"Transactions" Extended Version - 2012 Acura NSX Big Game Ad

Honda President Ito Forecasts Year of ‘Complete Rebound'

Jan. 27 (Bloomberg) -- Honda Motor Co. President Takanobu Ito forecast that business results at Japan's third-biggest carmaker will climb to the highest in at least five years, led by sales of Accord sedans and Civic compacts in North America.

Business results in the year ending March 2013 will recover to levels achieved before the failure of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. roiled global markets, as sales climb above 4 million vehicles for the first time, Ito said in an interview this week. Lehman filed for bankruptcy in September 2008, six months after Honda earned record annual profits.

“It will be the year of the complete rebound,” Ito said at the company's Tokyo headquarters. “Sales in North America will lead the recovery. We'll introduce a fully revamped Accord in the fall, and that will be a big plus to our sales.”

Ito's comments reflect a revival in confidence by Japanese automakers as they recover from a year plagued by natural disasters at home and in Thailand. Toyota Motor Corp., Asia's largest carmaker, said this week annual sales will be 100,000 units higher than it anticipated last month.

“Honda's targets are definitely aggressive, but the U.S. economy seems like it's going to recover to a better-than- expected level this year so it's likely for them to achieve it,” said Mitsushige Akino, who oversees $600 million at Ichiyoshi Investment Management Co. in Tokyo. “They've remodeled their best-selling cars, and we can expect strong sales in North America to help them regain market share.”

Reversal of Fortune
Honda fell 1.9 percent to close at 2,689 yen in Tokyo. It's gained 15 percent this year, the best performer among Japan's three biggest automakers. That's a reversal from 2011, when the stock's 27 percent drop made it the worst performer.

Honda's operating income, or sales minus the cost of goods sold and administrative expenses, will probably double to 586.6 billion yen ($7.6 billion) next fiscal year after shrinking 52 percent, according to the average of 24 analyst estimates compiled by Bloomberg. Earnings reached 953.1 billion yen, 851.9 billion yen and 868.9 billion yen, respectively, in the years before Lehman's bankruptcy.

Ito, 58, is counting on the U.S. market to drive growth.

Redesigned Accord
The redesigned Accord sedan, the Civic and CR-V sport- utility vehicle will help Honda increase U.S. sales 24 percent to 1.43 million units in 2012, Ito said. Sales in the market, Honda's largest, declined 6.8 percent last year, led by a 17 percent drop in deliveries of the Accord. The Accord is Honda's best-selling U.S. model, followed by the Civic.

Ito ruled out any major overhaul of the Civic after the current version of the sedan, which failed to receive the “recommended” status its predecessors had from Consumer Reports magazine, was the best-selling model in the compact-car segment in the last three months of the year.

Honda's new models will give it an edge in the U.S. over South Korea's Hyundai Motor Co., which is producing close to full-capacity, said Kota Yuzawa, a Tokyo-based analyst at Goldman Sachs Group Inc. That puts Honda in “good position” to regain lost market share, he said.

Honda may not be alone. Japan's three biggest carmakers are poised to gain market share this year at the expense of U.S. producers led by General Motors Co. and Ford Motor Co., according to five analysts surveyed by Bloomberg.

‘Unstoppable' Motorization
In China, the world's largest auto market, Honda expects its sales to rise more than 20 percent to 750,000 units in 2012 after they shrank for the first time in 2011 in a slowing market, Ito said. The company plans to introduce three gas- electric hybrid models in the country this year, he said.

“China is still strong,” Ito said. “Once motorization captures a market, it's unstoppable.”

China's total vehicle sales -- including cars, trucks and buses -- grew 2.5 percent to 18.5 million units last year, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, trailing growth in the U.S. for the first time in at least 14 years. Honda expects the market to expand to 20 million this year, or “just above” China's economic growth, he said.

In Thailand, where the country's worst floods in almost 70 years disrupted assembly plants and supply of components in 2011, Honda plans to resume production starting in April, Ito said. Damages stemming from Thailand forced the company to scrap this fiscal year's profit forecast.

Reorganizing Factories
As part of Honda's strategy of producing cars where they are sold, the company plans to reorganize its Japanese factories so they focus on production of minicars, a growing category that makes up about 40 percent of the nation's auto demand, Ito said. Orders for the N Box minicar in Japan reached 27,000 units in its first month of sales, more than double Honda's original target.

Minicars, defined as vehicles no longer than 3.4 meters (11 feet) in length, will account for 40 percent of Honda's Japan sales, compared with 25 percent now, Ito said.

Honda joins Toyota and Nissan in reorganizing operations as the yen, which has gained against the world's 16 most-traded currencies for two straight years, erodes the value of exports. Honda plans to boost the portion of vehicles sold in the same region they're built to as high as 80 percent, Ito said. In 2010, Honda sold about two out of three Japan-built cars in the country.

Officials at Toyota and Nissan this month have also echoed plans to increase their portion of vehicles sold in the region where they're assembled.

“Minicars will be key for us in Japan in the next five years,” Ito said.

Source;
http://news.businessweek.com/article.asp?documentKey=1376-LYALB80UQVI901-3I262TT8I3HDDBE46BK1GAN789

Honda out to shake up market with 1st jet next year

* Honda sees minimum 25% share of small business jet market
* HondaJet aims to be the Civic of small business jets -exec
* HondaJet to up ante on Cessna, Embraer
* Sees demand for small jets growing as users downsize -exec
* Wants to enter Brazil, China earlier than planned

By Chang-Ran Kim
TOKYO, Jan 30 (Reuters) - Honda Motor Co expects to grab at least a quarter of the world market for small business jets soon after delivering its first aircraft next year, achieving the company's long-standing goal of taking to the skies, an executive said.

Honda, Japan's No.3 car maker and the world's biggest manufacturer of motorcycles and engines, is in the final stages of getting its $4.5 million HondaJet certified. It aims to ramp up the pace of production to 80 a year in the first half of 2013.

Honda received more than 100 orders for the seven-seater jet in three days when it began taking orders in 2006, promising a quieter engine, 20 percent better fuel economy over competing models and operational costs of two-thirds or less.

It has not disclosed an updated number of orders, but Michimasa Fujino, a Honda executive and CEO of its North Carolina-based subsidiary, Honda Aircraft Company, said it held a backlog of about three years from orders taken through its nine dealerships in North America and Europe.

"I'm very optimistic about our prospects," Fujino, who initiated Honda's foray into aviation research in 1986, told a small group of reporters at the automaker's Tokyo headquarters on Monday.

"We're doing with HondaJet what the Civic did to American cars from the 1960s. Our competitors are still producing with technology from the 1990s," he said, referring to Textron Inc's Cessna and Brazil's Embraer SA, which now dominate the 200-a-year small business jet market.

The Civic, known for its reliability, durability and mileage, has consistently been among the United States' best-selling cars since its launch in 1973, forcing industry giants such as General Motors Co to follow suit with cars to meet the country's tighter emissions regulations.

Honda's ambition of making jets traces back to its iconic founder, Soichiro Honda. The HondaJet will make Honda the only car maker in the world to build its own aircraft.

Its engine is made by a joint venture between Honda and General Electric Co.

Honda Aircraft is aiming to turn a profit by 2018, Fujino said.

BRAZIL, CHINA CLAMOURING FOR JETS
The business jet industry is expecting a rebound in sales this year after the global economic crisis hammered sales over the past three years.

While the small business jet market has traditionally been limited to North America and Europe so far, Fujino said he was fielding about a call a week from China, both from prospective buyers and eager dealers, while interest was also greater than he anticipated in Brazil, India and the Middle East.

