Spied – Next gen Chevrolet Cruze completely revealednAutosBlog on Facebook

The second generation Chevrolet Cruze has been spotted in China without an iota of camouflage by Sohu Auto.

The first generation Cruze, a global success which gave GM a stronghold on the C-Segment for the first time, was launched at the Paris Motor Show of 2008. Now about 6 years later, the successor is ready and is reportedly going to use the media glare of the Beijing Auto Show that starts on the 20th of April to make an entry.

Like the new Hyundai Sonata, GM are using a completely new design which includes peeled headlamps, a large air intake flanked by LED daytime lamps, a flatter silhouette, crisp shoulder line, a kink at the rear window and a Camaro-inspired stoplight cluster.

The interiors also receive a complete makeover with brown suede, a multifunction steering wheel packed with buttons, a larger LCD screen and a dashboard with curved contours.

The 2015 Chevrolet Cruze would be powered by a 1.5-liter direct-injection petrol engine that produces 112 hp and 146 Nm. Higher models receive a 1.4-liter turbo that produces 147.5 hp and 235 Nm, as per Sohu’s report. The car is based on a new platform GM internally calls D2xx platform.

The standard gearbox is a five-speed manual unit, while a third-generation 6-speed manual and a 7-speed dual-clutch auto gearbox would come optional.
[Source - Auto.Sohu.com]


Source;
http://indianautosblog.com/2014/03/2016-chevrolet-cruze-spied-undisguised-126163

2015 Toyota Camry facelift to debut in New York - report

Nothing Official in this picture yet folks.

Promises to have a more emotional design

Toyota has reportedly confirmed plans to introduce the 2015 Camry at the New York Auto Show.

Details are limited but the facelifted model promises to "challenge conventional expectations of a mid-cycle model change." That's not much to go on but the President of Toyota's Calty Design Research has previously said the car will have a “more emotional, more impactful design."

Little else is known about the model but it will likely feature carryover engines including:

• A 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 178 bhp (133 kW) and 170 lb-ft (230 Nm) of torque
• A hybridized 2.5-liter four-cylinder with a combined output of 200 bhp (149 kW)
• A 3.5-liter V6 with 268 hp (200 kW) and 248 lb-ft (336 Nm) of torque

Source;
http://www.worldcarfans.com/114032772436/2015-toyota-camry-facelift-to-debut-in-new-york---report

Free engine replacement for 2006-2009 Honda Civics

Warranty extended to 8 years for cars with engine block cracks and leaking coolant

Do you own a 2006 to 2009 Honda Civic with a coolant leak? You could be in luck. Honda is offering a new engine block or completely new engine, free, to owners of 2006 through 2008 and some early 2009 Civics that have developed a coolant leak coming from the engine block. The free service applies to all Civics except the Hybrid and the Civic Si, and it effectively extends the original warranty to eight years, regardless of mileage.

Why this matters: The leak can allow coolant to drain away, leading to overheating or a total engine failure. Honda alerted known owners back in 2010, but a lot of people probably didn’t get the message, especially second or third owners of the cars.

The program: For Civics that have developed one or more cracks in the engine block and started leaking coolant, Honda dealers will replace the engine block, or the entire engine if the head has warped too, at no charge. The offer applies to affected Civics that have been on the road eight years or less, regardless of mileage.

What to do: If your Civic is seeping coolant from the engine (not the radiator or hoses), or overheating, take it to a Honda dealer and mention technical service bulletin 10-048. If you already had the engine replaced at your own expense, you can apply for a refund from Honda Customer Service (800-999-1009) as long as the work was done at a Honda dealer or if you can prove that the repair was done with genuine Honda parts.  

—Gordon Hard

Source;
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2014/03/free-engine-replacement-for-2006-2009-honda-civics/index.htm

Automobilemag.com Comparison Review: 2015 Chrysler 200 Limited vs. 2014 Honda Accord EX Review

By Joe Lorio of www.automobilemag.com

"Follow the incompetent" is not an exhortation that often rings through university auditoriums at graduation time, but it's sage advice nonetheless. You want to take the job previously held by the guy who surfed porn all day and pilfered office supplies. You want to date the girl whose last boyfriend acted like a jerk and was lousy in bed. Follow an act like that, and you can't help but look like a star. The new 2015 Chrysler 200 has that same advantage. The previous 200 (nee Sebring) was a slacker that idled at the bottom of the mid-size sedan barrel -- next to it, the new 200 shines.

But while following the incompetent can be a boon on a personal level, it only helps so much in the automotive arena. The 2015 Chrysler 200 represents a quantum leap over its predecessor, but in the ultra-competitive mid-size sedan segment, buyers will want to know how it stacks up against its peers. So we pitted it against one of the biggest names in the business and the number-one choice among retail buyers, the 2014 Honda Accord.

Keeping it real
To keep it real, we selected high-volume, mainstream models. For the 200, that meant the Limited, which sits one up from the base LX but below the sport-oriented 200S and the top-spec 200C. Our Accord was an EX, which is pretty much smack dab in the middle of the Accord lineup.

Although we stuck with four-cylinder engines, it's interesting that Honda and Chrysler are two of the four automakers that still offer a V-6 in this segment. Chrysler's 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 makes a best-in-class 295 hp and can be had with all-wheel drive. Honda's 3.5-liter six is good for 278 hp and is front-wheel-drive only. However, the mid-size-sedan market is really a four-cylinder market, so that's what we specified for our test. That means a direct-injected 2.4-liter four with variable valve timing, whether you're talking about the Accord or the 200. Chrysler extracts 184 hp and 173 lb-ft of torque from its engine, while Honda wrings out 185 hp and 181 lb-ft from its powerplant.

Transmissions: going to extremes
The quest for the greatest possible efficiency has both companies taking extraordinary measures with their transmissions. Honda has switched to a continuously variable transmission for the current Accord, while Chrysler is going for the maximum ratio spread in a conventional automatic with its newly developed nine-speed, an industry first. The Accord's resultant EPA figures are 27/36 mpg (city/highway), which are good but not quite as good as the class leaders. The 200 is rated at 23 mpg city and 36 mpg on the highway, which is good but not quite as good as the Honda.

