Honda Freed Official in Japan, Could it be a Eventual North American Vehicle?

Here's a nice article on the Honda Freed.

TOKYO -- Take a Honda Fit, move it up a class with new sheet metal, add two or three rows of seats and you're starting to get an idea of the Freed, Honda's innovative new mini minivan that's just launched in Tokyo.

Smaller than a Civic but with room to squeeze in up to eight people thanks to some highly astute packaging, the 1.5-liter, slant-nosed Freed is not headed for the United States anytime soon but might conceivably open up a new niche segment if it did, especially in light of skyrocketing gas prices and the American consumer's growing preference for smaller, fuel sippers.

While the Freed is nominally in the Fit ballpark, it's many times more versatile inside. Remarkably, this little Honda comes in five-, seven- and eight-seater configurations even though end-to-end it's a full 12 inches shorter than a Civic sedan.

Then there's the Freed's rakish, manga-like styling. On the streets of America's more happening cities that could really wow Gen Y and Z crowds and who knows, siphon off a few Scion buyers at the same time.

Japan Only -- For Now

The message from Honda, however, is that the Freed is a Japanese domestic model -- at least to start with. Replacing two quaint boxy multiwagons in Japan, the Mobilio and Mobilio Spike, it's been purposely designed to fit in with today's downsizing market trends and the nation's cramped parking lots.

How has Honda been able to package the Freed car so inventively? By starting out with a unique platform that mixes and matches elements of both Fit and Civic architecture. This new platform offers up a usefully low floor and comes with a wheelbase 2 inches longer than the Civic's.

The Freed at the same time is 2 inches narrower than a Civic but as much as a foot taller. So it's the classic Japanese tallboy and uniquely in its class can be ordered as a seven-seater with the option of two second-row captain's chairs.

True, there is a plain vanilla two-row, five-seater version. But more adventurous and fun is the full-spec, three-row Freed with walk-through, a model that can take eight with the proviso that those in the third row are under 6 feet and don't mind cuddling up. Cleverly, that third-row bench splits 50/50 and folds up when not in use.

Twin powered sliding rear doors are standard-issue with the Honda Freed, which shares the Fit's impressive 1,496cc i-VTEC engine but produces a sparkier 118 horsepower.
Front-drive models get standard CVT transmission but with optional all-wheel drive that then switches to five-speed auto.

Freed Is Just Another Word
As for the name, Americans of a certain age may remember Allan Freed, one of the pioneers of rock n' roll from the '50s but that, you can be sure, has nothing to do with Honda's choice for the name.

No, Freed, we hear, has been coined from "freedom" or could be a derivation of "free" and "do. Either apply. Some see it as a pity that Honda ditched the Mobilio badge but with a new model, Honda top brass wanted a new name to match.

The final eyebrow raiser is the price. The Freed kicks off in Tokyo for the equivalent of $15,690 and so far as we can see, has no direct competitor. Honda plans to sell 4,000 units a month, which seems a pretty modest target. That's a quarter of what the Fit typically sells each month now in Japan.

Compact, clever and with many cabin tricks, the Freed's another crucial model to help Honda rebuild its Japanese domestic sales. It would seem at first sight too small, quirky and niche for North America, but then for a long time, they said exactly the same about the Fit and look what happened to that.

Source: http://www.autoobserver.com/2008/05/honda-freed-could-it-rock-n-roll-in-america.html

Honda Positioned Well in Current Market Conditions

With the current state of high gas prices across North America, buyers are switching their buying habits to smaller cars, which makes some manufacturer's more prepared than others. While some manufacturer's are shutting down production and laying off workers (Ford, GM, Dodge....), Honda with it's class leading Honda Civic and Honda FIT are selling in droves, which is having a positive affect for Honda's production. Sure, sales of the Ridgeline, Pilot, and even Odyssey have dipped a bit, but with the surgence of the Civic, Fit, and I will even say CRV, instead of laying off worker's or shutting down plants, Honda is just switching production around and moving workers from one plant to another to keep up with demand.