"Right now we want to focus on delivering on the orders that we have, but I'd like to enter Brazil and China earlier than we'd initially planned," he said, declining to specify a timeframe. New demand from emerging markets could expand the global small-jet market to about 300 a year, he said.

Fujino said he was also seeing more interest in the smallest end of the market as medium-sized jet users look to downsize to get more for their fuel, much like the trend in the car industry.
"Most of our customers are owners of small- and medium-sized businesses, and many are looking to get the most out of the jets that they need," he said.

With operational costs of about $1,000-$1,200 an hour, HondaJet could make travelling in a group of five or six cheaper and more efficient than flying commercially between small cities, he said. Competitors offer at best $1,800 by comparison, he added.

Honda Aircraft will add 300-350 factory staff to bring its total workforce to around 1,000 in the first half of 2013, Fujino said.

Source;
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/30/honda-jet-idUSL4E8CU1TM20120130

Images and Specs for Tony Stark’s $9 Million Car from THE AVENGERS; Vehicle Includes Nightvision Windshield and More

Awesome..... I'd like to put a $500 deposit on one of these....
This year sees the culmination of four years of Marvel superhero movies, as the studio’s principal characters unite for May’s The Avengers. As the release is looming closer, the marketing campaign for the film seems to be ramping up. We’re starting to get looks at the film’s action figures, and the stars recently graced the cover(s) of Empire Magazine. Steve is currently braving the snow in Park City at the Sundance Film Festival, and he stumbled across a fairly ingenious bit of marketing for the film. Tony Stark’s new Acura is on display behind a closed-door setup at the festival, and the vehicle comes with some pretty fantastic features.
The 2012 Stark Industries Super Car comes fully equipped with a palm-scan ID steering wheel, enviro-clone projected hologram of surroundings, self-detonating recon drone, night-vision HUD windshield, and oh so much more. Hit the jump to see the full list of features, and to check out some photos of this $9,198,000 car that gets 234 mpg. The Avengers opens in 3D May 4th.
Here’s the specs of the car according to Acura:

Acura 2012 Stark Industries Super Car
Tactical Package
Standard Equipment at No Extra Cost
Operating/Durability Features:
Palladium-powered 80,000 TOHC 32-valve engine with titanium-forged block and nitrous fuel-injection system.
9 Speed HYPER-Shift transmission
Diamond quartz cross-drilled brake calipers
Steering wheel with palm-scan ID
Lithium Dioxide-injecting shocks
Reflex-response steering column with target guidance feedback
Super-scan theft-deterrent modulator

Defense Systems:
Info-net sensory tracker system
Invisa-shield exo-system wave modifier
Enviro-clone projected hologram of surroundings
Thermal imaging topography mapping software
Emergency homing beacon
Self-detonating recon drone

Exterior Features
Adavanced radar-deflecting capabilities with wave modifier
Bullet- and foreign element-proof clear coat and metal skin
Night-vision HUD windshield
Bulletproof hyper-traction tires
High-grade tint with radar bounce and jam capabilities
Intermittent blue and red tech flashers in all light assemblies
Underbody kit with aero-dynamic spoiler lip
Black-night painted-wheels with particle matter technology

Tactical Package
Anti-ballistic shielding body panels
Incoming scan scrambler
Low-density plasma emitters with UV flares
Encrypted computer with backup-powered interface and satellite link

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: $9,198,000.00
Tax: $22,364
License and Registration: $6, 782
Destination Fee: $1,854
Total Vehicle Price: $9,229,000.00
Palladium Power Estimates:
City Miles – 234
Highway Miles – 302

Source;
http://collider.com/avengers-movie-tony-stark-car-images/140630/

Official 2012 Honda CR-V Game Day Commercial - "Matthew's Day Off" Extended Version

Consumers see fewer differences among car brands

In our new survey, Toyota, Ford, Honda, and Chevrolet continue to lead in overall perception, but by a slimmer margin

The perceived difference between the top car brands and the challengers is shrinking. That's the finding of the 2012 Car-Brand Perception Survey conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center. Toyota, Ford, Honda, and Chevrolet, which have been perennial leaders in the survey, maintained their top positions but have seen the points gap decrease. In fact, most of the top brands saw double-digit drops in their total scores. Smaller companies have benefited from this shift, illustrated by the small electric-car builder, Tesla, breaking into the top 10.

The survey scores reflect how consumers perceive each brand in seven categories: safety, quality, value, performance, environmentally friendly/green, design/style, and technology/innovation. Combining those factors gives us the total brand-perception score. While the scores reflect a brand's image in consumers' minds, they do not reflect the actual qualities of any brand's vehicles.Toyota continues to dominate in brand perception, although it slipped a significant 17 points, compared with last year's survey results. Other top brands—Ford, Honda, and BMW—saw their scores drop more than 20 points. The two leading General Motors brands, Cadillac and Chevrolet, did relatively better with only single-digit decreases. Dramatic events in the automotive industry seem to be affecting how consumers view auto brands. Erratic gasoline prices and a struggling economy have pushed consumers to prize low operating costs and good reliability. With safety a strong interest among car owners, we saw Toyota's perception score drop substantially after its widespread recalls of a couple years ago, a decrease from which it still has not fully recovered. Many Japanese manufacturers were challenged to maintain adequate production following the earthquake and tsunami disaster of last year. Volvo was bought by Chinese automaker Geely in mid-2010. And Saab has faltered over the last few months as it has struggled in vain to ward off bankruptcy.

With consumers becoming more aware of electric cars, Fisker and Tesla, small producers that were added to our latest survey, scored better than many well-established brands. Although awareness of those brands is relatively low compared with that of more established companies, respondents who were familiar with them held Fisker and Tesla in high regard for certain categories.In the survey we also asked how important each factor was to the respondents in making a car purchase. As in past years, safety was the top consideration, followed by quality, value, performance, environmental friendliness, design and style, and technology and innovation.

Overall, the car-brand leaders do not stand out from the pack the way they did only a couple years ago, and perceptions for the individual factors reveal significant changes. In the subsequent pages, we'll dig into the findings and explore the implications.

Best and worst in brand perception
The chart below shows the overall scores for the top and bottom 10 brands, according to the Consumer Reports 2012 Car-Brand Perception Survey. Overall scores are an aggregate, reflecting a brand's total perception level across seven areas. They are rounded to the nearest whole number. The top five brands in each area are listed below. The categories are listed in rank order of importance to consumers.ConsumerReports.org has a variety of tools that can help you quickly and efficiently narrow down your car-buying choices, based on real-world test results, reliability data, owner-cost estimates, and other ratings. In addition, Cars Best Deals Plus, our premium online offering, gives you access to CR's Bottom Line Prices, which help you get the best deal on a new car, detailed test-track reports from our engineers, and more detailed reliability findings that let you see the specific types of problems subscribers are experiencing.

How the scores were calculatedThe Consumer Reports National Research Center conducted a random, nationwide telephone survey of 2,045 adults from Dec. 1-5, 2011, and collected survey data from 1,702 adults in households that had at least one car.

Overall brand perception is an index calculated as the total number of times that a particular make was mentioned as exemplary across all seven categories, divided by the total unaided awareness of the brand. (Interview subjects were asked what brands exemplified the traits, instead of being read a list of brands.) That approach compensates for awareness level, ensuring that every brand has an equal chance of leading a category, not just the best-selling or most well-known brands.Category scores reflect the number of times that the particular make was mentioned as an exemplar of the particular attribute, again corrected for awareness.

Important factors in buying a new car
This list ranks the seven key factors by how important they are to consumers when buying a new car. The percentage is based on the number of respondents who said the factor was among their top three priorities. For comparison, we've included last year's figures, though no factor had a significant year-to-year shift.

