Honda S3000 Imagined by Deviantart Todor Kolev

Wow, great find Brad! Thanks for the tip, and great work Todor!

It’s been a while since the Honda S2000 was pulled off the market and the Japanese automotive producer still hasn’t offered us a replacement. What’s more, one can’t even find too many rumors on this topic.

If, like us, you’d like to receive some more of the S2000 taste, the only chance is to turn to the virtual world. Image manipulation is what brings us here today, as we want to show you a rendering of a proposed successor for the car.

Dubbed Honda S3000, this uses the automotive producer’s current design language and seems to have a front fascia inspired from that of the Honda CR-Z. The color scheme used here creates a strong contrast that draws extra atention to the car, but we’d like this in any shade.

Source;
http://www.autoevolution.com/news/honda-s3000-imagined-54626.html 

2013 SuperBowl Commercial: "Space Babies" 2014 Kia Sorento

2013 Superbowl Commercial: Mercedes Benz "Soul" Extended Cut

Yep, that time again, Superbowl time, and with that a slew of new commercials come at us in waves...

Honda and Acura first automakers to offer Siri “Eyes Free”

by Nick Jaynes of www.digitaltrends.com

Nine automakers have agreed to welcome Siri into their vehicles. Honda and Acura are the fist out the gate for 2013 on selected models. Unfortunately, details on what Siri will be capable of accomplishing are slim.

Both Honda and Acura announced this morning that both would be integrating the hotly anticipated Apple Siri “Eyes Free” into a select few of their vehicles this year.

As soon as the systems are in place, 2013 Honda and Acura owners with an iPhone running iOS 6 will be able to call upon Siri to execute a number of tasks all the while keeping the iPhone screen from lighting up. This allows the driver to keep his or her hands on the steering wheel and eyes on the road.

What are these tasks and how will specifically will Siri be integrated into the Honda and Acura infotainment systems? According to Honda Public Relations Manager Robyn Eagles, “Siri Eyes Free Mode will allow users to speak in their natural voice to perform a host of communication tasks, including make calls from a phone list, create text and email messages, and have incoming texts read to them via voice commands without having to interact with their phone’s visual display.”

The Honda and Acura vehicles scheduled to see the Eyes Free integration are the newest in the lineup: the Accord from Honda; and the RDX and the ILX from Acura.

So far, nine automakers have signed agreements with Apple to include Siri Eyes Free into their infotainment systems: BMW, General Motors, Mercedes-Benz, Land Rover, Jaguar, Audi, Toyota, Honda, and Chrysler. Honda, the parent company of Acura, appears to be the first to the game with this announcement.

How and when other automakers will massage Siri into their pre-existing systems has yet to be seen. As soon as more information is learned, we’ll be sure to bring it to you.


Source;
http://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/honda-and-acura-first-automakers-to-offer-siri-eyes-free/

Honda CRZ Civic Si HPD 2013 Commercial

Canadians loyal to Civic, with or without critical approval

by Jeremy Cato of www.theglobeandmail.com

This is a story of survival, perseverance, brand strength, owner loyalty, wicked criticism and a commitment to push the reset button. Meet the latest chapter in the Honda Civic saga – Canada’s best-selling car for 15 straight years.

That’s no small boast. Canadians have great options if they want a compact car – from the Ford Focus to the Chevrolet Cruze to the No. 2 seller in the country, Hyundai’s Elantra. And many more: Mazda3, Kia Forte, Toyota Corolla, Volkswagen Jetta, Dodge Dart, Nissan Sentra, Mitsubishi Lancer. You cannot find a dud or a dog among them. Not one. Yet in the face of that competition, last year Honda Canada pushed through 64,962 Civics. Every other Honda sold in this country last year was a Civic. Honda Canada points out with little modesty that the Civic outsold its closest competitor – that Elantra – by 14,012 units.

Honda will tell you that this “remarkable feat is a testament to the durability, quality and reliability that Canadians have come to expect from Honda and the delicate balance of safety, fuel efficiency and fun-to-drive attributes that Civic delivers, year after year.” There’s truth there. But Honda managed a small miracle of crisis management in keeping the 2012 Civic on top while at the same time racing to remake a compact car that had been largely panned by many influential critics – including a shockingly damning road test by Consumer Reports, which for a time even dropped its “recommended” rating for the Civic.

CR, like so many other critics (me included), found that the redesigned Civic, which arrived in the spring of 2011, had lost some of its trademark agility and refinement. It was “cheap” and “insubstantial.” The ride had become noticeably choppy, stopping distances had increased, road noise was up and the quality of the interior had gone backward. Autoweek, a popular enthusiast publication, said the Civic “has lost its way in the world.” The Wall Street Journal called it “a dud” and “a betrayal.” The car at the heart of Honda Canada’s lineup was being clobbered for a long list of issues. Why had Honda stumbled so badly in reinventing this most important model?

“The ultimate responsibility rests with me,” Honda Motor Co. CEO Takanobu Ito said in late 2011 at the 2011 Tokyo auto show.

Ito was the Honda leader who chose to pull back on investment in re-engineering and restyling the car. It was, we’ve learned later, a choice he made to ensure the survival of Honda during a period of extreme crisis – to conserve cash in the wake of the 2008-2009 economic crisis that gutted the world’s economies with few exceptions.

As Automotive News reports, the Lehman Brothers collapse was the final trigger that sent the global economy into a tailspin – and changed thinking inside Honda about the 2012 Civic remake. With the world’s economy in tatters, “Honda executives decided the car would seem too upscale for an entry-level offering. The content level needed to be reduced to reflect cautious consumer tastes.” Thus, Ito decided to take content out of the 2012 Civic, delaying the car’s launch by nearly six months. What had been planned for 2010 was pushed to early 2011.

Not long afterward, Civic sales in 2011 were further hammered by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan in the summer of 2011. Supplies of crucial parts were cut to a trickle in the wake of the Japanese crisis. The tragedies at home in Japan devastated assembly lines thousands of kilometres away in Ontario and Indiana. Honda found itself struggling to keep its factories working at even partial capacity. All that at a time when sales of the Civic have been sliding for years, not just in 2011. The Civic was in crisis and that meant Honda was on the verge of panic.

Which seems hard to believe. Going all the way back to 1973, more than 3.6 million Honda Civics have been manufactured by Canadians at Honda of Canada Manufacturing in Alliston, Ont. More than half of those (1.7 million) have been bought by Canadians in these 40 years. For so many Canadians, the Civic had come to be a truly “safe” choice – a reliable, fuel-efficient small car that always nailed crash tests and held its value better than any other compact car. For a lot of buyers, purchasing a Civic has long been a “no-brainer.”

But by late 2011 and through much of 2012, many had begun to have doubts – about the Civic and even about Honda. To its credit, Honda did not whine or make excuses or, most important of all, panic. To keep Civic sales percolating, Honda Canada (and Honda in the United States) slapped on incentives, the sales sweeteners that were yet another sign of desperate times. Honda has always been loathe to juice sales by tossing money and other goodies on the hood, in the trunk and into the glovebox. That most definitely has not been the Honda way. But this was different.

