2015 Subaru BRZ STi TS (oh so many acronyms; BRZ = Boxer Rear-wheel drive Zenith; STi= Subaru Tecnica International; TS = Touring Sport)
Subaru Tecnica International (STI) is introducing in
Japan a higher specification BRZ tS.
Before
you get your hopes up too high, the latest special
edition doesn't bring a power boost so it packs the same 200 PS &
205 Nm
punch coming from a four-cylinder, 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine.
Billed
as being an "STI complete car", the BRZ tS comes with an STI-tuned front
suspension, revised rear damper along with STI-designed V-shaped bar,
flexible
front draw stiffener and a large-diameter drive shaft.
It also has a specially tuned Vehicle Dynamics Control, a
bespoke filter for the Sound Creator and Brembo brakes with ventilated discs.
The BRZ tS rides on black 18-inch alloy shod in 225/40 ZR18 Michelin
Pilot Super Sport tires and benefits from a series of cosmetic tweaks like a
new under spoiler, front & rear bumpers, front fender garnish and a black
finish for the side mirror caps and shark fin antenna.
Stepping inside the cabin, STI installed a bespoke
speedometer, side sill plates, gear knob and push button ignition while the
leather-wrapped steering wheel is also exclusive to this model. Other tweaks
include a carbon finish for the instrument panel, special door trims and Recaro
front bucket seats.
Only 300 units will be made and customers will have to
choose from the following body paints: Crystal White Pearl, Crystal Black Silica
and Sunrise Yellow. Subaru is already taking orders and prospect customers should
make a deposit until October for the manual version which costs 3,990,000
yen (about $32,600) whereas the automatic model is priced at 4,071,000
yen ($33,256).
It's no secret that Honda is working on a compact SUV that will be
based on the extended Brio platform. Interestingly, a couple of units of
the Brio-based compact SUV, codenamed '2SJ', were imported to India
last month for testing and development purpose. This only cements
Honda's intention of launching it in India as well. To further give
weight to the speculations, Honda has now released the official sketches
of an all-new compact SUV - the BR-V - that will also be based on the
platform shared with Brio. This hints at the company's intentions of
launching the same vehicle across most Asian markets, including India.
Just so you know, Honda R&D Asia Pacific Co. Ltd (HRAP)
Thailand has developed the new BR-V for the Asian market. Also, BR-V is
the third product to be developed by HRAP.
The company has informed that the Honda Brio BR-V will make its debut
at the upcoming Gaikindo Indonesian International Auto Show 2015, which
is scheduled to take place from August 20 - August 30 in Tangerang,
Indonesia.
With 3-row configuration, the BR-V will accommodate 7 passengers easily.
About the BR-V's engines, it will be powered by a 1.5-litre i-VTEC
petrol engine - the same as the one that powers the Honda Fit and City.
Though, for the Indian market, the carmaker might also offer the
1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel unit, which it uses for its diesel cars here.
Honda Car India seems aggressive with its product strategy for the
highly competitive Indian car market. The company is planning to launch a
range of new cars in the country in next 2 years. The first Honda car
to go on sale is the new Jazz, scheduled to hit Indian roads on July 8,
2015. Moreover, the company will also launch a compact SUV, new Accord,
new Civic and CR-V diesel in the country. We informed you earlier that
Honda India has imported 3 units of a 'Brio SUV' into
India for testing purpose. The vehicle is likely to be unveiled at the
2016 Delhi Motor Show, and will go on sale by the mid-2016.
Codenamed '2SJ',
the SUV will not likely to be a sub-4 metre SUV, and will rival against
the likes of the Renault Duster, Nissan Terrano and the upcoming
Hyundai Creta. The SUV is expected to get aggressive exterior styling
with side body cladding, sporty bumpers, skid plates, roof rails and
spoiler. Moreover, the SUV will also get a better quality interior. The
SUV will be offered in both five-and-seven seat versions.
The Honda Brio 2SJ SUV will share its mechanics with the Mobilio MPV.
While the petrol unit is a 1.5-litre i-VTEC motor that produces 117bhp,
the oil burner will be a 1.5-litre i-DTEC unit producing 99bhp of
power. Both manual and automatic transmission options will be on offer.
The diesel spec model is likely to offer an excellent fuel economy.
Expected Price- Rs. 7.5 lakh to Rs. 12 lakh
Launch – 2016 Auto Expo
Competition- Hyundai Creta, Renault Duster and Nissan Terrano
The next-generation Acura NSX supercar will serve as the official
pace car in the 93rd running of the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International
Hill Climb on June 28. With a custom racing-inspired livery, the
twin-turbo charged NSX pace car will lead the field of 140 entrants to
the top of the 14,110-foot Colorado mountain.
"The Acura NSX is the ultimate performance vehicle and a novel way to
promote its capabilities is the iconic race up Pikes Peak," said Mike
Accavitti, senior vice president and general manager of the Acura
Division. "As the pace car, the beast that is NSX will not be fully let
of its cage, but fans and drivers will still get a first glimpse of the
unique character, performance and handling of the NSX in a one-of-a-kind
racing environment."
Powering the NSX through the 12.4-mile, 156-turn course is a bespoke
75-degree twin-turbo V6 engine mated to a 9-speed dual clutch
transmission and three motor Sport Hybrid Super Handling All-Wheel Drive
(SH-AWD) system, which delivers 'on the rails' cornering capability
essential to conquering the demanding mountain course. The pace car was
specially prepared for the race by Honda R&D Americas, Inc., which
is also leading the global development of the NSX. The supercar will be
driven by Sage Marie, senior manager of American Honda Public Relations,
a two-time Pikes Peak competitor and road racer. Marie won the first
Pirelli World Challenge B-Spec race in 2012 and has raced in several
other major motorsports events, including the 2013 and 2014 Pikes Peak
International Hill Climb.