While the overall order remains the same, we did see a notable difference between genders. Women considered safety far more important (73 percent versus 57 percent of men), as well as environmental friendliness (32 percent versus 26 percent). Men place more emphasis on design/style (27 percent versus 20 percent of women) and technology/innovation (21 percent versus 14 percent).

Safety
The leading brands in overall perception typically excel in multiple categories. Volvo, however, has maintained a top-10 spot for years by virtue of its safety reputation alone. This year, the brand took a dramatic 21 percentage point drop in this factor, from last year's 70 to 49 percent. If that trend continues, it could drop Volvo out of the overall top 10 in future years and into the second tier.Several other brands are down a few points this year, with Subaru notably dropping from 17 to 10 percent, falling from the list of top five brands on this dimension. Toyota had taken a hit amid its large-scale recalls a couple years ago. But in the latest results, it has remained consistent at 13 percent, year over year, which elevated it to third place because of the other brands' decreases.What we have seen in the safety category exemplifies a trend observed with other factors—this year, consumers are identifying more brands as leaders, rather than just a select few.

Quality
As in other areas, we see scores edging downward in the quality factor, with Toyota, Honda, and Ford now sharing a three-way tie for the top spot and the top brands in general having less of an advantage in perceived leadership. The key story here is Honda losing 6 percentage points, while Toyota holds at 19 percent. We saw similar results in our 2011 Annual Auto Survey, based on subscribers' experiences with 1.3 million vehicles. In that unrelated survey, Honda moved down one position in the brand rank and Toyota held pat. Likewise, Ford dropped 10 positions in our reliability rankings.

For Honda, the perceived quality may also have been influenced by its lackluster new products. There have been several new or redesigned models introduced in recent years, including the Honda Civic, CR-Z, Insight, and Pilot, that didn't measure up to the competition or even to the model it was replacing.Brand perception can be influenced by many things, from professional road tests to marketing. Word-of-mouth from friends and neighbors can be a slower-moving though influential contributor as ownership transitions from the honeymoon phase to the seven-year itch. Honda has been relatively consistent in quality perception, but with these new findings, it becomes a brand to monitor in future reports.

Value
There is little change in the brands considered to be value leaders this year, though again, the percentage points for most of the top brands have edged downward. As the nation's economic challenges continue to linger, value remains a key new-car purchase factor. Consumers naturally want to get the most car for their money. This year's results indicate that few brands offer a distinct advantage in that area.Among the leaders, Ford saw a significant drop this year. It could reflect that the pricey cars it has introduced in the cost-conscious small-car category—the Fiesta and Focus—have taken away some of the value cachet Ford previously held.

Hyundai has long targeted value as a brand virtue; this association continues in our latest survey. The brand has introduced new small cars this past year that build on that reputation, such as the Accent, Elantra, and most recently the Veloster. All three are competitive and compelling in their segments, standing out for their relative refinement and content levels.Small cars do not ensure a perception of strong value. Among the worst performers, earning less than a single percent, are Fiat, Mini, and Smart.

If value is important to you, see Consumer Reports' ratings for Best New-Car Values, which combines our test scores, reliability ratings, and owner-cost estimates to show you which models provide the best bang for the buck.The term "value" can be open to personal interpretation, but it is clear that car buyers are looking to get a good car at a good price. Value-conscious car shoppers can find significant savings on Consumer Reports-recommended vehicles. (See the Best New Car Deals.)

Performance
As in past years, car owners consider BMW to offer the ultimate performance machines. But its score dropped significantly from last year's 27 to only 19. This precipitous drop leaves the German automaker vulnerable to the two American brands known for a legacy of muscle—Ford and Chevrolet.

Ford's score, which has been relatively consistent, could have been buoyed by its iconic, and laudable, Mustang and its expanding range of well-received turbocharged engines. Another brand known for power, Chevrolet saw a minor drop in a year in which much focus was shifted toward fuel efficiency in its marketing.

Even a new 911 wasn't enough to allow Porsche to hold its second-place position. Just off the chart is newcomer Fisker. This prestige brand is just now reaching market with its Karma plug-in hybrid, but it nearly tied with stalwart Porsche.

Toyota's regular appearance in the top rankings signal that consumers consider performance to be more than acceleration and handling. With its clear market dominance in hybrids, Toyota has established a reputation for environmentally friendly vehicles that could be influencing its performance image.

Environmentally Friendly/Green
Toyota again leads the environmentally friendly/green category, most likely driven by the Prius and other hybrids, as well as some creative marketing. The brand did drop 8 percentage points, but it still stands tall among mainstream brands. We expect its strong showing to continue as it adds new variants to its Prius sub-brand.Smart made a surprise showing this year, debuting in the top five despite having no new products or a sizable advertising budget. Its placement does raise the question of how green is truly perceived. The aptly named ForTwo scored just 28 points out of 100 in our comprehensive road test, making it one of the lowest-scoring vehicles we've tested in recent years. While it did return 39 mpg overall in our fuel economy tests, it requires premium fuel, undercutting any potential savings in operating costs. For the money, the Honda Fit is an excellent alternative, with great fuel economy, reliability, and overall test score. It isn't surprising to see Honda again claim the third position in the green rankings, with a solid reputation built on the company's dedication to reduced emissions and thrifty vehicles such as the Accord, Civic, and Fit.

Ford slipped slightly this year, despite introducing the new Fiesta and Focus small cars and backing them with highly visible marketing campaigns that included social media efforts and television show placements.Somewhat surprising, however, is that after a year of seemingly endless headlines espousing the electrifying virtues of the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf, those brands didn't spring ahead in this factor. Chevrolet remained consistent with 12 percent, an apparent accomplishment given the trends in this year's survey. Nissan inched up about 2 percentage points, rounding to 8 percent.Another unexpected result is that Hyundai increased just two-tenths of a percentage point, despite spreading word of its thrifty Sonata sedan—and hybrid version—as well as its new Accent and Elantra small cars. Further, official government figures continue to show Hyundai to be a true leader with its average fleet fuel economy.

Design/Style
A commonly held misconception is that car shoppers buy based on styling. Our surveys repeatedly show that more practical considerations trump aesthetics. Still, in the end, no one wants to make payments on a vehicle that they become bored with down the road. This year, Cadillac shined above all others in car-owner perceptions. For Cadillac, the design consistency across its portfolio registers strongly. BMW and Mercedes-Benz have also shown strong consistency, with the carefully penned lines of their vehicles also standing out. Audi, which may have one of the most focused design executions of today's brands, just missed the top five by a fraction of a point, trailing Chevrolet.

Toyota has continued its decline. In 2010, it had 17 percent, while it now registers just 9 percent. During that time, the importance of design/style in purchase decisions has slid slightly from 25 percent to 24 this year.

Technology/Innovation
Among the seven factors tracked in the annual brand-perception survey, technology/innovation is the least valued by car owners and it is also the least dynamic. The results have proven quite consistent year over year, with the most notable shift for 2012 being that the category itself is gaining prominence in the industry.

Each of the top brands in this area offers sophisticated infotainment systems, expanding beyond high-quality audio to offer smart-phone integration and enhanced navigation systems. All have also been safety innovators; from Lexus integrating smart-throttle brake override technology to Ford offering seat-belt air bags. Further, each also offers hybrid, turbocharged, and/or diesel powertrains, tackling the technology challenge on multiple fronts.

While they appear well established, the technology leaders have newcomer Tesla nipping at their heels, with 13 percent. The California-based automotive start-up established its electric-car reputation with a sporty Roadster, and it is gaining prominence as a powertrain partner with Toyota. Soon, the company will offer a midsized electric sedan called the Model S, which may further elevate its brand awareness and prominence.