Meanwhile, Honda’s engineers, designers and product planners were frantically at work fixing the 2012 Civic – working at a fever pitch. By the end of last year, Honda was ready to unwrap an updated 2013 Civic. The cheap interior of the 2012 has been utterly and thoroughly updated and is now among the very best in the segment. The new instrument panel is a huge step forward. The crash structure was improved, the driving manners were tweaked and the stale styling was addressed with, among other things, new front and rear fascias and sportier designs for the hood and trunk.

Better still, the original advertising used to launch the 2012 Civic in the spring of 2011 – advertising that did its part at nearly fatally wounding the Civic – has been buried. How someone at Honda, and its ad agency, could believe that the “To Each Their Own” campaign explained the thorough versatility of the then-new Civic – available as a coupe and sedan, with powertrain choices that included a gasoline-electric hybrid layout – remains a great mystery.

Indeed, almost no one could make sense of the stars of the ads – the lumberjack, zombie, ninja, monster and masked Mexican wrestler. Not only were the ads silly, they were confusing and they failed to showcase the car itself.

Consumers, though, decided to stay with the Civic right through 2012. Critics may have slammed the car for its shortcoming, but buyers stayed loyal, keeping the Civic atop the sales charts both here in Canada and in the United States. Yes, the Civic outsold the Elantra, the Corolla, the Mazda3, the Focus, the Cruze – all of them, and by solid margins.

As one U.S. dealer told Automotive News, “The ’12 was a great car. Only the press disliked it. The buyers loved the car and bought it in big numbers. We would have done fine with no change at all.”

 But the changes came and they are welcome. Honda cut the clutter of the 2012’s instrument panel and dressed it up with a richer covering. Designers cleaned up all the seams between all the cabin pieces and took the shine off the climate-control buttons. The seat fabric was changed and seat comfort was improved, too.

To quiet the ride, Honda added noise-cancelling underbody sheeting. And perhaps most important of all, Honda incorporated its well-regarded ACE II body structure into the Civic – ACE, which stands for Advanced Compatibility Engineering II, involves adding longitudinal braces in the front crash structure. This stiffens the structure, allowing ride engineers to focus on fine-tuning the ride and handling to a much greater degree.

So this 2013 Civic is, indeed, a much better car. Honda dug in and made fixes aimed at calming the critics and re-assuring loyal Civic buyers. It was not small feat to accomplish all this at lightning speed.
Yet even during these worst of times, Civic Nation remained loyal, snapping up discounted Civics in big numbers. That leaves Honda Canada looking ahead to 2013, a year during which the Civic will – well, it should remain No. 1 for a 16th year. So much work just to stand pat.

Source;
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/new-cars/auto-news/canadians-loyal-to-civic-with-or-without-critical-approval/article7676035/

Honda Engines MOST Reliable; German cars 'among worst for engine failures'

Audi, BMW and VW ranked in the bottom 10 of a study into engine reliability

German-made cars are not as reliable as many believe, according to new research. Warranty Direct has studied its claims data to compile a list of the manufacturers with the most reliable engines - and Audi, BMW and Volkswagen all finished in the bottom 10 out of a total 36 makers.

 

In fact, the only firm whose cars had a worse engine failure rate than Audi was MG Rover. MINI wasn’t much better, finishing third from bottom, while its parent company BMW came seventh from bottom. And, despite its reputation for rock-solid reliability, Volkswagen came ninth from bottom.

Honda scooped the gold medal – the study found that just one in every 344 Honda engines failed, compared to one in every 27 Audi engines. Despite its recent recall woes, Toyota came second and Mercedes managed to outperform its fellow German brands with a respectable third-place finish.

Duncan McClure, Warranty Direct Managing Director, said that engine failures are the worst for motorists as they’re the repairs that can lead to the highest costs because of the parts and hours of labour required to fix them: “The nuber of failures may be low compared to areas such as axle and suspension damage but engine repairs almost always result in costs reaching the thousands for motorists who aren’t covered by a warranty.”

An engine failure on a Range Rover Vogue recently led to Warranty Direct’s highest ever claim of £13,000.

Source;
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-news/consumer-news/62383/german-cars-among-worst-engine-failures

Honda scolds Kia over fuel-economy debacle

A Honda senior executive took a swipe at Hyundai-Kia for inflating fuel-economy claims on several models.

"It lowers the level of trust customers have for our industry," said John Mendel, executive vice-president automobile sales at American Honda Motor Co. Inc.

Carmakers must never "betray the trust of our customers and society," Mendel said during a speech to the Automotive News World Congress, held recently in Detroit.

In November, automakers Hyundai and Kia admitted that their fuel-economy ratings of 13 nameplates from the 2011-13 model years were inflated.

That accounted for about 900,000 sold vehicles.

Source;

http://www.thestarphoenix.com/business/Honda+scolds+over+fuel+economy+debacle/7854609/story.html

Next-gen Nissan X-Trail revealed through patent photos

There's talk that this model will be the replacement for both the Rogue and the X-Trail....

Looking like the Hi-Cross Concept

Several patent photos showing the next generation of the Nissan X-Trail have surfaced the Internet.

Set to go on sale sometime next year, the new X-Trail looks a lot like the Hi-Cross Concept unveiled by Nissan at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. If these patent drawings turn out to be real, the X-Trail will lose its boxy look and adopt a considerably more attractive design. Some reports are indicating Nissan will offer the new model with a third-row seating option.

With a 2780mm (109.4 inches) wheelbase, the concept was 4660mm (183.4 inches) long, 1850mm (72.8 inches) wide and 1670mm (65.7 inches) tall. It featured a hybrid powertrain consisting of a 2.0-liter gasoline engine and an electric motor working together to offer just about the same performance as a 2.5-liter unit.

The Hi-Cross also had the firm's XTRONIC continuously variable transmission and offered both FWD and AWD driving modes.

The 2014 Nissan X-Trail will probably arrive in March at the Geneva show.
Thanks to Shrawan Raja for the tip!

Source;
http://www.worldcarfans.com/113012353002/next-gen-nissan-x-trail-revealed-through-patent-photos

Toyota, BMW working on new auto-battery technology, sports vehicle, fuel-cells, composites

TOKYO - Toyota Motor Corp. and BMW Group are working together on next-generation batteries for green vehicles called “lithium-air” as their collaboration, first announced in late 2011, moves ahead in fuel cells, sports vehicles and other fields.

But both sides said Thursday the partnership will not involve a capital alliance while spanning a wide range of technologies for green vehicles.

The Japanese and German automakers aim to complete a fuel-cell vehicle system by 2020, and a concept for a mid-size sports vehicle by the end of this year. They will also work together on developing lightweight technologies such as composites, which will help make cars greener.

Joint research will be started to develop a lithium-air battery, which will be more powerful than the current lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles, they said. The technology, which other automakers are also working on, will allow a major part of the battery’s energy-making process to come from the oxygen in air.
BMW AG board member Herbert Diess told reporters the co-operation will help both companies boost competitiveness in new technologies.