In a Pikes Peak first, Acura will install 24 cameras along the course
to capture the NSX's historic run as the official pace car with a
360-degree series of images of supercar. Fans can head to Acura's social
media channels – Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and YouTube
– where the images will be transformed into to an exclusive video,
after the NSX heads to the top of the mountain at 7:40 a.m. MDT.
Additionally, the run will be covered live on Acura social media
channels.
For those able to attend Pikes Peak in person, the NSX will be
available for viewing at a number of pre-race activities including the
event's media day and VIP reception in Colorado Springs on Thursday,
June 25, and at the popular Fan Fest in downtown Colorado Springs, 5–10
p.m. MDT on Friday, June 26.
The NSX is one of four Acura models making the Pikes Peak run, which
also includes the Acura ILX and TLX sports sedans and a previous
generation NSX.
For More Information Consumer information is available at www.acura.com. To join the Acura community on Facebook, visit facebook.com/Acura. Additional media information including pricing, features and high-resolution photography is available at acuranews.com/channels/acura-automobiles.
Recent patent filings revealed that Honda is working on a baby NSX and here’s what it could look like once it sees production.
These artist renderings bring the patent sketches to life, revealing a
smaller sports car that shares design cues with the NSX hybrid sports
car and Honda’s new S660.
At first look it’s remarkably similar to the NSX, but on closer
inspection more details are revealed. It’s a bit more compressed than
that car, with a shorter overall wheelbase. Of note, the front wheels
jut into the doors, rather than sitting in front of them like on the
NSX.
In addition, it has a less pointed hood and a higher engine area, while the rear end is unique compared to the current NSX model.
Supposedly created in Honda’s American design studio, the sports car
still remains a mystery and Honda won’t comment whether or not it’ll
become a reality, even in concept form.
It is likely that this future sports car is meant to bridge the gap
between the S660 and the NSX, acting as a spiritual successor to the
iconic S2000.
The all-new 2016 Honda Pilot SUV, with seating up to eight passengers,
joins the Honda CR-V and all-new HR-V as the flagship in an expanded
lineup of innovative, benchmark-setting Honda SUVs. It is the third
generation of Honda's popular three-row SUV to be designed, developed
and manufactured in America. The new Pilot was designed and developed by
Honda R&D Americas, Inc., in Los Angeles and Ohio, and is
manufactured exclusively by Honda Mfg. Alabama, Inc. in Lincoln,
Alabama.
This new Pilot features a new button-operated
Intelligent Traction Management System that offers different operating
modes, for the AWD: Normal, Snow, Mud and Sand; and for the FWD: Normal
and Snow. Developed, tuned and tested at various locations in the U.S.
and around the world – including Imperial Dunes "Glamis", California;
Moscow, Russia; and Dubai, United Arab Emirates – the Intelligent
Traction Management system allows the driver to select the operating
mode that best suits the driving conditions by simply pushing a button
on the vehicle's center console. Based on the setting selected, the
system adjusts the drive-by-wire map, transmission shift map, Vehicle
Stability Assist and i-VTM4 torque distribution for AWD-equipped models
for optimal performance in a variety of road or surface conditions.
Honda, officially announced to be bringing the new Civic to showrooms by
this fall later this year and along with that, some significant changes
to the lineup.
For instance, the new Civic, which was revealed in coupe form first at the 2015 New York International Auto Show earlier this year, won’t be offered with a CNG or hybrid
powertrain as Honda feels that the new Civic’s standard powertrain makes
the car fuel-efficient enough to satisfy a plethora of drivers.
Additionally, the Civic is destined to be offered with a choice of
two different engines, both of which are said to be capable of providing
the car with more than 40 mpg on the highway.
In the same sentence, Honda also announced to be dropping the Accord
plug-in hybrid to replace it with a dedicated plug-in hybrid model
separate from the Accord lineup. A new Accord Hybrid will arrive early
next year.
—————————————–
Advancing Environment a Natural Fit in Honda Vehicle Lineup Jun 15, 2015
As we take major steps to further strengthen and align our
product portfolio around the changing preferences of our customers,
growth opportunities in the marketplace and the needs of society, we are
rolling out incredible new products that are creating the strongest and
most fuel efficient lineup in our history.
This effort is keyed to a new generation of powertrain
technologies, including more fuel-efficient engines and transmissions
and new hybrid systems. As a result, our high-volume products of today
including Fit, Civic and Accord on the passenger car side and HR-V,
CR-V, Pilot and Odyssey on the light truck side, are already achieving
best-in-class fuel economy.
We will further advance this leadership with the launch this fall
of an all-new 10th-generation Civic that will deliver fun-to-drive
performance in concert with top-in-class fuel efficiency and safety.
With two new engines on the new Civic, including our first turbo engine,
we are targeting class-leading fuel economy for Civic, with EPA highway
fuel economy a few ticks above 40 miles per gallon.
Due, in part to this ability to advance fuel economy through
conventional engine technology, the Civic lineup will no longer include a
hybrid or a natural gas model, as we will discontinue production of
both of these products with the end of the 2015 model year. Honda has promoted CNG-powered vehicles for many years. For most
of the past 15 years we have been the only automaker with a dedicated
CNG vehicle. Despite this commitment, the infrastructure for natural
gas refueling and consumer demand remains a challenge. Production of the
Civic Natural Gas model has been completed at our Indiana plant, but we
will continue to provide a high level of service to our existing customers through CNG-certified Honda dealers.
The Civic Hybrid has played a very important role in helping
promote customers’ appreciation for hybrid technology and is presently
the only hybrid variant of a mainstream compact sedan. For the future we
will place our focus more on our two-motor hybrid system, where we feel
we can meet the needs and expectations of customers for hybrids and
achieve greater reduction of CO2 emissions.