Source;
http://www.consumerreports.org/content/cro/en/cars/best-car-brands-consumer-perception-consumer-reports.html

Inside Line: 1991 Acura NSX vs. 2012 Audi R8

Interesting read.... to actually compare something with a 21 yr difference is an impressive nod to the NSX....
By Josh Jacquot, Senior Editor Published Jan 17, 2012

It's likely that Acura's 21-year-old NSX is most famous for things it never actually did.

1990, you might recall, wasn't a year when supercars covered themselves in the glory of either shocking performance or metronomic reliability. The stink of '80s automotive misery hadn't yet worn off and the glory of middleweight performers like the RX-7, 300Z and fourth-generation Supra was yet to take hold. When it came to supercars, it was the era of the Ferrari 348, a machine so awful to drive it couldn't even find a private investigator drama in which to hide.

Following, in no particular order, are some things most NSXs never did: leak, stall, stink, burn, ventilate their crankcase, cook their clutch, experience catastrophic electrical failure, overheat or simply strand their driver. The NSX, for all its hype, sprang from a time when mixing some mundane Honda Accord into the supercar stew, rolling it up in an aluminum body and dropping it into a market ripe for a real driver's car was a stupendously good idea. Good enough, in fact, to last for 15 years.

Next to Porsche's ubiquitous 911, the NSX might just be the most practical, reliable real-world supercar ever built. But in 1990 there was something more exotic about a low-slung, midengine, aluminum-bodied supercar than there was about any Porsche. And there's still truth in that statement today. Which is why we think Audi's R8 might be the best spiritual successor the NSX could have.

Here, then, is how they stack up.

The Basics
It's the cab-forward, engine-behind-cockpit layout that's the defining similarity between the R8 and NSX. Following modern trends, the R8 is bigger in every dimension. It is 1.2 inches longer, 3.2 inches taller, 4.7 wider and its wheelbase is 4.7 inches longer than the NSX.
If raw output is all that matters, the NSX's transverse-mounted 3.0-liter, 270-horsepower V6 is no match for the Audi's longitudinally mounted 4.2-liter 430-hp V8. Gears are selected in the NSX via a five-speed manual transmission, while cogs are slotted home via a gated six-speed manual in the R8. And when it comes to powertrains, that's where the similarities stop.

The Audi, naturally, drives all four wheels through three differentials that produce a distinctly rear-drive balance. The NSX's rear-drive balance is more authentic thanks to a conventional transaxle and clutch-type limited-slip differential driving, well, the rear wheels.

The Numbers
The performance data in this test serve to demonstrate how far supercars have come in 21 years more so than to help determine a winner.

Accordingly, let's look first at one area where progress isn't so easy to gauge. At 3,010 pounds the NSX might be the only car we've ever rolled onto our scales that exactly matches its manufacturer's claimed weight. And because it's 611 pounds lighter than the R8 (3,621 pounds) it demonstrates one area where technology and cubic megadollars are yet to produce a positive impact in performance cars.

Fortunately, performance hasn't suffered the same decline.

Ripping to 60 in 4.5 seconds (4.3 with 1 foot of rollout as on a drag strip) gets the R8 there a solid 1.1 seconds quicker than the NSX (5.6 seconds, 5.3 with rollout). The 0.9-second gap at the quarter-mile demonstrates that it's the Audi's launch that produces its biggest advantage. Here, even the 21-year-old NSX holds its own by running a 13.7-second pass at 102 mph. The R8's 12.8-second pass at 110.1 mph is quicker, but not as much as its 21-year advantage might lead one to believe.

Handling, too, is beyond the NSX's years. It shimmied through the slalom at 69.3 mph on nine-year-old rubber, (we tested it on new tires, too, but the numbers were inexplicably worse) a feat the Audi handled at 72.1 mph. Lateral acceleration worked out to 0.88g and 0.98g for the Acura and Audi, respectively.

When it comes to stopping, the Audi's contemporary rubber and ABS technology are far superior. It required only 105 feet to come to a halt from 60 mph. The NSX needed an additional 26 feet.

The Similarities
Through the magic of the Inside Line time machine we were able to experience these two cars on the same piece of unoccupied driver's road at the same time. And the gap between them at the top of the road was nearly as substantial as the years between them. But, spiritually, there were ample parallels.

Perhaps the biggest of these is the compact, balanced sense of confidence that begins in each car's powertrain layout and culminates in confident, direct inputs from its driver. There's a deftness possessed by midengine cars that is distinctly absent in any other layout. Wood the throttle in either of these machines and its nose rises with an immediacy and directness that could never exist in a car with its mass centered farther forward.

Similarly, both cars demonstrate a willingness to change direction not available in a car with its engine placed outside the axles. Mass centralization. Don't discount it. Even when it's 21 years old.

But there are differences.

Old vs. Bold
Performance car engineers — at least those developing contemporary cars like the R8 — are obsessed with reactions. Every input should be answered with an immediate and rewarding reaction, right? That's what they say.

The result is a mixed blessing.

Twenty-odd years ago the guys making these decisions on the NSX either had different goals or different expectations. Nowhere is this dissimilarity more apparent than in the way these two cars steer. The NSX's variable-ratio steering rack (18.2:1 to 20.8:1) is slower than the R8's fixed 17.3:1 ratio, but the numbers hardly tell the story.

Predictably, the effort required to corner both cars plays heavily into the experience. The Audi's hydraulically assisted steering makes nearly no demand on its driver and still supplies enough information to attack the road confidently. The NSX's weighty wheel is better than many full manual racks we've experienced, but leaves little reason to do anything but surrender to the car's relatively low limits once understeer is achieved.

Largely, this is because we fear finding ourselves in a situation that requires "fixing" any kind of oversteer without the benefit of modern assisted steering. Call us wimps, but not before you correct oversteer in a midengine manual-steering car yourself.

Still, this limitation doesn't diminish the reward of the NSX experience. It's just one element that makes it slower than its modern counterpart.

Here's Another
The R8's reaction to throttle input is insanely rapid by 1990 standards. Partially, this is due to the blunt honesty of the first-generation NSX's simple, cable-actuated throttle. The control provided by electronic throttles has supplied engineers with undue command over a car's character. The resulting eagerness has reached the point of absurdity in some cars. Fortunately, it's not so much a problem in the R8 as it is motivation to start paying attention.

Snap the Audi's throttle open and the chassis responds instantly and intuitively. Somehow, despite driving all four wheels, the Audi reacts like a rear-driver, offering a rewarding ability to balance power against steering without the need for heavily calculated metering. Its approachable limits are a blessing in a car that could easily have overlooked such details. Vorsprung durch Technik, indeed.

Not so in the NSX.

The Acura's response to throttle input carries far less consequence. Measured against the snap-to-it reactions of the more powerful R8, the NSX's response to big, aggressive movements of the throttle doesn't demand as much attention or reward as heavily. This, we'll admit, is in large part due to a significantly lower power-to-weight ratio (8.4:1 Audi vs. 11.1:1 NSX).

It's here that the NSX, when measured against the wildly involving R8, begins to show itself for what it is: old.

Oldie but Goodie
Still, there are genuinely striking qualities in this aged sports car that are distinctly absent in the R8. Like, for example, the simple, authentic way the NSX gets down the road. Forget about radical urgency. Forget about breakneck reactions. All of the NSX's controls perform their duty resolutely but without the Audi's pressing haste. It's like comparing Mother Love Bone to Mother Theresa. One screams its intent in your face and the other is content to let its actions do the talking over the whole of the experience.

The NSX's shifter slots into the selected cog with a fidelity lacking in most modern car/driver interfaces. It's especially striking considering this car's age. That's to take nothing from the R8, whose manual shifter might be the best in the world today.

