develop a new generation of engines called Earth Dreams Technology that consist of petrol and diesel engine.Including a CVT that designed for compact cars, as well as another for mid-size (Jazz,City,CR-V,Civic and Accord) and even new dual-clutch 7-speed transmission (integrated into a new SH-AW) for premium end of the range of Accord and Acura.

The new petrol engine will be a DOHC engine with direct injection and VTEC arrangement with an Atkinson cycle lower load cam plus extensive friction reduction technologies.Honda say that they hope to be number one in fuel economy in each category within three years.

The range of 4 cylinder petrol start from 1500 cc 127 hp maximum torque of 15.3 kk.-m,1800 cc for the Civic to upgrade. the 148 horsepower and 2400 cc for the CR-V and Accord is the most powerful 181 hp with maximum torque of 24.4 kk.-m.While V-6 gasoline engine with capacity of 3500 cc, will be upgrade to 310 horsepower, which is more than a V-6 engine in the current version that is installed on the TL or Honda Legend around 30 horsepower.The 660 CC and 2000 CC petrol with not disclose power now is going to replace by new one.

The current 2.2 liter diesel engine that power in European’s Honda will be add with new1600 cc 4-cylinder turbo diesel engine, the maximum power of 118 hp at 4000 rpm and torque is 300 Nm at 2000 rpm, while Honda said the new engine is lighter than diesel engines that currently in the market. And exhaust emissions only 100 grams per kilometer.

The new change will happens in late 2012 in model by model.

Source;
http://autoten.com/2011/12/17/honda-plans-new-range-of-direct-injection-petrol-and-smaller-diesel-engine/

New 2012 Honda CRV Commercial

Honda Chopper Concept

Honda Motors unveiled an all new concept chopper earlier this week. From just looking at this concept bike, you will realize that this is not a motorcycle from this world, but from the future. Honda engineers, as always, have perfected a masterpiece. As it is a concept motorcycle, Honda Chopper electric will not go into production ever, as of now.

Honda Chopper concept electric is powered by two electric Motor fitted independently on both wheels. Don't worry, they work perfectly well together. We do not know the tech specs of this futuristic Honda bike, which according to many is a genius work of art and engineering design. This Honda electric chopper is designed by Mr Peter Norris, who we think is a big Star Wars fan.

As it is powered by electric motors, the Honda electric chopper does not pump harmful fumes into our environment, giving owners a new feel of Pride. Though a futuristic chopper, this Honda superbike will be a performance bike with a decent acceleration and topspeed. As of now we wonder, how this motorcycle would maneuver in city traffic, or for that matter take a turn, any guesses?

Source;

http://www.rushlane.com/honda-concept-chopper-electric-bike-is-really-a-motorcycle-from-the-future-photos-1225877.html

Honda City Facelift Launced with "Corporate Edition Variant

Ladies and gentlemen, Honda continues its pricing onslaught in the Indian car market, with the latest version of Honda’s flagship sedan, the facelifted City sedan, being launched at a killer price tag of INR 6.99 Lakhs. This pricing though is for the no-frills corporate edition of the popular petrol engine powered sedan. This new low cost variant apart, cruise control is a major feature that has been added to the facelifted Honda City.

Source (with more info. on changes and pic's!)
http://www.indiancarsbikes.in/cars/honda-city-facelift-launched-price-inr-699-lakhs-base-corporate-edition-variant-53008/

Canada's Top 10 List of Most Stolen Cars for 2011

Huh?!?!?According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, the 2009 Toyota Venza 4-door was the most popular car in Canada to be stolen by car thieves.

Yesterday, the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) released its annual list of the top 10 vehicles stolen in Canada. The 2009 Toyota Venza 4-door can now shout "we're number one" after replacing the 2000 Honda Civic SiR that took top honours in 2010. That model of Honda dropped down to third place this year.

According to Statistics Canada, vehicle thefts, along with other property crimes, are dropping. In 2010, 15,300 fewer vehicles were stolen throughout the country than were taken during the previous year. But the IBC notes that while these thefts have dropped, so has the recovery rate. This suggests a lot of thefts are carried out by organized crime as opposed to young people out to have a little fun.

Rick Dubin, Vice-President, Investigative Services, Insurance Bureau of Canada, said,
We're doing a good job of stopping stolen vehicles at the ports. Our data indicates that we are not seeing many of these vehicles there. We have to conclude that stolen vehicles are being re-sold locally. But because these stolen vehicles are in these local markets, buyers need to be careful.
The Insurance Bureau of Canada advises the public to only purchase vehicles from reputable dealers and to trace the history of the car. Similarly, when repairs are needed, consumers should only deal with legitimate auto repair shops. There is a lucrative market for parts taken from high end cars, crossovers, and trucks.

