-The Honda Portal / The Straight H
Saturday, December 24, 2016
Happy Holidays from The Straight H/The Honda Portal!
-The Honda Portal / The Straight H
Monday, November 21, 2016
There's a Honda Civic Type R Testing in America
 |
It's here. It's finally here. |
Remember when you couldn't buy a Honda Civic Type R
in the U.S.? It wasn't that long ago, but those days are finally over,
because Honda is bringing us the hot hatch we need, and there's already
one on U.S. roads.
Officially,
Honda has only shown the next Civic Type R in prototype form, but this
white one looks production ready. It's reportedly a pre-production
model, and the YouTuber that captured it says it was driving around in Southern California, near Honda's U.S. headquarters.
Honda has been mum on specs for the Civic Type R, but we've heard that it will produce 340 horsepower, and will send all that power to the front wheels via a six-speed manual. Like the upcoming Civic Si, the Type R should make its debut sometime next year.
Given our recent drive of the base Civic Hatchback, we have high hopes for the Type R, but honestly, we're just happy it's coming to the U.S.
Honda CEO says to stick with North American production plans for now
 |
Honda Motor Co. President and CEO
Takahiro Hachigo is seen through screens of laptop computers as he
speaks during a round-table meeting at the company headquarters in
Tokyo, Japan November 21, 2016.
REUTERS/Issei Kato
|
| TOKYO
"It is still unclear what Trump's policies will be. We can't suddenly make production changes and that is a problem not just for us but for all automakers in the U.S.," Takahiro Hachigo said at a briefing in Tokyo on Monday.
Doing away with the NAFTA, which Trump has described as a jobs killer while attacking the outsourcing of American auto jobs to Mexico, could result in tariffs on cars built in Mexico that Honda and other makers sell in the United States.
Honda has two auto plants in Mexico, one in Celaya and the other in Guadalajara that together build around 260,000 cars and 100,000 motorbikes a year. U.S. vehicle manufacturers and many of their suppliers have based billions of dollars of investment on relatively open trade with Mexico, China and other countries.
In April, Ford Motor (F.N) announced plans to invest $1.6 billion to expand production of small cars in Mexico.
(Writing by Tim Kelly; Editing by Himani Sarkar)
Source;
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-honda-ceo-nafta-idUSKBN13G0MC
Thursday, November 17, 2016
PRESS CONFERENCE: Nissan Rogue One Star Wars Limited Edition Debuts at the 2017 LA Auto Show
Published on Nov 16, 2016
Nissan
today unveiled the last of four new vehicles debuting at the Los
Angeles Auto Show, the 2017 Nissan Rogue: Rogue One Star Wars Limited
Edition. The dramatic reveal featured a special interactive presentation
of the Intelligent Safety Shield technologies available in the
redesigned 2017 Rogue against a high-action video. The video was
followed by a drive-out of a pair of the Nissan Rogue: Rogue One Star
Wars Limited Edition vehicles accompanied by battle-ready stormtroopers.
2017 Honda CRV Abandons Lane Watch Side Camera in Favour of Blind Spot Sensors on Both Sides
Source;
Honda
2017 Honda Civic SI Prototype/Production model
Turbocharged coupe and sedan models arrive next year.
There certainly hasn't been a shortage of hot Civic news lately, what with the impending launch of the five-door Type R. But don't forget, Honda will also offer an Si version of its 10th-generation Civic, previewed here in prototype form, and making its debut today in Los Angeles.Don't expect the production Civic Si to look too different than the hot little coupe you see here. We fully expect this car to go on sale pretty much as-is, with its meaner front fascia (that looks like it came right off the Sport Hatchback), 19-inch wheels, aero kit, centre exhaust, and mandatory rear wing. Same goes for the interior – it all looks ready to go, and those Si-specific sport front seats look super comfy and supportive. Here's hoping those make it to production (they should), but we'll happily do without the HFP accessory floor mats (so red!).
If the coupe body style isn't your thing, Honda will offer the Si in sedan form, too. No hatchback, though – that's Type R territory.