Reality says that any car as old as the NSX is going to lack the speed and confidence provided by a modern supercar like the R8. But that doesn't mean the experience is bereft of passion. Perhaps the most potent bit of character is an intake note that tunnels down its driver's ear canal, shoots through his brain stem and penetrates his soul. Truly, there are few cars before or since the NSX that offer the audible reward produced by its 8,000-rpm anthem.

Also, we'd never have thought 21 years ago that we'd look back on Honda's '90s design ethos as soulful. But viewing modern cars through the lens of small pillars, a low waistline and simple controls makes us yearn for such unvarnished honesty in design. The R8 has a similar feel, but can't match the NSX's original brilliance.

The Final CalculusThere's no way to handily summarize the best car here. And that's not what we're trying to do anyway. The point is to capture each car's spirit. The NSX, 21 years ago, was ahead of its time — both in its construction and its attitude. It wasn't the fastest or most powerful car built, but it made a strong case for combining quality, durability and everyday drivability with engaging at-the-limit character. It's an enduring formula that's built into the most successful supercars made today — including the R8.

We're not picking a winner. Rather, we're answering this question: Which car would we want in our garage? Judged on the experience alone, the answer is easy. The R8's ability to engage, its outright speed, its sound and the reward it provides during hard driving easily outshines the 21-year-old NSX.

But experience tells us those qualities aren't all that will matter in 20-plus years. The Audi supercar's place in history will be also determined by its ability to endure time both mechanically and visually. And those are much, much larger demands.

We'll be keeping the NSX around just in case.

The manufacturer provided Edmunds the Audi for the purposes of evaluation. The NSX is part of Inside Line's long-term fleet.

Source;
http://www.insideline.com/acura/nsx/1991/1991-acura-nsx-vs-2012-audi-r8.html

Driven: 2012 Honda Ridgeline Sport

After years of ignoring the exploding market for pickup trucks, Honda finally in 2006 brought out its first pickup, the Ridgeline. Rather than develop a V-8 engine and a body-on-frame chassis from scratch, Honda adapted the unibody underpinnings of its Pilot SUV to create an unconventional pickup, but one that nonetheless would meet the needs of a large number of pickup buyers.

Four-wheel drive is standard. The lone cab configuration has four real doors. Passenger space both up front and in back in generous. The cargo bed is only five feet long but it's more than four feet wide, so building materials can lie flat. The towing capacity of 5000 pounds can't approach the max capacities of full-size pickups (which are constantly one-upping each other) but is sufficient for most recreational towing.

Honda also added a few clever touches. The most significant is a standard, lockable, under-floor trunk below the cargo bed, providing a secure, outside-the-cab place to stow luggage. And there's a two-way tailgate that drops down like a conventional tailgate or can swing open like a door, providing closer reach-in access to whatever's in the bed and making it easier to hose out debris.

The reaction among pickup buyers has been a collective yawn. Sales, which were never great to begin with, lately have been in a freefall. Volume dropped by half from 2008 to 2010 and then fell another 40 percent last year. In fact, a few months ago, Honda felt compelled to post on its media web site an open letter from the company's head to truck product planning, denying rumors that the Ridgeline would be dropped and insisting that a pickup truck will remain part of the company's portfolio.

For 2012, Honda gave the Ridgeline a bit of attention, coaxing another 1 mpg out of the powertrain and adding the Sport trim level.

At $30,805, the latter is a $745 step up over the base model. It adds a bit of much-needed flash outside, mostly with black-finish 18-inch wheels. There's also a black grille with a unique texture, fog lights, and black surrounds for the head- and taillights. Inside, the Sport gets a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, an aux input jack, heavy-duty rubber floor mats, and rear privacy glass.

The fuel economy boost brings the Ridgeline up to 15/21 mpg (city/highway), but that's no more economical than a Ford F-150 4x4 with the Ecoboost V-6.

Clearly, none of the 2012 changes is likely to reverse the Ridgeline's fortunes. That's too bad, because the Ridgeline is in many ways far more pleasant to drive and easier to live with than a full-size four-door pickup. Being two feet shorter, and with a four-foot smaller turning circle, it's far less hassle to park and maneuver. The Ridgeline also doesn't require the huge climb up that regular 4x4 pickups do.

Having the cab and the cargo bed integrated as a single unit makes for a more rigid body structure and thus the Honda is free of the shudder over bumps that plagues typical pickups. With an independent rear suspension, there's no axle hop. The 3.5-liter V-6 is no powerhouse, at 250 hp, but it has enough muscle to get the Ridgeline moving, and four-wheel drive eliminates any torque steer. The transmission is only a five-speed, but the ratios are well spaced and the gearbox doesn't do a lot of hunting.

The Sport interior is pretty basic, with lots of hard plastic, and cheap-feeling cloth upholstery (why not vinyl?). There really are no factory options, so buyers looking for more niceties, like leather or navigation, have to move up a more deluxe trim level. In typical Honda fashion, the switchgear is very clear; cabin stowage is plentiful. The flip up rear-seat cushion makes it easier to carry bulky items inside the cabin. The worst aspect of the Ridgeline interior is the somewhat awkward driving position, with an intrusive and strangely positioned dead pedal.

Apparently, though, none of that matters much. Pickup buyers like their trucks big, and unless Honda can make the Ridgeline a more compelling alternative -- perhaps by giving it a clear advantage in fuel economy -- it appears likely to remain an outlier.

Source;

http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/driven/1201_2012_honda_ridgeline_sport/index.html

HPD B-Spec Kits for Honda Fit Available in Feb for $2,800

Honda's commitment to the entry-level B-Spec racing series is admirable. Along with Mazda, they're spearheading the development of what should be an affordable(ish) series to enter and a competitive series to watch.

Now, Honda has announced their line of "manufacturer-approved suspension components." For $2,800 you'll get coil-over shocks, camber bolts, braided stainless brake lines, an air filter, front and rear race springs, a cat-back exhaust, front brake pads and an A/C delete belt. The kits will be available on 2/1/2012 through HPD.

"A cornerstone of our grassroots motorsports marketing initiative has been to establish a connection between Honda's passenger cars and the racing cars that evolve from these models. The B-Spec category provides a relatively low-cost means for the prospective racer to enter the sport, and the Honda FIt offers a natural point of entry. These are inexpensive, great-handling cars that should provide both excellent competition and help grow the sport at the entry level," said HPD General Manager Marc Sours in a statement.

You'll still have to provide your own Honda fit, competition cage, racing seats, harness and other safety equipment.

Source;
http://blogs.insideline.com/straightline/2012/01/hpd-b-spec-kits-for-honda-fit-available-in-feb-for-2800.html

UP Design Vittoria concept unveiled

Following last month's teaser images, Umberto Palermo Design has officially unveiled the Vittoria concept at the Qatar Motor Show.
Looking sleek and aggressive, the coupe has a unique front fascia with bespoke headlights and a ‘cheese grater' grille. The car's long hood gives way to a rakish windscreen and a sloping roofline which is met by LED taillights at the rear. Overall, the concept measures 4,750 mm long, 1,960 mm wide and 1,250 mm tall.
Specifications remain a mystery, but the Vittoria apparently uses a hybridized V8 engine for maximum performance and fuel efficiency.
You may remember Umberto Palermo's previous work. He also penned the ERA and Sofia concepts.

Source;
http://www.worldcarfans.com/112012540286/up-design-vittoria-concept-unveiled

Carscoop!: Next Gen Hyundai Santa Fe caught undisguised?!?

Pictures allegedly showing an undisguised prototype of the new generation of the Hyundai Santa Fe are making the internet rounds today (keep in mind the front fascia image was created by mirroring the right hand side photo).

The styling cues such as the six-point grille and exterior mirrors seem to match the camouflaged test cars we've spied over the past few months, though we're not sure if this is the South Korean market version or not.