The IBC advises if anyone is looking for a reputable repair or auto body shop, they can contact an insurance company or the IBC.

The IBC's list of most frequently stolen vehicles is as follows:
1. 2009 Toyota Venza 4-door
2. 1999 Honda Civic SiR 2-door
3. 2000 Honda Civic SiR 2-door
4. 2006 Ford F350 Pickup Truck 4WD
5. 2002 Cadillac Escalade EXT 4-door
6. 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer SS 4-door 4WD
7. 2007 Ford F350 Pickup Truck 4 WD
8. 2001 Pontiac Aztek 4-door AWD
9. 1998 Accura Integra 2-door
10. 1999 Acura Integra 2-door

Source;
http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/316130#ixzz1gcKDG9BV

Twelve American Honda Models Earn IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK

12/15/2011 - TORRANCE, Calif.
Twelve American Honda models, including the all-new 2012 CR-V that goes on-sale today, received the highest possible safety rating of TOP SAFETY PICK from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) under its more-stringent testing guidelines implemented last year.
The IIHS 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 the Institute's tests.

Announced by IIHS today, the Honda Fit, CR-Z, Insight, Accord, CR-V, Pilot and Ridgeline along with the Acura TL, TSX and MDX all earned the highest-possible score of GOOD in all four ratings, including the more rigorous roof-strength test. Earlier this year the all-new Civic and redesigned Odyssey earned the TOP SAFETY PICK, giving American Honda twelve 2012 TOP SAFETY PICK winners.

"We're proud to have achieved IIHS TOP SAFETY TOP rating for nine new 2012 Honda models and three 2012 Acura models, making American Honda among the best in the industry with twelve vehicles with top-class IIHS safety ratings under their new, more stringent ratings protocols," said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "In fact, 91% of American Honda vehicles sold in the U.S. are TOP SAFETY PICKS. This accomplishment is part of a concerted effort we have made to reassert the Honda brand as a clear leader in this area."

Standard safety equipment on all Honda and Acura models include Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) with traction control; an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS); side curtain airbags (some vehicles equipped with a rollover sensor as well); 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. All 2012 Honda and Acura models recognized by the IIHS, with the exception of the Ridgeline, 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.

2012 American Honda TOP SAFETY PICKS:
HondaFit
Insight
CR-Z
Civic
Accord
CR-V
Pilot
Odyssey
Ridgeline

Acura
Acura TSX
Acura TL
Acura MDX

Source;
http://www.hondanews.com/channels/corporate-headlines/releases/twelve-american-honda-models-earn-iihs-top-safety-pick

2015 Toyota Supra to be a hybrid with 400 hp - report

Smaller coupe also under consideration
The rumor mill is back in action as a new report is indicating Toyota is developing a Supra successor.

According to Motor Trend, the car will likely be launched in 2015 and feature a hybridized 3.5-liter V6 engine with more than 400 hp (298 kW / 406 PS). Additional information is limited, but the model will reportedly be rear-wheel drive and have styling that recalls the 2007 FT-HS concept.

In related news, engineers are reportedly working on a coupe version of the GRMN hybrid concept II concept. It could be launched by late 2014 and use the same hybridized 3.5-liter V6 engine as the Lexus GS 450h.

Source: http://www.worldcarfans.com/111121338997/2015-toyota-supra-to-be-a-hybrid-with-400-hp---report#ixzz1gcHWanU6

Honda EV-STER headed for production - report

The Honda EV-STER concept was one of the stars at the Tokyo Motor Show and now it appears destined for production.

In an interview with Auto Motor und Sport, Honda CEO Takanobu Ito said the roadster could be offered with electric and petrol powertrains. Additional information is limited, but the magazine speculates the vehicle could be launched as early as 2012.

As we have previously reported, the EV-STER could accelerate from 0-60 km/h (0-37 mph) in 5.0 seconds and travel approximately 160 km (99 miles) on a single charge.

Source;
http://www.worldcarfans.com/111121439030/honda-ev-ster-headed-for-production---report

Casey Shain Renders the Next Gen Acura NSX Based on Avengers Movie Car

The Acura NSX supercar could be back in three years. A concept version of the Ferrari-fighter will debut in Detroit next month with a compact V-6 engine and lithium ion hybrid system. Journalists were given a glimpse of the car, which provided details for this artist's rendering.

LAS VEGAS -- Honda will overhaul and reposition its Acura lineup over the next 18 months and abandon its long pursuit of top-tier luxury-car status for the brand.