“We really share the same vision,” he said at a news conference in Nagoya, central Japan, live-streamed at Toyota’s Tokyo office.

Toyota Vice Chairman Takeshi Uchiyamada said working with BMW will allow for a much faster development as they pool their resources.

He said the companies share a corporate culture and they have built trust over the last year. An agreement to work on technologies together was signed in June last year.

BMW, known for its strong design and sporty cars, could be a good match for Toyota, reputed for innovation and solid engineering but sometimes criticized as making dull cars.

Global automakers are forging such partnerships to become more competitive.

French carmaker PSA Peugeot Citroen and General Motors Co. of the U.S. have a deal to share in purchases of parts and services to cut costs. Toyota already has a joint venture with Peugeot Citroen to make small cars in Europe.

Source;
http://www.therecord.com/news/business/article/874652--toyota-bmw-working-on-new-auto-battery-technology-sports-vehicle-fuel-cells-composites

Honda Accord Plug-in Hybrid earns the title for being the most fuel-efficient sedan in America

Honda has released new details about the 2014 Accord Plug-in Hybrid.

Described at the "most fuel-efficient sedan in America," the Accord is equipped with a two-motor hybrid system that consists of a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle engine, a 166 hp (124 kW) electric motor and a 6.7 kWh lithium-ion battery. This setup enables the sedan to travel up to 13 miles (21 km) on electricity alone which earns it an EPA rating of 115 MPGe. When the petrol engine is activated, the Accord returns 47 mpg city / 46 mpg highway / 46 mpg combined (US).

When the battery is depleted, it can be fully replenished in approximately three hours with a 120 volt outlet. With the optional 240 volt charger, the time is reduced to less than an hour.

The Accord Plug-in Hybrid starts at $39,780 and is currently on sale at select dealerships in California and New York.

Source;
http://www.worldcarfans.com/113012152931/honda-accord-plug-in-hybrid-earns-the-title-for-being-the

Next-gen Corolla renderings based on Furia Concept

Our Toyota Corolla Furia Concept post from last week received plenty of attention on both paultan.org and our Facebook page, and we’re guessing it’s because no one expected such a look from a Toyota Corolla, even if it’s just a concept. In the face of flashy rivals, Toyota knows it needs to take a bolder approach for the Corolla, the epitome of safe (and staid) design.

“This exciting compact sedan concept hints at the styling cues consumers can expect to see on the next-generation Corolla. The concept represents an exterior styling study by Toyota designers, and it builds on the brand’s product development priority to develop more dramatic, expressively designed vehicles,” the press release reads.

Toyota wanted a “more stable, athletic stance” and so the Furia Concept is 45 mm wider than the current Corolla Altis, while sitting 40 mm closer to the ground. Given the release of detailed dimensions and the tone of the press release, we figured that the Furia Concept is close to production, minus flashy showcar details, so we commissioned top automotive manipulator Theophilus Chin to come up with a toned-down Furia.

Here’s what Theo thinks the next-generation Toyota Corolla will look like, based on the Furia Concept. The pic with the white background is his pre-Furia Corolla rendering, based on the front-end of the Auris hatchback that debut in August 2012. Like what you see?

Source:
http://paultan.org/2013/01/21/next-gen-corolla-renderings-based-on-furia-concept/

What the 2010 Acura NSX could have looked like....

Hmmm, I don't ever remember seeing this shot of the NSX design that was shelved from a few years ago.  I have to say, I am soooo happy that they did not go this route, I love the post Avengers look much better.

Toyota tackles acceleration lawsuits; questions remain

Recent settlements of lawsuits involving vehicle value loss and a few involving wrongful death claims may signal that Toyota doesn't want to risk potentially costly court decision.

by Greg Risling of www.usatoday.com

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- As Toyota Motor chips away at settling lawsuits claiming its vehicles suddenly accelerate, the question remains whether attorneys who sued could prove to a jury there was a design flaw.

The company maintains that stuck accelerator pedals, faulty floor mats and driver error are the reasons for vehicles unexpectedly surging, while plaintiffs' attorneys contend Toyota's electronic throttle control system is to blame.

Recent settlements totaling more than $1 billion to resolve numerous lawsuits involving economic loss and a few involving wrongful death claims could signal that Toyota doesn't want to risk coming out on the losing end of a potentially costly court decision.

"A bad loss in a jury trial would inflict lasting damage to Toyota in loss of public confidence," said Los Angeles-based attorney Christine Spagnoli, who has won several multimillion-dollar verdicts against automakers over safety defects. "I believe Toyota will continue to look for better opportunities to get a win."

The company said Thursday that it settled a lawsuit with the family of two people killed in a Utah crash that was set to go to trial next month and serve as a test case for hundreds of others that are pending.

Terms of the agreement weren't released, but it comes weeks after Toyota agreed to pay more than $1 billion to settle lawsuits in which vehicle owners said the value of their cars and SUVs plummeted after the company recalled millions of vehicles because of sudden-acceleration issues.

In the Utah case, Paul Van Alfen and his son's fiancée, Charlene Jones Lloyd, were killed when their Camry slammed into a wall near Wendover, Utah, in 2010. The Utah Highway Patrol concluded, based on statements from witnesses and crash survivors, that the gas pedal was stuck.

It was the first bellwethercase, before a federal judge in Orange County, Calif., chosen to help predict the potential outcome of other lawsuits making similar allegations.

Wayne Mason, a product liability attorney in Dallas, doesn't believe Thursday's settlement portends poorly for either side going forward.

"This is like taking an aspirin when you have a migraine," Mason said. "Each of these cases has to be weighed on their own merit. I will be surprised if some don't get tried."

Toyota continues to be dogged by sudden-acceleration issues that arose four years ago. Last month, the U.S. government hit the company with a record $17.4 million fine for failing again to quickly report problems to federal regulators and for delaying a safety recall. More than 150,000 2010 Lexus Rx 350s and RX 450h models were recalled because the driver's-side floor mats can trap the gas pedal and cause the vehicles to speed up without warning.

Toyota has recalled more than 14 million vehicles globally to fix sticky gas pedals and floor mats. The company also paid a total of $48.8 million in fines for three violations in 2010.

While the recalls have soiled the company's sterling reputation for reliability, Toyota has regained its position as the world's largest automaker and saw sales increase 27% last year.

The automaker also has received some vindication. Both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and NASA were unable to find any defects in Toyota's source code that could cause acceleration problems. 

In 2011, a federal judge found that Toyota wasn't liable for a 2005 crash involving a Scion that the driver blamed on the electronic throttle or a floor mat. 

A second bellwether trial is scheduled for later this year, but it's unclear if a resolution will be made before then. Plaintiffs' attorneys have reviewed thousands of internal Toyota documents, reviewed data and deposed employees, but most of that material has been kept under seal in court records.

In a statement announcing the Van Alfen settlement, Toyota said there will be a number of other chances to defend itself in a court of law, although the company may "decide from time to time" to settle select cases.