Honda saving U.S. jobs by switching models

Yuri Kageyama / Associated Press

TOKYO -- Honda will meet growing U.S. demand for small cars while maintaining North American jobs by moving production of two bigger models from Canada to Alabama, Chief Executive Takeo Fukui said Thursday.
Honda Motor Co.'s Pilot sport-utility vehicle and Ridgeline pickup, now rolling off its plant in Alliston, Ontario, will be produced in Lincoln, Ala., allowing the production of the Civic sedan to be raised in Canada, he said.
"Gas prices continue to rise, and the demand for cars with good mileage is growing," Fukui told reporters at a Tokyo hotel. "Efforts are under way to increase the local production of the Civic."

Even the usually booming Japanese automakers are sensing the pinch from a U.S. economic slowdown and soaring material costs, including steel. But the Japanese are holding up better than their American rivals because of their reputation for fuel-efficient offerings.

General Motors' top managers are working on additional restructuring measures to deal with a declining U.S. auto market and an accelerated shift from trucks to more fuel-efficient vehicles, a person familiar with the plan told The Associated Press late Wednesday.

Such a move would come on top of thousands of job cuts at GM over the past three years mainly through buyout and early retirement offers.

Ford said earlier this week that it's planning involuntary layoffs of salaried employees by August as part of a restructuring in the face of slumping sales and record-high gas prices.

Honda's production changes won't create -- or cut -- any jobs in North America. But Fukui noted it will maintain sales momentum.
"And the point is we won't have to reduce employment," he said.

Honda will create American jobs when its plant to build Civics opens in Indiana later this year. That plant, Honda's seventh in North America, is expected to add about 2,000 jobs.
Fukui said Honda's Fit subcompact is another model that is emerging a hit in the U.S., a nation previously known to favor gas-guzzlers.
Still, the overall U.S. auto sales are expected to drop to around 15 million vehicles this year -- down from 17 million as recently as 2005.

For April, General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler all saw double-digit U.S. sales declines compared to last April. But Honda, along with Nissan Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Corp., reported year-on-year gains.

Relatively new auto plants are flexible in production, allowing models to be switched to respond to shifts in demand. At some plants, the same assembly line can produce different models, one after the other.

Source:

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080529/AUTO01/805290438/1148

How the 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid Sedan Works

This is Honda's hybrid answer. The Honda Civic hybrid showcases Honda's renewed commitment to Hybrid technology and gives drivers a environmentally friendly car without any compromise on style, performance or comfort.

Honda's Hybrid system is called Integrated Motor Assist (IMA). Developed in 1999 it was first launched in the 2 seat-er Honda Insight which gave an idea of how advanced it was - 83 miles per gallon on a combined cycle.

Hybrid is the combination of a gas engine with an electric motor. The electric motor is coupled to a powerful battery. The electric motor helps the engine by giving it a boost during acceleration and solely runs the car at idle to reduce emissions and fuel consumption. The battery that powers the electric motor charges itself up with regenerative energy from deceleration and braking. A regenerative brake is a mechanism that reduces vehicle speed by converting some of its kinetic energy into electrical energy. A brake pedal sensor sends a signal to the car's computer, activating systems whenever the driver applies the brake. This allows braking energy from the wheels to be stored as electrical energy in the high voltage battery for future use. Therefore the car never needs to be recharged from an external power supply. This regenerative brake assistance also extends the life of the brakes and their components as it reduces its workload appreciably.

The majority of the hybrid cars available in the market today aren't that good looking. And nobody wants to drive around in a car that looks like a deflated football. Honda engineers have taken note and engineered the components to enhance looks and more importantly, help achieve their primary targets.

The elegant styling combines a sweeping roof-line, a sharply raked windscreen and short overhangs that contribute to the vehicle's advanced mono-form profile. Superior aerodynamics is achieved by ultra-tight body panels that fit firmly around the monocoque frame. A chin spoiler and a lip spoiler are also designated to aid the aerodynamics by reducing turbulence beneath and behind the car. The low-drag alloy wheels are made specifically for the Civic Hybrid so to enhance the looks and reduce excess weight while the opposable windscreen wipers serve both styling and efficient cleaning purposes.