We will not be offering a plug-in version of Accord going forward
as we look toward the scheduled launch of a new dedicated plug-in
model. But we will expand application of our innovative two- and
three-motor hybrid systems in the coming years. The Accord Hybrid is
already the most fuel-efficient 5-passenger sedan in America, and the
new Accord Hybrid set to debut in early 2016 will raise the bar with the
next-generation of Honda’s two-motor hybrid system for even greater
fuel economy and performance. Further, enhancements to production
methods for the two-motor system will help lead to a strong increase in
Accord Hybrid sales.
We are also working to advance electrified vehicles to meet the
diverse needs and wants of environmentally conscious customers. We are
developing an entirely new generation of vehicles starting from the
introduction in 2016 of our next-generation fuel cell vehicle. This will
be followed by an all-new battery electric model and the all-new
plug-in hybrid model. So, Honda is committed to offering vehicles with best-in-class
fuel economy today through a new generation of powertrain technology.
We’re developing an entire new generation of electrified vehicles that
will continue our leadership tomorrow. And in the process we are
creating the strongest and most balanced vehicle lineup in our history. We remain committed to our vision for more sustainable mobility,
and we are excited to be introducing a fantastic lineup of products that
are more fun and more fuel efficient than ever before.
John Mendel Executive Vice President, Automobile Division American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
New, more powerful and efficient powertrain features direct injected 3.5-liter i-VTEC® engine paired with either a six- or nine-speed automatic transmission
Sophisticated new torque vectoring i-VTM4 AWD and Intelligent Traction Management system
Honda Sensing™ offers most comprehensive set of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies ever available on a Honda vehicle
Maximum family connectivity, with up to four 2.5-amp USB outlets
More premium features than ever before, including new line-topping Elite grade
Fully redesigned from the ground up, and substantially re-energized
in form and function, the all-new third-generation 2016 Honda Pilot
stakes its claim as the new benchmark in the three-row mid-sized SUV
segment. With more of everything family SUV buyers are looking for –
performance, fuel efficiency, comfort, safety performance and premium
features – in every model and trim, the 2016 Pilot goes on sale June 18
with a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP)1 starting at $29,995 for the Pilot LX with 2WD.
Among its many no-compromise attributes, the new Pilot's 280-horsepower2,
directed-injected 3.5-liter i-VTEC® engine adds 30 horsepower while
receiving a segment-topping EPA combined fuel-economy rating of 23 MPG
for the 2WD with nine-speed automatic transmission, up 2 MPG from the
2015 Pilot.3 The technology-enhanced efficiencies continue
with the available i-VTM4™ AWD system that not only allows you to drive
all wheels with traction in a variety of driving conditions but also
applies torque vectoring to enhance dynamic driving agility. And family
functionality is better than ever, with a more spacious third row and
cargo area and One-Touch Walk-in third row access, and a host of ports
and plugs to accommodate virtually every imaginable device, from
smartphones to iPads, game consoles to digital video cameras, with up to
four 2.5-amp USB outlets for charging the family's most power-hungry
stuff.
"The 2016 Pilot takes full advantage of Honda's packaging expertise
to deliver the outstanding, family-friendly cabin space that has made
Pilot such a popular choice of family SUV buyers," said Jeff Conrad,
Honda Division senior vice president and general manager. "This
third-generation Pilot reaches higher into the premium end of the
three-row SUV market than ever before with a new line-topping Elite
model that will give us an even stronger foothold at the upper end of
the midsize SUV segment."
The all-new 2016 Honda Pilot SUV, with seating up to eight
passengers, joins the best-selling Honda CR-V and all-new HR-V as the
flagship of an expanded lineup of innovative, benchmark-setting Honda
SUVs. It is the third generation of Honda's popular three-row SUV to be
designed, developed and manufactured in America. The new Pilot was
designed and developed by Honda R&D Americas, Inc., in Los Angeles
and Ohio, and is manufactured exclusively by Honda Manufacturing of
Alabama, LLC, in Lincoln, Alabama.4
"Our design team in California and development team in Ohio worked to
create a new breed of no-compromise SUV that meets the diverse
lifestyle needs of American families," said Marc Ernst, Pilot
Development Leader. "This means the 2016 Pilot has incredible family
functionality when the kids are in tow, a stylish and premium experience
for a night on the town or an off-road adventure."
Since its arrival in 2003 as the first three-row, mainstream SUV to
be developed on a car-like unit-body platform, the Pilot has helped set
industry standards for fuel efficiency, spacious and thoughtful interior
packaging, safety performance, and dynamic handling performance in the
midsize SUV segment. American consumers have responded by purchasing
more than 1.4 million Pilots over the past 12 years. Pilot also ties the
CR-V in having the highest brand loyalty of any Honda model, with
approximately 63 percent of Pilot buyers returning to purchase another
Honda vehicle.
Reengineered from the ground up, virtually every aspect of the 2016
Pilot has been thoroughly redesigned to better accommodate the needs of
all its occupants – the driver and all passengers – delivering more
family-friendly utility, more advanced technology, and more premium
attributes and amenities than ever before. The 2016 Pilot also ups the
ante for premium refinement with major upgrades to interior quality and
more standard comfort and convenience features on all trims, along with
the addition of a new, line-topping Elite version that offers a series
of Honda-first features including 20-inch wheels and tires, ventilated
front seats, heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, a
first-ever panoramic glass roof and many other premium family SUV
features.
The 2016 Pilot is powered by a direct-injected 3.5-liter SOHC i-VTEC®
V-6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM®) – along with the
available two new advanced transmissions and a class-defining all-new
intelligent variable torque management (i-VTM4™) AWD system with
Intelligent Traction Management and torque vectoring capability.
Together, these features make this the most powerful, refined and
capable Pilot Honda has ever offered. These technologies, combined with a
nearly 300-pound reduction in vehicle weight (on upper trims), improved
aerodynamics and reduced running resistance, make this the most
fuel-efficient offering in the midsize SUV segment, with EPA
fuel-economy ratings improved by as much as 2/2/2 mpg
city/highway/combined3 over the previous model.