We're still waiting for official performance figures. Honda is only confirming the new Si uses the 1.5-litre turbocharged inline-four, has a six-speed manual transmission, and will be the "fastest, most powerful Si yet." Our best guess is power output will be somewhere around 225 horsepower, keeping it competitive with the Volkswagen GTI. We're expecting good things – Honda says the Si will have new active damper and steering systems, a limited-slip differential, and optional high-performance tires.
“This will be, hands down, the fastest, best-handling Si we've ever offered to our customers,” says Jeff Conrad, Honda’s senior vice president and general manager.
We'll have more details closer to the car's on-sale date sometime next year. Scroll down for the official press blast, and check out the Si from all angles in the source link below.
Source;
http://ca.motor1.com/news/128613/2017-honda-civic-si-prototype/
Honda NSX to get new interior layout
Acura Precision Cockpit interior concept will likely make production in the Honda NSX hybrid supercar, before being adapted for all future Honda production vehicles
Honda has revealed a new high-tech dashboard concept at the LA motor show, which is believed to give clues to how an updated Honda NSX interior will look initially, before featuring on all production cars in the future.
Called the Acura Precision Cockpit, the dashboard concept is described as “a near-production interior styling and technology concept” that is “inspired by the NSX”.
Highlights include a wide, ultra-clear, 12.3in digital display in place of traditional instrument dials, plus an infotainment screen that sits in the middle of the dash, angled at the driver. Images and colours on the screen change according to the driver’s mood and the selected driving mode.
The central screen is controlled via a curved touchpad located in the centre console between the seats, in the style of Audi’s MMI or BMW’s iDrive systems.
Through this screen, the driver can engage semi-automated driving technology and a variety of connectivity functions: for instance, it will display other cars in close proximity, distinguishing which are being driven autonomously and which are under the control of a human. It will also recognise pedestrians and cyclists and use artificial intelligence (AI) to predict where they will move. Honda says this will build confidence in drivers that its autonomous systems are capable of making the right decisions.
In addition, Honda has highlighted the use of high-end materials on the dashboard, including brushed metal, natural wood, leather and Alcantara finishes, plus the use of ambient lighting around the car’s interior. All of these touches are expected to become part of future Honda production models in time.
The interior concept has been created by Acura - Honda’s upmarket US brand - to complement its Acura Precision Concept car, which was revealed to show how its cars’ exteriors will look in future.
Source;
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motor-shows-la-motor-show/honda-nsx-get-new-interior-layout
Thursday, November 10, 2016
2017 Honda Odyssey Spy Shots
Auto123: 2017 Nissan Rogue Review
Staying in the lead pack
By Vincent Aubé ,
The popularity of utility vehicles is far from being news in 2016, and exhibit A from Nissan’s point of view is the Rogue, a compact SUV which is has been nipping at the heels of the category’s heavyweights (Ford’s Escape, the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4) for a few years now. The popular crossover is a cornerstone vehicle for the Japanese carmaker, and sits at the top of the manufacturer’s sales rankings for Canada and the United States.
Nissan Canada recently extended an invitation to members of the automotive press to experience a first contact with the 2017 edition of the Rogue. The mid-life retool carried out on the new version doesn’t represent any overturning of the apple-cart – it’s more of an evolution than a revolution in comparison with the 2016 model. That said, any opportunity to gain the attention of its target market is a winner for Nissan.
A spiffier new Rogue
The new model is just now making its first appearances in dealerships. As expected, its silhouette remains unchanged. The more curious and eagle-eyed among Rogue fans will have to check out the front and rear ends to notice any difference from the 2016 model.
The company’s design team has repeated the recipe applied to other recent models produced by the brand. The front grille’s “V” is more imposing, its greater eminence giving the SUV a more aggressive front end.
The front and rear lights have also been redesigned, as has the front fender, which houses new fog lights. Taking a look at the SUV’s rear end, it’s clear some work has been done on the rear position lights. While remaining angular in shape, their darker shade gives them a distinctive look.
Nissan also took things a step further by adding an SL Platinum Reserve version which infuses some decidedly luxury-car DNA. This edition features exclusive 19-inch alloy wheels that quite nicely fill in the space under the wheel arches. Buyers of this trim should however be prepared to pay a little extra for the oversized tires to match.
