GTI, STi, AMG, Renault Sport and RS - each comes with its own reputation
for high-performance machinery. In 1992 Honda gave birth to Type R, a
badge that has come to rank among the most notorious.
The
Honda NSX had already established itself as something of a Ferrari
slayer in its first three years of life, but Honda wanted to boost
performance further, and labeled this very special 1992 model the NSX
Type R. The R was for 'racing'.
Produced in limited numbers for Japan, the original Type R was a
hardcore supercar. Extensive weight reduction saved 120kg by ditching
the electric windows, air conditioning, stereo and all of the sound
deadening.
A follow-up NSX-R was produced in 2002 with more
extensive aerodynamic bodywork, as the first-generation car came to the
end of its life.
A VTEC heart
Many
Type R fans will proclaim the virtues of VTEC. Standing for Variable
Valve and Lift Electronic Control, the innovative system changes the
profile of the engine to boost performance.
The result is a notable kick as the car's full potential is released.
The red H
Every Honda Type R model wears a red H instead of the standard Honda logo in homage to the very first Honda Formula 1 car.
The RA272 led the 1965 Mexican Grand Prix from start to finish and delivered Honda its first F1 victory.
Many Type Rs are also finished in the same iconic 'Championship White' as the racing car.
Type R on track
The
NSX went on to compete in various Japanese GT racing series, but it is
in touring car championships where the sub-brand has made a name for
itself.
The Integra and Civic Type R models have secured four
British Touring Car Championships between them and a fifth is looking
likely this year.
Entries into the World Touring Car Championship
have resulted in multiple race wins and fastest laps. Entry to the newly
formed TCR series promises similar success.
It has returned to America
In 1997 Type R made its US debut under the Acura brand with the Integra Type R.
Built
to meet FIA race homologation rules, 3,823 of them found a home in the
States. Due to the engineering involved with each example and the low
sales volume, Honda made a loss on every car sold.
Production of
the Integra ended in 2001 and it was the last Type R officially
available - until the new 2018 Honda Civic Type R arrived.
The
latest Type R, based on the 10th generation Civic, is a 316bhp hot
hatch. Now available stateside, the Type R is no longer America's
forbidden fruit.
Taking on rivals such as the Ford Focus RS, Honda knew that this car had to be one of its best efforts.
25 years of Type R
Those of you who are good at maths might already have worked out that 2017 marks 25 years since the first Type R.
In
that time we have seen unicorn supercars, potent saloons and many a hot
hatch proudly join the Type R family. Over the past quarter of a
century it has become a true enthusiasts' favourite.
Honda's
legendary reliability (away from its current F1 programme!), teamed with
class-leading performance, makes the badge a popular choice for those
who take their cars to the track.
What's next?
A number of interviews with engineers have hinted that Honda is keen to grow the Type R brand further.
Hotter
versions of the Civic Type R, potentially with all-wheel drive, are a
possibility. The current generation will have a longer lifespan than its
predecessors and Honda will need to continue competing with the very
best.
The latest NSX hybrid supercar is also a prime candidate
that would see the Type R treatment return to the model where it all
began.
If the latest offering is anything to go by, Type R fans
should be very excited for what is to come - but don't hold your breath
for a Jazz Type R. Some things remain sacred.
2018 Honda minivan gets an excellent rating from IIHS and NHTSA
For families in search of a people mover, there is excellent news. The 2018 Honda Odyssey
just received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA (National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration), and the Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS
(Insurance Institute for Highway Safety).
It is very rare for a car to receive such good ratings from both the
NHTSA and the IIHS. The only downside is the fact that for the Top
Safety Pick+ the Odyssey must be equipped with LED headlights and Honda
Sensing. These safety features come as standard on the Odyssey EX and
higher trim levels for the model year 2018.
In reality, this isn't an issue, as Honda states that 99% of the Odyssey
models sold are EX trim or above. For the NHTSA tests, the Odyssey
earned five-star ratings for both front and side impacts, with a
four-star rating for rollovers.
Honda’s Frankfurt motor show stand was an all-you-can-dribble-over buffet of good things.