The new Pilot also moves to the top of the class in safety
performance with the most comprehensive suite of Honda Sensing™ advanced
safety and driver-assistive technologies ever offered on a Honda
vehicle. Furthermore, the 2016 Pilot adopts the next generation of
Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure along
with a new "3-bone" underbody frame design and new hot-stamped
ultra-high strength steel door rings. Taken together, these engineering
features and technologies deliver major gains to the Pilot's collision
avoidance and collision protection capabilities, as it targets the highest available U.S. government (NCAP) and IIHS safety ratings.
New Pilot Features
Features
LX
EX
EX-L
Touring
Elite
6-Speed Automatic Transmission*
•
•
•
9-Speed Automatic Transmission*
•
•
LaneWatch™*
•
•
•
Honda Sensing*
Available
Available
•
•
Blind Spot Indicator*
•
Smart Entry*
•
•
•
•
Push Button Start*
•
•
•
•
•
Blu-ray™ DVD Rear Entertainment System*
•
•
Idle Stop*
•
•
One-Touch 2nd-Row Seat^
•
•
•
Multi-Angle Rear View Camera*
•
•
•
•
•
Intelligent Traction Management System^
•
•
•
•
8-inch touchscreen Display Audio system with Android operating system +^
•
•
•
•
Remote Engine Start^
•
•
•
•
LED Daytime Running Lights*
•
•
•
•
LED Headlights with Auto High-Beam
•
* First for Pilot, ^ First for Honda
2016 Pilot Pricing and EPA Fuel Economy Ratings
Trim
Wheel Drive
MSRP1
EPA MPG Rating3 (city/highway/combined)
LX
2WD
$29,995
19/27/22
LX
AWD
$31,795
18/26/21
EX
2WD
$32,430
19/27/22
EX
AWD
$34,230
18/26/21
EX w/Honda Sensing
2WD
$33,430
19/27/22
EX w/Honda Sensing
AWD
$35,230
18/26/21
EX-L
2WD
$35,905
19/27/22
EX-L
AWD
$37,705
18/26/21
EX-L w/Honda Sensing
2WD
$36,905
19/27/22
EX-L w/Honda Sensing
AWD
$38,705
18/26/21
EX-L w/Navi
2WD
$36,905
19/27/22
EX-L w/Navi
AWD
$38,705
18/26/21
EX-L w/RES
2WD
$37,505
19/27/22
EX-L w/RES
AWD
$39,305
18/26/21
Touring
2WD
$41,020
20/27/23
Touring
AWD
$42,820
19/26/22
Elite
AWD
$46,420
19/26/22
Premium Style and Features
The all-new design of
the 2016 Pilot sports a modern, sleek, yet commanding and muscular form
incorporating new premium features, including standard LED taillights,
and available features such as LED projector headlights, LED daytime
running lights, 20-inch wheels and first-ever panoramic glass roof.
The premium quality of the new Pilot carries over to the interior,
where designers have applied high quality, soft-touch materials
throughout the cabin and added thoughtful details such as LED map
lighting. Additional high-end amenities include a standard 4.2-inch
color display, available heated and ventilated front seats, a heated
steering wheel and heated second-row seats. For the first time, the
top-of-the-line Elite trim includes second-row captain's chairs,
providing for easy walk through between the second and third rows for a
7-passenger configuration, in lieu of the standard second-row
three-person 60/40 split seat for 8-passenger seating capacity.
Advanced Technology The new Pilot delivers the
connectivity and power access that modern families demand, including up
to five USB ports, four that provide better recharging with 2.5-amp
output – fully adequate to charge iPads or smartphones while they're in
use. Additional available ports and plugs include an auxiliary jack for
nearly any audio player, an HDMI port for a gaming console or other
similarly connected device, two headphone jacks, and up to three 12-volt
power outlets and a 115-volt AC outlet to power a range of compatible
devices.
The new Pilot also incorporates Honda's latest thinking in advanced,
family-friendly technology, including an upsized 8-inch capacitive
touchscreen Display Audio connectivity interface powered by a new
Android-based operating system and more powerful processor, along with
an available all-new embedded Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™.
The new navigation system features improved graphics and new
capabilities, including 3D renderings of terrain, buildings and road
signs, improved lane guidance, live search function and more.
The Pilot's Display Audio system enables simplified smartphone
connectivity making for easier access to all the features and
connectivity options of the HondaLink® connected-car system. A 9-inch
rear entertainment system with DVD and new Blu-ray™ disc capability is
available.
Family-Friendly Utility The new Pilot builds on
its reputation for interior space, versatility and utility with 3.5
inches of added overall vehicle length, enabling an inch longer tandem
seating distance and a 1.3-inch longer cargo area that can hold an
82-quart cooler without compromising third-row seating capability.
Third-row entry and exit is made even easier and more intuitive courtesy
of the new available one-touch second-row seat on EX-L and above
models, and larger third-row entryway. Compared with the current Pilot,
the width of the lower portion of the third-row lower entryway has been
increased by 2.5 inches with an inch lower step-over height.
The Pilot's new center console features a cavernous storage
compartment capable of accommodating items as large as a full-size iPad
or a purse. And with its seamless cover in the closed position, the
console provides a convenient, non-slip surface for items that the
driver or front passenger may need close at hand.
Powertrain The 2016 Pilot delivers more refined,
powerful and fuel-efficient performance than ever before courtesy of
its new 3.5-liter, direct-injected i-VTEC® V-6 engine with
Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM™) cylinder deactivation technology.
The engine's peak output of 280 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft. of torque is
up 30 hp and 9 lb.-ft. over the previous model.3 The engine
is matched to a choice of two new advanced transmissions – a Pilot-first
6-speed automatic transmission or, on upper trims, a Honda-first
9-speed automatic transmission – both delivering more refined,
responsive and fuel-efficient performance.