Either way, it won't be long before we find out as the new Santa Fe, which will probably be called iX45 in select regions such as Europe and Australia, is scheduled to receive its world premiere at the 2012 New York Auto Show in April.

Along with the new skin, the Korean SUV will also benefit from a revamped and more upper scale interior as well as a new engine lineup that may include a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline unit in North America and Euro6 diesels in Europe and other international markets.

Source;
http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/01/has-new-hyundai-santa-fe-ix45-suv-been.html

The Honda Portal has reached 500,000 Visitors!!!!

Wow, I have to say.... half a million visitors to The Honda Portal! I started this in July 2007 with full intentions of keeping my clients in the know of Honda with aspirations of becoming one of the leading sources of Honda information on the net!

Thanks to anyone who has ever visited this site, I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy doing it!

Damien Burns
The Honda Portal

Canadian Production of the All-New 2012 Honda CR-V Begins at Honda of Canada Mfg. in Alliston, ON

ALLISTON, ON, Jan. 23, 2012

More than 70 per cent of Honda vehicles sold in Canada will now be built in Canada

ALLISTON, ON, Jan. 23, 2012 /CNW/ - Production of the all-new 2012 Honda CR-V, Canada's top-selling import SUV, officially began today at Honda of Canada Mfg. (HCM) in Alliston, ON. With the addition of CR-V to the Ontario facility, Honda Canada's two best-selling vehicles, the Honda Civic and CR-V, are now being made in Canada by Canadians.

"The Honda CR-V has set the gold standard in the compact SUV segment and has been embraced by Canadians since it arrived here in 1997," said Jerry Chenkin, executive vice president, Honda Canada Inc. "We're proud that the all-new 2012 CR-V will be Canadian built."

The addition of the CR-V to HCM's production lineup makes it the first Honda plant in North America to produce four distinct models (Civic, CR-V, MDX and ZDX) on one line, demonstrating the flexibility and capability of HCM and its Associates.

"It certainly has been a challenging year for our 4,200 Associates at HCM," said Gilles Madore, vice president, Honda of Canada Mfg. "But with Civic being named Canada's number one-selling passenger car for the fourteenth straight year and the addition of Honda's second best-selling vehicle in Canada to our facility, we're incredibly proud of what we have accomplished and are ready to provide Canadians with a made-in-Canada CR-V."

In November 2011, Honda celebrated 25 years of manufacturing in Canada at its facilities in Alliston, Ontario. Since 1987, Honda has built close to 6 million vehicles and invested more than $2.6 billion in Canada. The company also purchases more than $1.1 billion in goods from Canadian suppliers every year.

"The inauguration of Honda's new CR-V at the Alliston plant in Ontario signals the strength of the auto sector in Ontario, new momentum for Honda and demonstrates confidence in the province's economy," said Brad Duguid, Minister of Economic Development and Innovation. "This move helps secure our position as a top auto manufacturing hub in North America and protect valuable sector jobs."

About the 2012 CR-V

For 2012, the fourth-generation Honda CR-V embraces a sophisticated styling direction in conjunction with improved interior comfort, improved fuel economy, a smoother and quieter ride, and more innovative features as part of a 'total package' approach. Long considered as a benchmark vehicle in its class with high levels of quality, refinement and value, the 2012 CR-V is designed to exceed customer expectations in Canada's compact sport-utility vehicle (SUV) segment with increased value resulting from added content and lower MSRPs across the entire CR-V lineup.

Starting at just $25,990, the all-new Honda CR-V has its lowest starting price in more than a decade.

Source;

http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/558165#ixzz1kOZt1kmV

Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid

Two electric motors and a plug, coming soon to an Accord near you.
January 2011
BY MICHAEL AUSTIN

While in Japan for the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, we visited Honda’s Twin Ring Motegi racing facility to see some of the company’s future products. Among them was a plug-in hybrid system, a prototype of which was installed in a current-generation Accord. While the car we drove is just a development mule, we can confidently say that a hybrid like this one will be part of the lineup when the next-generation Accord debuts for the 2013 model year.

Honda’s new plug-in system is totally different from the single-motor IMA drivetrain found in the Insight, CR-Z, and Civic hybrids. The main powertrain components are a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle inline-four and two electric motors—one to charge the battery pack and one to spin the wheels. The gas engine puts out 134 hp and 111 lb-ft of torque; the drive motor is good for 161 hp, and the generator is rated at 100 kW.

We first saw this system previewed at the 2010 L.A. auto show, and the specifications are largely unchanged. EV mode works up to 62 mph for 10 to 15 miles. The gasoline motor can spin the drive wheels directly, bypassing the electric motor and returning highway fuel economy closer to that of conventional cars, which typically fare better than hybrids at high speeds. How this works is the curious part. My exchange at a powertrain display stand with a Honda engineer who was barely conversant in English:

“So how does the transmission work?”
“No, no transmission.”
“Yeah, okay, so the motors make a CVT like in the Prius? How does that work here?”
“No, the motor is direct drive.”

We went back and forth in this manner for about five minutes. When I then asked how the gasoline engine works at highway speeds, he told me that there’s a single ratio with no transmission. Take this with a grain of salt, as Honda’s specification sheet says the car uses an “electric CVT.” Later follow-up didn’t provide a more clear answer, so a better explanation down the road could prove the above to be inaccurate.

Going back to the engineer’s explanation, multiple clutches allow the system to work in full-EV mode, full-gas mode, or a mix of the two. When driving the wheels, the engine is always using a tall highway ratio, and the electric motor uses a single-speed gear reduction as well. At slow vehicle speeds, the electric motor can work on its own or feed in to provide assist. Conversely, in cases where the battery’s charge is depleted, the gas engine can produce juice using the generator, which then sends power to the drive motor; in effect, this means that the engine would indirectly drive the wheels.

Our test drive of the Accord was limited to a few miles at low speeds, but the system looks very promising. You can get a decent amount of power without activating the combustion engine (we were unable to determine, and Honda isn’t willing to share, the parameters that allow for EV operation). When the engine does kick in, though, its speed isn’t relative to vehicle speed, and it drones a bit—but Honda has plenty of time to rectify that before we see such a system in production. There is a slight delay between pressing the pedal and the gas engine kicking in, a feeling that reminds us of the Chevrolet Volt.

The Honda’s all-electric range is much shorter than the Volt’s. On the upside, its 6-kWh battery is lighter than that car’s. And the charging time, at around two hours on a 120-volt source, is a lot more attractive than the 10 a Volt needs from the same outlet. Honda didn’t provide any fuel-economy targets or estimates for the system.

Toyota, Ford, and Hyundai all have hybrids in the mid-size-sedan segment, and Nissan will soon return with a new Altima hybrid. Ford’s current Fusion in particular is very nicely executed and decent to drive; the 2013 Fusion will become the first to offer a plug-in option with the Energi model. So far, though, no one has figured out a similar solution for improving highway fuel economy in a hybrid. For a company that sold the first hybrid in the U.S. market and has since been eclipsed by its competitors, it’s nice to see some innovative thinking from Honda.

Source;
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/honda-accord-plug-in-hybrid-prototype-drive-review

Honda delivers first electric Fit

Torrance, California – Honda has delivered a 2013 Fit EV electric vehicle to the city of Torrance. The delivery is one of the first major steps in the Honda Electric Vehicle Demonstration Program and a prelude to the retail market launch of the Fit EV to customers in California and Oregon this summer.

The Fit was delivered in a ceremony to Torrance mayor Frank Scotto by Steve Center, vice-president of the environmental business development office at American Honda.

“This is an exciting day as we take another important step toward Honda’s comprehensive vision for reducing CO2 emissions, while at the same time advancing our relationship with the city of Torrance,” Center said. “Honda has a long history with electric vehicles starting with the introduction of our first battery electric car, the EV Plus, nearly 15 years ago.”

