Happy New Year from The Straight H (The Honda Portal)!!!!

Wishing you all the best for 2015, be safe!

Euro-spec 2014 Honda CR-V gets new diesel engine and gearbox

by Bala Subramaniam N  |  Jaipur of www.business-standard.com

Honda has released details about the 2014 Honda CR-V for Europe that includes a new powerful 1.6-litre diesel engine and new 9-speed automatic transmission. The exterior of the new Honda CR-V features new headlamps, front grille, fog lights, skid-plate and bumper, new LED combination lamps, a refreshed tailgate design and bumper. The more powerful 1.6-litre i-DTEC four-cylinder diesel engine replaces the old 2.2.-litre diesel engine and produces 160 PS of power and 350 Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission as standard while a new nine-speed automatic transmission is offered as an option with four-wheel drive model.

The new 1.6-litre i-DTEC four-cylinder diesel engine is from Honda's Earth Dreams Technology series and delivers a class-leading sub 130 g/km of CO2, 11% better than its predecessor. The two-wheel drive diesel CR-V, available with a manual transmission, will be equipped with the 120 PS 1.6 litre i-DTEC diesel engine, with emissions as low as 117 g/km.

Now, whether Honda will bring the new CR-V with the 1.6-litre diesel engine is the question. We all wish it does. Honda CR-V in India continues to be powered by 2.0-litre and 2.4-litre petrol engines for 2WD and 4WD versions respectively. And bringing in the diesel engine will surely provide a wider range of audience to appeal to.

Source;
http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-cd/euro-spec-2014-honda-cr-v-gets-new-diesel-engine-and-gearbox-will-it-come-to-india-114123000680_1.html

2016 Toyota Tacoma front fascia revealed

Debuts next month

The teaser images are coming in fast and furious as the fourth set of the day has revealed the face of the 2016 Toyota Tacoma.

Set to be unveiled on January 12th, the redesigned truck has a trapezoidal grille and LED-infused headlights. We can also see a sculpted hood, chrome trim and extended fender flares.

Previous teaser images have shown the model will also have vertical taillights, a body-color rear bumper and a distinctively shaped tailgate with "Tacoma" lettering.

Toyota has been coy on specifications but they have promised the model will "once again set the benchmark for midsize pickup performance." The company also said the Tacoma will have "new, rugged tech" which will give it more off-road prowess than ever before.

Source;
http://www.worldcarfans.com/114121786058/2016-toyota-tacoma-front-fascia-revealed

Acura NSX Production Teaser Video

Autos.ca: Comparison Test: 2015 Honda Fit vs 2015 Nissan Versa Note

by Dan Heyman of www.autos.ca

"The Versa’s perfectly acceptable for the segment. The Fit is so good I don’t understand why all manufacturers don’t immediately ninja-raid Honda’s corporate HQ and steal the blueprints."

I won't spoil who won this battle, a really good read, follow this link for the artical;
http://www.autos.ca/car-comparisons/comparison-test-2015-honda-fit-vs-2015-nissan-versa-note/?all=1

Honda FCV Concept to Make North American Debut at 2015 North American International Auto Show

Dec 17, 2014 - TORRANCE, Calif.

• Honda FCV Concept demonstrates the exterior and interior styling evolution of the next-generation zero emissions Honda fuel-cell vehicle
• Next-generation Honda FCV is intended to provide significant gains in packaging, interior space, cost reduction and real-world performance, including an anticipated driving range in excess of 300-miles

The Honda FCV Concept will make its North American debut at the 2015 North American International Auto Show on Jan. 12. Continuing more than a decade of Honda leadership in the area of fuel cell vehicle (FCV) technology, the Honda FCV Concept showcases the styling evolution of Honda's next fuel-cell vehicle, anticipated to launch in the U.S., following its introduction in Japan, which is scheduled to occur by March 2016.
As the next progression in Honda's dynamic FCV styling, the Honda FCV Concept features a low and wide aerodynamic body with clean character lines. The interior strives to achieve harmony between man and machine by taking advantage of new powertrain packaging efficiencies delivering even greater passenger space than the Honda FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle, including seating for up to five people.
The Honda FCV Concept made its world debut in Japan on Nov. 17, 2014, followed by an announcement that Honda will provide FirstElement Fuel with $13.8 million in financial assistance to build additional hydrogen refueling stations throughout the state of California in an effort to support the wider introduction of fuel-cell vehicles.
Honda Fuel-Cell Vehicle Firsts:
The original FCX became the first EPA- and CARB-certified fuel-cell vehicle in July 2002. The FCX also was the world's first production fuel-cell vehicle, introduced to the U.S. and Japan in December 2002.
Additional highlights include:

• The Honda FCX was the first fuel-cell vehicle to start and operate in sub-freezing temperatures (2003).