Chrysler's nine-speed automatic is certainly a complex piece -- its teething problems delayed the launch of the new 2014 Jeep Cherokee, where it first appeared -- but you wouldn't know it from our experience in the 200. The shifts are very smooth and it only rarely gets tripped up. Given the wealth of gears it has to pick from, however, it should perhaps be a little more willing to switch to a lower one when ascending a grade. Unfortunately, taking matters into your own hands isn't really an option, as the Limited has neither shift paddles nor a sport program (those are exclusive to the 200S and the 200C). Even with those caveats, the nine-speed is still the keen driver's choice over the CVT, which is almost always the least-appealing automatic transmission option, despite its unrivaled efficiency. We should note at this point that Honda still offers a manual in the Accord, and it's not relegated just to the base version; it can be had in trim levels as high as the EX. The vast majority of buyers, though, will take the CVT, and at least the one in the Accord is less offensive than many, mostly because the engine it's attached to is fairly pleasant sounding when the CVT sends it into the upper rev range and keeps it there. Chrysler's Tigershark four wouldn't fare as well under the same circumstances, as sound quality is far less mellifluous, although it only comes into play above 4000 rpm or so.

Newfound refinement
In fact, both cars are impressively quiet overall, something that neither was known for in past iterations. Honda has added active noise cancellation to all Accords, while Chrysler uses an acoustic laminated windshield and side glass (although only on the 200S and C). We were impressed with the low levels of wind, road, and suspension noise. Another area of newfound polish is ride quality. These two mainstream mid-size sedans deliver a supple ride that shames most German luxury sedans. Credit, in part, our test cars' sensible footwear: both wore 17-inch wheels with 215/55-series tires (the Honda can be optioned up to 18s, the Chrysler as high as 19s). Skillful damping is also a factor. We would mentally brace for the jarring impact when a patch of broken pavement suddenly revealed itself, but then the car would just thump over it, almost as if it were nothing.

The 200's fat-rimmed, leather-wrapped steering wheel (part of the $895 convenience group) felt great, much nicer than the Accord's grained plastic wheel, and the Chrysler steered confidently through rolling hill country. Like Chrysler, Honda uses electric power steering assist, and also like Chrysler, Honda's system is nicely weighted -- much better than most. The Accord is at least 100 pounds lighter than the 200, and it feels a bit livelier in quick transitions. Overall, the Accord's chassis tuning is not only excellent for a general audience but it's also better than most enthusiasts give it credit for -- and the 200's shadows it closely.

Form and function
In their driving dynamics, the 200 and the Accord kept tightly together. Where the two cars diverge is in their design and packaging. The 200 is a sibling -- but not a twin -- to the Dodge Dart, as both are derived from the same architecture, known internally as Compact U.S. Wide (CUSW). Compared with the Dart, the wheelbase for the 200 has been stretched 1.6 inches, to 108 inches. That's still 1.3 inches shy of the Accord's, although the Chrysler is nearly an inch longer overall and also wider.

Size-wise, the two cars are very close, but it is in their packaging that we see the greatest difference. The 200 is out to make a style statement, from its integrated grille and headlights -- the new face of Chrysler, we're told -- to its arc-shaped roofline and pert, ducktail trunk. The Accord is far more upright, sedan-like, and restrained. It's actually a bit trimmer in size than its bloated predecessor, and its rectilinear form makes no pretenses at being a coupe.

Inside, it's the same story. Chrysler has gone for a cockpit-like treatment with a high center console that angles up to meet the dash. Audio and climate controls are at the forward part of the ramp, just ahead of the increasingly voguish dial-a-gear electronic shifter. Unfortunately, the enveloping feel applies not just to the driver but to the passengers as well. Rear-seat space is adequate for a six-footer, but the 200 closes in around you due to its sloping roofline, rising beltline, and thick pillars.

What a contrast to the Accord. The measurements don't show a huge difference between the two, but the Honda feels vastly more spacious. Honda's longtime talent for space efficiency is on display here. Sit in the rear seat, and not only are the front seatbacks far away from your knees, but a six-footer's head doesn't brush the roof and you can easily see outside. The squared-off cabin is as airy as a downtown loft. The windows are large, the pillars are thin, the console is low -- it's a formula that today's auto designers have largely discarded, but one that is absolutely endearing for a car's driver and passengers.

What you pay and what you get
Expect Chrysler to make plenty of noise touting the new 200's full basket of the latest tech toys, but many of them are not available on the Limited model, which is expected to be by far the most popular. The impressive suite of electronics includes adaptive cruise with brake-to-stop, forward collision warning, blind-spot warning, lane departure warning and lane keep assist, rear cross-path detection, and automated parking. Unfortunately, nearly all of them are exclusive to the top-spec 200C (blind-spot warning and cross-path detection can be had on the 200S). Order navigation and you get Chrysler's well-regarded Uconnect 8-inch multifunction touch screen, but it's an option on the 200S and C models only; the Limited makes do with a 5-inch touch screen, but at least it allows you to get an (optional) backup camera. Even without the high-tech features, though, the 200's cabin doesn't come across as stark. The instrument cluster is richly detailed, the cupholders in the console slide back to reveal electronic connectors and additional storage space, and it's all very nicely executed with materials that are definitely a cut above the Dart's.

The Accord's interior is less stylish, and some of its materials are more basic. It does, however, benefit from extremely straightforward switchgear (it is a Honda, after all), and in EX trim it has a bit more standard equipment than the 200 Limited. A backup camera is standard, as is Honda's LaneWatch system, which provides a camera's-eye view back along the right side of the car when the right turn signal is activated; both project onto the 8-inch center screen. A power driver's seat and a sunroof are also standard here, where they cost extra on the 200 Limited.

The Honda has more stuff, but it also costs more. The Accord EX stickers for $26,470, which was also the bottom-line price of our test car. The 200 Limited starts at $24,250, and when optioned up to pretty much match the Accord, our 200's as-tested price was $25,940. Factor in resale value, however -- the Accord's: stellar, the 200's: unproven -- and the Honda is unlikely to be more expensive in the long run.

Putting these two cars together would have been a cruel joke with the last 200, but we're impressed at how well the new 200 fared against what is arguably the best car in the segment. The Accord's combination of virtues -- chiefly its clear packaging advantage along with its better city fuel economy -- better align with the priorities in this segment and put it on top in this match-up. But the stylish Chrysler is going for something slightly different here, and that's probably not a bad idea. "Don't take on your strongest competitor head-on," is another mantra that the 2015 Chrysler 200 seems to be following. That's another sage piece of advice.


Source (with more spec's and a ton of pictures);
http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/driven/1403-2015-chrysler-200-limited-vs-2014-honda-accord-ex-comparison/

Who Gets Sued When Your Robot Car Crashes?

Interesting read, I've wondered this myself....

 

You are a terrible driver.

By human standards, you might be pretty good, but you'll never be able to match the reaction time, 360-degree monitoring, and prescient awareness autonomous vehicles will soon provide.

By almost any estimate, taking the wheel out of the hands of human drivers—when the technology is ready—will save thousands of lives. "Human beings just aren't that great as drivers," said Rand's James Anderson. Driverless cars "could save billions of dollars and thousands of lives."

 

But what happens when something goes wrong? Robot cars may prevent thousands of accidents, but eventually, inevitably, there will be a crash.