Honda and the city have worked together over the past year to gather input from residents about potential recharging station locations and have jointly participated in several public awareness events. The two will continue these initiatives and also study local government fleet usage of an electrified vehicle. The city will also receive a Honda plug-in hybrid for additional testing at a later date.

Honda unveiled the 2013 Fit EV at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show and plans to lease vehicles to its U.S. customers in the summer of 2012. Honda will also test the Fit EV with Google Inc. and Stanford University as part of its demonstration program.

Source;
http://www.autos.ca/general-news/honda-delivers-first-electric-fit

Japan's Magazine X Honda Rumour: Honda sub CRV SUV

There's been a good rumour floating around for awhile about Honda putting together something (more for the Euro market) in the sub-CRV suv size to compete with the popular Nissan Quasquai (similar to North America's Juke).

Source; www.vtec.net member: danielgr

Source page;

http://www.vtec.net/forums/one-message?message_id=1033756

Globe and Mail: 2012 Honda CRV: Honda Gets its Mojo Back

by jeremy cato

Smaller is bigger. That’s the start of the 2012 Honda CR-V story.

What’s more, this remade compact crossover is more powerful, has better fuel economy, a better all-wheel-drive system and a so-called “value” story.

Smaller is bigger? Honda’s engineers and designers are almost giddy talking about a lower and shorter overall CR-V with more cabin and cargo room. The secret? They moved the windshield forward and lowered the cargo floor. There is also an improved instrument panel and, unlike with the latest Civic, the cabin materials are pretty decent.

The CR-V, of course, is Honda Canada’s second best-selling vehicle and one of Honda’s top sellers worldwide. This rig matters. A lot. Especially in the wake of the redesigned 2012 Civic.
The Civic, as you know, has been whacked by critics for shortcomings that start with an interior seemingly inspired by Filene’s Basement. A repeat of the Civic launch would be a major disaster for Honda.

But that doesn’t seem to be the case here, even though the CR-V and the Civic share the same basic mechanical base. Moreover, the 2012 CR-V is following in the tire tracks of the Civic in the most important way of all way: pricing.

The base model has dropped to $25,990 versus $26,290 for the 2011 starter wagon. At the other end, Honda Canada has a new top-of-line Touring model at $34,990. The 2011 CR-V topped out at $33,490. The 2012 Touring is the ritzy CR-V, loaded up with standard AWD, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, chrome door handles, roof rails and a long list of other standard features on all CR-Vs: Bluetooth HandsFreeLink yakking, a full-colour multi-information display, a multi-angle rearview camera with guidelines and heated front seats. air conditioning, cruise control, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, rear-seat heater ducts and a 160-watt AM/FM/CD player.

Honda is anxious to share all this, and to reclaim its mojo with a successful CR-V launch. That said, let’s give Honda credit for owning up to past Civic mistakes. At December’s Tokyo Motor Show, Honda Motor president Takanobu Ito took personal responsibility for the bad Civic reviews, noted Automotive News. The company’s global research and development chief said Honda simply took its eye off the two most important balls in the car business: the competition and the customer.

Yoshiharu Yamamoto, president of Honda R&D, told Automotive News that with the 2012 Civic, “our competitors, including Hyundai and Ford, set clear targets to make their cars better than the Civic. We probably did not pay close enough attention to where our competitors were at.” Confession is good for the soul, correct?

So is the realization that the CR-V is one of four core models for Honda and all will have been remade by the middle of next year. Honda is a car company with only a handful of high-volume offerings, so the pressure is on to make each one a winner. The relatively new Odyssey minivan is excellent, the new Civic, not so much. Next year we’ll get a new Accord mid-size car.

With the CR-V, the designers have delivered a wagon with a more aerodynamic design. Prettier? Not so sure, though the slicker sheet metal is a critical for fuel economy. Bake in a weight reduction and less engine friction and out pops a CR-V with slightly more horsepower (185 versus 180 before), quicker acceleration and better fuel economy – despite the mostly carryover powertrain.

The numbers: the 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine is rated at 9.0 litres/100 km city/6.5 highway (two-wheel drive) and 9.2 city/6.6 highway (AWD). Honda’s engineers are also touting the new “ECON” operating mode for those who want to squeeze out even more fuel efficiency. The four-banger is the only engine Honda offers with the CR-V; there is no V-6 or turbocharged option, as is the case with some rivals.

To improve the drive, Honda stiffened up the CR-V with a strengthened tailgate area and thicker gauge steel in certain areas. The AWD system now has electronic actuation of the torque split mechanism between the front and rear wheels, though the basic design is a carryover hydraulic system. The improvement is simple and important: the rear wheels always get some power at startup and 100 per cent of engine torque can be sent to the front or rear wheels. Also to save fuel, Honda has gone to full electric power steering.

The cabin is comfortable and tasteful and even clever in some ways. For instance, the split-folding rear seats will drop flat with the touch of a lever easily reached from the tailgate. A nifty space in the centre console provides excellent storage, where it’s often needed.

But Honda does need to remember the competition with rival models that offer more horsepower and lower pricing. The new CR-V’s ride also could be quieter at highway speeds, the five-speed automatic transmission is nothing special and the design at the very least gives this crossover a big rear end with some visibility issues.

Nonetheless, this Honda sells in big numbers for many good reasons – from an excellent quality story, to strong safety ratings, high resale values and overall functionality. That all remains for 2012.

Source;

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/new-cars/reviews/the-cr-v-honda-gets-its-mojo-back/article2306833/

Honda Sells 800,000 Hybrids

As of the last few days of 2011, Honda has sold 800,000 units of hybrid vehicles across the world. This took them 12 years and 2 months, from the moment the first Insight was delivered in Japan back in November 1999.

In recent times, Honda has released the second generation Insight to challenge but not defeat the Prius back in 2009, and the complete hybrid range now includes six vehicles in total.

In 2011, the Japanese automaker sold 200,000 units, an increase of 30 percent over the previous year. And it’s the domestic market of Japan where Honda’s hybrids are in the highest demand, as 45% of all Hondas sold there we gas-electric in December.

We’d also care to mention that Honda is committed to development of fuel-cell vehicles as well, being among the leaders in the field.

Source;
http://www.autoevolution.com/news/honda-sells-800000-hybrids-41971.html

The Bark Side: VW and Star Wars in Super Bowl teaser

Temple of VTEC Videos: Acura ILX and Accord Coupe Press Conference

Toyota, Mercedes, BMW retain top auto brand values, report says

DETROIT -- Toyota, Mercedes-Benz and BMW retained their ranking among the world’s top 15 global brands, while Volkswagen and Nissan made the biggest gains among automotive marques in an annual survey.
Toyota kept its status as No. 11 on Interbrand’s Best Global Brands Report, with a value of $27.8 billion, up 6 percent from 2010.
The values in the survey are determined by the brand’s financial performance, the role of the brand, and the brand’s strength, Interbrand said. The survey ranks the top 100 brands, and this year 11 automaker brands made the cut.
“Responding to recalls and publicized safety concerns in 2010, Toyota focused on quality and safety,” the Interbrand report said. “Changing its leadership structure and creating a new internal reporting system are two measures that should help restore its reputation for outstanding quality control.”
Mercedes followed Toyota at No. 12 with a value of $27.4 billion, up 9 percent from 2010. BMW came in at No. 15 with a value of $24.5 billion, up 10 percent. Both Mercedes and BMW retained the same rankings from 2010.
Honda gained a spot and finished 19th, with a value of $19.4 billion, up 5 percent.
Volkswagen rose six notches, to No. 47, while VW’s Audi luxury brand (59) and Hyundai (61) each climbed four spots. Ford retained its No. 50 ranking and Porsche remained steady at No. 72.
Nissan joined the list at No. 90 this year with a value of $3.8 billion.
“After becoming the number two Japanese car manufacturer measured by sales in 2010, Nissan is charging forward with a strategy that is both visionary and disciplined,” the report said.
Ferrari, a Fiat luxury sports car brand, rounded out the list at No. 99, down from No. 91 in 2010.
The list was again topped by Coca-Cola, the global beverage giant, which continues to gain value as it celebrates its 125th anniversary, Interbrand said.