"It would seem that Toyota did not want a public airing of the evidence that has been gathered in the lawsuits, so that it can continue to say that there is not a problem," Spagnoli said. "If Toyota felt it could have successfully defended its products in these cases, it would have welcomed a public trial."

Source;
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/driveon/2013/01/21/toyota-sudden-acceleration-lawsuits/1851813/

Hyundai One of 100 Factories to Close in Beijing to Curb Pollution

Wow.... Scary....

The children’s hospitals in Beijing are receiving up to 10,000 patients per day due to respiratory ailments caused by the critically high air pollution. This past Sunday, the harmful PM2.5 particle rates were up to around 886 micrograms per cubic meter which prompted suspensions of factories throughout the area to try to get the numbers down. PM2.5 is the name for small particles that can become deeply embedded in the lungs and cause breathing problems. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency regulations, these particles should be no higher than 65 micrograms per cubic meter putting Beijing beyond a critical amount and is typically around 200 to 400 micrograms per cubic meter which is still a risk for those trying to breathe.

As of Sunday 48 work sites, including the Hyundai Motor Beijing plant, construction zones, metal refineries and chemical plants have all suspended production in an attempt to get the pollution under control. Another 41 factories have cut back on production to pitch in on the efforts as well. Government officials in Beijing report that even with the recent spike in pollution, the levels have dropped between 30 and 70 percent in the past 14 years due to actions taken to practice better air quality processes. Much of the pollution is blamed on vehicle emissions, industrial production and more domestic coal being used to heat homes during the cold weather months.

Beijing’s municipal government said it was the worst smog in many years. Zhang Dawei , director of the Beijing Municipal Environmental Monitoring Centre, said: “Even the level of PM10 would rarely go up to 700 and 900 during autumn and winter. We believe that the high concentration of PM2.5 over the past days is very rare.”

Because of this spike and many children and adults succumbing to respiratory problems due to having to breathe such a poor air quality face masks and air purifier sales have skyrocketed. Reports show that some people are buying more than one air purifier in order to help keep their own air space as clean as possible.

Source;
http://automotivediscovery.com/hyundai-one-of-100-factories-close-in-beijing-to-curb-pollution/9216299/

Kate Upton Washes the All-New Mercedes-Benz CLA in Slow Motion

Hilarious....

Honda FIT/Jazz: new generation to launch early 2014

Honda has committed to achieving six million global sales by 2017, listing small cars as the key contributor to the growth.

“This March [fiscal year 2012], we will finish the fiscal year with global sales of about four million vehicles,” said Honda President and CEO, Takanobu Ito (below).

“By the end of our fiscal year in March 2017, we will challenge to have global sales of six million vehicles.
“And more than 1.5 million of this total will come from the launch of a new Honda global compact series. Including the new Fit [Jazz], the City, and an all-new compact SUV.

“I believe that small cars will be key to our future.”

Honda announced that a new, third-generation Jazz will launch in the second quarter of 2014, with production set to expand courtesy of a new production facility in Mexico to feed the North Amercian market. The Mexican facility will also build the production version of the Jazz-based Urban SUV concept previewed at the Detroit auto show, and a next-generation City sedan.

“[The Mexico plant is] set to open in 2014, it will build the next-generation Fit [Jazz],” Ito-san confirmed.

“It [Jazz] has been a great success everywhere in the world, based on the fun to drive spirit, high fuel efficiency and excellent packaging.

“I want Honda’s young engineers to feel the same joy I experienced in making fun and fuel efficient vehicles.”

Executive vice president of Honda America, John Mendel (above, left), backed his Japanese boss, saying that he expects small Hondas to drive sales in the North American region over the next four years.

“We expect small cars to be key to the needs of customers, and key to driving sales growth in North America.

“We’re confident in the continued expansion of the small car segment.

“We’re going to launch this 2015 Fit [Jazz] in the spring of 2014 [March 2014], which is going to build on the momentum we’ve already created in the small car segment.”

The next-generation Jazz is expected to arrive in Australia late next year, with sourcing expected to continue from Thailand.

Source;
http://www.caradvice.com.au/209384/honda-jazz-new-city-car-to-launch-early-2014/ 

Honda Accord Euro: next-gen model confirmed

Following speculation that a next-generation Honda Accord Euro would not be produced, Honda President and CEO, Takanobu Ito, confirmed to CarAdvice at the Detroit auto show that a new model is being readied.

Asked directly whether a third-gen Accord Euro is being readied, the Honda boss replied unequivocally with “yes, it is”.
 
“Right now we’re working really, really hard on development [of Accord Euro],” Ito-san said.

The first-generation Honda Accord Euro came to Australia in 2003, and had a lifecycle of five years, replaced by the second generation in 2008. By usual Japanese model lifecycles, the Euro should be replaced this year, however its replacement – while confirmed – is still some time off.

“Can’t say yet,” said Ito-san about timing for the new-generation mid-sizer.

Speculation was rife that Honda would consolidate its Accord model range, following tough economic conditions in Europe and Honda’s struggle with development budgets in the wake of the GFC and Japanese tsunami.

Both the wide-body Accord (above), designed for the US and China, and the smaller Accord, which sells in Europe, launched in 2008, however while the bigger car switched to a new generation this year, the next Euro was nowhere to be seen.

One possibility for its delay, beyond budget constraints, lies with the fact the Honda Accord Euro also sells in the US as the Acura TSX, and the luxury brand has been developing the all-new RLX (bottom) – badged Honda Legend in Australia – and the next MDX. Both of those cars will debut Stateside this year.

Honda did, however, use the Detroit auto show to confirm production of a new-generation Jazz in the second quarter of 2014. With no word yet on Accord Euro timing, it indicates that a new-generation model will be more than a year away from production.

Source;
http://www.caradvice.com.au/209364/honda-accord-euro-next-gen-model-confirmed/ 

Honda recalls 777,000 Odyssey, Pilot vehicles in North America

Honda Motor Co. said it is (voluntarily I might add) recalling 777,000 late-model Pilot and Odyssey vehicles in the United States and Canada due to a problem with the deployment of driver’s side airbags, American Honda said on Friday.

No crashes or injuries have been reported in relation to the issue, Honda said.

Honda said some driver’s side airbags were may have been installed without some of the rivets that secure the airbag’s plastic cover. If the rivets are missing, the airbag may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury in a crash, Honda said.

Honda recalled 748,000 Pilots and Odysseys in the United States and another 29,000 in Canada.

The Pilot crossover vehicles recalled are from model years 2009 to 2013 and Odyssey minivans from model years 2011 to 2013.

Honda said it will mail out notifications to Pilot and Odyssey owners in mid-February.
Owners will be asked to bring their vehicles into dealerships for inspection and replacement of the driver’s side airbag if necessary.

If you are in the USA and would like to determine if your vehicle requires repair by going to www.recalls.honda.com or by calling (800) 999-1009, and selecting option 4.

If you are in CANADA and would like to determine if your vehicles requires repair by going to  http://www.honda.ca/recalls and type in your VIN.