• The FCX was the first fuel-cell vehicle leased to an individual customer (July 2005).


• With the FCX Clarity, Honda was the first manufacturer to build and produce a dedicated fuel-cell vehicle on a production line specifically made for fuel-cell vehicles (2008).


• Honda was the first manufacturer to create a fuel-cell vehicle dealer network (2008).

Honda Environmental Leadership
Based on its vision of "Blue Skies for our Children," Honda is taking a portfolio approach to reducing the environmental impact of its products, advancing fuel efficiency, low emissions and fun-to-drive performance with new powertrain technologies from its Earth Dreams Technology™ lineup, which includes more fuel-efficient engines and transmissions and advanced electromotive technologies. Honda's alternative-fuel vehicle lineup includes the Fit EV, Civic Hybrid, the CR-Z sport hybrid coupe and the Accord Hybrid, the most fuel-efficient 5-passenger sedan in America¹, as well as the Accord Plug-In Hybrid and the Civic Natural Gas, the only dedicated natural gas-powered passenger car available from a major automaker in America.
# # #
¹ Based on 2015 EPA mileage. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending driving conditions, how the vehicle is driven and maintained, battery pack age/condition and other factors.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.com/releases/honda-fcv-concept-to-make-north-american-debut-at-2015-north-american-international-auto-show

Acura NSX Production Model to Make World Debut at 2015 North American International Auto Show

Dec 17, 2014 - TORRANCE, Calif. 

 

The production version of the highly anticipated Acura NSX supercar, successor to the legendary original NSX, will make its world debut at the 2015 North American International Auto Show on Jan. 12, 2015.

The model will reflect the production design and specifications of the mid-engine Acura supercar that is slated to launch in 2015. To celebrate the impending debut of NSX, Acura released a 30-second teaser video that gives an early glimpse of the production car and the sound of its three-motor, twin-turbocharged Sport Hybrid power unit. View the video on Acura’s YouTube channel at youtube.com/Acura.

"The next-generation NSX will deliver a 'new sports experience' true to its heritage and to the supercar concept that originally gave rise to the name NSX," said Mike Accavitti, Acura division senior vice president and general manager. "The NSX will serve as the ultimate expression of Acura performance that is fueling a reenergized brand."

An Acura NSX concept model made its debut at the 2012 North American International Auto Show, where Honda Motor Co., Ltd. President & CEO Takanobu Ito announced that development of a next-generation NSX would launch in three years, led by an American R&D team and produced at a state-of-the-art new plant in Ohio.

"After three years of intensive development work we are excited to reveal this next-generation supercar—the Acura NSX—to the world," said Ted Klaus, chief engineer and global project leader over NSX development. "We've developed a human-centered supercar that responds to the will of the driver and that builds upon the NSX heritage."

The next milestone in the launch of the NSX will be the reveal of the production version at the Acura press conference at the North American International Auto Show on Jan. 12 at 11:50 a.m. ET. Watch the press conference live at youtube.com/Acura.

The NSX is being developed by a global team of engineers led by the company's North American R&D operations in Raymond, Ohio, with design led by the Acura Design Studio in Torrance, CA. The Acura NSX will be produced exclusively at the new Performance Manufacturing Center in Marysville, Ohio, using domestic and globally sourced parts.

Source:
http://www.hondanews.com/releases/acura-nsx-production-model-to-make-world-debut-at-2015-north-american-international-autoshow

Honda ran tests on fatal air bag flaw, frustrated by Takata reticence: sources

By Norihiko Shirouzu


TOKYO (Reuters) - Honda Motor Co 7267.T was so concerned by mounting recalls for Takata 7312.T air bags, and frustrated by its supplier's failure to explain why some have exploded, killing five people with shrapnel, that it bought used and scrapped cars in Japan to conduct its own tests.