Same tones of luxury inside
Our first contact with the 2017 Rogue began with the very top-of-the-line version, an SL Platinum Reserve model equipped to the very hilt. From the outside this version is quite appealing, with its big boots, chrome elements and several colours, richer in tone and exclusive to the higher trims of the new Rogue.
But what really sets the SL Platinum Reserve model apart is its high-end interior finish. The superior-quality tan-leather upholstery, not to mention the leatherette panels on the dashboard, help enhance the refinement level in the dark-hued cabin. And that’s not all, as Nissan’s designers also succeeded in injecting a hint of sportiness into the inside of the Rogue with for example a flattened steering wheel that is quite pleasant to grip.
The soft front-row seats offer enough support to ensure comfort on longer trips. The second row is a little less convincing in that respect, although the option of advancing or receding the bench while choosing the incline level does allow passengers more freedom to maximize personal comfort. The manufacturer once again offers a third row for 2017, at least for the SV model, but as is often the case with this option, it is to be used on a need-to basis only! Please don’t even think about forcing a larger-sized adult to suffer through several hours in one of those seats – you may never be forgiven!
No hybrid for Canada
In the United States there is much excitement about the introduction of a hybrid version of the 2017 Rogue, but don’t be looking for it up here – it won’t be available in Canada. This is surely due largely to our much smaller market, as well as to the relatively lower price of fuel which currently favours sales of utility vehicles.
On the other hand, there’s good news in the fact that Nissan’s current mechanical set-up ensures Canadian consumers won’t suffer too much at the pump. The same 2.5L, 4-cylinder, naturally aspirated engine that powered the 2016 is back; it delivers 170 HP and 175 lb-ft of torque. Also returning in the 2017 Rogue is the CVT transmission, as is the part-time all-wheel drive system. Take note, however, that a front-wheel drive option is available on the entry model of the new Rogue.
At the wheel
Apparent right from the first few kilometres driven is the improvement in the Rogue’s ride quietness, something Nissan had already confirmed it had worked on correcting. In fact, Nissan’s rogue was already a strong performer in this regard, most notably while at cruising speed when the engine is not being taxed by the CVT unit.
Of course, that same CVT brings the noise level up during acceleration, the driver’s foot on the gas pedal being a major contributor to the decibel level in the cabin. Meanwhile, though the vehicle’s mechanics may not win any prizes for dynamism, any complaints drivers may have will likely dissipate when it comes to time to tally up gas costs each month. The Rogue is a highly fuel-efficient crossover.
The new 19-inch alloy wheels do nothing to harm handling and manoeuvrability. But at the risk of repeating myself, the Rogue remains a vehicle in search of a certain spark. To benefit from a more responsive drive, you need to look elsewhere. Steering is light, and the suspension calibrated for comfort above all else.
Overall, the 2017 edition has changed for the better, which if nothing else should to allow it to remain in the lead pack in the segment. And right now, if you’re a carmaker, that small-SUV category is where you want to be!
Source;
https://www.auto123.com/en/car-reviews/2017-nissan-rogue/62991/
Driving.ca; Car Review: 2017 Nissan Maxima Platinum
Big sedans aren't as popular as they used to be, but the Nissan Maxima adds some spark to the segment
It took eight generations and some 35 years to get to the point where Nissan can make the claim its flagship Maxima
four-door is “a sports car in sedan clothing” without some sort of
response bordering on incredulity. The slow transition from the now
painfully square, mild-mannered Datsun 810 to the robust and curvaceous
2016 Maxima has been agonizing at times, an impatient wondering as to
when the company was going to build a midsize car that had as much
performance as function – some European sport sedan-style zip.
Now that I’ve finally gotten around to
driving one — a 2017 model in top-of-the-line Platinum trim — any
thoughts of admonishing Nissan for its tardiness are banished. This
version is not just sporty; it’s deceptive, with performance and
handling to go with a smooth ride, plus luxury touches and premium
content exceeding reasonable expectations of the Platinum’s $44,200
price tag.