Source;
Honda Canada

Original Batmobile sells for $4.2M US

The original Batmobile from the 1960s television series has sold at auction for $4.2 million US.
A spokeswoman for the Barrett-Jackson Auction Co. in Scottsdale, Ariz., says the winning bidder has not been disclosed following Saturday's auction.
The 19-foot-long black, bubble-topped car was used in the Batman TV show that starred Adam West as the Caped Crusader.
The car's owner — famed auto customizer George Barris, of Los Angeles — transformed a one-of-a-kind 1955 Lincoln Futura concept car into the sleek crime-fighting machine. On the show, it boasted lasers and a "Batphone" and could lay down smoke screens and oil slicks.
The publicist for Barris says his client is pleased with the auction result.

Source;
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2013/01/20/us-batmobile-auction.html

TOV Video: Jon Ikeda discusses the NSX Concept (2013 evolution) at the 2013 NAIAS

2013 Honda Accord Sedan named a Top 3 Finalist for Overall Car of the Year by AJAC

MONTREAL, Jan. 17, 2013 /CNW/ - The 2013 Honda Accord sedan was named a Top 3 Finalist for overall 'Canadian Car of the Year' by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) at the Montreal Auto Show today. The winner will be announced in February at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto. 

"To have the all-new Accord recognized by so many of Canada's top journalists is something we are extremely proud of," said Dave Jamieson, assistant vice president, Honda Canada. "We designed the new Accord to do what it has always done - raise the bar in the family car category. AJAC's recognition, along with the incredible feedback we're getting from our customers, tells us that we've accomplished just that."

About the 2013 Honda Accord
With a beautiful new design and a host of new and improved content and technology, the 2013 Honda Accord is the most fuel efficient, most spacious, and most fun-to-drive Accord ever built. Featuring the all-new Earth Dreams™ powertrain technology, this Accord is available with the first North American application of Honda's next-generation, 2.4-litre, direct-injected 4-cylinder engine pushing a shorter, sportier, yet more spacious and comfortable vehicle.

Today, after being on the market for just three months, the 2013 Honda Accord is already filling the award cabinet with recognition, including:

• AJAC's 'Best New Family Car under $30,000'
• Autos.ca's 2013 'Top Pick' in the Family Cars category
• Auto123.com's '2013 Midsize Car of the Year'
• One of the first vehicles to earn the highest possible safety rating of TOP SAFETY PICK+ from the U.S. IIHS.
• Winner of Car and Driver magazine's prestigious '10Best Cars' award

For more information and photos, please visit HondaNews.ca.

Source;
http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1100587/2013-honda-accord-sedan-named-a-top-3-finalist-for-overall-car-of-the-year-by-ajac

A Closer look at the Honda GEAR Concept

by Sager Patel of www.rushlane.com

At the 2013 Montreal Auto Show, Honda surprised everyone when they debuted the GEAR Concept, which is inspired by fixed-gear bicycles. Honda says, the GEAR Concept is practical, but fun.

GEAR Concept is actually a study on what the next subcompact car will look like and what it takes to attract buyers. Detroit Auto Show saw debut of the Honda Urban SUV Concept, while GEAR is being targeted in a special market. GEAR Concept is not based on any other Honda platform. It is seen as a two door model, smaller than the Honda Fit and is being projected as an ideal vehicle specially for the younger and urban Gen-Y population.

This vehicle is seen as a fun model, principally inspired by fixed gear bicycles and is based on a simple and utilitarian concept. Thought officially debuted, the company failed to offer any information about the vehicle’s powertrain or if they even have any intentions to introduce a production model. For more information, scroll down.

Source;
http://www.rushlane.com/honda-gear-concept-debuts-at-1261188.html

Honda GEAR Concept Makes Global Debut at the Montreal International Auto Show

Honda showcases innovation, performance and style with Canadian-exclusive 2013 Accord Coupe HFP, Civic Circuit Sports and Accord VIP 
 

MONTREAL, Jan. 17, 2013 /CNW/ - At today's Montreal International Auto Show, Honda Canada provided the world with its first look at the new GEAR Concept Study Model - a vehicle that demonstrates Honda's innovative approach to providing the automotive answer for young, urban, Gen-Y lifestyles. 

Inspired by fixed-gear bicycles, GEAR is a concept that represents an entirely new way of looking at the sub-compact vehicle. It is simple and utilitarian, but also customizable, connected and full of personality. 

"Subcompact cars are usually either utilitarian, but uninspiring or they're fun, zippy cars that are impractical and too expensive for the Gen-Y buyer," said Dave Marek, Design Director at Honda R&D Americas, Inc. "GEAR Concept tears down those walls - it's practical but fun, customizable, connected and affordable. Everything that young, discerning urban buyers would want in a car." 

The All-New 2013 Honda Accord Coupe HFP

The GEAR concept was joined by the 2013 Honda Accord Coupe HFP -- a performance-packed vehicle exclusively available for Canadian customers. As the newest edition to the Honda Factory Performance line-up, the sporty, Accord Coupe HFP adds an extra level of limited-edition style and performance to an award-winning vehicle that has already received accolades from media and customers from coast to coast. 

"Honda Factory Performance provides the next step in handling and styling," said Dave Gardner, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Honda Canada Inc. "For our customers who want Honda quality, reliability, efficiency and safety, but with even more expression and personality, the Accord HFP is the product that will deliver." 

The Accord HFP builds on the award-winning 2013 Accord Coupe EX-L V6 Navi with improved handling and more aggressive styling. The enhanced exterior styling comes from a wider and lower appearance, achieved through a 10-mm suspension drop, 19-inch wheels and body kit that includes front, rear and side skirts and a rear lip spoiler. In addition, a more responsive sport suspension provides a more exhilarating driving experience with improved tire grip from Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires. 

With the Accord's 278-horsepower V6 engine, the result is a car meant to turn heads just long enough to see it pull ahead and disappear over the horizon. The 2013 Honda Accord HFP Coupe will be available at select Honda dealerships this spring in limited numbers. Two transmissions will be available - a 6-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual, with black or white as the exterior colours. 

Further Tribute to Honda's Tuner Enthusiasts
Rounding out the aggressively-styled vehicles displayed in Montreal were the 2013 Honda Accord Auto Luxury VIP and 2013 Honda Civic Circuit Sports. Honda has once again partnered with Performance Auto & Sound Magazine (PASMAG) to push the limits of performance and expressive design. These two after-market project vehicles exemplify Honda's race-inspired DNA. 

"Working with the team at PASMAG is a way for Honda to connect with enthusiasts across the country to demonstrate the tuning potential of Honda platforms," said Gardner. "The Accord Auto Luxury VIP and Civic Circuit Sports do just that and then some." 

About 2013 Honda Civic Circuit Sports
Historically, the Civic has always been a natural choice for track enthusiasts, which inspired the PASMAG team when designing this exciting vehicle. Starting with a 2013 Honda Civic Si, the design team implemented key performance upgrades required for a track car including lightweight Enkei wheels, fully adjustable suspension, big brake kit, race seats, intake and exhaust and ECU reflash.