After years of trying to propel Acura into the front ranks with Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Lexus, Honda says it will settle for offering mid-level premium vehicles that favor fuel economy over performance.

With one exception: At the Detroit auto show next month, Honda will bring back the Ferrari-fighting Acura NSX -- a new version of the mid-engine supercar that disappeared in 2005 after a 15-year run. But instead of a monster engine, the NSX will have a compact, direct-injection V-6 teamed with a lithium ion battery pack. Another key to recalibrating Acura is the rollout of three new or redesigned sedans in the next 18 months, including a smaller compact and a bigger flagship.

"We are not satisfied with Acura's current positioning," Honda Motor Co. CEO Takanobu Ito said this month at the Tokyo Motor Show. "We want to showcase interesting and fun technologies and show excellent environmental performance."

In the works for Acura:
-- The ILX compact sedan will arrive in spring, using Honda's global Civic platform. It replaces the tired TSX that used the bones of the European Accord.
-- A redesigned RL flagship that is larger than the current version is due next fall.
-- A redesigned mid-sized TL sedan follows in the spring of 2013.

"Our sedans haven't been doing the job for the brand," said Vicki Poponi, American Honda assistant vice president for product planning, at a briefing here for dealers and the media.
Poponi said the TSX, TL and RL were cannibalizing sales because they were too close in footprint and interior size. The new models will create a bigger spread in the lineup.

Changes in the crossover categories also are coming, with a redesigned RDX compact arriving next spring and the next MDX in 2013.

In using the Civic as the basis for the ILX, Acura is traveling the same platform-sharing course it did with its Integra and RSX coupes in the 1980s and 1990s. But Poponi said the ILX will bear no resemblance to the Civic or the Canadian-market Acura CSX, which has been derided as a rebadged Civic.

"All the suspension settings will be tuned to be Acura," Poponi said. "Consider it as different as the TL is from the Accord or the MDX is from the Pilot."

The ILX will be available with a choice of a 2.0-liter direct-injection four-cylinder engine with automatic transmission, a 2.4-liter engine with a six-speed manual transmission or a 1.5-liter hybrid powertrain. Features will include push-button start, rearview camera, Pandora link and SMS with text-to-voice capability.

Acura hopes that sales of the ILX, to be priced "well below $30,000," will be about 40,000 units annually. The current-generation TSX peaked at 31,998 sales in 2008.

Next up is the flagship RL, which has had little success competing in the $50,000 sedan segment against the likes of the Mercedes-Benz E class, BMW 5 series and Lexus GS. Critics have called it overweight and underpowered, and the interior is cramped.

Poponi said the redesigned version will have more cabin space, with rear legroom going from worst-in-class to the best-in-class.

"It will have [BMW] 7 series cabin space with the agility of a 5 series," Poponi said. "Our sedans need to instill passion and emotion. The new flagship establishes that, and sets the ceiling for premium pricing. Once we have set that, then our SUVs can come into the market and leverage that prestige."

The RL will debut in April at the New York auto show and go on sale next fall.

As for the RDX, the previous generation has been criticized for the jerkiness of its turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The new RDX will have a V-6 with "top-class fuel economy," Poponi said.

The RDX also will use the Honda CR-V's simpler electric power steering and all-wheel-drive systems, rather than the pricier Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system of the old RDX. Poponi says it will be "quieter, roomier and more comfortable."

Then there is the NSX that arrives in concept form next month in Detroit. The original V-6-powered NSX was decked out with astonishing technology when it debuted in 1990. It was the first car without turbos to deliver 100 hp per liter of engine displacement. It also was the first major project for body engineer Takanobu Ito, now Honda's CEO.

Ito killed a previous NSX concept after the autumn 2008 Lehman Brothers meltdown destroyed Honda's desire to re-enter the segment. The project has been revived, but Ito has changed the concept.

"Our approach is efficiency and a strong power-to-weight ratio," said Acura sales boss Jeff Conrad. "The original NSX did this. But the proposed successor went into the classic world of a heavy vehicle, requiring a V-10 engine and other technologies to be a performance car."

Conrad adds: "That is not Acura DNA. If we are thinking about being sporty, we need to do it with the machine's efficiency. That's the thing we can do. The way we achieve it will be unique to Acura."

In addition to the NSX's compact V-6, the lithium ion battery-powered Sport Hybrid All-Wheel Drive system uses two integrated drive units at the rear wheels connected to a motor-generator that delivers power.

Regenerative brakes will capture electricity and deliver torque to the outside wheel -- while absorbing negative torque from the inside wheel -- as the car goes through a corner.

American Honda President Tetsuo Iwamura did not set a date for the NSX's launch, saying: "We hope within three years. ... As soon as possible."

