Friday, February 27, 2015

World Car Fans: Honda Civic Type R spied up close undisguised

A WCF reader has sent us very revealing images of the production-spec Honda Civic Type R.

It was only several hours ago when we posted an image with the car partially hidden under a cover and now the wraps are off and we get to take a closer look at the much awaited hot hatchback. As expected, it doesn’t look as radical as the concepts but nevertheless it has all the ingredients you would want from a high-powered hatch such as the wide body with a prominent wing, a prominent diffuser, muscular wheel arches and a quad exhaust system.

It rides on 19-inch glossy black alloy wheels with red accents matching the brake calipers which on the front axle work with Brembo 350mm drilled discs. Underneath the hood is a four-cylinder 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine rated at more than 280 HP (206 kW) which will be enough for a top speed of 167 mph (270 km/h).


The Honda Civic Type R will premiere on March 3 at the Geneva Motor Show but a full online reveal could occur this weekend. 

Special thanks go to WCF user DTM for sending us the pics!

Source;

Car and Driver Van Comparison: 2015 Honda Odyssey Elite vs. 2015 Kia Sedona SXL, 2015 Toyota Sienna Limited

It’s possible that none of this matters. Billions of years from now, after all of humanity’s great struggles and achievements, the universe will collapse back in on itself, and all that exists and all knowledge of all that was will be compressed into a singularity so inescapable that not even Katniss Everdeen will be able to shoot her way out. Meanwhile, perpetuating life on Earth is, for whatever reason, our most basic urge. And that’s not such a bad thing—right up until you succeed. Then it’s all sympathy weight; poop in unimaginable colors, textures, and places; and, later, insolence. But the biggest bummer of all is that your best option, if you think about it rationally, is to drive a minivan. 

As America’s most accessible philosopher, Jack Handey, once wrote, “If life deals you lemons, why not go kill someone with the lemons (maybe by shoving them down his throat)?” At the very least, spike your citrus with all the ­garnishes of a mobile man cave: widescreen TV, Blu-ray player, and a name-brand audio system. Maybe even, uh, a vacuum cleaner? You might say its vacuum makes the Honda Odyssey more of a woman cave, but we wouldn’t say that because we don’t want our wives to slap us. 

We have no Chrysler/Dodge or Nissan entrants here because neither one has been sufficiently updated since last losing a comparison test. Meanwhile, our reigning champ in the segment, the Honda Odyssey, which won every minivan comparo we’ve conducted in the last decade, was refreshed for 2014. The update includes said vacuum (only on the top-of-the-line Elite trim), new aluminum sheetmetal for the schnoz, and prettier interior fixings. A sturdier front structure helps the Odyssey on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s new small-overlap front crash test, securing the Institute’s “Top Safety Pick” rating. With a 16.2-inch video screen in the headliner and a 12-speaker stereo, our Odyssey Elite rings in at $45,480. 

Toyota’s Sienna is also fresh off a fluffing, with a stiffened structure, updated dashboard, new grille and headlights, and the “Driver Easy Speak” built-in bullhorn. The latter uses the voice-control microphone already embedded above the driver’s head and broadcasts scoldings through the rear speakers. The Toyota is a “Top Safety Pick Plus” on account of its available Pre-Collision automatic-braking system. (The Honda was a TSPP last year, but isn’t for 2015 because the criteria changed this year to require an automatic-braking system.) The Sienna is still the only minivan to offer four-wheel drive, but we had a front-driver. Our Limited model included dual sunroofs and a Blu-ray player. That plus the $1800 Advanced Technology package (adaptive cruise control, Pre-Collision System, and hill-start assist) punted the price up to the test’s highest: $48,035. 

The Kia Sedona is all-new this year. Joining the Odyssey on Safety Pick Tier Two (because its collision-warning system only screams of impending doom, rather than braking to do something about it), it also boasts eight different electronic systems to mitigate the loss of traction or stability. All this for an imminently controllable transportation appliance. Our SXL also packs 19-inch wheels, matches the Toyota’s sunroof count, and includes a $2700 tech package that adds lane-departure and forward-collision warnings, adaptive cruise, and a surround-view system. Yet at $43,295, it’s the cheapest in this test. 