Modification highlights include:

• Enkei PF01 Racing wheels
• Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires
• Rotora front and rear big brake kit
• Megan racing suspension
• Ultimate Racing exhaust and downpipe
• K&N air intake
• Hondata flashpro
• Bride front sport seats
• Retrofit source custom HID headlights
• Custom upgraded audio system
• 3M satin white vehicle wrap
• Custom airbrushed HJC helmet

While the vehicle is a one-of-a-kind and not available for sale, the 2013 Civic Circuit Sports will attend tuner shows and car meets this summer. More information will be available in the coming months.

2013 Honda Accord VIP Overview
Based on the luxury VIP style, this one-of-a-kind Accord sedan delivers a luxury driving experience that exceeds expectations. It began with the 2013 Accord Touring and features 20" chrome wheels, air-suspension and luxury interior trimmings.
Modification highlights include:

• VIP Modular 20" wheels
• Yokohama S-drive tires
• Air-Ride suspension system
• Custom exhaust
• K&N Air intake
• Custom diamond-stiched interior
• Custom upgraded audio system
• 3M matte black vehicle wrap

Further information is available upon request or by visiting www.hondanews.ca

# # #

About Honda Canada

Honda Canada Inc. was founded in 1969. It has produced more than 6 million cars and trucks since 1986 at its two manufacturing facilities and builds engines at a third manufacturing plant in Alliston, Ontario, where the Honda Civic and CR-V, Acura MDX and ZDX models are manufactured.  Honda Canada has invested more than $2.6 billion in Canada and each year it sources nearly $1.1 billion in goods and services from Canadian suppliers. Honda Canada has sold more than 3.7 million Honda and Acura passenger cars and trucks in Canada. 

About Performance Auto and Sound (PASMAG)

Performance Auto & Sound (PAS) Magazine has been setting trends and covering the sport compact scene since its inception. From its humble beginnings to our current reign as having largest magazine page-count in the sport compact market, PAS continues to grow in readership and size every year. Performance Auto & Sound Magazine has asserted itself as a staple in the automotive industry among the top three best-selling titles in the USA and as the number one selling enthusiast title in Canada for several years running. For more information, visit www.pasmag.com. 

Image with caption: "Honda Canada provided the world with its first look at the new GEAR Concept Study Model at the Montreal International Auto Show - a vehicle that demonstrates Honda's innovative approach to providing the automotive answer for young, urban, Gen-Y lifestyles. (CNW Group/Honda Canada Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130117_C6561_PHOTO_EN_22648.jpg

SOURCE: Honda Canada Inc.

Acura Announces Launch Plan and Pricing for 2014 RLX Flagship Sedan

01/15/2013 - DETROIT, Mich.

The all-new 2014 Acura RLX flagship sedan will debut at Acura dealerships on March 15, 2013, with a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) starting at $48,450*. Featuring an all-new 310-horspower direct-injected SOHC i-VTEC V-6 powerplant, the most spacious passenger cabin in its class, and the first-ever application of signature Acura technologies including Precision All-Wheel Steer™ and Jewel Eye™ LED headlamps, the RLX delivers new levels of technology-enhanced performance, safety, and luxury-class comfort to Acura's range-topping sedan.

"With an array of signature Acura technologies, the 2014 Acura RLX sets a new standard for luxury in the Acura lineup," said Jeff Conrad, vice president and general manager of Acura Sales. "The feature-rich RLX epitomizes Acura's 'Man-Machine Synergy' product direction, utilizing advanced technology and smart vehicle design to deliver incredible performance, comfort and value on a luxury scale."

Destination RLX
In February, Acura dealers will kick off the "Destination RLX" client experience program – with every Acura dealer nationwide featuring two 2014 Acura RLX sedans, weeks ahead of the March 15 on-sale date, providing Acura clients with the opportunity to experience the numerous new technologies available on the RLX luxury performance sedan.

Flagship Features
The 2014 Acura RLX is powered by an all-new, 310-horsepower, direct-injected SOHC 24-Valve i-VTEC® V-6 powerplant, Acura's first-ever direct-injected engine architecture. Utilizing Variable Cylinder Management™ (with the ability to deactivate the rear bank of three cylinders) in combination with a lightweight and aerodynamic body design, the new Acura RLX is anticipated to carry a class-leading EPA fuel-economy rating of 20/31/24 mpg¹ (city/highway/combined).

With the longest rear-seat legroom (38.8 inches), longest tandem seating distance (36.4 inches), and widest front and rear shoulder room in the mid-luxury class, the new RLX delivers full-size interior space in a nimbler, more efficient midsize luxury sedan exterior package.

Featuring the first-ever application of Acura Precision All-Wheel Steer™ (P-AWS) the RLX achieves new levels of handling agility, high and low-speed maneuverability, and confident handling control for a two-wheel-drive luxury sedan. Precision All-Wheel Steer is the world's first technology to feature independent and continuous control of the left and right rear-wheel steering (toe) angles. Its benefits include crisper lane changes, more nimble cornering, enhanced dynamic response, tighter radius low-speed turning, and confidence-inspiring control.

As previously announced, a version of RLX featuring Acura's new Sport Hybrid Super Handling All-Wheel Drive® (Sport Hybrid SH-AWD®) technology, producing 370 horsepower with expected EPA fuel-economy ratings of 30 city/30 highway/30 combined, will debut later in 2013.

Further, the new RLX confidently competes in the high-end luxury sedan market with an incredible array of leading-edge technologies, including the next-generation AcuraLink® cloud-based connected car system with AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic™ featuring freeway traffic and, for the first time, surface street traffic information.New standard safety technologies include Lane Departure Warning and Forward Collision Warning, a driver's knee airbag, and the next-generation of Acura's Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™ II) body structure; along with available Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS).

The RLX will also offer a bevvy of leading-edge visibility and driver-assistive technologies, including Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow, Blind Spot Information (BSI) system, Multi-view Rearview Camera, Expanded View Driver's Mirror, and front and rear parking sensors.

The 2014 Acura RLX will be available in five grades – the well-equipped RLX, the RLX with Navigation, the feature-packed RLX with Technology package, the RLX with Krell Audio package, and the top-of-the-line RLX with Advance package.

TRIM	MSRP*
RLX	$48,450
RLX with Navigation	$50,950
RLX with Technology Package	$54,450
RLX with Krell Audio Package	$56,950
RLX with Advance Package	$60,450

Exterior Design and Function
The RLX follows an "aero-fused" exterior design motif with its wide and athletic stance, sharp upswept bodylines, aerodynamic greenhouse, and distinctive new Jewel-Eye™ LED headlights offering improved down-the-road illumination and lighting characteristics. The RLX's sleek upper body combines with aerodynamic features to deliver best-in-class levels of aerodynamic efficiency.