"Who's responsible if the car crashes?" Audi's Brad Stertz said earlier this year. "That's going to be an issue."

It's tough to argue the passenger (who may well be the victim) should be held responsible if a car controlled by a computer runs itself off the road. But should automakers face long, expensive lawsuits when life-saving technology suffers a rare glitch?

"Automaker liability is likely to increase. Crashes are much more likely to be viewed as the fault of the car and the manufacturer," Anderson said. "If you're an automaker and you know you're going to be sued [more frequently], you're going to have reservations.… The legal liability test doesn't take into account the long-run benefits."

In other words, even though a technology is an overall boon to the greater good, its rare instances of failure—and subsequent lawsuits—won't take that into account. That could slow the movement of driverless cars to the mass market if automakers are wary of legal battles.

"The auto insurers are thinking a lot about this," Anderson said. Insurers, as well as body shops and trauma centers, are among the members of the "crash economy" that will be disrupted when robot cars rule the road.

As they grapple with what autonomous vehicles might mean for their industry, the legal frontier remains uncertain as well. One possible solution? A payout fund set up to compensate victims of driverless car accidents. That could be modeled similar to the Health and Human Services Department's vaccine injury compensation fund, which takes a 75-cent tax from every purchased vaccine. The no-fault program helps those who have been hurt by vaccine-related incidents without exposing the medical community to legal battles and expensive damages payouts.

In the early stages, subsidies may be required to help driverless cars take hold in the market, according to Rand's report on the technology's adoption. Part of the money allotted for that could be set aside to help potential victims.

"The overall crash costs are going to go down," Anderson said. "How do you make sure that the amount that's saved goes in such a way to encourage efficient adoption? … One of the key issues is to make sure that the winners compensate the losers. Clearly there's going to be a lot of winners. Automakers may be in the loser category if they face increasing liability suits. Some form of straightening that out might make sense."

Source;

http://www.nationaljournal.com/tech/who-gets-sued-when-your-robot-car-crashes-20140325

Honda’s experimental smart home is so efficient it actually creates surplus power

by Drew Prindle of www.digitaltrends.com

Yesterday afternoon, Japanese automobile manufacturer Honda held a web conference to show off its latest experiment: a cutting-edge smart home designed from the ground up to showcase innovative technologies that enable zero net energy living and transportation. We tuned in to get a tour of the place, and we definitely liked what we saw.

The house, which resides in the West Village campus of the University of California, Davis, is capable of producing more energy on-site from renewable sources than it consumes annually, including enough energy to power a Honda Fit EV for daily commuting.

To make this possible, the house uses a combination of solar power, an intelligent energy management system, and a host of different low-energy appliances and fixtures. Due in part to the ultra-efficient design of the home, all of the energy needed for space heating, space cooling, ventilation, lighting, hot water, appliances — and even transportation energy for the Honda Fit EV — is supplied by a 9.5kW solar photovoltaic system mounted on the roof.

Solar panels are definitely the lynchpin of the home, but the various high-efficiency systems hidden inside the walls and floors are arguably its most impressive feature. Take the geothermal heating and cooling system for example. In the ground beneath the house, eight 20-foot deep boreholes allow a geothermal heat pump to harness the ground’s relatively stable thermal sink to heat and cool the home’s floors and ceiling throughout the year.

Then there’s the house’s light system. Not only are the lights around five times more energy-efficient than those found in the average American household, they’re also designed to better support the health and wellbeing of the home’s occupants. Honda worked with researchers from the California Lighting Technology Center at UC Davis to develop a lighting system that mimics natural shifts in daylight that occur from morning to night, so as not to upset the your circadian rhythm. At night, the lights will take on more of an amber hue in order to minimize your exposure to blue light, which halts the production of melatonin and makes it harder to sleep. In the mornings, however, the lights automatically put off more blue to help put your body in an alert and energetic state.

All this stuff is definitely cool, but the most groundbreaking feature of Honda’s smart home is most definitely the company’s proprietary home energy management system (HEMS) – a combined hardware and software system that monitors, controls and optimizes electrical generation and consumption throughout the home’s microgrid. The system basically consists of a 10kWh lithium-ion battery that can store energy collected by the home’s solar panels and intelligently dish it out whenever you need power later on. And if the house ever creates a surplus of energy, HEMS can even supply power back to the grid.
The home is just an experiment right now, but even so, it stands as a shining example of what super-efficient, zero-impact homes of the future might look like.

Source;
http://www.digitaltrends.com/home/hondas-experimental-smart-home-doesnt-just-save-energy-actually-creates/#!BByLo

Acura TLX GT race car to compete in the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix

Will compete against the Audi R8 LMS, Cadillac CTS-V, Mercedes SLS & Ferrari 458

Acura has announced the TLX GT will make its racing debut at the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix on May 30th.

Set to compete in the Pirelli World Challenge GT Class, the car was developed by Honda Performance Development (HPD) and will be campaigned by RealTime Racing. Acura declined to release performance specifications but they have previously confirmed the model will have a twin-turbo V6 engine that is loosely based on the 3.5-liter V6 that resides in the 2015 TLX which will be unveiled at the New York Auto Show.

According to HPD President Art St. Cyr, "The competition in the 2014 Pirelli World Challenge is incredible, but Acura has never shied away from strong competition, in the marketplace or on the race track. The 2015 Acura TLX is a true luxury sport sedan, so it is fitting that the car be raced against several of its natural competitors, and even some up-market brands, in the Pirelli World Challenge."

Source;
http://www.worldcarfans.com/114032572319/acura-tlx-gt-race-car-to-compete-in-the-detroit-belle-isle

The rare Honda Civic Si holds the highest residual value in the industry

by of www.torquenews.com

From time to time Torque News - Honda ventures out to the car lot for a look at used, late model Honda inventory.

In Western Oregon we find used Civic Si availability to be bordering on non-existent. Saturday looked like a good day to venture out and torture a used car salesman or two in search of the perfect used Civic Si Coupe or Sedan.

Not being enamored by the the Darth Vader-esque nose treatment of the 2014, we were toying with the idea of picking up a 2013 model and kicking up the performance a bit through aftermarket performance upgrades.

Counting on claiming measurable savings on a slightly used(demo) 2013, we headed out to the greater Eugene, Springfield metro region to cruse a lot or two in the search for what proved to be a very elusive quarry.

Kendall Honda of Eugene, didn't have a 2013 Si on the lot. They did have a handful (3) 2103 Civics for sale, but they were priced within pennies of the 2014 model and were not the coveted Si.

3 months into 2014 finds 2013 civic stock sold out.

Western Oregon proved to be devoid of late model demo or used Civic Si Coupes or Sedans.