Our Kia is, however, missing one $995 option that could make all the difference: a back-seat entertainment system. That feature matters more in this test than most. Seizing on the notion that, in a minivan, the left-front seat is for an adult and everything else is for kids, Alterman decreed that, rather than follow our usual comparison-test regimen, we’d swing by managing editor Mike Fazioli’s house on a Saturday morning and take his kids’ birthday parties on the road. We’d drive two vanloads of 11-year-old boys and one of 15-year-old girls to an indoor water park four hours away. Along the way, the kids would rate the vans for comfort and entertainment value. The drivers would wish for bulkheads behind their seats. Cannonball!

3rd Place:  2015 Kia Sedona SXL
FULL REVIEW of 2015 Kia Sedona SXL
Highs:  The nose job, the bargain pricing, the hot-hatch braking—yes, really.
Lows:  Frequent whiffs of cheapness, missing some important bells and whistles.
Verdict:  An uninspired take on an uninspiring concept.

2nd Place:  2015 Honda Odyssey Touring ELITE
FULL REVIEW of the 2015 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite
Highs:  Attempts to preserve an element of joy for the driver.
Lows:  Cramped front quarters, the fewest seating tricks.
Verdict:  Sometimes it's better to admit defeat than to compromise.

1st Place:  2015 Toyota Sienna Limited
Highs:  As spacious and comfortable as your living room, rides like an S-class. 
Lows:   The five seats behind yours are going to be infested with lunatics.
Verdict:  Exactly what it needs to be: a big box of uncut serenity.
FULL REVIEW of the 2015 Toyota Sienna Limited
Source (with tons more pictures and full stat comparison);
http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/2015-honda-odyssey-elite-vs-2015-kia-sedona-sxl-2015-toyota-sienna-limited-comparison-test

Thursday, February 26, 2015

2017 Honda Ridgeline

From what I've heard, the Bed will be 1ft longer than it is now, 6ft with the gate up, 7ft down.
This is the original sketch from Honda.
by Mark Williams of www.pickuptrucks.com

We recently saw a rough sketch from Honda that gave us some hints about what the next-generation Honda Ridgeline will look like. The drawing makes it clear designers are taking a different approach — i.e., not boxy and quirky — in favor of something more traditional and similar to its Pilot SUV sibling.

We saw the all-new 2016 Pilot at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show, and we're guessing the Pilot and the next-gen Ridgeline will share a lot of interior and chassis structure, albeit the pickup truck's wheelbase is likely to be at least 10 inches longer.

We just received these illustrations from our spy photography friends and added some of our own photos of the new Pilot. We're not sure that truck guys will like the push-button transmission, but it looks like the next-gen Ridgeline is likely to beat the 2017 Ford Raptor in being the first pickup with paddle shifters on the steering wheel.

Cars.com photos by Evan Sears; illustration by Chris Doane Automotive

Source;
http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2015/02/sketches-of-next-honda-ridgeline-show-similarity-to-new-pilot.html

BoldRide: 2017 Honda S2000: 5 Things to Expect

Stunning conceptual art by Hansen ART, very nice, would love to see this incarnation of the S2000 a reality....
by Jeff Perez of www.boldride.com
Art done by Hansen ART (check out his facebook page for a ton of other art, this guy is brilliant!)
https://www.facebook.com/HansenArt

In 1999, Honda took a page out of its own history book and decided to revive the art of open-top driving with the S2000. A successor to the Honda roadsters of the ’60s, the S2000 was a performance-oriented, 4-cylinder powered piece of automotive perfection.

Production lasted 10 years — 1999-2009 — before Honda officially parted ways with the beloved rag top. Six years later and rumors of a reborn S2000 are all over the web. Honda even went as far as to tease us with a lovely little S660 concept in 2013.

But is there any merit to these rumors? We think yes. Honda is finally back on the up and up in the U.S., and the idea of a reborn roadster could sway a younger generation back to the brand. A few things need to happen in order for it to be successful, though.