Seven spoke 18x8J aluminum-alloy wheels and 245/45 R18 all-weather tires are standard, while Technology, Krell and Advance grades feature 19x8J wheels and 245/40 R19 tires. The RLX's alloy wheels also feature a noise-reducing design that lowers tire noise by 7 decibels across the audible frequency range.
Additional exterior features available on the RLX include an acoustic glass windshield and door glass, integrated power rear sunshade, front and rear parking sensors, heated and auto-dimming side mirrors, and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

Interior Design and Function
The RLX interior features premium, soft touch materials throughout, with the tasteful application of premium metal and wood-grain accents. A stitched leather instrument panel, center console and steering wheel, along with available Milano perforated leather seats, communicate a new level of craftsmanship and refined luxury appeal in Acura's top-of-the-line sedan.

Luxury form and function are smartly integrated in the RLX's new center console, featuring dual screens – an 8-inch Navigation screen and a 7-inch On-Demand Multi-Use Display™ touch screen – that provide easy and direct one-touch access to key functions, including audio, climate control, navigation, and text-to-voice SMS text message functionality. The sliding, leather-trimmed armrest conceals a dual-hinged center storage compartment with easy access for both the driver and front passenger to USB connectivity, 12-volt accessory power outlet and space to store tablets and other electronic devices.

Additional interior comfort and convenience features include push-button start, power tilt and telescoping steering, power sunroof, tri-zone automatic climate control, and Bluetooth®³ HandsFreeLink®.

The standard 10-speaker ELS® audio system includes HD radio™, XM radio, Pandora® interface, USB connectivity, and an auxiliary jack. The RLX with Technology package is equipped with a 14-speaker Acura/ELS® Studio premium audio system. The Krell Audio and Advance grades receive an ultra-premium, 14-speaker, Krell audio system that sets a new benchmark for high-fidelity sound in a luxury vehicle.

Chassis Technology
Whether on a serpentine mountain pass, congested city street, or cramped airport parking deck, and in all weather conditions, the RLX with Precision All-Wheel Steer™ (P-AWS™) is designed to deliver an unprecedented level of handling precision and control in a two-wheel drive luxury sedan.

Working in concert with Vehicle Stability Assist® (VSA®) with Traction Control, and Agile Handling Assist dynamic braking system, P-AWS™ provides enhanced vehicle stability, maneuverability, and control. The RLX's handling performance is further elevated by its new double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension system with Amplitude Reactive Dampers, and new high-output, belt-type electronic power steering.

All RLX models have 4-wheel disc brakes with high-friction pads and a 4-channel anti-lock braking system (ABS), along with new Hydraulic Brake Boost that improves brake pedal feel. New Electric Parking Brake with Automatic Brake Hold, and high-efficiency Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) are additional firsts for Acura.

New Direct-Injected i-VTEC® V-6 with VCM
The 2014 RLX is powered by an all-new, 3.5-liter, direct-injected SOHC
i-VTEC® V-6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management™. Rated at 310 horsepower, the engine delivers exceptional drivability, with more than 90-percent of its peak 272 lb.-ft. of torque available from 2000 rpm to 6600 rpm. Variable Cylinder Management with 3-cylinder and 6-cylinder operation works in concert with the VTEC valvetrain to deliver superb cruising efficiency. The engine is mounted to a lightweight and rigid aluminum front subframe using a vibration-canceling Active Control engine Mount (ACM) system.
The new engine is mated to a reengineered Sequential SportShift 6-speed automatic transmission with revised gearing, an intuitive selector and steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles. A driver-selectable Sport mode provides more aggressive shift points and more pronounced engine braking during deceleration, along with manual operation.

AcuraLink® Connectivity System
The RLX is equipped with the next-generation AcuraLink® cloud-based connected car system, delivering a comprehensive array of media, convenience, and security services via embedded two-way communications and web-enabled devices. AcuraLink® leverages the Aha™ by Harman cloud-based interface to provide users with thousands of customizable cloud-based news, information and media feeds. Next-generation AcuraLink® also delivers an array of available, subscription-based, security and convenience features, such as AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic™ featuring freeway traffic and, for the first time, surface street traffic information; airbag deployment notification; stolen vehicle tracking; remote locking and unlocking; security alarm notification; and 24-hour personalized concierge services.

Advanced Safety, Visibility, and Driver Assistive Technology
The RLX offers a bevy of leading-edge safety technologies, including standard Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), seven smart-deploying airbags including a driver's knee airbag, and Acura's next-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering II (ACE II) body structure.

The RLX is anticipated to earn top-level safety ratings, including a 5-star NCAP Overall Vehicle Score². The RLX is also expected to join the Acura TL sedan in earning an IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating, including a GOOD rating in the stringent new IIHS small overlap frontal crash test.

The RLX also offers a comprehensive list of advanced visibility and driver-assistive technologies, including the standard Expanded View Driver's Mirror and Multi-View Rear Camera with Dynamic Guidelines, along with available Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS) system, Collision Mitigation Brake (CMBS) system, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow, Blind Spot Information (BSI), and front and rear parking sensors.


Additional details on key advances and technologies for the all-new 2014 RLX:

• Class leading interior space based on the RLX's longer wheelbase and efficient packaging. At 196.1 inches, the RLX is similar in length to the outgoing RL, but it has a two-inch longer wheelbase and is nearly two inches wider, placing the new RLX well above the norm in the mid-luxury class. The flagship RLX sedan has up to three inches more rear legroom than competing models, including the BMW 535i, Lexus GS350 and Audi A6.
• Extensive use of lightweight materials includes the application of strength steel to 55 percent of the body, and the intensive use of aluminum—for the front fenders, hood, steering hangar beam, front and rear bumper beams, front subframe, and all-new "hybrid" front and rear door panels (steel inner structure mated to aluminum outer skin). The RLX weighs in at 3,933 pounds. Static bending and torsional body rigidity are up 52 percent and 46 percent, respectively.
• Jewel-Eye™ LED headlights (an Acura first) LED lamps enhance the RLX's modern and distinctive appearance while providing outstanding light distribution and improved down-the-road illumination.
• Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition™ offers a wide range of search options including local search functionality and AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic™ for both highways and surface streets.
• Agile Handling Assist (an Acura first) uses active braking to help the driver smoothly and easily trace the desired line through a curve with smaller steering inputs.
• Electric Parking Brake (an Acura first) provides one-touch parking brake activation.
• Automatic Brake Hold (an Acura first) maintains the vehicle's position when the driving or parking brake are released until the throttle is depressed.
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow (an Acura first), allows the RLX to independently maintain a set following distance in low-speed traffic situations, including stop and go traffic, and to initiate vehicle braking when necessary.
• Forward Collision Warning (FCW) uses a camera mounted in the upper portion of the windshield to detect vehicles ahead of the RLX and audibly and visually alert the driver when it determines a frontal collision with a detected vehicle is possible.
• Lane Departure Warning (LDW) uses the same windshield-mounted camera to detect lane markings on the road and alerts the driver if the vehicle is wandering from a detected lane.
• Front seatbelt e-pretensioners use electronic control to reduce belt tension under normal driving conditions, while also enabling automatic belt tensioning in hard cornering maneuvers or in the event of a collision.
• Multi-angle rearview camera with dynamic guidelines uses dynamic guidelines that reflect steering wheel inputs on the display to aid in backup maneuvers.
• Capless fueling (an Acura first) eliminates the fuel cap and improves ease of fueling.