But it’s the awakened performance that first
grabs one’s attention. And it’s not as though Nissan went radical with
the car. Under the hood is the familiar 3.5-litre VQ-series V6, only
thoroughly reworked (60 per cent new parts compared with the previous
engine) and now pushing out 300 horsepower and 261 lb.-ft. of torque. In
truth, the engine feels stronger; the car shows distinct verve off the
line when the gas pedal is given a prod.
Though I’d much prefer an automatic with a
specified number of gears, there’s little complaint regarding the
Maxima’s Xtronic continuously variable transmission, which seems well
matched to the V6’s torque and comes with both Normal and Sport modes.
Its wide gear ratio range allows for strong acceleration from a standing
start, while Nissan says credit goes to the D-Step shifting logic for
both the rapid shifts at full throttle and for holding the engine’s
speed when hooning around corners, which allows for smooth acceleration
when exiting said corners.
In Sport, zero to 100 km/h is reportedly
less than six seconds — strong for a front-drive family car, if not
mind-blowing. The drive mode selector not only adjusts throttle response
and transmission tuning, but also steering feel and “active sound
enhancement” tuning. But, while the exhaust note has some musicality to
it, the engine itself is a bit coarse when under the hammer.
The other benefit to this re-engineering
effort is a claimed 15 per cent increase in highway fuel economy to 7.8
L/100 km over the previous-generation Maxima; city fuel economy is rated
at 11.1 L/100 km. I put 700 kilometres on the car during my week with
it, the bulk of it highway cruising, and averaged 9.9 L/100 km.
While the sedan wouldn’t be my first choice
for racetrack lap sessions, Nissan’s engineers clearly spent some time
working under the car to imbue it with a decent measure of on-road
handling. Up front is the usual strut/coil spring design, but ZF Sachs
monotube dampers are added to the rear end’s independent multi-link
double wishbone setup. Thick stabilizer bars are found at both ends.
Shapely and far more distinct than many of
its rival sedans, the Maxima’s styling, in truth, doesn’t completely
blow me away, looking over-designed with its aggressive character lines,
deeply scalloped doors and “floating roof.” Yet, I do like the boldness
of Nissan’s signature “V-motion” grille and boomerang-style lights.
Still, Nissan’s 3.5L V6-powered Altima,
which shares the same platform and pretty much all the mechanicals as
the Maxima (although with 30 less horsepower), is a more cohesive
design.
The Altima is also roomier, at least for
back-seat passengers. While there’s tons of room up front for the tall
and leggy in the Maxima, if those in the back are equally so, they’re
going to find their knees jammed in the front seat back and their heads
brushing the headliner.
For the rest of the article and more pictures, follow this source link below;
Nissan Unveils Special Edition Juke And Refreshed Versa Ahead Of LA
Nissan keeps its smaller cars relevant with some neat toys and visual upgrades.
We’re less than a week away from the once a year event where
automakers, journalists, and fans alike gather under the roof of the Los
Angeles Convention Center to see the flashy new models at the LA Auto
Show. A handful of automakers are scheduled to debut new models, and one
of these is Nissan. While the new Sentra Nismo
is at the tiptop of our wish list, Nissan has just released information
on two new noteworthy cars, the new Versa Note and a special edition of
the Juke CUV.
The latter of the two isn’t the Nismo Juke that we’re obsessed with,
but that doesn’t mean that its owners won’t feel special. Built for the
fans, the Black Pearl Edition Juke is going to be rare with only 1,250
models slated for production. Only 250 units will go to Canada while the
rest will be shipped to US buyers, both of which can opt for either
all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive configurations. The crossover’s
sinister styling will be an echo of a limited edition 1978 280Z using
contrasting white trim on the black body. The Black Pearl Edition will
feature the same 1.6-liter inline-four as the standard Juke that’s mated
to a CVT that mimics the shift patterns of a standard transmission.
Source;
Honda now has independent shops checking for Takata airbags
by David Undercoffler of www.autoweek.com
Collision shops now have access to affected VIN database
Honda has added yet another weapon in its battle to find owners of vehicles with a potentially faulty Takata airbag module: independent repair shops.The automaker has teamed up with CCC, one of the largest software providers to collision repair shops in the industry, to create a program that flags a Honda or an Acura vehicle with an open recall notice when it's brought in for collision repair.