Too much machine
Despite the NSX's go-fast ambitions, a major part of Acura's new philosophy will be dialing back on performance in exchange for fuel economy. Executives say that today's luxury cars have more power than they need, and that premium-vehicle buyers now care more about mpg than mph.

Conrad said Acura has returned to its original philosophy of elegant engineering and top-of-class fuel economy, and has stopped chasing the elite of the luxury segment. The new slogan: "Smart luxury."

Mike Accavitti, the former head of Dodge who became American Honda's vice president of marketing in August, describes the current luxury market as "too much machine and not enough humanity."

Said Accavitti: "Our overweight bodies require overweight engines and more safety systems to protect them. Some of these cars the average driver just can't control. We have been increasing performance beyond the ability of the driver, or we have complicated the driving process."

Poponi said of Acura's previous batch of products: "Our engineering ego was getting in the way."

Peaks and valleys
American Honda hopes this philosophy can stabilize Acura's sales, which have peaked twice -- once in the early 1990s and again in setting a brand record in 2005, at 209,610 units. But each time things fell apart because of ill-conceived products and faulty marketing -- not to mention the recent recession. This year, sales through November were down 7 percent to 110,170. Honda says short supplies caused by the March earthquake in Japan were a factor.

For a new crop of customers, Honda is looking at Generation Y. The leading edge of that generation is turning 30, and Honda says the generation's top priorities are exterior styling, price and environmental friendliness.

"A good sound system" finished fifth in its research, and less than 20 percent care about high performance, Honda says.

"Technology is only as good as the driver," said Gary Evert, division director for advanced automotive planning at Acura r&d. "The vehicle almost always has more capability than the driver can handle. Anything outside the customer's understanding is waste.

Source;

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20111212/OEM03/312129953/1115/FRONTPAGE

Acura RL Replacement Coming in April, TL or TSX To Get Axed

Acura’s replacement for the aged RL will greet the public in April at the New York auto show. The model is desperately needed for the brand, which has struggled on the periphery of the luxury world since its birth as the first upscale Japanese nameplate 25 years ago.

The next flagship sedan—the company’s trepidation at calling it the RL gives us naive hope it’ll be named the Legend—is meant to embody the brand’s identity. A rendering we saw looked a lot like a bloated TL. So, uh, what exactly is the Acura brand identity?

According to the company’s execs, the flagship sedan will be relatively lightweight, nimble, and economical. It also will feature Honda’s new hybrid Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system, which uses a V-6 to power the front wheels and two electric motors for the rears. (You can read more about how the system works, and our drive of a car with a prototype of the system, here.)

Acura says that creating a spacious interior was a very high priority. As opposed to the new Honda Civic–based ILX, which will be pitched to younger buyers, the flagship sedan is meant to appeal to slightly older customers. As such, Acura’s engineers and designers focused on creating a car that would comfortably take a second couple out to dinner, and has a large-enough trunk to handle larger parcels. A product planner says that interior space will be comparable to that of a BMW 7-series, even though the vehicle’s exterior dimensions will be more like a 5er’s.

The flagship will sit atop a three-sedan product line. Currently, the company offers the TSX, the TL, and the RL. With the addition of the ILX and the confirmation of a replacement for the RL, that makes it likely that either the TSX or TL is on the chopping block. An alternative scenario sees the RL name dying off, with the new flagship wearing TL badging. In that case, the TSX—which is derived from the European Honda Accord—could hang around, with the ILX serving as a gateway to the brand.

The latter approach makes a little more sense—TL and TSX are arguably the most recognizable names in the Acura car family—but it strikes us as a little confusing. The ILX is being introduced as a low-cost entryway to the Acura brand; wasn’t that the point of the TSX when it originally launched? The first-gen car, having been bred to compete with the Ford Mondeo and lesser BMW 3-series models in Europe, was a precise handler and perfectly sized. Had this generation of TSX/Euro Accord not grown, there wouldn’t be a need for something smaller. But it did grow—into something a bit disappointing.

The TL has succeeded as Acura’s mainstay sedan for more than a decade in spite of having a forgettable alphanumeric name. It really is the modern-day Legend, and it seems like a mistake to cancel one of your better-known products. But it’s large, quite powerful, and offers all-wheel drive; with the new, bigger flagship on the way, what’s the point of keeping it?

In explaining the too-close positioning of the present-day RL and TL, an Acura product planner told us, “We made the same mistake twice.” (The first being the overlap of the Vigor and Legend in the 1990s.) Let’s hope the current sedan restructuring isn’t a third time.

Source;
http://blog.caranddriver.com/acura-rl-replacement-coming-in-april-tl-or-tsx-to-get-axed/