From its cutesy throwback Urban EV concept, to the Honda Civic Type R customer racing car
that gave us a glimpse of a Type R touring car, we stood there for
literary minutes agog at the thought of potential hot stuff on the
horizon. Then we saw this carbontastic NSX GT3 car which reminded us of
the potential for a hardcore NSX road car.
See, that sinister carbon-bodied brute above can be yours for
£415,000. A steep price over a normal NSX, we admit. But this is a
full-bore GT3 racing car, eligible for championships across North
America, Europe (N24 and Blancpain), Asia, Japan (GT300), Australia and
the Intercontinental GT championship.
It’s completed more than 50,000 miles of on track development over
the last year, racked up a couple of race wins, and will be built
alongside the production NSX, with the final GT3 stuff bolted
up in Italy.
It ditches the hybrid setup used on the road car – so no three
electric motors and associated stuff – and instead uses the 500bhp,
3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 driving the rear wheels only. It features a
six-speed sequential ‘box, carbon clutch, adjustable dampers, Brembo
brakes, and weighs in at a featherweight 1,240kg. A far cry from the
road car’s 1,725kg.
So, a proper racer that looks the nuts, for a cool €465,000. End of story.
Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. are collaborating with Shell
Oil Co. to install seven hydrogen refueling stations in Northern
California.
The California Energy Commission
awarded a grant of more than $16 million to Shell subsidiary Equilon
Enterprises for the project. The hydrogen refueling stations will be
installed in "strategic locations" within seven Shell-branded stores;
three in San Francisco, and one in Berkeley, Sacramento, Citrus Heights
and Walnut Creek.
"Toyota and Shell have a long-standing relationship in support of
hydrogen infrastructure development, dating back to the 2009 opening of
Shell's only dedicated hydrogen refueling station at our facility in
Torrance, California," Craig Scott, advanced technology vehicle senior
manager at Toyota Motor North America, said in a statement.
Honda and Toyota have pledged financial support to the project,
though Shell will own and operate the completed stations, according to a
Toyota spokeswoman. Any California fuel cell vehicles, such as the
Toyota Mirai, Honda Clarity or Hyundai Tucson, will be able to use the
stations.
"With companies like Shell supporting hydrogen refueling
infrastructure, the motoring public and the investment communities will
take note that hydrogen is going to be a major part of the future of
clean, low carbon mobility," Steve Center, vice president of connected
and environmental business development for American Honda, said in a
statement.
The project will bring the number of Shell-operated hydrogen stations in the state to nine.
Honda’s CR-V is a triple threat:
it packs a host of high-tech equipment, impressive fuel economy, and
copious cargo space. As if that’s not enough, the CR-V also boasts
contemporary styling and engaging driving dynamics. It’s powered by a
base 184-hp inline-four or a more responsive 190-hp turbocharged
1.5-liter inline-four. A standard continuously variable automatic
transmission (CVT) pairs with front- or all-wheel drive. The CR-V’s
roster of talents earned it a spot on our inaugural 10Best Trucks and SUVs list. While the compact-crossover league is loaded with home-run hitters, the CR-V has the stats to be named MVP.
Completely redesigned and reengineered, the all-new CR-V received more
style, more space, and more technology. For the first time, Honda
offered it with a turbocharged engine. Further advancements included
available adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beams, and a
driver-attention monitor, among others. Inside, the CR-V became roomier
and featured upgraded materials such as a soft-touch dashboard and
exquisitely stitched seats. Infotainment additions included a
much-needed dedicated volume knob, available Apple CarPlay and Android
Auto, and optional dual rear-seat USB ports. Combined with sleeker and
sharper exterior styling, the CR-V was highly improved for 2017.
Trims and Options We Chose for 2017
The EX model is an excellent choice, as it offers upgraded tech and
creature comforts. For $2750 more than the base LX, it adds heated side
mirrors, automatic high-beams, remote start, smart entry and push-button
start, a power sunroof, and more. Other standard features include:
• 7.0-inch touchscreen HondaLink infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Heated front seats with 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat • Honda Sensing safety- and driver-assistance equipment
We think front-wheel drive is sufficient for most, but those living with
harsh winters or who simply must have all-wheel drive can add it for
$1300. The top-level Touring trim may be the ultimate CR-V, yet for
roughly $6000 less, the EX is one heckuva deal. We didn’t even stop in
the options aisle on our way to the checkout, as our well-equipped CR-V
EX totaled $27,735.