Source;

http://www.autonews.com/article/20120116/RETAIL03/120119862#ixzz1juyMRil9

Honda Civic Named to About.com's Best New Cars of 2012 List

01/11/2012 - TORRANCE, Calif.
American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today that the 2012 Honda Civic has been named as one of About.com Cars' Best New Cars of 2012.

"Ranging from a gas-sipping hybrid to a kick-in-the-pants Si, the Civic lineup provides a variety of fun, fuel-efficient options to satisfy a wide range of customers," said Michael Accavitti, vice president of marketing operations, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "We are thrilled to receive this award that recognizes the many advantages of the Civic."

In describing the award-winning Civic, About.com's Aaron Gold called the 2012 Civic hands-down the most comprehensive compact car on the market. "You can get a sedan or a coupe; a high-fuel-efficiency version; a high-performance version; a leather-lined version; a hybrid version; even an alternative-fuel version that runs on clean natural gas," Gold said. "And whichever Civic you choose, you're virtually guaranteed years of trouble-free motoring."

The award from About.com adds to the 2012 Honda Civic's growing list of accolades that include being named Green Car of the Year (Civic Natural Gas), capturing Best Resale Value for a Compact Car by Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com, and earning a 2011 IIHS Top Safety Pick.
About.com is one of the largest providers of original content on the web, with over 60 million unique visitors per month in the United States.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.com/channels/corporate-headlines/releases/honda-civic-named-to-about-com-s-best-new-cars-of-2012-list

Honda Accord is getting a new diesel engine and the Type S package

Not for North America....
Honda has recently announced that the Accord model will get a new diesel engine, which will generate 180 horsepower, and the Type S package.

According to the Japanese based car manufacturer, the facelifted Honda Accord will soon get a new diesel engine which is expected to develop 180 horsepower. Honda says that the Type S package will also become available for the Accord facelift, which should bring a more aggressive look for both the Japanese station wagon and sedan.

The Honda Accord facelift will get, with the new Type S package, redesigned front grille, new bumpers, chrome insertions, bi-xenon headlights, which will be doubled by fog lights with black chromed surrounding and 18 inch wheels painted in Dark Silver. In the cabin, future customers of the Honda Accord facelift with the Type S package will get black and red leather upholstery with black stitches, black roof, chromed insertions, red illumination for the clusters and aluminum pedals.

Under the hood, the facelifted Honda Accord will be available with a new engine, 2.2 liters in displacement, diesel, i-Dtec, which will be developing a total output of 180 horsepower and it will have a peak torque of 380 Nm. There’s no official word on the prices for the Type S package or the vehicle with the new engine powering it.

Source;
http://www.inautonews.com/honda-accord-is-getting-a-new-diesel-engine-and-the-type-s-package

Honda highlights at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo

Honda showcased its entire India model line-up at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo

2011 was a big year for Honda Siel Cars India Limited (HSCI). The launch of the updated Honda City, re-launch of the Honda Jazz at lower prices and the launch of the Honda Brio kept Honda in the lime light in the latter half of the year.

As a result at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo HSCI did not have new products to showcase. Therefore Honda decided to connect with the audience by keeping it simple and showcasing its current range of cars. As it turned out the move was a very smart one, the Honda stall was engulfed with prospective customers checking out their vehicles. And at the same time the Japanese car maker introduced prospective customers to Honda vehicles who had earlier not considered buying a Honda vehicle.

HSCI showcased their newest and smallest car, the Brio which attracted a considerable number of people. Powered by the same 1.2 litre i-VTEC engine as that in the Jazz with Variable Valve timing, however, slightly de-tuned to 88 PS to deliver a better fuel efficiency of 18.4 kilometres to a litre as per Central Motor Vehicle Rules. The interior is spacious and offers a number of storage spaces and cubbie holes to fit in anything throughout the cabin. Steering mounted controls are there on all models but the base. However, central locking and immobilizer is standard across all variants and ABS with EBD and SRS Airbags are on the top end and SMT option variant. Driver seat belt reminder is standard across all versions, however, the three point ELR with Pretensioner and Load Limiter is available only on the option SMT and VMT versions and so does the Tilt Steering. All models get Electronic Power Steering, front power windows, headlight off and ignition key off reminder and average fuel consumption display.

Earlier this year Honda re-launched the Jazz in the Indian market and slashed the price tag owing to increased localisation of components. The re-launched Honda Jazz also betters the bold design with a better looking grille, a freshly designed aerodynamic bumper, new headlights with silver and black matt finish and a new rear bumper among other cosmetic changes, the new Jazz is quite simply a glossier version of its original model. Now available in a new Urban Titanium colour in addition to its four existing ones, the new face-lifted version of the Jazz is now open for booking across Honda Siel India showrooms in the country, and will sell in three variants - Jazz, Jazz Select, Jazz X in Manual Transmission.
The recently launched updated Honda City gets refreshed interiors and exteriors and the addition of features like a sunroof on the option variant. The City is powered by a 1.5-litre iVTEC engine, which churns out 118PS of power, and is known for its refinement. Safety features on the car include ABS with Brake Assist, Dual SRS Airbags, and G-CON. The new Honda City now comes with Cruise Control in select models.

Honda also slashed the prices of the City with the recent launch. With base model pricing of Rs.6.99 Lakh, ex-showroom Delhi and will be available in four trim versions namely, Corporate, E, S, V. The V trim version will be available in automatic transmission as well, along with an option for a sunroof.

The Honda Civic has been a great seller ever since it was introduced in the market. Its fighter jet like styling coupled with being one of the best cars to drive in its class made it hot property for those looking for a car with class and zest. Honda Siel has continuously upgraded the Civic over the years and has consistently been adding on frills to keep up with the growing competition. The current generation Civic in India is a facelifted version of the original car launched here. The car’s futuristic styling and interiors make its competitors look old school today.
The 8th generation Accord has been a great looker since its introduction in May 2008. The sharp edges, long sleek body and rather muscular stance have definitely helped in the appeal department. The 2011 facelifted gave the car a revised the front bumper, new front grille to offer a bolder chrome look, enhanced the rear with some chrome bezel around the taillights, indicators on the ORVMs and spiced up the package by offering a set of alloy wheels that feature an all new design. These changes are across both the 2.4 litre and V6 models. In addition to these changes, the 2.4 litre model also boasts of a sunroof and wooden like interior inserts as standard. These two features were earlier only available on the V6 Accord.

The Honda CR-V is a CBU import that enjoys a strong fan following globally. Its heritage lies in the essence that most people rarely take their SUV's off the tarmac, so why build something that will never be used in the manner that it is designed for. This gave birth to the idea of a soft roader, or an SUV-looking passenger vehicle that had the street presence and commanding driving position of an SUV, yet was designed essentially to stay on the road. A bit of 'light' off roading was still possible thanks to gizmos like the Real Time four wheel drive system, but the vehicle essentially remained a 'car' that looks like an SUV. No doubt the formula was a success and the CR-V has grown in popularity worldwide. Here in India the CR-V has dominated segment of petrol soft roaders.

Source;

http://www.zigwheels.com/news-features/news/honda-highlights-at-the-2012-delhi-auto-expo/11290/2