A quick search of the Web revealed that remaining 2013 inventory was minimal and resided mostly in the Sunbelt. Florida dealers had a few Si Coups in stock, but that was 3200 miles from home.

We weren't planning a trip down south anytime soon. Being resourceful and wishing to kick the coldly received 2012 Si to the curb, we opted to reduce our sights a bit and search for 2006- 2011 Civic Si Coupes and Sedans.

They weren't cheap. Honda Accord and Civic have been noted by K.B.B.. Com as having the highest residue value in the industry at time of trade in or resale.

No kidding, a stock off-the lot 2009 Si coupe with 25,200 miles on the odometer demands $17,976, a 2012 with 15,325 miles on the odometer demands $19,995.

While you may be able to negotiate the asking price down a bit, based on these numbers, a 5 year old Si with relatively low miles in “A” condition will re-sell for 65-70% of what a fully loaded 2014 will cost you; about a $1,000 per year depreciation; unheard of in the world of automotive resale.

Source;
http://www.torquenews.com/1574/rare-honda-civic-si-holds-highest-residual-value-industry

Honda, Toyota plan to launch fuel cell vehicles in 2015

PARIS (Reuters) -- Honda Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Corp. plan to launch fuel cell vehicles in the consumer market in 2015, with each producing about 1,000 units a year, the Nikkei newspaper reported.
The automakers now offer fuel cell cars on lease, with users centering on municipalities and businesses, the daily said.

Initial prices of these zero-emission vehicles, which cover longer distances than electric cars, will set below 10 million yen ($97,700), the Nikkei said.

Honda is developing a sedan that it plans to roll out as early as November 2015, which will be able to travel about 310 miles on a single charge -- twice the range of an electric vehicle, the Nikkei reported.

Honda intends to churn out 5,000 units over five years, selling them in Japan, the United States and Europe, the daily said.

Toyota, the global leader in hybrid vehicles, intends to release a sedan in Japan, the United States and Europe in 2015, the Nikkei said, adding that by 2020, the automaker aims to lift annual output to tens of thousands of units.

Toyota hopes to cut prices to between 3 million and 5 million yen ($29,300-$48,900) in the 2020s, the Nikkei said, quoting an unnamed development staffer.

Carlos Ghosn, the CEO of rival Renault SA and Nissan Motor Co., said in November carmakers would face obstacles in their plans to launch fuel-cell car sales over the next few years.

Source;
http://www.autonews.com/article/20140326/OEM04/140329915/honda-toyota-plan-to-launch-fuel-cell-vehicles-in-2015#

PaulTan: VIDEO: A walk-around tour of the 2014 Honda City (Not for North America)

Teaser. Preview. Launch. Test drive. Old car, new car. Grade-by-grade comparison. And if you’re a seasoned paultan.org visitor, you won’t be surprised to hear we’re still not done with the 2014 Honda City. After all, cars as significant as this don’t come every day, do they?

The very day after the launch, we visited Sumber Auto in PJ to find a top-of-the-range Grade V example, in the new Brilliant Sporty Blue Metallic shade, taking pride of place on the showroom floor. We arrived as early as we could – yet, as you can see, we weren’t the only ones there. And by lunchtime…

Still, we’ve managed to bring you a comprehensive walk-around video of the latest alternative to the Toyota Vios and Nissan Almera – and I got a bit of my own back in the process, too. Have fun watching, and subscribe to our Youtube channel for more of such videos, which are coming your way!
See our entire string of 2014 Honda City-related stories here.

Source (with more pictures);
http://paultan.org/2014/03/25/honda-city-2014-walk-around/

McLaren and Honda could team up on hybrid supercar

Concept sketches of McLaren P15 supercar that would incorporate Honda F1 hybrid racing technology.

Following McLaren's presentation of the new 650S at the Geneva Motor Show, the manufacturer is said to be working on a new flagship model codenamed P15. According to Car and Driver, McLaren's future F1 partner Honda could lend its hybrid technology expertise to the project.

McLaren is reportedly developing the new model to take the place of its current flagship supercar, the sold-out P1. According to the online magazine, the P15 will be priced under US$500,000 (RM1.6 million) and will be a full production model, meaning that far more than just a few hundred cars will be made.

The model is said to be a supercar with a carbon fibre structure and most likely a hybrid engine. Car and Driver suggests that McLaren could be collaborating with Honda to develop the new model's hybrid powertrain.

The two manufacturers already plan to work together within the scope of McLaren's F1 programme; Honda will power the British brand's race cars from the 2015 season.

The new McLaren P15 is not expected to launch until 2017. – AFP/Relaxnews, March 25, 2014.

Source;
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/drive/article/mclaren-and-honda-could-team-up-on-hybrid-supercar

Honda Details Twin-Turbo V6 Indy Engine

by Ciprian Florea of www.autoevolution.com 

With the 2014 IndyCar Series season just around the corner, Honda, one of two engine suppliers for this year’s championship, has released new details on its brand new V6 unit.

Codenamed HI14RTT, the 2.2-liter (134-CI) twin-turbocharged V6 aluminum units features a dual overhead camshaft with four valves per cylinder, an alloy steel crankshaft, forged aluminum alloy pistons and machined alloy steel connecting rods.

Fitted with an in-house fuel injection driver control unit and Drive-By-Wire electronic throttle control, the aluminum alloy engine utilizes a McLaren Electronics engine control unit (ECU) and sends power to the wheels via a six-speed sequential, paddle-operated transmission.

As mandated by the sanctioning body, the unit weighs about 250 pounds (112.5 kg) and runs on E85 race fuel.

Honda’s new V6 will provide motivation to 13 single-seaters to be run by six teams, including Andretti Autosport, A.J. Foyt Racing, Dale Coyne Racing, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, Sarah Fisher Hartman and Schmidt Peterson Hamilton Motorsports.

The remaining five teams, including Chip Ganassi Racing and Team Penske, will utilize Chevrolet power.

"We've been encouraged by the performance of the new Honda Indy V6 and the improvements we've made during the off-season," said Mark Crawford, HPD project leader for the IndyCar program. "We believe we have a great lineup of teams and drivers, including a good balance of proven race winners and promising new stars. We're looking forward to the start of the 2014 season on the streets of St. Petersburg, and taking on the challenge presented by Chevrolet in the battle for the Manufacturers' Championship."

The 2014 IndyCar Series season will commence on March 30 with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. The championship will include 18 events, with the final race scheduled on August 30 at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California.

Source;
http://www.autoevolution.com/news/honda-details-twin-turbo-v6-indy-engine-78982.html

2015/Next Generation Honda Pilot Update

So it looks like the 2015 Honda Pilot will be a carry forward of the existing 2014, expect no changes there. 