Eye-Catching Design


Powerful (Enough) Engine


Convertible and Coupe


It SHOULD Have a Manual

Rear-Wheel Drive, Of Course

At the end of the day, whether a new S2000 actually happens or not is up to the big wigs over at Honda. But with rumors circulating and concepts showing up often, it’s only a matter of time before we see the S2K on the streets once again. Fingers crossed for this one.

Check out the original link, Jeff expands on the 5 points in the full article;
http://news.boldride.com/2015/02/2017-honda-s2000-concept/70894/

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Honda Canada Presented with Four Value Awards at the Canadian International Auto Show

As Canadian automotive media gather to open the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto, Honda received four combined awards from Canadian Black Book (CBB) and ALG for overall best retained value and best residual value. The segment awards are received for vehicle quality, reliability and overall value.

“Honda Canada is honoured to be recognized by CBB and ALG for their prestigious value awards,” said Dave Gardner, senior vice president of operations at Honda Canada. “The distinction speaks to the promise of our core brands - reliability, durability and quality – and provides our customers with the knowledge that they are purchasing the highest quality vehicles.”

ALG Awards
ALG's Residual Value Awards honour the vehicles that are forecast to retain the highest percentage of MSRP after a four-year period for mainstream brands. Award recipients are chosen after a careful evaluation of vehicle criteria, including segment competition, historical vehicle performance and industry trends. Awards are given in 22 vehicle segment categories and two brand categories (Mainstream and Premium). This year’s winners include:

• Compact Utility – Honda CR-V
• Minivan – Honda Odyssey

Canadian Black Book Awards
The Canadian Black Book ‘Best Retained Value Awards’ acknowledge vehicles that retain the highest percentage of their original MSRP after four years. For 2015, this distinctive award program analyzed model year 2011 vehicles in 20 different categories. CBB's awards guide consumers who are looking for vehicles that hold their value best, thereby reducing the total cost of vehicle ownership...a critical consideration when purchasing a vehicle. This year’s winners include:

• Sub-Compact Car – Honda Fit
• Minivan – Honda Odyssey 
 
Source;

AutoNews:Is clock ticking on replacement inflators?

by David Sedgwick and Hans Greimel 

Editor's note: This story was published in the Feb. 23 print edition of Automotive News shortly before the announcement of Ito's departure.

Now that Honda Motor Co. has recalled 14.3 million vehicles to fix defective Takata airbag inflators, outgoing CEO Takanobu Ito says he is prepared for a difficult possibility: If the replacements also go bad someday, they would need to be replaced too.

Supplier Takata Corp. is producing 450,000 replacement inflators per month, but the company has not yet identified the root defects that cause some inflators to explode and spew metal fragments into the cabin.
Honda and other automakers are using the replacements anyway, on the premise that the new inflators -- which don't seem to malfunction -- are safer than the old inflators.

And if Honda subsequently learns that it must replace the new ones after five, eight or 10 years, then it will do so, said Ito, who discussed the recall during a Feb. 13 media test drive in northern Japan.

"It goes without saying that we would have to replace them" if the root cause is the inflator's basic design, Ito said. "Ideally, we want to determine the cause clearly and come up with clear measures. But the worst problem is that we are not sure about the cause."

Ito has a sense of urgency about the recalls because inflator failures have been linked to six deaths -- all in Honda vehicles -- and Honda accounts for more than half of the 25 million Takata-equipped vehicles recalled worldwide since 2008.

The cause of the inflator malfunctions has triggered an intense debate. Two experts contacted by Automotive News -- a former Takata engineer and a professor in Missouri with expertise in explosives -- say the propellant used to inflate Takata airbags is inherently unsafe.

But Takata argues that the malfunctions likely were caused by manufacturing mistakes that the company subsequently fixed.

On Wednesday, Feb. 18, Takata spokesman Jared Levy reiterated the supplier's contention that the replacement inflators are reliable. "We are confident that our new airbags are safe, and our testing continues to show that the inflator issues apply to older products in high-humidity areas," Levy said.

Federal regulators are still studying a trove of Takata documents to figure out why the inflators are defective, and why they kept failing after the supplier claimed it had fixed them. On Friday, Feb. 20, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration fined Takata $14,000 per day for failing to cooperate fully with the probe.