Around 21 million vehicles have been recalled globally by automakers since 2008 for defective Takata inflators. Honda alone has recalled about 14 million cars, mostly in the United States, where four of the deaths occurred. The fifth was in Malaysia.

Two senior Honda insiders, who asked not to be named, said the tests on 100-150 Takata air bags at Honda's quality center near Utsunomiya, north of Tokyo, in the first half of this year indicated shortcomings in Takata's manufacturing quality and cast doubt on the competence of a company Honda considered part of its core group of suppliers, or 'keiretsu'.

“We doubted if Takata was producing air bags to the specifications we had mutually agreed on,” one of the insiders said. “When we did not receive a clear analysis of what was happening, we decided to conduct our own tests ... and we found the quality of those inflators to be all over the map in term of key quality metrics.”

Takata denied that Honda tested used air bags because it was dissatisfied with Takata’s explanations and said it had not been told of any quality problems found.

A Takata spokesman said: “If Honda did the kind of quality tests on Takata inflators you’re describing, wouldn’t you assume Honda would communicate with us, to ask us about the quality lapses they supposedly found? As far as we know, and we looked into it extensively, there has been no such communication between us.”

The Honda insiders said the tests did not identify the cause of the defect but led the company to believe manufacturing quality issues could have played a role.

Honda's chief spokesman Kaoru Tanaka confirmed that it conducts component quality tests at times when defects are suspected, but doesn't usually release the results or comment on specific tests.

"What's most important to us is our customer, and to take necessary action as quickly as possible for their safety ... and remove fears and worries felt by the customer as part of the air bag recalls," Tanaka said.


'EXTREMELY SLOPPY'

One of the Honda insiders said inflators from the used cars examined by Honda showed Takata was "extremely sloppy" in making the propellants that ignite to inflate the air bag in a fraction of a second in a collision.

He said the inflators contained varying amounts of the prescribed mix of ammonium nitrate and secondary ingredients, with many going beyond predetermined margins of error, and varying amounts of chemical compounds that strayed from Honda-approved recipes for inflators.

Some propellants that one of the individuals said he saw at the test center showed colorings he attributed to damage from exposure to moisture, a leading theory for the fatal defect.

Honda CEO Takanobu Ito's view on Takata, which supplies roughly a fifth of the world's air bags and whose ties to Honda, its biggest customer, go back more than a quarter of a century, soured around mid-year, after the tests. He felt he wasn't getting enough information from Takata on the cause of the defect, one of the insiders said.

The person said Ito felt "angry" and "betrayed" by Takata, and considered Honda a "victim" in the crisis.

It was not clear whether Ito ordered the tests.

Since the tests, the insiders said he had told people close to him that he had no sympathy for Takata and would not step in to rescue the company if it slipped into financial trouble.


They added that Ito's personal view did not necessarily reflect how Honda as a company might respond.

As the number of recalls has risen steadily, Honda has said it is looking to rival air bag inflator makers Autoliv Inc ALV.N and Daicel Corp 4202.T for replacement parts to carry out the Takata-related fixes.

It wasn't immediately clear if Honda carried out similar random testing in the United States, but 10 automakers involved in the U.S. recall, led by Toyota Motor 7203.T, are expected soon to hire an independent engineering firm to test Takata air bags.

Source;
http://ca.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idCAKBN0JV09820141217?sp=true

JAS releases first image of TCR Honda Civic

J.A.S Motorsport has released a first image of the TCR specification Honda Civic that is set for competition in the new championship next year.

“The price cap and the technical regulations for the new TCR class match perfectly the needs of the Touring Car market and it enables us to extend our offer to Honda customers around the world,” said Alessandro Mariani, Managing Director of JAS.

“The price of the base car and the affordable running costs will allow many drivers and teams to participate in numerous national and regional championships, while the TCR International Series will be a worldwide showcase for more ambitious outfits.”

The car is designed, built and developed by JAS while Honda engine specialists Mugen are building the engine.

Swedish team WestCoast Racing is going to run three Honda Civics in the 2015 TCR championship, formerly named TC3, with drivers yet to be named.

Source;
http://www.touringcartimes.com/2014/12/15/jas-releases-first-image-of-tcr-honda-civic/

Torque News: Exclusive: American Honda responds to Civic Type R rumors

by Parks McCants of www.torquenews.com

Furthermore, any news of a pending product modification, option or introduction of a new car model to U.S. markets prior to an official announcement from Honda Motors should be considered nothing more than a rumor. * He didn't say no.  (So you say there's a chance....?)