The 2016 Honda Pilot will be the one that gets the major redesign, and will come out sometime in August 2015 (obviously as a 2016 model).

What to expect;
-Better fuel economy.
-Increased Towing Capacity.
-A more streamlined style, not so boxy (hopefully without sacrificing the functionality of the existing model).
-Updated Infotainment (see Honda Odyssey/Accord models for an idea).
-Increased Safety Features (LaneWatch, Forward Collision Detection, Smartvent Side Airbags, and Blindspot Camera).
-A model that you can get Leather with either a DVD Player (RES Pkg) or a Navigation Pkg, just like the current Odyssey.

Honda Builds 20 Millionth Automobile in the U.S.

03/20/2014 - MARYSVILLE, Ohio 

 

The 10 millionth U.S.-built Honda Accord rolled off the assembly line today at Honda's first U.S. auto plant in Marysville, Ohio, as all four Honda auto plants in America celebrated the cumulative production of 20 million automobiles in the U.S.  Honda also marked the achievement at two engine and two transmission plants that build the powertrains used in Honda's U.S.-built cars and trucks.

The Marysville Auto Plant is the historic site of the first Honda Accord produced in America on Nov. 1, 1982, and the first Japanese auto plant to begin production of automobiles in the United States. Since then, Honda has established automobile manufacturing operations in East Liberty, Ohio, Lincoln, Ala., and Greensburg, Ind.

Those plants today manufacture 11 different models, including four passenger cars and seven light trucks.  A fifth U.S. plant, the Performance Manufacturing Center, is under construction in Marysville, Ohio, and next year will become the exclusive global production location for the next generation Acura NSX.

"We are deeply aware that our ability to reach this milestone results from the trust that 20 million customers have placed in our products, and we appreciate their support over the past three decades," said Hidenobu Iwata, president and CEO of Honda of America Mfg. and head of Honda's North American manufacturing. "We also value the commitment made by tens of thousands of associates at Honda and our hundreds of suppliers in the U.S. who build products of the highest quality for our customers."

Honda's U.S. plants produced a record 1,309,917 automobiles in 2013, an increase of 7.4 percent from the previous annual mark set in 2012. Honda is supported by a network of 533 suppliers in the U.S., with purchasing of parts and components last year exceeding $23 billion.

Associates at the Marysville Auto Plant have been building the Accord since production began nearly 32 years ago, and over that time have produced the vast majority of Accords for the U.S. and other markets. Today, the plant produces the Accord Sedan, Coupe and the Accord Hybrid. Accord models also were produced for four years at the East Liberty Auto Plant and two years at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama.
Honda's four U.S. auto plants are supported by engine manufacturing in Lincoln, Ala. and Anna, Ohio, and the production of automatic transmissions in Russells Point, Ohio, and Tallapoosa, Ga.  These plants have produced 23.77 million automobile engines and 18.64 million transmissions in the United States. In 2013, nearly 95 percent of the Honda and Acura automobiles sold in the U.S. were produced in North America.
Over the past three years, Honda has invested approximately $1.6 billion in its U.S. auto plants to expand production and implement new technologies in products and manufacturing systems.

Honda U.S. Automobile Production
Honda of America Mfg.
Marysville Auto Plant	11.4 Million - since 1982
East Liberty Auto Plant	4.75 Million - since 1989
Honda Manufacturing of Alabama	3.1 Million - since 2001
Honda Manufacturing of Indiana	750,000 - since 2008
Honda Cumulative U.S. Auto Production	20 Million

About Honda's U.S. Auto Plants
The Honda of America Mfg. Marysville Auto Plant shattered its previous all-time high by producing 492,409 vehicles last year, up 12 percent from 2012, while the East Liberty Auto Plant produced 242,363 light trucks last year. This resulted in record production of 734,772 Ohio-made vehicles at the two plants in 2013. This includes 69,680 vehicles for export to more than 40 countries.

Honda Manufacturing of Alabama produced 333,556 vehicles along with their six-cylinder engines in 2013, just shy of its all-time high set in 2012, due to a major model change for the all-new 2014 Acura MDX. The Alabama plant produced 20,466 vehicles for export to 49 countries in 2013.

Honda Manufacturing of Indiana produced a record 241,589 automobiles last year, up 21 percent from 2012. The Indiana plant started auto production in 2008 and added a second shift in 2011. It produced 18,559 vehicles for export last year.

Honda has the capacity to produce 1.92 million cars and light trucks in North America at eight auto plants, including in Canada and Mexico.  Production recently began of the 2015 Honda Fit at a new auto plant in Celaya, Mexico. With the new Celaya plant, Honda now has the capability to build virtually every product in its lineup in North America, from sub-compact models to light trucks.

About Honda in the United States
Honda began automobile production in the U.S. in 1982. It now operates nine major manufacturing facilities in the United States, producing a wide range of Honda and Acura automobiles, automobile engines and transmissions, Honda all-terrain vehicles, and power equipment products such as lawn mowers, mini-tillers and general purpose engines, using domestic and globally sourced parts.

Source;

http://www.hondanews.com/channels/corporate-headlines/releases/honda-builds-20-millionth-automobile-in-the-u-s

Consumer Reports Explains Poor Infotainment System Ratings

Interesting.....

Honda NSX prototype to tackle the Goodwood hill climb

Goes into production next year

The Goodwood Festival of Speed is three months away but that hasn't stopped Honda from announcing plans to tackle the hill climb with an NSX prototype.

Described as the "perfect event to demonstrate its flagship supercar for the first time in Europe," the prototype will be joined by a 1989 NSX - once driven by Ayrton Senna - and a 2005 NSX.

As we have previously reported, the Acura / Honda NSX will go into production next year at the newly constructed Performance Manufacturing Center in Ohio. It will feature a twin-turbo V6 engine and a Sport Hybrid Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system that has three electric motors.

Source;
http://www.worldcarfans.com/114031972030/honda-nsx-prototype-to-tackle-the-goodwood-hill-climb

2014 Honda Civic Tourer BTCC shown in the metal

First estate car after 1994 season

Honda Yuasa Racing has published several photos with their Civic Tourer set to compete in this year's British Touring Car Championship (BTCC).

The BTCC-spec 2014 Honda Civic Tourer is undergoing some last-minute testing ahead of its official debut set for March 29-30 at Brands Hatch in the inaugural race of the season. Honda Yuasa Racing's contender marks the return of an estate car after the 1994 season and it will be the only vehicle of this type in this year's lineup.

Powered by a 300+ HP (221 kW) four-cylinder, 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, the Civic Tourer BTCC will be driven by Gordon Shedden and Matt Neal. Joining the Tourer variant will be the Civic hatchback part of the Eurotech Racing team.