In the meantime, the agency is taking a wait-and-see stance about replacing the replacement inflators.
"As we have in the past, we will take action if a remedy is found to be inadequate," said Gordon Trowbridge, a NHTSA spokesman.

Interesting read, whole lot more to this article, follow this link;
http://www.autonews.com/article/20150223/OEM10/302239955/is-clock-ticking-on-replacement-inflators

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Cool Find: Audi develops SWARM Tail Lights


  • Lights designed to look like moving swarms of animals
  • Respond to movement and direction of the car
  • As the car speeds up the 'animals' move faster
  • Technology uses lights made from organic material
  • The AA warns it is 'best saved for art galleries and aquariums'
  •  
    Check out this article for the rest;

    US Honda Civic to get Type R engine

    I have a feeling that the US/Canada arm of Honda is going to bring back the SiR badge for this engine, or some type of SiR HFP....
    Honda is bent on kicking butt and taking names with its upcoming new Civic Type R, but since the Japanese hot hatch is based on the European model and isn't slated to come to the United States, it's been of little consolation to American enthusiasts. But if you're one of them, we've got good news for you.

    According to Spanish site Motor Y Racing, a US version of the Civic Type R is in the works. The salient part of the Type R that would make the oceanic voyage to US showrooms would be the 2.0-liter turbo four that's said to produce between 276 and 320 horsepower, but we could expect upgraded suspension, rolling stock and other equipment to come as part of the package as well.

    Just what form it would take we don't know. Currently American Honda offers the Civic as a coupe or sedan - not as a hatchback or wagon like it does overseas - so chances are that it'd be one of these betrunked body-styles that would get the upgrades. We're hoping for something more than an upgrade of the current Civic Si.

    Competing rumors suggest that Honda could offer that same engine in a revised version of the CR-Z hybrid hatchback, which has long been begging for a more potent powerplant. But that's not to say that Honda couldn't offer both with the new turbo VTEC engine.

    Source;
    http://www.houseofjapan.com/auto-moto/us-honda-civic-to-get-type-r-engine

    Monday, February 23, 2015

    Honda CEO Ito to step down in unexpected move

    Newly appointed president of Japanese car maker Honda, Takahiro Hachigo, left, speaks next to current president Takanobu Ito during a press conference at the company's headquarters in Tokyo on Feb. 23, 2015.
    (YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/Getty Images)
    TOKYO — Reuters

    Honda Motor Co Chief Executive Takanobu Ito will step down in late June after six years in the top post and be succeeded by Managing Officer Takahiro Hachigo, a low-profile engineer with global experience, the company said in a surprise announcement on Monday.

    Japan’s No.3 auto maker has hit a rough patch over the past year with quality problems that have led to multiple recalls of its popular Fit hybrid subcompact, which Ito conceded earlier this month could have been caused at least in part by an aggressive sales target.

    Such self-inflicted setbacks had been compounded by multimillion-vehicle recalls to replace air bag inflators made by top supplier Takata Corp that have so far been linked to six deaths, all in Honda cars.

    For the past three years, Ito, 61, a feisty former supercar engineer, has shaken up Honda’s decades-old, tightly-knit supply chain as the auto maker sought to trim costs and find more cutting-edge technologies. That has predictably rankled local suppliers, and some retired Honda executives manoeuvred to have Ito removed, sources have told Reuters.

    “I think this move is an attempt by Honda to tread a different course, with someone who upholds harmony,” said Takaki Nakanishi, a veteran auto analyst and CEO of Nakanishi Research Institute.

    A former senior Honda official said he was surprised by Monday’s announcement. Hachigo had been widely expected to join Honda’s board, but “like many inside Honda, I’d thought Ito was ready to continue as CEO at least for another term.”

    The former official said he thought Ito’s resignation was his own decision.

    Hachigo, who worked on the popular U.S. Odyssey minivan and CR-V crossover, would skip several ranks to become CEO after Honda’s annual shareholders’ meeting in late June. He joined the company in 1982 with a career spanning several countries including the United States, Britain and China. He is currently Vice President of Honda’s R&D arm in China.