These new powertrains combine with a new, lighter yet more rigid
unit-body and aerodynamically efficient body and chassis designs that
result in class-leading EPA fuel economy ratings topping out at 20/27/23
mpg (city/highway/combined) for two-wheel-drive models and 19/26/22 mpg
for all-wheel-drive models.4
Intelligent Variable Torque Management (i-VTM4™) AWD System The
Pilot's available new Intelligent VTM4 (i-VTM4) is the most
sophisticated and technologically advanced all-wheel-drive system
offered in a mainstream, three-row SUV. This entirely more capable
system progressively distributes optimum torque between the front and
rear axles and, for the first time ever in a Honda vehicle, dynamically
distributes engine torque between the left and right rear wheels.
Benefits include superior all-weather handling and neutral, accurate
steering under power that is more effective than front-drive, rear-drive
or conventional all-wheel-drive systems.
Intelligent Traction Management This new Pilot
features a new button-operated Intelligent Terrain Management System
that offers different operating modes, for the AWD: Normal, Snow, Mud
and Sand; and for the FWD: Normal and Snow. Developed, tuned and tested
at various locations in the U.S. and around the world – including
Imperial Dunes "Glamis", California; Moscow, Russia; and Dubai, United
Arab Emirates – the Intelligent Traction Management system allows the
driver to select the operating mode that best suits the driving
conditions by simply pushing a button on the vehicle's center console.
Based on the setting selected, the system adjusts the drive-by-wire map,
transmission shift map, Vehicle Stability Assist™ and i-VTM4 torque
distribution for AWD-equipped models for optimal performance in a
variety of road or surface conditions.
Advanced Safety Performance In keeping with
Honda's commitment to safety, the new Pilot is available with the most
comprehensive set of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies
ever offered on a Honda vehicle. Together these technologies make up
Honda Sensing™, a suite of technologies designed to expand the driver's
situational awareness while sensing and responding to potential road
hazards, including other vehicles, road obstacles and even pedestrians,
even to the point of mitigating the possibility or severity of a
collision. It includes a standard Multi-Angle Rearview Camera and an
available suite of safety and driver assistive technologies that
includes Honda's popular LaneWatch™ display, a blind spot information
system, Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™), Lane Departure
Warning (LDW), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Keeping Assist
System (LKAS), Adaptive Cruise Control, and two Honda-first
technologies: Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) system and Rear Cross
Traffic Monitor.
The new Pilot is expected to deliver the highest safety ratings in
its class and targets a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score from the National
Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating
from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), including a
GOOD rating in all crash modes. The new Pilot incorporates Honda's
next-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body
structure, designed to more efficiently absorb and disperse the energy
from a frontal collision, along with new ultra-high-strength door rings
designed to help better protect occupants. The 2016 Pilot also
incorporates an all-new "3-bone" platform while also utilizing high and
ultra-high strength body materials, which together reduce noise,
vibration and harshness (NVH), improve handling, increase rigidity and
reduce weight.
Standard safety and driver-assistive features include four-channel
anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Brake Assist and Hill Start Assist; Vehicle
Stability Assist™ (VSA®) with Traction Control; an Expanded View
Driver's Mirror; dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags, driver
and front passenger SmartVent® side airbags and side-curtain airbags for
all outboard seating positions; and a new Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS) with real-time display of individual tire pressures.
1 MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price) excluding tax,
license, registration, $880 destination charge and options. Dealer
prices may vary. 2 Peak power: 280 HP @ 6000 RPM (SAE net), peak torque: 262 ft-lb (355 Nm) @ 4700 RPM (SAE net) 3 Based on 2016 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes
only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain
your vehicle, driving conditions and other factors. 4 Manufactured using domestic and globally sourced parts.
Not sure what to think about this one, whether or not it would make sense to make one let alone for North America. Their have been various smaller SUV's that have tried the 3rd row (Rav-4 and currently the Nissan Rogue) and I don't think it's gone too well. The next full redesign for North America will be for 2017. I for one am doubtful on this, however you could make a case for the CRV to move up in size seeing as the HRV has just been introduced. Only time will tell....
Honda is developing both
five-seat and, for the first time, seven-seat versions of the
next-generation CR-V due within two years, motoring.com.au has learned.
Sources
within the Japanese car maker this week revealed the twin-model
strategy, which will echo the line-up of direct rivals including the
Nissan X-TRAIL and Mitsubishi Outlander, as well as the more upmarket
Land Rover Discovery Sport.
At this stage it's not known whether
both versions of the fifth-generation CR-V, which is due for global
release by 2017, will be based on the same wheelbase – as with the
X-TRAIL, Outlander and Disco Sport.
Alternatively, it could be
produced with two different wheelbases like Toyota's previous RAV4,
which was available in Japan in LWB V6 form.
As we've reported, Volkswagen is developing up to three versions of its second-generation Tiguan,
which is expected to be available at least in Europe in short-wheelbase
five-seat, long-wheelbase seven-seat and more stylish CC-style
four-door 'coupe' forms.
Similarly, Mazda is believed to be
working on a stretched, 5+2-seat version of Australia's top-selling SUV,
the CX-5, which could revive the CX-7 nameplate and slot in beneath the redesigned CX-9 due to appear late this year.
Honda's
Odyssey people-mover remains popular, but a two-pronged CR-V model
range would give Honda Australia its only seven-seat SUV and potentially
arrest sliding sales of the current model as the Japanese car-maker's
latest Honda Pilot and Acura MDX remain left-hand drive models off
limits for this market.
Once Australia's top-selling SUV, the
CR-V has fallen from favour with Australian buyers, with sales of the
current fourth-generation (which was launched here in November 2012 and
bolstered by the first diesel variant in January 2014) slumping by
almost 16 per cent so far this year with just 3235 sold.
Meantime,
the CX-5 has found almost 10,000 homes to May (up more than 13 per cent
year-to-date), while the newer X-TRAIL (7477 – up 45% YTD) and RAV4
(7411 – down 7.1%) have also doubled the CR-V's sales.