The fuel tank is made from an innovative six-layer polyethylene composite material that blocks fuel evaporation and saves weight. The front sub-frame which accommodates the engine and transmission is produced from hydro-formed elements for increased strength and rigidity. Special rubber floating mounts minimize the level of road and engine NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) entering the passenger cabin.

But it's not all about the looks. Honda's new IMA system gives out more power than a conventional 1.6-litre engine (115PS), but only uses the same amount of fuel as a 1.1-litre car. There's no ambiguous starting procedure or complicated operating system – it looks and drives like a modern, stylish saloon with a top speed of 115mph. The Civic Hybrid's engine took top honors for three successive years at International Engine of the Year "1 litre to 1.4 litre" size category award from 2002 through 2004 and the "Best Fuel Economy" category for 2003 and 2004.

The Civic hybrid is one of the safest cars in its class. It is equipped with ABS and Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) to achieve decent stability and high braking performance. Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) assists the driver in maintaining maximum possible control during cornering, acceleration and sudden manoeuvres by applying braking either to the right or left wheels accordingly while controlling the throttle and brake systems simultaneously.

The Civic Hybrid uses multiple "load paths" to limit penetration of the car's structure by absorbing more of the crash energy if it encounters a collision. Whatever energy gets through is mitigated by the car's eight standard air bags. The Civic Hybrid has earned top safety rankings from NHTSA and IIHS. To help reduce pedestrian injuries in the event of a collision, the Civic Hybrid's bonnet and wing areas are designed to deform if contacted by the head of an adult or child pedestrian. Energy-absorbing collapsible bonnet supports, wiper arms and wing mounts are designed to allow a degree of deformation in an impact making this car very safe to travel in.

For more information on some other 'Green Cars' check out the link;
http://www.automotoportal.com/article/5-best-selling-green-cars

Yamaha Deus Ex Machina concept bike

Well, I've seen some funky concept vehicles in my day, but this one takes the cake! Looks like it should be something right out of the uncoming Transformers 2 movie.

This Yamaha-branded Deus Ex Machina concept motorcycle was dreamed up by Jake Loniak, an Art Center Pasadena student. It obviously looks awesome. Like a robot and a vehicle all in one. Since it’s a concept, Jake went a little crazy with the specs. It will be powered by ultra-capacitors and doped nano-phoshpate batteries (like those in hybrid cars). 36 pneumatic muscles and 2 linear actuators are set along a spine consisting of seven vertebrae, and that’s what keeps it in control.

I'd hate to see the crash test result for this one.

Source:
http://www.slipperybrick.com/2008/05/yamaha-deus-ex-machina-concept-bike/

2010/2011 Honda FIT Hybrid

Adding a hybrid version of the popular and 10Best-winning Fit seems much like putting a second layer of icing on an already tasty cake. But in his press conference, Fukai is quoted as saying the premium for the hybrid over the conventional Fit cannot exceed $2000. The current price of a Fit ranges from $14,585 to $16,705. The hybrid reportedly would go on sale by 2015 with the third-generation of the B-segment car.
While Toyota gets most of the credit for the burgeoning hybrid market, Honda was actually first on the scene in the U.S. with the Insight in 1999. But consumers have not snapped up its subsequent hybrids, forcing the automaker to drop its Accord hybrid from the 2008 model line due to slow sales.

Honda Announces Additional Details on New Small Hybrid Vehicle

Reduction in component size and manufacturing costs to improve hybrid affordability

05/20/2008 - TORRANCE, Calif. -
Honda today announced additional details regarding its new small hybrid scheduled for introduction in early 2009, as part of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. CEO Takeo Fukui's mid-year address. An official name and full product details will be announced later this year.

In addition to weight reduction, a significant cost reduction in Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) components will result in the most affordable hybrid vehicle to date. This dedicated hybrid vehicle will be offered as a 5-door hatchback with seating for five passengers and will employ an exterior design concept that evokes the FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle. Along with the Civic Hybrid, the new vehicle will be produced at an expanded IMA production line at Honda's Suzuka factory in Japan.