The Honda S2000 is closing in on its 20th birthday and the 10th anniversary of its death. While Honda does make some small roadsters for the Japanese market, there's no Mazda MX-5 Miata competition
stateside. However, if these patent drawings are any hint, it looks
like Honda is scheming up another open-air sports car.
If you
look at the gallery above, you'll see that the styling is more dramatic
than that of the familiar Honda S2000 -- and might be a sign that this
Honda could, in fact, be slotted underneath the Acura NSX in Acura’s lineup. That’d make sense, judging by the likely mid-engine layout of this patent drawing. Last year, Honda patents for a similarly styled fixed-top coupe dubbed “ZSX” popped up, which could be another sign that this roadster will get Acura badges if it hits production.
Even if this does get the Acura badge, it wouldn't eliminate hope of a
new Honda S2000. The Acura platform could trickle down into a less-luxe
package and that could revive the rev-happy roadster. With budget sports
cars like the Subaru BRZ/Toyota 86 and Mazda MX-5 Miata
roadsters drawing enthusiasts onto lots, we hope it makes sense for
Honda to bring a budget-friendly sports roadster back to market.
Honda’s all-new, spacious, five-passenger, low-emissions vehicle earned an EPA range rating of 47 all-electric miles
Honda announced the 2018 Clarity Plug-in Hybrid
earned the highest all-electric range rating among all midsize plug-in
hybrids with its EPA range rating of 47 miles on a full charge1.
Launching at dealerships nationwide later this year, the Clarity
Plug-in Hybrid also received an EPA fuel economy rating of 110 combined
MPGe1, among the top of its class, and a gasoline only 44/40/42 MPG rating (city/highway/combined)1.
"We think the combination of a class-leading 47 miles of all-electric
driving range rating and a large, luxurious 5-pasenger package will
give us an advantage in the plug-in hybrid game," said Ray Mikiciuk,
assistant vice president of Honda Auto Sales at American Honda Motor Co.
"The Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid represents the dawn of a new era,
setting the path to a new generation of Honda products that will bring
electrified technology into the mainstream."
For longer trips, the Clarity Plug-in Hybrid can utilize its
hyper-efficient 1.5-liter Atkinson cycle 4-cylinder engine to generate
electricity and, under certain conditions, to act as a direct power
source, resulting in an overall EPA driving range rating of 340 miles1.
The vehicle's electromotive power comes from a 181-horsepower
electric motor producing 232 lb.-ft. of torque and drawing power from
both the gasoline engine and a 17-kilowatt hour (kWh) battery pack with a
recharge time of just 2.5 hours at 240 volts. The Clarity Plug-in
Hybrid features three selectable modes – Normal, Econ and Sport –
allowing drivers to customize their experience, maximizing efficiency or
driving performance. A fourth mode – HV mode – is provided to maintain
the battery's state of charge and can be selected in conjunction with
Normal, Econ and Sport driving modes.
Expected to be the volume sales leader in the Clarity series lineup,
the Clarity Plug-in Hybrid will be offered in two premium-contented
trims, standard and Touring.
Honda Clarity Series The Clarity Plug-in Hybrid is part of Honda’s Clarity series, which includes the Clarity Fuel Cell, launched in December 2016, and the Clarity Electric,
launched in August 2017. Clarity is a vehicle series offering customers
an array of electrified powertrain choices in one sophisticated,
spacious and comprehensively equipped five-passenger sedan, outfitted
with premium, environmentally responsible materials.
Offering Honda's "fun-to-drive" DNA, each Clarity variant provides a
smooth, quiet and highly refined driving experience, aided by the
seamless character of electric drive torque and acceleration. The
Clarity series also features advanced technologies, including Display
Audio with Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay™ integration, and the full
suite of Honda Sensing® safety and driver-assistive technologies.