Source: Honda Yuasa Racing (Facebook)
Source;
http://www.worldcarfans.com/114032072063/2014-honda-civic-tourer-btcc-shown-in-the-metal

2015 Acura TLX to Officially Debut in New York

by Joseph Capparella of www.automobilemag.com

At this year’s Detroit auto show, Acura showed off a prototype of the 2015 Acura TLX, a midsize sport-luxury sedan that will combine the previous TL and TSX models into one nameplate. Now, the automaker confirmed the production Acura TLX will make its official debut at the 2014 New York auto show in April before going on sale later this year.

The standard car should look nearly identical to the prototype TLX (pictured), with its typical Acura “shield” grille design, jeweled LED headlights, and slightly slab-sided profile. The overall look closely mimics the larger Acura RLX sedan, and Acura is emphasizing that the TLX completes the brand’s new three-sedan lineup comprised of the compact ILX, midsize TLX, and large RLX.

The 2015 Acura TLX will also be a showcase for new powertrain technology from Acura. Standard for the TLX is a 2.4-liter direct-injection four-cylinder engine that pairs with a new Acura-developed eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. The larger 3.5-liter V-6 engine will mate with a nine-speed automatic transmission and is also available with Acura’s Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD) system. Front-wheel-drive models are also equipped with the same Precision All-Wheel Steer (P-AWS) technology found on the Acura RLX.

As expected, the 2015 Acura TLX will be available with a full suite of active safety technologies, including forward collision warning, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and a blind spot monitor. Although the prototype TLX in Detroit did not have an interior, we expect to see the same dual-screen infotainment setup as found on many other Acura and Honda models.

Stay tuned for more news about the 2015 Acura TLX including power numbers, fuel economy, and pricing as it nears its debut in New York.


Source;
http://www.automobilemag.com/auto_shows/new_york/2014/1403-2015-acura-tlx-to-debut-in-new-york/

ABC NEWS: Toyota to Pay $1.2B for Hiding Deadly ‘Unintended Acceleration’

By BRIAN ROSS, JOSEPH RHEE, ANGELA M. HILL, MEGAN CHUCHMACH and AARON KATERSKY

Car manufacturer Toyota has agreed to pay a staggering $1.2 billion to avoid prosecution for covering up severe safety problems with “unintended acceleration,” according to court documents, and continuing to make cars with parts the FBI said Toyota “knew were deadly.” 

A deferred prosecution agreement, filed today, forced Toyota to “admit” that it “misled U.S. consumers by concealing and making deceptive statements about two safety related issues affecting its vehicles, each of which caused a type of unintended acceleration.” 

Toyota “put sales over safety and profit over principle,” according to FBI Assistant Director George Venizelos. 

“The disregard Toyota had for the safety of the public is outrageous,” Venizelos said. “Not only did Toyota fail to recall cars with problem parts, they continued to manufacture new cars with the same parts they already knew were deadly. When media reports arose of Toyota hiding defects, they emphatically denied what they knew was true, assuring consumers that their cars were safe and reliable… More than speeding cars or a major fine, the ultimate tragedy has been the unwitting consumers who died behind the wheel of Toyota vehicles.” 

ABC News first reported the potential dangers of unintended acceleration in an investigation broadcast in November 2009. The report said hundreds of Toyota customers were in “rebellion” after a series of accidents were apparently caused by the unintended acceleration. Two months before, Highway Patrolman Mark Saylor and three members of his family had been killed after the accelerator in his Lexus had become stuck on an incompatible floor mat. Saylor was able to call 911 while his car was speeding over 100 miles per hour and explain his harrowing ordeal right up until the crash that ended his life. 

EXCLUSIVE INVESTIGATION: Runaway Toyotas

At the time of the first ABC News report, Toyota attempted to assure its drivers that the incidents of sudden acceleration without warning were solely caused by floor mats becoming stuck on the gas pedals or driver error. But already other customers were complaining of similar problems with sudden acceleration, but some had nothing to do with the floor mats and they maintained they weren’t to blame either. 

ABC News published dozens of reports in the following months as Toyota said it investigated and announced massive recalls to address the accelerators being stuck under floor mats – repeatedly assuring drivers that the problem had been taken care of. But today Toyota admitted that the recalls did not cover all the cars they knew were in danger and said that they also concealed another cause of sudden acceleration they had found during their investigations – “sticky” pedals, which refers to the accelerator getting stuck partially depressed. 

In December 2009, the court records showed the company responded to “media accusations that it was continuing to hide defects in its vehicles” by publishing a statement on Toyota’s website saying the company “has absolutely not minimized public awareness of any defect or issue with respect to its vehicles [and] [a]ny suggestion to the contrary is wrong and borders on irresponsibility.” 

Toyota only announced the issue with the “sticky” pedals, along with another massive recall, just minutes before an ABC News report on “World News” in January 2010 told the story of one driver whose Toyota Avalon took off suddenly on the highway. 

The driver, Kevin Haggerty, credited ABC News with saving his life because he had seen a previous report that described what to do in the event of sudden acceleration. By shifting back into neutral, and back into drive when necessary, Haggerty was able to prod his broken vehicle to the dealership, where he said employees there saw that his problem with unintended acceleration firsthand had nothing to do with his floor mat. 

However, Haggerty maintained that his sudden acceleration problem was not caused by a sticky pedal either. Regardless, today court documents showed Toyota knew about the sticky pedal problem in other Toyota models months before the recall and decided not to disclose it to regulators or the public. 

For other drivers, it was already too late. In addition to deaths like the Saylors linked to unintended acceleration, a Minnesota man was serving an eight-year prison sentence for vehicular manslaughter when evidence emerged suggesting he could have been a victim of Toyota’s acceleration problem. After serving two years in prison, Koua Fong Lee was released and charges against him were dropped in 2010. 

Earlier that year, an unidentified Toyota employee appeared to realize the dangerous game the company was playing. 

“Idiots! Someone will go to jail if lies are repeatedly told. I cannot support this,” the unidentified employee said after a meeting between Toyota and regulators in January 2010, according to court documents. 

Instead of jail, the company is now on the hook for the massive $1.2 billion fine, which U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said was the largest penalty of its kind for an auto manufacturer. The money is due by March 25. 

“Toyota confronted this public safety emergency as if it was a public relations problem,” Holder said. 

A senior Justice official added that Toyota made "blatant misrepresentations" in what he called a classic case of corporate culture that favored the seemingly easy way out instead of paying the cost and doing the right thing.

"The cover up is always going to be worse than the original sin," the official said. 

In a statement posted on its website, Toyota said that at the time of the recalls the company “took full responsibility for any concerns our actions may have caused customers, and we rededicated ourselves to earning their trust.” 