The collaboration "will augment and extend our existing recall notification process, providing us with an additional touch point to help reach consumers with recalled yet unrepaired vehicles," said Leigh Guarnieri, the national collision marketing manager for Honda. "Safety is everyone's responsibility."
22,000 shops
CCC's program, dubbed True Recall, was rolled out in October to all 22,000 repair shops across the country that use its data network. When an estimate is being written, CCC's system will run the vehicle's VIN against a database provided by Honda.
If the vehicle has an open Takata airbag recall that hasn't been fixed, a notification will pop up on the screen and a copy of the recall will be printed for the consumer. The notification advises the body shop to tell the owner of the vehicle, check with the owner on what Honda or Acura dealership they'd like to use and then the body shop is encouraged to reach out to that dealership to facilitate the repair on the customer's behalf.
The notification of customers via independent repair shops outside Honda's purview speaks to the urgency the automaker faces in identifying as many vehicles as possible that could have the potentially lethal Takata airbag modules inside.
In October, Honda and U.S. regulators confirmed the 11th U.S. death linked to faulty Takata airbag inflators. Another five deaths have been identified globally.
Pay per VIN
The Takata inflator crisis -- the largest safety recall in U.S. history -- has affected 15 automakers and led to the recall through 2019 of nearly 70 million inflators in U.S. vehicles. Honda and Acura vehicles make up 10.7 million of that total.
Honda has gone so far as to scour salvage yards and auto recyclers across the country to find its vehicles with affected airbag modules and has purchased thousands to keep them from returning to the road.
Honda approached CCC with the idea for the program, citing its 60 percent market share of the industry's data services, with Mitchell and Audatex splitting the rest. If the collaboration between Honda and CCC proves successful, the automaker might reach out to the other companies to explore a similar program.
The automaker pays CCC for each VIN it identifies as having an open recall, and it recently has averaged more than 1,000 VIN matches a day, a Honda spokesman said. Many of these are older-model Hondas that have passed through multiple owners, often the hardest consumer cohort to reach with a vehicle recall.
Eight of those matches have come from Vatche Derderian's three Fix Auto shops in the Los Angeles area. Fix Auto was already using CCC's data system, so Derderian's shops didn't need to do anything to enable the notifications.
"I definitely applaud Honda for putting it out there to do this because then it gets us more involved with the OEM and what's going on with their vehicles," Derderian told Automotive News.
Plus, customers affected have been taken aback by the level of service such a notification implies, despite not coming from a Honda dealer.
"It feels really good to do something for the consumer beyond just repairing their vehicle," Derderian said.
The article "Honda enlists independent shops in recall effort" originally appeared on autonews.com
Bold and Sophisticated Styling and Turbo Engine Power Restate the All-New 2017 Honda CR-V as the Outright Benchmark Compact SUV
- America's Best-Selling SUV gains more powerful turbo engine offering class-leading fuel efficiency
- Honda Sensing™ technology now standard on EX and higher trims
- New Display Audio featuring Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™
- More premium interior boasts larger cabin with best-in-class rear seat legroom and larger, more versatile cargo space
"The new Honda CR-V raises the bar in every imaginable way, delivering more performance, space and premium content together with higher fuel economy ratings and value than ever before," said Jeff Conrad, senior vice president and general manager of the Honda Division. "Customers are going to love what they see and what they experience behind the wheel of this new CR-V."
Bold and Sophisticated New Design
The new CR-V styling heads in a fresh new direction with an aggressive attitude, thanks to crisp and sharp front-end design elements, aggressive stylized headlights surrounded by a wing-shaped LED DRL array on all trims, and wide, muscular fenders. The long hood, longer wheelbase, short rear overhang and dual exhausts give the new CR-V a more sophisticated and athletic presence.
The CR-V's new windswept front end appearance includes signature Honda LED headlights (Touring trim), a Honda-first Active Shutter Grille that lowers aerodynamic drag, uprated aluminum alloy wheels (sizes 17 to 18 inches depending on trim) and narrower A-pillars for improved visibility. Adding convenience is a Honda-first available Hands-Free Access Power Tailgate, which allows opening and closing the tailgate with a foot activated sensor under the rear of the vehicle. Available Auto High Beam with High Beam Support (AHB) headlights, chrome garnishes, rain-sensing windshield wipers, roof rails and numerous Genuine Honda Accessories also expand beauty, convenience and functionality.