    Ito, 61, became CEO in 2009 as the auto industry was licking its wounds from a crushing global financial crisis. The ensuing years were no easier, as a disappointing launch of the Civic model caused many to question whether Honda had lost its edge. Natural disasters in Japan and Thailand also hit production and profits hard.

    Ito will remain on the board and become an adviser to Honda.

    Source;

    Thursday, February 19, 2015

    Can you keep up with Honda's new TV advert?


    Honda will launch their latest TV campaign tonight, challenging viewers to echo the brand's thirst for relentless improvement by pushing themselves to new limits. 

    Honda believes that by pushing themselves, everyone can surpass their own perceived limits. This philosophy is the foundation behind the brand, and has been fundamental in the development of Honda's new range of products and continuing innovations: Honda is committed to finding out what its products are capable of by continually pushing its vehicles and technology to the limit.

    During 2015 Honda will launch several new products, each developed with this very spirit. Featured in the advert alongside ASIMO and Honda Jet are the new Honda Jazz, HR-V, Civic Type R and NSX, offering a glimpse into the exciting range of models set to join the marque's fleet.

    Rather than just telling the story of Honda's pioneering spirit and commitment to progress, the campaign challenges viewers' reading speed, allowing them to feel the joy of improvement for themselves. A manifesto is delivered one word at a time, with the pace increasing throughout the film, intercut with glimpses of the new Honda fleet, which are all born from the company's challenging spirit.

    A TV spot directed by Man Vs Machine, which will air on Sky Sports on tonight during the UEFA Europa League match between Liverpool vs BeÅŸiktaÅŸ, invites viewers to "keep up" with a message on screen, becoming increasingly difficult as the pace of the words increases to a crescendo. At approximately 500 words per minute, the fast-paced message proves that everyone is capable of achieving more than they initially thought. The energetic soundtrack, composed by Wah Wah with sound design by Factory, was created to further encourage the viewer to keep up.

    Viewers are challenged to push themselves even further online through shorter - and even faster - executions of the film, and in cinemas, custom film-themed ads will run in partnership with Pearl & Dean.

    Martin Moll, Honda Motor Europe Head of Marketing said "Since day one, Honda has been fuelled by a relentless desire for improvement and constant drive for innovation. This year is a special one, with the launch of several key new products. With this campaign, we wanted to bring this to life in a way that our consumers could really engage with, by experiencing the feeling for themselves."

    Olivia Dunn, Honda UK, Head of Marketing commented "Normal speech is on average 120 words per minute, viewers will need to read at speeds up to 1000 words per minute in our faster shorter online films, which is definitely going to be a challenge whilst at the same time being fun. These films echo the Honda ethos in all areas of business: challenging and pushing boundaries whilst being fun - the elements required to design and build the exciting new Honda product line-up for 2015."

    Scott Dungate, Creative Director at W+K London says "When you push and push yourself and reach a new level, it feels good. We wanted to give people that same feeling when they read our manifesto about Honda's relentless improvement. So we challenged them to 'keep up.' "

    Source;
    http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/Honda-s-new-TV-advert/story-26052172-detail/story.html

    A 14-year-old hacker caught the auto industry by surprise

    This was only a matter of time....

    One Student's Exploits Showed Executives How Vulnerable Their Cars Are

    by Pete Bigelow of www.autoblog.com

    A 14-year-old boy may have forever changed the way the auto industry views cyber security.

    He was part of a group of high-school and college students that joined professional engineers, policy-makers and white-hat security experts for a five-day camp last July that addressed car-hacking threats.

    "This kid was 14, and he looked like he was 10," said Dr. Andrew Brown Jr., vice president and chief technologist at Delphi Automotive.

    With some help from the assembled experts, he was supposed to attempt a remote infiltration of a car, a process that some of the nation's top security experts say can take weeks or months of intricate planning. The student, though, eschewed any guidance. One night, he went to Radio Shack, spent $15 on parts and stayed up late into the night building his own circuit board.