The Clarity series is at the leading edge of the Honda
Electrification Initiative, which includes the previously announced
intention to have two-thirds of Honda's global automobile sales come
from electrified vehicles by 2030. This initiative includes a new
dedicated hybrid car launching next year, an all-new Accord Hybrid, the
Clarity series, and the expanded application of Honda's two-motor hybrid
and plug-in hybrid powertrains to multiple car and light truck models
in the future.
1. Based on 2018 model-year EPA ratings. Use for comparison
purposes only. Your MPG/MPGe and range will vary depending on driving
conditions, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, lithium-ion battery
pack age/condition and other factors.
This new concept from Honda, the Urban EV,
looks like something most automakers would show off as a distant vision
of what cars might look like in five or ten years’ time. Honda, however,
says it’s targeting a launch of the vehicle in European markets by 2019
– just two years from now.
The EV Concept has a look seemingly inspired by hatchbacks from the
70s or 80s, including some of Honda’s own early Civic models. The car is
far from retro in other regards, however, including the displays front
and back of the vehicle which show charging percentage and rates, as
well as brand badging and other information, like greetings, “advice for
other drivers on the roads” and more.
Honda’s EV Concept also has an expansive touchscreen display which spans
nearly the entire interior dashboard, offering a view Honda describes
as “panoramic.” The screen even extends into the doors, and those
display feeds from the car’s two wing mirror cameras for checking the
space around the vehicle.
It’s a compact in terms of exterior dimensions, and a two-door, but
there are four seats within, both bench style. The vehicle is designed
for maximum interior spaces given its small stature, however.
Onboard intelligence is provided via Honda’s Automated Network
Assistant, which is designed to learn about a driver over time and then
adapt that information in order to help provide info like routing
recommendations or other tips intended to be customized to a driver’s
personal preferences.
This is a very cool car, and one that I’d love to see offered beyond
European borders. Honda’s also basing it on an entirely new,
electric-specific platform, which is intended to help guide their EV
strategy going forward.
On the evening before the Montreal Auto Show media day, Honda Canada
invited a bunch of journalists to a private event so they could admire
the Honda Civic Type R Prototype in the flesh.
On the evening before the Montreal Auto Show media day, Honda Canada
invited a bunch of journalists to a private event so they could admire
the Honda Civic Type R Prototype in the flesh. The company’s compact hot
rod will be on display throughout the Montreal show, but also at the
Toronto show in February.
Absolutely no information was given about the new Type R. However,
the folks at Honda did announce the arrival of a new model for the
Canadian market.
The Clarity Fuel Cell, a hydrogen-powered, premium midsize sedan, was
unveiled at the New York Auto Show in April 2016. The car will
initially be offered in California, with leasing options starting last
December. It was also announced that fully electric and plug-in hybrid
versions of the Clarity would also eventually hit the market.
Honda Canada has just confirmed that the Clarity PHEV would also make
its way to Canada. No extra details have been disclosed, but the
Clarity Fuel Cell has a driving range of 586 kilometres and can be
refuelled with hydrogen in about five minutes. The Clarity Plug-in
Hybrid will probably use a powertrain based on the Accord’s two-motor
hybrid system, which develops a combined 212 horsepower.
In addition, at the Detroit Auto Show last week, Honda said a
dedicated hybrid model will be launched sometime in 2018, and that the
Accord Hybrid’s two-motor powertrain would make its way into light
trucks, without specifying which ones and when.
Honda promises that by 2030, two-thirds of their sales will consist
of electrified models, and by 2050, it plans to produce half the CO2
emissions it was emitting in the year 2000.
An ambitious plan, since the last dedicated hybrid Honda sold was the
Insight, and both the CR-Z and Civic Hybrid models have recently been
retired.
Advanced connectivity and entertainment with new Display Audio, CabinWatch, CabinTalk & streaming video with 4G LTE Wi-Fi
New CabinControl app enables smartphone control of key vehicle systems, audio and rear entertainment features
New Magic Slide™ second-row seat provides the ultimate in family-friendly versatility and comfort
New 10-speed transmission joins DI V-6 engine in powertrain lineup
Honda Sensing™ standard on trims expected to represent 95 percent of sales
DETROIT – Honda today took the wraps off a sleek,
sophisticated and innovative new 2018 Odyssey minivan, launching at
dealerships nationwide this spring. Already the most popular minivan
with individual American car buyers for seven years running, the
next-generation Odyssey brings a host of new features and technologies
for 2018, including a uniquely versatile new Magic Slide™ second-row
seat; new CabinWatch and CabinTalk technologies; new Display Audio
touchscreen with Honda-developed OS; 4G LTE Wi-Fi connectivity; new Rear
Entertainment System with streaming video; and Honda Sensing™ safety
and driver-assistive technologies, now offered standard on EX and above
trims.