Even the
older Subaru Forester (4423), latest Jeep Cherokee (3539), Outlander
(3421) and aged Kia Sportage (3247) have proved more popular than the
CR-V this year, in a segment that has lifted more than 10 per cent for
the year so far.
Honda Australia director Stephen Collins admits
he's unhappy with CR-V sales but expects a new marketing campaign in the
second half of this year and a smaller 1.6-litre diesel variant early
next year to buoy sales.
"We're not entirely happy with CR-V [sales], so that'll be a focus for the second half [of 2015]," he said. "
"We
need to get on more shopping lists. Volume still pretty good but there
are a lot of new entrants and we need to get amongst it."
But the biggest problem for the CR-V appears to be the customers downsizing to the Japanese brand's all-new HR-V compact SUV.
"HR-V
is the second best-selling privately purchased small SUV and the vast
majority is incremental... but some [buyers] have come from CR-V," said
Collins.
In fact, despite only going on sale in February, the
HR-V has outsold the CR-V in 2015 with 3891 registrations – well above
Honda's own 800/month sales target – making it the fourth best selling
small SUV and creating delivery delays of more than two months on some
versions, especially high-spec variants.
"We're on track for 5000
[HR-V sales] in the first half [of 2015]. Including our June forecast
we'll sell an average of 1000 HR-Vs a month. The biggest issue is supply
to keep sales going," said Collins.
Thanks largely to its three
smallest models – the HR-V, Jazz hatch (3700 sales – up 104% YTD) and
City sedan (1037, up 57%) – Honda sales are up 24 per cent this year and
on track to top 40,000 in 2015.
"We had a few sceptics at the
start of the year when we targeted 40,000 sales... but now we're well
and truly on track for that," said Collins, who added that returning to
60,000 annual sales remains Honda Australia's long-term goal.
Collins
said the overall market's 4.5 per cent sales increase to May, putting
it on track for another record year, masked much bigger growth in sales
to private buyers, which at 54 per cent of the market are the highest
ever, as sales to non-private customers are in decline.
Driven by
free-trade agreements, price reductions, insurance claims following
Queensland hailstorms and strong demand in other eastern Australian
states (but not WA, which is seven per cent down as the mining boom
subsides), he said the growth in SUV sales to private customers was
particularly strong.
Collins said that while only one in four
sales in the small-car segment – which is almost 11 per cent down YTD –
went to private buyers, many buyers had migrated to small SUVs (up more
than 25 per cent).
"Private customers continue to move into
SUVs," he said. "Although I don't expect this kind of growth to
continue, it bodes well for a good second half."
The Power of Screams: This Euro model predicts the future U.S. Type R.
First Drive Review
Sadly, the Car and Driver time machine was irreparably damaged
recently in an attempt to go back to 1982 and uninvent the Cadillac
Cimarron. But let’s imagine for a moment it’s still working, and that we
can use it to send this brand-new Honda Civic Type R 10 years into the past.
There’s no doubt that the car itself would be a sensation. This is a
300-plus-hp, front-wheel-drive hatchback that’s capable of lapping the
Nürburgring Nordschleife in less than eight minutes—and with styling
seemingly inspired by the body armor of an Imperial stormtrooper. Yet
the R would also have been highly controversial for being turbocharged
back when the Honda brand was still practically fetishizing natural
aspiration. So the question for 2015 is whether the ends really justify
the means.
First we need to make the sad acknowledgement that this is a review of
some sweet-tasting forbidden fruit. The Euro-spec Civic Type R won’t be
coming to the U.S. soon or ever. But this isn’t just another entry in
our continuing series of AwesomeCarsthatAutomakersDenyUs,
because Honda will admit that this Type R is dropping some very broad
hints about what we can expect from the U.S.-spec version of the
next-gen model. Yes, that Type R has already been confirmed for American sale in the near future, and it almost certainly will use the same Ohio-built turbocharged engine.
Bringing us back to the big issue: Is this a good idea? The growing
ubiquity of forced induction among small-capacity engines means the idea
of a turbocharged Honda isn’t as shocking as it would have been a
decade ago, but it still stands out as radically different. Outside
Japan, the only turbocharged gasoline engine Honda has ever brought to
market was the one fitted to the first-generation Acura RDX. And with so
much of the character of earlier Type R models derived from the
linearity of their power delivery and their ravenous enthusiasm for
revs, the big concern is that this new turbocharged engine is going to
be a very blunt weapon in comparison.
The specific output is certainly impressive. A total of 306 horsepower
from a 2.0-liter four puts the Civic’s engine just slightly above the
brawny, 292-hp version of Volkswagen’s EA888 TSI engine, as fitted to the Audi S3 and the Golf R. Indeed, it practically matches the output of the BMW M235i
with two fewer cylinders and 50 percent less displacement. The engine
features a small single-scroll turbocharger and a VTEC variable
valve-timing system that will overlap exhaust and inlet slightly to
reduce turbine lag. Much is made of the engine’s ability to rev to a
7000-rpm redline, with peak power coming online at 6500 rpm, but that
ceiling is a full 1000 rpm lower than managed by the last Civic Type R.
The output is shuttled to the front wheels via a standard six-speed
manual gearbox—there are no plans for any other transmission option—and a
mechanical limited-slip differential. The front suspension struts get
separate steering knuckles (similar in principle to the GM HiPer Strut and Ford RevoKnuckle)
in a bid to reduce torque steer. Two-stage switchable dampers are also
standard, with these and various other dynamic functions falling under
the control of a mood-shifting “+R” button that’s claimed to sharpen the
Type R for track use.