Here’s what we know: When we look to new technology in automotive propulsion engineering, supercharging or turbocharging is currently the most fuel efficient and lowest emissions method of producing exceptional mid range torque and high rpm horsepower from a small block engine.

Also, due to higher running temperatures and recirculated exhaust gases, today’s turbocharged engines are on path to low to zero exhaust emissions. Thanks to today’s light alloy engine components and extreme low friction piston to cylinder wall interface, turbocharged high compression race-type engines now approach the life expectancy of a normally aspirated engine.

Also: When we look to gasoline hybrid technology a small turbocharged engine is ideal in reducing exhaust emissions while producing high torque in tandem with today’s electric motor integrated CVT driven sport-sedans and eventual high efficiency light trucks.

Check out the rest of the artical here;
http://www.torquenews.com/1574/exclusive-american-honda-responds-civic-type-r-rumors

MotorAuthority: U.S.-Spec Honda Civic To Receive Turbo Four From Global Civic Type R: Report

by of Viknesh Vijayenthiran of www.motorauthority.com

Honda’s Civic hatchback sold overseas is set to spawn a new Type R variant complete with a turbocharged and direct-injected 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine spitting out more than 276 horsepower (we hear the final figure may be closer to 320 hp). Sadly, this model isn’t headed to the U.S. anytime soon but some of its mechanicals may be on their way.

A source close to Honda has revealed to MotoryRacing that a major update is coming for the U.S.-spec Civic, and among the changes will be the availability of the Type R’s engine. Importantly, the source also revealed that engine won’t be dropped into the lame-duck Civic Si, suggesting that a new high-performance variant may be in the offing, perhaps even with Type R badging.

The reveal of the updated is Civic is said to be taking place in the spring, which means we could see it introduced for the 2016 model year.

for the rest of the artical, follow this link;
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1028281_u-s--spec-honda-civic-to-receive-type-rs-turbo-four-report

Car and Driver Spies the 2017 Honda Odyssey?

It still looks like you can see the Acura 'beak' up front.

The existing Honda Odyssey came out in 2011, so expect this new one to come out in late 2016 as a 2017 model.
Speculation of AWD coming?
New 9 Speed transmission?

Check out the link for more pictures and a good write up;
http://www.caranddriver.com/news/2017-honda-odyssey-spy-photos-news

Honda’s move to Autoliv signals beginning of rupture with Takata ties?

The third-largest Japanese automaker has been the No. 1 customer for the auto safety parts supplier Takata Corp, but as the airbag auto safety crisis deepens globally, their more than 50-year relationship could strain.

Honda – which has recalled around half of the vehicles involved in the Takata airbag inflator debacle, also has the unfortunate claim over all five reported deaths. And, just as Takata acknowledged it was struggling to increase production of the replacement kits, the automaker also tapped Autoliv to provide the necessary fix for its US models. Besides tapping Stockholm-based Autoliv Inc., Honda also currently negotiates with Japan’s Daicel Corp. on getting even more components – as the carmaker seems ready to reclaim some of its dented reputation. And, just hours after Takata disregarded a deadline set by the US auto safety regulator NHTSA to order a nationwide recall, Honda proceeded to voluntarily embark on the asked expansion that targets driver-side airbags.

While not long ago executives from both Honda and Toyota expressed their deep commitment to their long-time partner Takata Corp, the latest moves from Honda show the ties might get tested in the near future. That’s bad news for Takata, with analysts and brokerages predicting the company might need financial support from the carmakers – transferring onto themselves at least a part of the costs of recalling millions of vehicles worldwide.

Source;
http://www.inautonews.com/hondas-move-to-autoliv-signals-beginning-of-rupture-with-takata-ties#.VIHEoGf4Kr8

Japan – Honda N-Box Slash city SUV unveiled

So that's what happened to the Element, it shrunk and went over seas....

Seats can fold to form a bed.

by Nithyanandh K of www.indianautosblog.com

The Honda N-Box Slash (badged as ‘N/’) is the fifth ‘kei’ car from the Japanese carmaker’s home market-specific Honda N series. The N-One debuted in 2012.