    The next morning, he used his homemade device to hack into the car of a major automaker.Camp leaders and automaker representatives were dumbfounded. "They said, 'There's no way he should be able to do that,'" Brown said Tuesday, recounting the previously undisclosed incident at a seminar on the industry's readiness to handle cyber threats. "It was mind-blowing."

    Windshield wipers turned on and off. Doors locked and unlocked. The remote start feature engaged. The student even got the car's lights to flash on and off, set to the beat from songs on his iPhone. Though they wouldn't divulge the student's name or the brand of the affected car, representatives from both Delphi and Battelle, the nonprofit that ran the CyberAuto Challenge event, confirmed the details.

    If car makers weren't taking cyber threats seriously before the demonstration, they were afterward.

    For the rest of the article, folllow this link;
    http://www.autoblog.com/2015/02/18/14-year-old-hacker-caught-industry-by-surprise-featured/

    Wednesday, February 18, 2015

    Honda's New Hybrid Minivan Stores Li-ion Battery in Center Console (Not for North America)





    The latest model of the "Jade" hybrid minivan, which Honda Motor Co Ltd released Feb 13, 2015, in Japan, is the company's first vehicle that has a lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery in its center console.


    Toyota Motor Corp's "Estima Hybrid" and "PriusΑ" hybrid minivans have Li-ion batteries in their center consoles. But Honda has thus far placed batteries near the trunks of its vehicles in most cases.

    Honda moved the position of the battery forward to improve the comport of the seats in the third row. The company considered placing the battery under the seats but concluded that it would narrow the space between the seats and the ceiling and worsen the comfort. Therefore, the company decided to place the IPU (intelligent power unit) including the Li-ion battery between the driver's and front passenger's seats.

    The hydrid system and the components of the IPU of the new model are almost the same as those of "Vezel." In the IPU, there are a cooling fan, inverter (PDU in the picture), junction board, DC-DC converter, ECU (electronic control unit) and Li-ion battery in this order from the front.

    To install a cup holder on the front side, Honda arranged the inverter, which is low in height, near the front side of the IPU, covered the area surrounding the IPU with a steel plate with ribs and adjusted the flow of cooling air so that hot air does not go to passengers.

    To cool the battery and inverter, air is sucked from the back of the center console, and it flows into the gaps between the battery cells from the cooling duct on a side of the battery unit (from the front side to the back side in the picture). The air that has flowed into the battery unit cools the inverter, etc and is exhausted by the fan. Air is gradually exhausted into the interior of the vehicle by using a long duct that reaches to the area below the second-row seats so that the air does not hit passengers.

    The lithium-ion battery is a product of Toshiba Corp. As in the case of Vezel and Fit, it uses 48 cells. 
     
    Source;

    Honda Trademarks ‘CDX’ Nameplate

    Acura SUV-X Concept, believed to be based on the Honda HR-V.
    By Stephen Elmer of www.autoguide.com

    Filed on February 11 with the US Patent and trademark office, the trademark covers “automobiles and their structural parts.” The most likely candidate to adopt the CDX nameplate is a small Acura crossover, as it would follow the naming structure of the larger RDX and MDX.

    For more info, check out the rest of the article;
    http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2015/02/honda-trademarks-cdx-nameplate.html

    ALL-NEW HONDA HR-V COMBINES DYNAMIC DESIGN WITH CLASS-LEADING SPACE (Europe)

    Pana roof, not expected for North America.
    • Characterful coupé looks with the tough stance of an SUV
    • Class-leading and versatile interior space with refined sophistication
    • Honda Connect infotainment system available as standard on grades above entry level (Sport and Executive)
    • Advanced Driver Assist Systems  available  on grades above entry level (Sport and Executive)
    An all-new Honda HR-V arrives in Europe in summer 2015, delivering a unique proposition to the crossover  segment: dynamic styling, the versatility of an MPV, sophisticated-yet-fun driving dynamics and fuel-efficient performance. It is part of the updated range of Honda vehicles that demonstrates the brand’s pioneering approach to technological innovation.

    The HR-V portrays a characterful poise, with the distinctive, boldly sculpted lines of a coupé merged with the tough, solid stance of a robust SUV.