New Powertrain and Chassis Technology
The 2017 CR-V in EX and higher trims will feature CR-V's first ever turbocharged engine, a more powerful and fuel-efficient 1.5-liter DOHC, direct-injected and turbocharged in-line 4-cylinder powerplant rated at 190 horsepower (SAE net) and delivering incredibly refined and responsive performance across the engine's full operating range. Combined with the CR-V's more aerodynamic body, the new turbocharged powerplant will garner the highest EPA fuel economy ratings in the compact SUV class. CR-V LX trims will be powered by a 2.4-liter DOHC, direct-injected i-VTECÔ engine, and both engines will be mated to a smooth shifting and sporty continuously variable transmission (CVT) with Honda G-Shift control logic. Detailed specifications, including EPA ratings, will be provided closer to launch.
The all-new body and chassis design in the 2017 CR-V provides more agile and confident handling, greater refinement, additional ground clearance and superior overall versatility. Its front MacPherson strut and rear multi-link suspension utilize specially tuned low-friction dampers, with both FWD and AWD models including tubular front and solid rear stabilizer bars that promote quick turn-in and flatter cornering. Dual-pinion, variable ratio Electric Power Steering (EPS) also contributes to the CR-V's direct and satisfying steering feel.
More Premium, Spacious and Technologically Advanced Interior
The 2017 CR-V also raises the bar for interior refinement, utility and premium features in the compact SUV class. The more spacious cabin, with top-in-class interior space and the best rear seat legroom in its class, features upgraded materials throughout, including a new soft-touch instrument panel and more intricately stitched seats. A color TFT driver information interface (DII) center meter display adds to the handsome new design aesthetic.
The CR-V offers the latest in-vehicle connectivity and audio performance with a new generation of advanced technologies. Available features include a 7-inch touchscreen Display Audio interface with Android operating system that now features a physical volume knob as well as an available new Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ developed in cooperation with the experts at Garmin®. The CR-V 's Display Audio system is compatible with the Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ platforms, giving customers seamless integration of key smartphone features and functions, including smartphone-powered GPS navigation and voice-controlled search capabilities.
Some of the key new comfort and convenience features available on the 2017 Honda CR-V include remote engine start, dual-zone climate controls, heated side mirrors, an Electric Parking Brake (EPB), rear USB charging ports, front passenger seat with 4-way power adjustment and driver's seat with 8-way power adjustment and 4-way power lumbar support and heated front seats.
Advanced Safety and Driver-Assistive Technology
The refreshed 2015 CR-V debuted the Honda Sensing suite of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies, helping it capture the 2015 Motor Trend Sport Utility of the Year honors. The 2017 CR-V further expands the application of Honda Sensing as standard equipment on EX and higher trims, expected to account for upwards of 75 percent of CR-V sales.
Honda Sensing includes Collision Mitigation Braking (CMBS) with Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and pedestrian sensing capability, Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) with Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with low-speed follow and Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS). Additional new driver-assistive technologies include the available Blind Spot Information (BSI), Rear Cross Traffic Monitor (CTM) and Auto High Beam (HSS) headlights.
Utilizing Honda's next-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure, the 2017 CR-V targets the highest available collision safety ratings, including an NCAP 5-star Overall Vehicle Score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), including a SUPERIOR rating for frontal crash prevention when equipped with Honda Sensing.
The 2017 Honda CR-V will be produced at three plants in North America – in East Liberty, Ohio; Alliston, Ontario, Canada; and, for the first time, in Greensburg, Indiana using domestic and globally sourced parts. Engines for the new CR-V will be manufactured in Anna, Ohio and in Alliston, Ontario, with the CVT being produced in Russells Point, Ohio.
Source;
http://www.hondanews.com/releases/bold-and-sophisticated-styling-and-turbo-engine-power-restate-the-all-new-2017-honda-cr-v-as-the-outright-benchmark-compact-suv
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