The new small gasoline/electric hybrid vehicle will have expected annual global sales of 200,000 units per year - approximately 100,000 of which are bound for the North American market. Following this launch, Honda also plans to introduce another unique small hybrid vehicle based on the CR-Z sports car first shown at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show as well as a Fit hybrid model. Including the Civic Hybrid, these four hybrid vehicles are expected to reach combined annual global sales of approximately 500,000 units.

"Honda has been at the forefront of hybrid development since it first introduced the American public to hybrid technology with the Insight in 1999," said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda. "These new advancements in Honda's technology and production systems will result in cost reductions that will allow us to make hybrid technology available to a whole new generation of buyers."

Featuring seating for five passengers, distinctive styling and high-value amenities, the new hybrid will present an appealing package. Taking advantage of reductions in the size of components, the battery and the internal processing unit will be positioned below the rear cargo area, allowing the hatchback design to provide adequate cargo space to meet the needs of a family. Additionally, various technologies, including a function to assist more fuel efficient driving, are being installed to achieve a further improvement of practical fuel efficiency. With its affordable price, the new hybrid vehicle will represent the best value in its segment.

The new hybrid will be produced at a newly developed second IMA production line at Honda's Suzuka factory, which currently produces the Civic Hybrid. With the second line in operation and improvements in IMA production efficiency, hybrid production capacity at Suzuka will increase from 70,000 vehicles per year to approximately 250,000 units, with future expansion possible if needed.

Honda is committed to offering products with the highest environmental performance produced at factories with reduced environmental footprints. A leader in the development of cleaner, more fuel-efficient mobility products, Honda introduced the first low-emission vehicles; America's first gas/electric hybrid car, the Insight and the world's first EPA-certified hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle, among other environmental achievements. In 2007, Honda was named "greenest automaker" by the Union of Concerned Scientists for the fourth straight time.

More Misc. Info. on the 2009 Honda Pilot

The Pilot's top-hinged tailgate design is improved with the addition of lift-up glass hatch for improved access to the cargo area. The glass hatch can be opened via the remote key fob (on the Pilot LX, EX, EX-L), a button on the top right side of the license plate garnish, or a button inside the vehicle located on the lower part of the driver's door. The tailgate glass incorporates an electric defogger system, activated by a button on the dash, along with an intermittent rear wiper and washer nozzle.

Every 2nd generation Pilot includes an integrated tow hitch as standard equipment. The Class III hitch supports a maximum tow rating of 4,500 pounds (2,045 kg) on four-wheel-drive models and 3,500 pounds (1,590 kg) on the two-wheel-drive LX. To supplement the Pilot's towing capability, standard cooling equipment includes a high-capacity radiator with dual high-power fans, transmission cooler and power steering cooler. The Pilot 4WD's 4,500-pound (2,045 kg) rating is calculated to include up to four passengers and their cargo. Pre-wiring is included for trailer lighting and an electric brake controller. Pilot Touring models are equipped with a 7-pin trailer unit and harness.

The primary heating, air conditioning and ventilation (HVAC) controls are located on one easy-to-use panel in the centre instrument console and include individual controls for temperature, fan speed, vent selection (centre, floor and defogger vents), rear electric defogger and fresh or recirculated air. Independent control of the rear HVAC unit is standard. To maximize passenger comfort, the Pilot LX features a front and rear air conditioning system with air filtration. The controls for the rear zone are conveniently located on the rear of the front console.

2009 Honda Global Hybrid Illustration

Vtec.net has a illustration from the Japanese magazine 'Mag X' stating that this is what the new Global Hybrid is going to look like. Surprising considering everyone is expecting a hatch back. I have learn't over the years that these magazine illustrations tend to be more accurate than not.

Priddy and Assoc. Spy Shots of 2009 Acura TL

And just for comparison sake, here is the 2008 Honda Accord.

For more shots, check out these sources;

http://www.leftlanenews.com/acura-tl-future.html
http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=761388

http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=761711

Honda FIT Coupe?

Found this on Vince Burlap's The Hollywood Extra, he seems to think it is a Fit coupe. I don't know where he got the photo, but I do know that Honda is in works on a sporty Hybrid, this may be that. Anyway, thought I'd pass it on.