    Inside, the HR-V offers occupants class-leading space and – thanks to Honda’s innovative Magic Seat ® system – high levels of versatility. High quality soft-touch materials and sophisticated design define the HR-V’s interior, where Honda’s designers married expansive spaciousness with the feel of a sporty, enveloping cockpit.

    The new Honda Connect app-based in-car infotainment system is operated through a seven-inch touchscreen display in the centre of the dash, and offers access to internet browsing, real-time news, traffic and weather and music streaming services.

    The new HR-V is available at launch with a choice of highly responsive and efficient 120 PS 1.6 litre i-DTEC diesel or 130 PS 1.5 litre i-VTEC petrol engines, both part of Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology series.

    The Advanced Driver Assist System package, which employs a camera and mid-range radar, incorporates a comprehensive suite of advanced safety technologies, some of which are new to the crossover segment.

    The all-new Honda HR-V will go on sale across Europe in the summer of 2015.


    Characterful, bold lines of a coupé with the tough, solid stance of an SUV

    The all-new HR-V blends the dynamic personality of a coupé with the tough, solid stance of an SUV, creating a characterful look with emotional appeal.

    Its body shape and a rear window line that tapers at the rear result in a dynamic and sporty side profile, complemented by ‘hidden’ rear door handles. A distinctive, sharply cut swage line along the bodyside helps to give the HR-V a purposeful, forward-leaning stance and a sense of movement and agility, even at standstill.

    HR-V also evokes a reassuringly robust presence. Deeply sculpted lower body panels convey the toughness, solidity and sure-footedness of larger SUVs, a theme reinforced by the strong horizontal orientation of the front and rear bumpers.

    While ensuring the HR-V boasts a distinctive and self-assured identity on the road, its designers also ensured that it bears a clear family lineage. For example, it shares with the new 2015 CR-V the bold ‘flowing wing design’ of the unified front grille and headlamps and the pointed taper of the rear side window line.

    At the rear, the HR-V continues with the crisp styling theme. Sharp rear combination lights stretch inboard onto the wide tailgate, into which is cut a single boldly sculpted ‘flowing wing’.

     Class-leading interior space with the versatility of an MPV

    The all-new HR-V boasts class-leading interior space that is not only voluminous but also incredibly versatile, bringing the virtues of an MPV into the crossover segment for the first time.

    The foundation of the HR-V’s spacious and versatile interior is Honda’s global B-segment platform which incorporates innovative packaging solutions. For example, a lower-profile fuel tank mounted under the front seats frees up the underfloor space beneath the rear seats, enabling the platform to accommodate Honda’s innovative Magic Seats ® system.

    Each of the 60:40 split Magic Seats ® in the rear can adopt numerous configurations to maximise the versatility of the spacious interior. In ‘Utility’ mode, the rear seat back folds forward as the seat base lowers to create a long, flat floor. In ‘Tall’ mode, the rear seat base is locked in a vertical position to leave space from floor to ceiling. ‘Long’ mode sees front and rear passenger seat backs fold forward to a horizontal position.

    Once seated, all occupants benefit from class-leading space with leg-, shoulder- and headroom in the front and rear that would more commonly be found in larger vehicle segments.

    The boot, too, offers impressive space, with 453 litres* available with the rear seats in use, and 1026 litres* to the window line with the rear seats folded away. A wide tailgate opening and low loading height means the boot space is easily accessible as well as capacious.


    Refined and sophisticated interior design with quality materials,  panoramic sunroof and advanced new infotainment system

    For occupants, Honda’s designers sought to marry the conflicting themes of spaciousness, reassuring solidity, and the cockpit of a tight, sporty coupé.

    The use of high quality soft-touch surfaces, subtly accented with brushed chrome highlights provide a premium ambience, while the dash design combines a solid feel with premium detailing, including a piano-black feature panel that emphasises the sense of sophistication.

    Facing the driver is a three-dial instrument binnacle, the surround of each featuring ‘floating’ illumination rings to further the sense of quality. Honda’s ECO Assist function changes the backlight colour of the speedometer from white to green during efficient driving.

    The Executive grade also offers owners a one-touch opening tilt and slide panoramic sunroof. A sliding sunshade that opens automatically with the roof and can be closed manually to block sunlight.