That comes later, but we make initial acquaintance on the busy streets
of the Slovakian capital, Bratislava. And it’s immediately clear the
Type R’s dynamic character is nearly as outgoing as its design. The
chassis feels impressively pliant when asked to deal with broken city
blacktop, but even at low speed the engine feels turbocharged. Very
turbocharged. Initial response is keen enough, there’s no lag between
pressing the throttle pedal and feeling the engine respond. But there’s
then a noticeable pause before the turbo spools up fully. Even with a
reasonable number showing on the rev counter there’s a proper
one-one-thousand pause before the full boost arrives. There’s lots of
torque, of course, not a characteristic that defined any previous Type
R, and the gearshift has a predictably nice mechanical action. Honda
claims the 1.6-inch throw across the gate is one of the shortest on the
market.
There are absolutely no doubts on the performance claims. Having once seen Midnight Express,
we stay in close proximity to speed limits when driving anywhere east
of Germany, but a less-imaginative colleague from another title reported
seeing an indicated 168 mph on a quiet stretch of divided highway. The R
drones at cruising speed, with some low-frequency harmonics from the
sports exhaust, but once the turbo is spinning the engine pulls solidly
all the way to the limiter, the arrival of which is flagged by a
sequence of LEDs that light on top of the instrument binnacle.
We get to cross the Austrian border without stopping. The former Iron
Curtain is now marked by nothing more than signs and ramshackle customs
sheds. And then, shortly afterward, the route takes us onto some proper
mountain roads. The Type R’s steering has been set up to make it feel
responsive, and the initial turn-in is sharp enough to get us thinking
of metaphors involving surgical instruments. It dives toward apexes with
just a few degrees of steering input, Honda’s Agile Handling Assist
torque-vectoring system also applying light braking pressure to the
inner wheel to quicken things up further.
Looks like Ronda is quite the salesperson too, 05 Accord LX Sedan AT w/154k miles for $21k! Lol, the power of being a star.
“You were the best noble steed I could ask for. You never broke down,
you hung in there when I couldn’t afford to change your oil. I could
always depend on you. I love you, enjoy retirement.”
At the 2015 Pikes Peak Hill Climb, Honda will compete in a CR-Z
outfitted with next-generation hybrid technology featuring Electric
SH-AWD paired with Precision All-Wheel Steering (P-AWS). While details
on the new Electric SH-AWD system are scarce at the moment, it is
believed to use a pair of electric motors to power the rear wheels, an
idea that has been used in other supercars including the Porsche 918 Spyder.
The car will be driven by Tetsuya Yamano and features aggressive bodywork including vents in the rear quarter panels.
There’s the possibility that Honda has outfitted the CR-Z with the
same powertrain found in the upcoming NSX or it could just be the same
3.5-liter V6 with SH-AWD borrowed from the Acura RLX Sport Hybrid.
Expect more details to surface in the coming week as the 2015 Pikes
Peak International Hill Climb will kick off on Sunday, June 28 with
qualifying and practice happening days before the event.
It's been several months since we've seen sketches
from Honda about what the new 2016 Ridgeline will look like, but the
midsize pickup truck looks to be in the final stages of tow testing. Our
spies have been hot on the trail of the elusive, more
conventional-looking next-generation Ridgeline, and they were able to
catch the fully camouflaged Honda next to one of its main competitors,
the Chevrolet Colorado. Here's their report:
"We've just gotten our first close-up look at Honda's next Ridgeline pickup, caught testing on rural public roads. "Until today, all of our encounters with Ridgeline prototypes have been through a very long lens,
giving us only a marginal look at the test trucks. Now we've gotten a
proper set of spy shots giving us a good feel for the grille, headlights
and overall front-end design. The profile and rear views are consistent
with earlier teaser shots promising a more traditional truck shape
compared to the off-beat look of the original Ridgeline. "Today's run-in with this prototype also included a new Ford F-150 and a silver Chevrolet Colorado pickup pulling a boat. "In one of our earlier long-range Ridgeline shots, the 2016
prototype was running nose-to-tail with the first-generation model,
allowing an excellent opportunity to gauge the general size of the
long-awaited second-generation model. From what we can tell, the
footprint of the new Ridgeline will be very similar to the original
model. The evidence generated by these first shots seems to suggest that
the new Ridgeline will continue to use some of the unibody platform of
the 2016 Honda Pilot, instead of a smaller, CR-V-based pickup. "Our sources tell us to expect powertrains using Honda's Earth
Dreams efficiency technologies. There was some speculation that a
continuously variable transmission could be in play, but given the
apparent Pilot-based architecture and tow testing of the new truck, that
seems unlikely. We are told to look out for the possible inclusion of
Honda's new Super Handling-All Wheel Drive hybrid system developed for
larger vehicles, which would give the smaller pickup significant
traction and driving dynamics. That could be added to give some
technological uniqueness in a crowded and competitive landscape."
Acura Recalls 48,000 MDX and RLX SUV Models Due To Automatic Braking System Glitch
Honda Motor Co. Ltd.'s Acura has recalled two SUV models due to a
malfunction in the automatic emergency braking systems that increased
the risk of collision, the Associated Press (AP) reported Thursday.
The company recalled 48,000 MDX and RLX SUVs worldwide from the 2014 and 2015 model years, even as National Transportation Safety Board is reportedly urging that the automatic warning systems be made standard on all cars and commercial trucks.
The glitch was found in the “Collision Mitigation Braking System,”
which uses radar to scan conditions in front of the vehicles. If a
situation arises where the SUV may hit another vehicle, the system
automatically slows down its speed to avoid collision and reduce the
damage.
In the recalled SUVs, the system was malfunctioning by stepping on
the brakes, instead of slowing down when it detected another vehicle
accelerating in front while simultaneously driving along an iron fence
or metal guardrail, the AP reported, citing Honda. The problem was first
noticed in November 2013 when an Acura SUV braked suddenly without reason, leading to a rear-end collision. The second similar incident occurred in June 2014.
The company, which informed the regulators of the recall in May,
reportedly said that it has not received any warranty claims, incidents
or injuries due to the malfunction in the U.S. so far. The dealers will
fix the problem in the recalled SUVs without charging the vehicle
owners.