“In the more than four years since these recalls, we have gone back to basics at Toyota to put our customers first,” said Christopher Reynolds, chief legal officer of Toyota Motor North America. “We have made fundamental changes across our global operations to become a more responsive company – listening better to our customers’ needs and proactively taking action to serve them.” 

“Entering this agreement, while difficult, is a major step toward putting this unfortunate chapter behind us. We remain extremely grateful to our customers who have continued to stand by Toyota. Moving forward, they can be confident that we continue to take our responsibilities to them seriously,” Reynolds said. 

INFORMATION: Toyota Recall Vehicle Look-Up

ABC News' Lee Ferran contributed to this report.

Source;

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/toyota-pay-12b-hiding-deadly-unintended-acceleration/story?id=22972214&singlePage=true

Kelley Blue Book Comparo: 2014 Honda Civic coupe vs. 2014 Kia Forte Koup: Quick Comparison

by Matt Degen

Not long ago, a comparison between a Honda coupe and a Kia would have been no contest, with Honda the easy victor. Then again, the Honda also wouldn't have actually been competing with Kia, since the Korean automaker is a relative newcomer.

That all changed with the Kia Forte Koup, which debuted for 2010. And like the Forte compact sedan on which it's based, the Koup been giving rivals a run for their money ever since.

Both refreshed this year
For 2014, both the Kia Forte Koup and Honda Civic Coupe have upped their game. The Kia returns with more power, an optional new turbocharged engine, and a spate of interior features that would put some luxury cars to shame. The 2-door Honda Civic comes armed with a new CVT automatic transmission, enhanced technology, and interior and exterior styling tweaks to keep it looking fresh.

Both coupes boast a sportier, more youthful take on their sedan counterparts while still offering good fuel economy, sub-$20,000 starting prices, and the ability (at least in theory) to carry up to 5 passengers. Yet for all their similarities, the 2014 Honda Civic Coupe and 2014 Kia Forte Koup are distinctly different from each other, especially when dressed to the max.

Which is the right model for you?
With top-line versions of a 2014 Kia Forte Koup SX and a 2014 Honda Civic Coupe EX-L Navi in our test garage, the time was ripe for a quick comparison. Here's what we found.

The numbers game
* In terms of power output, the 2014 Kia Forte Koup comes out ahead. With 173 horsepower, even the Kia's base 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine has 30 more ponies than that of the Civic's 1.8-liter 4-cylinder. In sportier SX trim, the Koup puts out an even more impressive 201 horsepower. To get that kind of rush from a Civic, you'd have to step up to an Si.

* On fuel efficiency, though, the 2014 Honda Civic coupe is the victor.  The 2014 Civic with the standard 1.8-liter and CVT auto transmission earns EPA ratings of 30 city/39 highway mpg. The best the 2014 Forte Koup can muster is 25/34 mpg with its 2.0-liter. The smaller but more powerful turbocharged 1.6-liter used in the Koup SX, meanwhile, drops to 22/30 mpg.

* Price-wise, the 2014 Civic coupe and 2014 Kia Forte Koup start within a few hundred dollars of each other, with the Civic bowing under $19,000 and the Koup a few hundred above that. And don't forget: By using the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price, you can see what others in your area are paying for specific models of each. For the loaded models we tested, the Honda had a price tag just under $25,000, while the Kia came in about a thousand above that. In terms of resale value, the Honda Civic has an edge over the Kia Forte.

Features for the money
Even a base version of either of these cars won't leave you feeling like a pauper. With standard features such as rear-view camera, Bluetooth wireless communication, USB audio input and cruise control, both models come nicely equipped out the gate.

The Honda Civic coupe is notable for its exclusive LaneWatch blind-spot system, standard on EX trims and above. Using a camera mounted underneath the right mirror housing, the system displays a live image on the center screen of what is happing to the right rear of the vehicle. It can be set to display automatically when you engage the turn signal, or can be activated with the touch of a button. We also like the expanded-view left-hand mirror, which gives a wider view to the other side of the vehicle. For 2014, Honda has also revamped its navigation/infotainment system, replacing the dated unit that was surrounded by small buttons with a sleek all-touch model. The new 7-inch display responds quickly to touch, but I wish there were a couple of "hard" buttons or knobs to control common functions such as volume. Thankfully, steering wheel-mounted controls rectify some of this frustration.

For the Kia Forte Koup, in its best-dressed form it easily overtakes the Civic -- and just about every other compact car. In terms of available feature content, Kia continues to pack an impressive array for the price. Among the standouts in our test vehicle:

* Heated and cooled driver's seat/heated front passenger seat
* Dual-zone climate control
* Auto-dimming mirror with HomeLink garage door opener
* Heated steering wheel
* Self-leveling, high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights.
* Power-folding outside mirrors.
* And we can't forget Kia's exceptional warranty, which covers 10 years/100,000 miles for powertrain

Different road manners
Back-to-back drives in each of these coupes also tell a different story. Not surprisingly, the 2014 Kia Forte Koup SX is the faster of the two, thanks to its nearly 60 horsepower advantage. Getting onto the freeway one morning, I was surprised when the Kia chirped its tires. Turbo lag is pretty much a non-issue, and the Kia's 6-speed automatic transmission is snappy.

See our full review of the 2014 Kia Forte here.

Yet the Honda Civic coupe doesn't feel hampered by its modest power output. The car uses its 143 horsepower well, and in Sport mode feels especially zippy. Most commendable about the Civic, though, is its new continuously variable transmission (CVT). This type of automatic doesn't have traditional gears, but this one is tuned so well that you'll think it did. It's among the best CVTs I've experienced.

See our full review of the 2014 Honda Civic here.

Handling or comfort?
Of course, most of driving entails more than just getting up to speed, and here the Civic and Forte coupes are also a breed apart. For better or worse, the Forte Koup suspension -- especially in the sportier SX trim -- feels far stiffer than that of the Civic coupe. This equates to more confidence when flinging the car around corners but less comfort overall, especially when the road turns rough.

The Civic, on the other hand, has a suspension that is more comfortable in everyday driving and markedly better at absorbing potholes and other road imperfections. It may not feel as flingable in corners, but is sure seems more livable on the highway and around town.

Both of these coupes are commendable in their own right, but each is unique unto itself. The bottom line? If you want a sporty coupe that is filled with features, boasts a great warranty and has frisky -- though rather stiff -- driving manners, the Kia Forte Koup checks all those boxes. If you instead put a priority on ride comfort, stellar fuel economy and a rock-solid history of resale value and reliability, the Honda Civic coupe is sure to impress.