    At the centre of the dash is a seven-inch Honda Connect touchscreen that is fitted as standard on grades above entry level (Sport and Executive) providing advanced connectivity and infotainment.  A five-inch screen is available on the Comfort grade.

    Running Android 4.0.4 operating system, the screen employs the familiar intuitive ‘pinch, swipe and tap‘ functionality of a smartphone. Honda Connect gives fast and easy access to internet-based services including web browsing, real-time traffic, news and weather, social media, and internet music stations. Further apps can be installed from the purpose-designed Honda App Centre enabling owners to personalise their connected infotainment experience, and integrated Garmin Navigation is available.

    The Honda Connect touchscreen also displays vehicle information – such as trip meter, fuel economy and journey time

    In addition, the Honda Connect system syncs with smartphones and other multimedia devices through MirrorLink, WiFi, Bluetooth, HDMI and USB.

     Comprehensive suite of advanced safety features

    As with all new Honda vehicles sold in Europe, the HR-V is fitted with a number of premium active and passive safety technologies.

    Comprehensive active safety systems combine data from radar sensors and forward and rear facing cameras. Other than the entry-level model, all grades will be fitted with Honda’s Advanced Driver Assist System as standard. This suite of safety technologies includes Intelligent Speed Assist, City Brake Active Assist, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Traffic Sign Recognition system, and High-beam Support System.

    Honda’s City-Brake Active system will be fitted as standard on the HR-V.

    In addition to a full suite of front and curtain airbags, Honda's proprietary Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure technology provides the foundation for excellent passive safety performance. A network of connected structural elements distributes crash energy more evenly throughout the front of the vehicle, reducing the forces transferred to the passenger compartment, enhancing occupant crash protection in frontal collisions. ACE also helps minimise the potential for under-ride or over-ride situations that can happen during head-on or offset frontal impacts with a larger or smaller vehicle.

     An engaging drive coupled with efficient performance

    Available in Europe with front-wheel drive only, HR-V will be offered with choice of highly responsive and efficient 130 PS 1.5 litre i-VTEC petrol and 120 PS 1.6 i-DTEC diesel engines. Each is available with a refined and smooth six-speed manual transmission, and the 1.5 litre i-VTEC petrol can also be married with a smooth CVT automatic.

    Both engines are part of Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology series, which are engineered to deliver responsiveness and high efficiency, and both are Euro 6 compliant.

    An all-new 1.5 i-VTEC petrol engine generating 130PS and a 1.6 i-DTEC diesel engine generating 120PS will be available in the HR-V. Both engines will be available with a manual transmission, and the new 1.5 litre petrol engine will also be available with a semi-automatic CVT transmission (with paddle-shift on some grades).

    The HR-V has been deliberately engineered to deliver a saloon-like driving experience, achieved thanks to its low centre of gravity and its lightweight and highly-rigid body. This rigidity – in great part a result of 27% of the body structure being in high-strength steel – helps deliver reassuring solidity, which in turn leads to a high feeling of security when driving, as well as a lack of body roll. This also delivers exceptional linear driving behaviour, making the HR-V one of the most confidence-inspiring cars in the crossover segment to drive enthusiastically.

    The HR-V brings class-leading aerodynamic performance to the crossover segment, benefitting not only fuel efficiency but also interior refinement through low wind noise intrusion. To minimise the intrusion of harsh road noise, HR-V employs a highly efficient acoustic insulation package. Sound absorption to the front and rear inner wheel arches, floor carpet and underfloor cover all contribute a refined and relaxing atmosphere in the cabin.

    Notes to editors:
    * According to VDA standard

    Source;
    http://www.hondanews.eu/en/carnewsdetail/?id=4609

    Tuesday, February 17, 2015

    Honda S660/S1000 Spyshots

    Picture Source;
    http://carview.yahoo.co.jp/news/newmodel/20150214-10218681-carview/

    Here is Honda's next Roadster, being tested in what I can only assume is Japan.  I like the back end.  Rumours are that Honda might look at bringing this over to North America in a more powerful version of the S660 in the form of a S1000, sub S2000 replacement.