"This new Odyssey raises the stakes for family-friendly packaging,
performance and technology in the minivan segment," said John Mendel,
Executive Vice President of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "In all
aspects of its design, the new Odyssey is made to keep every member of
the family happy, no matter the seating position, no matter the
destination."
Sophisticated and Family-Friendly Design
The Odyssey's sophisticated and modern new styling adopts Honda's
signature flying wing front grille flanked by available LED front
headlights. The bold and sporty front fascia also conceals a new Active
Shutter Grille for improved fuel efficiency when cruising. The Odyssey's
signature lightning bolt beltline now provides an even more elegant
design element with the sliding door tracks hidden in the lower portion
of the rear quarter windows. At the rear there are LED taillights and an
available new hands-free power tailgate with foot activation.
Inside, the new Odyssey features high-grade materials including a
soft-touch instrument panel. The driver's meter features a new 7-inch,
full-color TFT display, and in the center of the dash there is an
available 8-inch high-resolution Display Audio touchscreen interface (EX
and above). In upper grades, stain-resistant leather first- and
second-row seating surfaces and door trim and black carpeting and black
seatbelts are designed to conceal stains, while a new grooveless tambour
lid on the spacious and versatile center console resists the
accumulation of crumbs and debris.
In-vehicle Connectivity
In-vehicle connectivity is taken to a whole new "family connectivity"
concept. Old-fashioned family connectivity – sometimes called a
conversation – is made easier than ever with the quietest cabin in the
class, and is augmented with a multitude of new connected-vehicle
features and technologies, including:
New Display Audio – featuring a new Honda-developed
operating system, more intuitive menus and customizable app tiles, this
8-inch high-resolution (720P) touchscreen interface serves as the nerve
center for a multitude of new audio and telematics options, including
Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ compatibility, and adds a physical
volume knob for improved usability.
System updates – users can download available
updates to the Display Audio operating system and rear entertainment
system at their convenience via 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, or USB.
CabinWatch – using a camera, CabinWatch lets the
driver and front passenger keep tabs on passengers both day and night
via the 8-inch Display Audio screen.
CabinTalk – enables the driver to talk to second -
and third-row passengers though the second-and third-row speakers and
rear entertainment system headphones.
Connected Rear Entertainment System – second- and
third-row passengers can enjoy streaming video on the ceiling-mounted,
10.2-inch WSVGA Rear Entertainment System, including PBS Kids, iHeart
Radio, Spotify and more, through the available in-vehicle 4G LTE Wi-Fi,
public Wi-Fi or user's cellphone data plan. A new "How Much Farther?"
app lets passengers track the family's trip progress.
CabinControl – using a downloadable app, users can
use a smart phone to control the rear entertainment system, rear cabin
heat and air conditioning, and send destinations to the embedded Honda
navigation system.
Social Play List – part of CabinControl, Social
Playlist operates like a virtual jukebox, allowing up to seven family
members to upload their music choices to the audio system via their
smartphones.
Cabin quietness is enabled by new features and technologies including
triple door seals, available acoustic front and side glass, and
increased use of sound deadening materials under the floor, in the
engine compartment and under the fenders, along with standard Active
Sound Control technology.
New Magic Slide™ seats
A major innovation to family-friendly cabin seating flexibility is
the Odyssey's new Magic Slide™ second-row seat, easily reconfigurable
for optimal passenger comfort, people- and cargo-hauling flexibility,
and easy access to third-row seating – even when one or two rear-facing
child seats are placed in the second row. Use modes include:
Easy Access mode – with the center seat removed, the outboard seats
slide laterally through five selectable positions, allowing for easy
access to the third row even with one or two rear-facing child seats
installed in the second row. And with the center-most seat slid forward,
a child is put within easy reach of the front seat occupants.