Source;
http://www.kbb.com/car-news/all-the-latest/2014-honda-civic-coupe-vs-2014-kia-forte-koup-quick-comparison/2000010479/

Big Year Ahead For Honda As It Looks To Debut New Models

2015 Honda FIT

2015 Honda HR-V/Vezel

by Trefis Team of www.forbes.com


It is a big year for Honda Motors. The automaker will introduce a number of key models in 2014 in a bid to boost its American operations. North America is indispensable to Honda’s profitability since more than 40% of the company’s sales come from this region. Therefore, it isn’t surprising to see Honda focus its energy on building a vehicle that the American public will like.

In 2012, Honda unveiled its mid-term plan in which the automaker outlined a plan to sell 6 million vehicles by 2017, up from ~4.0 million in 2012. The success of these vehicles will play a huge role in deciding whether the automaker will be able to achieve its target or not.

We have a $43 price estimate for Honda Motors, which is about 20% above the current market price.

High Volume Vehicles 
The first of these vehicles will be the revamped version of the Fit. The vehicle has met with overwhelming success in Japan, where it was launched last year. The automaker received a staggering 62,000 orders within four weeks of its launch, almost four times the company’s expectations. The Fit eventually overtook the Aqua to become the highest selling car in Japan.

In addition to the Fit, the automaker will also debut the all new Vezel, a compact SUV. Both the Fit and the Vezel are built on the same vehicle platform. Fuel prices have risen significantly in the past decade and therefore more Americans now prefer a compact SUV instead of a full fledged SUV, which tend to have low mileages. Honda’s CR-V SUV is popular among the public, but due to lack of any vehicle in the crossover segment, the company could be losing out on sales in this segment.

Honda first showcased these vehicles during January’s Detroit Auto Show. For its American operations, Honda will be producing these vehicles at its new Mexican factory, whose construction was finished recently. The plant will have a capacity of 200,000 units, and will offer the automaker enhanced flexibility to raise the supply from within the region, in case the demand for these vehicles remains firm.

Going forward, the Fit is hugely important to Honda’s strategy. Honda expects the model’s sales to pip those of Civic to become its largest selling vehicle. The sales could even surpass 1.5 million units by 2016 as per the company’s estimates. The Fit is also known as the Jazz in some countries.

Acura Autonomy
Recently, Honda announced that it will create a separate marketing division for the Acura brand. This move will provide a greater autonomy to the Acura division. Reviving the brand has been one of the priorities for the company. In 2013, the automaker announced it will pour in $1 billion to revive its Acura brand. In addition to new vehicle launches, the company will spend significantly on marketing, in an attempt to makeover the brand’s image, since the Acura brand is seen as a grade below its German counterparts.

The luxury brand did garner some momentum during the year as sales rose 5.9% to 165,436 vehicles in the U.S. However, some of the newly launched vehicles such as the ILX and the RDX have witnessed sales declines lately. Acura will also introduce the 2015 version of the TLX later this year.

Healthy sales of Acura cars can result in significant additions to the bottom since luxury cars have a higher average selling price and heftier margins. While the average selling price of a Honda vehicle is close to $25-26,000 in the U.S., the corresponding figure for an Acura vehicle is in excess of $40,000.

Source;
http://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2014/03/18/big-year-ahead-for-honda-as-it-looks-to-debut-new-models/

CarThrottle.com: This Is The S2000 CR: Honda’s Super-Rare Track Special S2K

This track-focused, US-only S2k is the brainchild of the NSX’s creator

While perusing Reddit we came across this mint, stock 2008 Honda S2000 Club Racer. Having done only 4235 miles, it’s about as close to a factory fresh example as you’re going to find.

The CR was never sold outside America, so us Brits had to hit Google to find out exactly what we were looking at. Simply put, it’s a track-oriented version of the S2000, created by Shigeru Uehara, a former Chief Engineer at Honda. Credentials? He’s the man behind the original S2000, NSX and Integra Type-R – so basically a living legend.

The CR was his retirement project. Created over his final year at Honda, he festooned the S2k with aerodynamic upgrades that reduced the car’s coefficient of lift by an incredible 70-80 per cent – no doubt largely due to that massive rear wing. He also reworked the springs and shocks, making the suspension much stiffer, and quickened the steering ratio for sharper inputs at high speed.

It’s also a lot lighter than the standard car, thanks to the fact it has no spare tyre, while air conditioning and a stereo were simply options. Weight was also reduced by the removal of the power-folding roof, replaced with additional chassis bracing and a removable hardtop.

It has the same 2.2-litre VTEC engine as the standard car, giving 234bhp. But the power-to-weight ratio is improved, and the car sticks to the road thanks to all that downforce, so track times will tumble.

It’s the lack of engine upgrades that make this fall short of a ‘Type-R’ version, but for serious S2000 fanboys, there can’t be many more sought after examples, especially given that only 699 CRs were built. Got a spare $33k?

Source;
http://www.carthrottle.com/this-is-the-s2000-cr-hondas-super-rare-track-special-s2k/

Automobile Mag; Next Generation 2015 Nissan Murano Spyshots

We’ve come across new spy shots of the 2015 Nissan Murano, which was out testing under slightly more revealing camouflage than the last time we spotted it. These latest pictures show more detail about the new midsize crossover’s front grille, headlights, side skirts, taillights, and rear bumper.

Even more so than before, it’s becoming very clear that the new 2015 Nissan Murano will adopt sharper and more angular styling that comes directly from the wild Nissan Resonance concept shown at the 2013 Detroit auto show.

At an Automotive Press Association lunch last month, Nissan vice president of sales and marketing Fred Diaz said, “You are going to be very shocked by how close the new Murano is to the Resonance concept.”

Nissan Resonance Concept

When we first saw the Resonance at the Detroit auto show in 2013, we were amazed at how much more exciting it looked than the current Murano, but were doubtful that design would make it to dealerships. Both Diaz and these spy photos prove the opposite.

The most striking similarity between the show car and the prototypes spied here is the V-shaped front grille, which looks directly ported over from the Resonance concept. Everything from the shape of the slats to the ribbing on the central opening matches up with the concept car, which is a notable accomplishment. The headlights keep the same boomerang shape, but look a bit fatter and less sleek than on the show car. Around the rear we see taillights shaped like those on the concept, too, which should give a nod to the L-shaped designs we know from the recently refreshed Nissan Juke.

The Nissan Murano's proportions are definitely toned down from the larger, more exaggerated shapes on the Resonance, but the overall feel of motion and excitement looks like it will be maintained. It’s even possible that we could see some of the show car’s more out-there cues like the floating roof and disguised D-pillar make it to production. Even the bold side skirt and rocker sill shape from the Detroit concept are visible beneath camouflage tape, pointing to a very striking production car.

Stay tuned for more updates on the 2015 Nissan Murano, which will likely debut at the 2014 New York auto show.

 

Source;

http://www.automobilemag.com/features/news/1403-2015-nissan-murano-spied-again/