There's little evidence to support reincarnation when it comes to humans, but what about cars? Fans have eagerly awaited a new Honda S2000 since the original iteration of this sprightly roadster left the physical plane in 2009. However, like a spirit entering a new body, it could come back as something very different.
Since the original’s demise, there have been rumors that Honda is
working on a trio of new mid-engine sports cars, one of which is to be a
successor to the S2000. In the past six months we’ve seen Honda launch
two new mid-engine models in the form of the 2016 NSX supercar (badged an Acura for the U.S.) and the tiny S660 roadster, and now we may have our first look at the S2000 successor.
Dutch website Autovisie
has managed to get its hands on patent drawings for a new mid-engine
sports car. The drawings were registered by Honda with the European
Patent Organization in May and are likely for a concept rather than a production model, as evidenced by the extremely narrow headlight openings and rear-facing cameras instead of conventional side mirrors.
Nevertheless, as we’ve seen with the transition from concept to
production for the aforementioned NSX and S660, most of the concept’s
lines should be maintained for any final version. It’s clear the design
fits in with the look of the new NSX and S660 models. It also looks like
the roof is removable, which ties in with this being an S2000
successor.
According to previous reports this new sports car will be a hybrid. Its powertrain will reportedly consist of the 2.0-liter VTEC turbo four-cylinder engine debuting in the latest Civic Type-R,
with an electric motor attached. Total output is rumored to be in the
365-horsepower neighborhood. All of that power will reportedly be sent
to the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Construction would take place alongside the NSX at Honda's Performance
Manufacturing Center in Marysville, Ohio. The materials used could be
the same as well; carbon fiber and aluminum will probably be needed to
meet the new car’s reported target curb weight of less than 3,000 pounds.
If all goes well, sources says the S2000 successor could hit showrooms
by 2017, with a price tag somewhere below $70,000. That means it could
end up being much more expensive than the old roadster.
ou need a vehicle that can tackle all the family business, yet
be good on gas, fit easily in parking sports, and not cost too much.
Increasingly, if you have those kinds of priorities, a compact crossover
ends up figuring in as the best choice. And among those, the Honda CR-V
and Toyota RAV4 are two of the more popular entries on the market.
Which is the better pick of the two? Because it’s not even close right now, we’re going to give this one away: The Honda CRV
beats out the Toyota RAV4 on multiple levels. But read on, because
there are some important reasons that could sway you to consider the
RAV4.
The Honda
CR-V received a pretty substantial mid-cycle update for 2015, with
interior trims most notably becoming less grim and utilitarian. On the
outside there are minor styling tweaks, and some new wheels, but overall
this is a model for which the form definitely follows the
function—which is to fit a lot of people and gear, while being low
enough to still handle well, high enough to allow a little more ground
clearance than a car, and yet aerodynamic enough to achieve good fuel
efficiency on the highway. As for the RAV4, it’s carried over for a
couple of model years and while it tends to look neat and tidy on the
outside—albeit somewhat lacking in charm—inside it leaves quite a bit to
be desired as the cabin trims and surfaces feel cut-rate in upper trims
(the base LE has more charm). Looking ahead, the 2016 RAV4 is getting
some upgrades that should restore some of this model’s luster.
Driving enjoyment isn’t a strong point for either of these models. The V-6 that used to be available on the Toyota
RAV4 is now a distant memory, and that leaves you (for now) only with a
176-horsepower four-cylinder engine; it works reasonably well with the
six-speed automatic transmission, but it’s not at all sporty. Handling
is easy and carlike, and the RAV4 definitely moves to favor a softer,
more compliant ride this time around. The CR-V is much the same,
although we tend to slightly prefer the way it tracks and maneuvers.
With a new direct-injected 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and
continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), the CR-V’s been
updated for better fuel economy (up to 29 mpg combined with front-wheel
drive), but it’s not really all that much quicker or more satisfying to
drive.
Both models allow a choice between front-wheel drive or all-wheel
drive; in both cases, the AWD system has the perfect level of finesse
and will allow just enough wheelspin to get you up snowy driveways or
through muddy trails.
The RAV4 has more interior space if you go by official numbers, yet
somehow it adds up to a more usable layout and airier cabin feel in the
CR-V. The Honda’s seat-folding arrangement is excellent, and a
spring-loaded mechanism makes one-arm seat folding easily done.
Additionally, it feels like the Honda has more bins and cubbies in all
the right places. As for ride quality and general cabin refinement, we
think the RAV4 might be a step ahead; Toyota made some significant gains
here with the RAV4’s last redesign, although you still do hear the
engine more than you should.
For safety, the CR-V is a solid point ahead in our ratings, although
neither of these models is to be avoided. The RAV4 was retested this
past year, with its federal safety rating boosted to five stars overall;
meanwhile it earns all ‘good’ ratings from the IIHS. There’s no front
crash prevention technology on offer, but a blind-spot monitoring system
with rear cross-traffic monitoring is available with a Tech package. As
for the CR-V, it also earns top scores—and the Top Safety Pick+
designation—from the IIHS, as well as a ‘superior’ rating in front crash
prevention if you get the optional Collision Mitigation Braking System.
But its federal safety scores only add up to four stars overall.
The Toyota Rav 4
offers a little more value for the money than the CR-V, going down the
feature lists, but otherwise it’s a tossup. The Toyota offers a premium
JBL sound system, yet on the other hand Honda’s top interface feels a
half step ahead of the top Entune touch screen system in the RAV4.
Keep in mind that the way in which these two models match up against
each other will change significantly next year (for the 2016 model year)
with the introduction of the RAV4 Hybrid. That model will offer a
version of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive, with a total of 194 hp, and
fuel economy ratings of over 30 mpg Combined.
Neither of these two models have an abundance of character, either in
their styling, or from behind the wheel. But in pretty nearly every
way, the CR-V manages to do it all with slightly more aptitude. It all
adds up to a significant win for the Honda CR-V.