Super mode – like Easy Access mode but with the driver's side seat
set to walk-in position (slid full forward with the seatback tilted) for
maximum access to the third row.
Wide mode – with the center seat removed and two outboard seats in
their outer most positions, providing a wide center walkthrough to the
third row (and no more "Dad, he's touching me again!").
Buddy mode – with the center seat removed and two outboard seats
abutting one another in the center of the vehicle, putting two people in
close proximity and within easier reach of the front seat occupants.
Safety for the Family
All 2018 Odysseys in EX and above trims, expected to comprise about
95 percent of all Odyssey sales, will feature the Honda Sensing™ suite
of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies as standard
equipment, including Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS™), Lane
Keeping Assist (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) and Adaptive
Cruise Control (ACC). Combined with the Odyssey's next-generation
Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure and advanced
airbags, including new driver and front passenger knee airbags, the
Odyssey targets the highest available safety ratings – an NCAP 5-star
Overall Vehicle Score and an IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating.
Additional Features and Technologies
Additional new standard and available features include LED
headlights, heated and ventilated front seats, heated side mirrors and
steering wheel, auto high-beam headlights, rain-sensing wipers, blind
spot information (on all models with Honda Sensing), front and rear
parking sensors, Rear Cross Traffic Monitor, Electric Parking Brake with
Brake Hold, three-zone automatic climate control, wireless device
charging, multi-zone audio, Sirius 2.0, Pandora compatibility, HD
Radio™, and HondaVac® in-vehicle vacuum.
Advanced new powertrains, body and chassis
The 2018 Honda Odyssey will be powered by a 3.5-liter, direct-injected i-VTEC™
V-6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM™). Peak engine
output is 280 SAE net horsepower (+32 HP) and benefits from the advanced
capabilities of its two available new transmissions – a 9-speed
automatic and, for upper grades an all-new, Honda-developed 10-speed
automatic, the first of its kind in a minivan, providing more confident
and refined performance.
These advanced new powertrains, together with a more rigid and
lightweight body, new chassis technology, and Odyssey's sleek and
aerodynamic new design are expected to result in class-leading
performance and top-in-class EPA fuel economy ratings. Honda's
Intelligent Traction Management system adds normal and snow modes and
combines with Agile Handling Assist and a more powerful braking system
for improved all-weather traction and control.
Advanced new body and chassis
An all-new body and chassis design underpins the new Odyssey's
incredibly quiet cabin and class-leading steering precision, handling
prowess and ride comfort. The Odyssey body utilizes advanced materials,
including ultra-high-strength steel, aluminum and magnesium to
simultaneously minimize weight and improve body rigidity. Vehicle weight
is down by up to 96 pounds, depending on trim, and torsional body
rigidity is up 44 percent from the outgoing model.
New chassis features include a highly-responsive new Dual-Pinion
Electric Power Steering (EPS) with .44 fewer turns lock-to-lock for
increased response and easy maneuverability; and a compact new trailing
arm rear suspension with stabilizer bar that not only enables improved
handling and ride comfort, but also provides for the most spacious rear
cargo area in the class.
Design, Development and Manufacturing
The all-new 2018 Honda Odyssey was designed and developed by Honda R&D in North America. The Odyssey and its 3.5-liter i-VTEC
V6 engine will be manufactured exclusively at the company's Lincoln,
Alabama plant using domestic and globally sourced parts. The new
10-speed transmission will be produced at the company's transmission
plant in Tallapoosa, Georgia. The 2018 Odyssey is the second generation
Odyssey to be designed and developed in North America and the fourth
generation to be manufactured exclusively in North America.
About Odyssey
Through five generations, the Odyssey has evolved to meet the
changing needs of American families. Odyssey has been the most popular
minivan with individual American car buyers for each of the past six
years and is on pace for a seventh straight year of retail sales
leadership in 2016. Odyssey also has been the most popular minivan with
under-35 year old buyers in every year since 2010, and American car
buyers have purchased nearly 2.5 million Odyssey minivans since its 1994
debut.