For More Information
Additional media information including detailed pricing, features and high-resolution photography of the 2014 Acura RLX is available at www.acuranews.com. Consumer information is available at www.acura.com.
Connect with Acura:
Media Information: www.acuranews.com
Consumer Information: www.acura.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Acura
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Acura_Insider
YouTube: www.youtube.com/acura
Flickr: www.flickr.com/acuranews
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/acura
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+acura
*MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, vehicle options and destination charge of $895.00. Dealer prices may vary.
¹ Preliminary EPA mileage estimates determined by Acura. Final EPA mileage estimates not available at the time of printing. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.
² Government 5-Star Safety Ratings are part of NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (www.SaferCar.gov). Vehicles tested under the new program cannot be compared to MY10 and earlier vehicles.
³ Certain functions that rely on a satellite signal will not work correctly in Hawaii and Alaska. These functions include but are not limited to automatic clock updates and time zone adjustments.
® The Bluetooth word mark and logos are owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc., and any use of such marks by Honda Motor Co., Ltd is under license.
® Sirius, XM and all related marks and logos are trademarks of Sirius XM Radio Inc. and its subsidiaries.
® Pandora, the Pandora logo and other Pandora marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Pandora Media, Inc. or its subsidiaries worldwide.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.com/channels/corporate-headlines/releases/acura-announces-launch-plan-and-pricing-for-2014-rlx-flagship-sedan

Leaked: The 2014 Corvette Stingray Convertible.

I got to say, I really like this in the Convertible form, not that the C7 coupe is anything less to look at....

Didn’t like the coupe? Here’s an early sneak peek of the production convertible C7. Smaller 18/19” wheels and non-Z51 spoiler make their first appearance.

Source;
http://theautoinsiderblog.com/post/40703849807/leaked-the-2014-corvette-stingray-convertible

Acura 2014 MDX Prototype Makes World Debut at North American International Auto Show

The 2014 Acura MDX Prototype made its world debut today at the 2013 North American International Auto Show, offering a strong indication of the styling and design direction for the third generation of the popular, 7-passenger Acura MDX performance luxury SUV, launching by mid-2013 in both all-wheel-drive and front-wheel-drive layouts.

"Our goal is to advance on MDX's already great dynamic performance while improving fuel economy and luxury comfort," said Mike Accavitti, vice president of national marketing operations. "Building on the great momentum we established in 2012 with the launch this year of our flagship RLX, followed later this year by a terrific new luxury SUV in MDX we are very excited about the direction of the Acura brand. And we are truly looking forward to a great 2013."

The "Aero Sculpture" styling of the 2014 MDX Prototype pursues the direction of a smart, compact and premium appearance with low, wide and sleek proportions; a clean, efficient and uncluttered design; and elegant, premium detailing, including the signature Acura Jewel Eye™ LED headlights. This "aero" image also reflects significant gains in aerodynamic efficiency, up 16 percent compared to the outgoing 2013 MDX, achieved through extensive testing in Honda R&D Americas' new wind-tunnel laboratory in Raymond, Ohio – where the vehicle is being created.

The 2014 MDX Prototype's sculpted exterior and arcing roofline (1.5-inches lower than the outgoing model) encase what will be an even more spacious and versatile cabin compared to the outgoing 2013 MDX. The 2014 MDX Prototype features a longer wheelbase that enhances ride quality, increases second-row legroom, and improves third-row seat access.

"While we aren't showcasing the interior today, I can assure you it will further improve the already great functionality in the cabin and cargo area while really amping up luxury, comfort and quiet," added Jon Ikeda, chief designer, Acura Design Studio. "And that's really the focus of this new MDX, delivering outstanding luxury performance and family capability in a more refined and alluring package."

In response to strong demand from consumers in warm weather markets Acura also will, for the first time, offer a front-wheel drive version of MDX in addition to the all-wheel drive (SH-AWD) model that has earned MDX a reputation as a leader in dynamic handling and all-weather performance for a luxury SUV.

The 2014 MDX will also feature an all-new, more rigid and lightweight chassis, including new front and rear suspension designs that deliver a more refined, confidence-inspiring, and sporty driving character. An all-new, direct-injected 3.5-liter i-VTEC SOHC V-6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) will deliver improved torque and more spirited performance while realizing a significant increase in fuel efficiency to class-leading levels. Special attention was also paid to improving cabin quietness, which is greatly enhanced by the vehicle's all-new chassis and body design and new sound-deadening techniques.

The 2014 MDX also will be equipped with a broad array of advanced safety technologies, including the next generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure and the available Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) systems, as well as visibility technologies such as the Multi-Angle Rearview Camera and the available Blind Spot Information (BSI), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), and Active Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow. Further, the 2014 MDX is designed to achieve top-level safety ratings, including a 5-star Overall Vehicle Score from the NHTSA and a TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating from the IIHS. All 2013 Acura models other than the outgoing ZDX achieved at least a TOP SAFETY PICK safety rating, while the TL sedan was one of the first two vehicles in the industry to achieve TOP SAFETY Pick+ status.

The new MDX will also feature a full array of advanced information technologies, including the next-generation AcuraLink cloud-based connected car system featuring Pandora® connectivity, SiriusXM™ radio, SMS text messaging, and cloud-based Aha™ by Harman connectivity that brings thousands of personalized news, information and media feeds into the vehicle via the customer's compatible smartphone and data plan. A premium Acura/ELS® audio system will be available on the new MDX. Next-generation AcuraLink will also be available with a host of fee-based convenience, assistive and security features, such as automated crash notification, remote locking/unlocking, emergency "SOS" call feature, and live-operator concierge services.

With the introduction of the all-new 2014 Acura MDX production will move from Alliston, Ontario, to the company's vehicle and V-6 engine manufacturing facility in Lincoln, Alabama. Using domestic and globally sourced parts, the MDX is built exclusively in North America.

About Acura
Acura is the fastest growing automotive luxury brand in America, having posted a 26.7% year-over-year gain in 2012, its best annual sales result since 2007. Acura offers a full line of technologically advanced performance luxury vehicles through a network of 272 dealers within the United States. The Acura lineup features six distinctive models: the TL performance luxury sedan, the TSX sports sedan and Sport Wagon, the ILX luxury compact sedan, the 5-passenger RDX crossover SUV, the 7-passenger MDX luxury SUV, and the all-new Acura RLX flagship sedan, launching in March 2013.

For More Information
Additional media information including detailed features, pricing and high-resolution photography of the Acura model line is available at www.acuranews.com. Consumer information is available at www.acura.com.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.com/channels/corporate-headlines/releases/acura-2014-mdx-prototype-makes-world-debut-at-north-american-international-auto-show