The boxy pocket sized SUV is full of retro styling and a tall stance, with a decent space on offer despite its small footprint. Scheduled to be launched in Japan on December 22, the interesting urban runabout is unlikely to travel beyond the borders of Japan since its built as per the country’s popular kei car specifications. The little Honda is available in a variety of exterior colors with dual-tone options (contrast roof) as well.

Inside, a vertical dashboard attempts to offer the passengers as much room as possible while not compromising on features and functionality. The gear lever is mounted on the dashboard and interestingly, Honda has placed a speaker in the centre. Certain components are borrowed from other cars of the N family.

Trimmed in quality materials, the top-end variant gets leather upholstery, multifunction steering wheel and a large multimedia infotainment system. The interior can be specified in five different color themes.

The engine specification are not given out, but Honda conceded that its tiny SUV will be powered by a turbocharged engine which is paired to an automatic transmission with paddle shifters (likely to be a stepped CVT). Being a kei car, the obvious choice of engine would be the N Series’ 660 cc turbocharged three-cylinder powerhouse powering the front or all the four wheels depending on the variant.

Source (with more pictures);
http://indianautosblog.com/2014/12/honda-n-box-slash-160449

Honda debuts new hybrid sedan Grace (not for North America)

This is basically a FIT sedan Hybrid....

Jiji Press

Honda Motor Co. has launched the Grace new hybrid sedan.

It is Honda’s first new model to go on sale in the country for a year as it has been forced to devote resources to repeated recalls of the hybrid version of the Fit subcompact car.

Honda targets monthly sales of 3,000 units for the new vehicle, which is priced between ¥1,950,000 and ¥2,409,800. Hoping to take advantage of robust demand for compact sedans, the company pits the Grace against the Prius, Toyota Motor Corp.’s hybrid mainstay.

The Grace has a fuel economy of 34.4 kilometers per liter, the best of any hybrid sedan. Four-wheel drive versions for regions with snowfalls are available.Speech

Source;
http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0001759374

TopGear: Listen to the new McLaren-Honda

Your first taste of 2015’s most anticipated new Formula One car. But who’ll be driving it?

Honda is returning to the Formula One grid to power next year's McLaren MP4-29H/1X1. For anyone who remembers McLaren's late 80s/early 90s form, this is news to get excited about.

For those that don't, a smidge of context. McLaren switched to Honda power for the 1988 Formula One season, using a 1.5-litre turbocharged V6 engine powering the cars of Messrs Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost.

Were they successful, you might ask? Fuhgeddaboudit. It was almost embarrassing; McLaren won 15 of the 16 races that year, taking the constructors' and drivers' championships with it.

McLaren won both 1989 titles too, with Honda's new 3.5-litre V10. And then again in 1990. And then again in 1991. The partnership with Honda then, was bloody successful.

So, after a dismal few years, McLaren has reenlisted the help of its former Japanese partner for next year. The video above gives you a little taster of what it'll sound like - and we must stress it's a very little taster. And judging from the car's first tests, there's still some work to be done - electrical issues blighted the first test at Abu Dhabi, and it then completed just three laps in total, following a ‘fuel/data exchange issue'. This sounds like quite a big issue.

Nevertheless, McLaren reckons the test was useful, and has all its fingers and toes crossed that come Australia next year, it'll give the Mercs a run for their money.

But with the team still undecided on its driver line-up (though Fernando Alonso is hotly tipped to make up half of it), who'd you like to see behind the wheel of the new McLaren-Honda?

Source;
http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/mclaren-honda-formula-one-car-2015-first-video-2014-12-01

2015 Honda Civic Type R goes up for order in the U.K.

Buyers will need a 3000 GBP deposit

Honda has announced plans to begin accepting orders for the highly-anticipated 2015 Civic Type R.

While the company hasn't even shown off the production model, Honda will begin accepting pre-orders in the United Kingdom. In order to reserve your spot, you simply have to head down to your local Honda dealer and place a £3,000 ($4,725 / €3,780) deposit.

The company didn't have much to say about the production model but it will closely echo the Civic Type R concept that debuted at the Paris Motor Show earlier this year. As a result, the car will come equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces more than 280 PS (206 kW) and promises to "deliver unmatched performance compared to any previous Type R car" including the "Integra, Accord and even the NSX."

Source: Honda UK

Source;
http://www.worldcarfans.com/114120185226/2015-honda-civic-type-r-goes-up-for-order-in-the-uk