Introducing, The 2009 Honda Pilot

Well, just got filled into what is going on with the Honda Pilot here in Canada, so Here goes;

There will be 6X Trim Levels;
2008 Honda Pilot LX 2WD
2008 Honda Pilot LX 4WD
2008 Honda Pilot EX 4WD
2008 Honda Pilot EX-L 4WD
2008 Honda Pilot EX-L RES (DVD) 4WD
2008 Honda Pilot Touring

The new 2008 Honda Pilot is all around bigger, length, width, height, track, everything. New for 2009 will be that every trim level will get the Heavy-duty automatic transmission cooler, the Heavy-duty power steering cooler, and a integrated Hitch with a cover. The new Pilot can now tow 4,500 pounds on a 4WD model and 3,500 pounds on a 2WD model. All models come equipped with Hill Start Assist timer, which will stop the vehicle from rolling back when switching from brake petal to acceleration petal on a incline, great for pulling boats out of water! The brakes are also bigger and built for towing.

Under the hood (btw, the hood is much lighter now due to the fact that it is now all alluminum) is a 3.5 litre V6 SOHC i-Vtec engine that puts out 250hp and 253torque. The engine will also use the VCM II (Variable Cylinder Management) and will deactivate cylinders to run from 6 to 4 to 3 to maximize gas mileage. This will be like having 3X different engines under the hood. The engine is mated together with a nice 5 speed automatic transmission. Still only Regular fuel. Even though the Pilot is a little bigger and heavier, it is expected to maintain current fuel ratings.

The shifter is now located on the dash console as opposed to on the floor or attatched to the steering column, this makes it out of the way and gives more use of space. The console is massive. Honda has also adopted the 'One Touch Starter' from the Acura RL, you turn the key over just once and it will continue to crank until started for you (crank's for approx. 10 sec). Starting at the EX and up trim levels, Honda has also added Tri-zone Automatic Climate control. Tilt and Telescopic steering wheel is also added throughout the lineup.

Inside the front console between the front two seats is a nice big storage bin that also has a auxillary input jack for a i-pod or a mp3 player. There is also a USB connector in the Touring models only that will charge the i-pod and allow you to interact with the interface of the Navigation screen. You can also hook up normal memory sticks to the USB port as well. There is also a low wattage 110 AC outlet for small devices like a laptop or a Game system.

The rearview camera located in the rearview mirror makes it's way to the 2008 Honda Pilot EX-L and Touring models. The 2008 Honda Odyssey EX-L and up has this feature and is it a nice touch.

Apparently the 3rd row has alot more room, room enough for adults. You wouldn't know it by this photo, but I did see an adult sit in the back of one of these and he did look comfortable.

The 2008 Honda Pilot also features Honda's ACE body structure (Advanced Compatability Engineered) which will disperse the energy of a crash better than ever and also strengthens the roof line. The spare tire is located under the rear of the vehicle. 17" wheels on all models along with wider tires result in added traction to go along with the ABS, EBD, TC, and VSA.

The 3rd row headrests no longer have to come off in order to fold the seats down, they are integrated into the seat now. You'll notice on the base of the drivers side rear pillar that there is a side compartment with a handle, this will swallow a full 4.5 litre jug of washer fluid with room to spare, By The Way, 6.5 litres of washer fluid can now be held in the resevoir.

Where the 3rd row headrests were held before is now much larger and deeper and has approx. 79 litres of space, perfect for a small stroller or some golf clubs, not to mention what is in the photo. The tailgate on the Touring model is powered.

Other bits of info:

-The glass in the EX-L and the Touring models are called 'accoustic glass', which is 2 sheets of glass put together with a special resin sandwiched between to act as a sound dampener.

-Headlights Auto On/Off on ALL trim levels

-2nd and third row heating ducts.

-Moonroof with Tilt feature on Leather models only.

-XM Satellite radio on Leather models only.

-Touring model now has 2nd row heated leather seats.

Anyway I can't wait to see this now.

2011 Honda Ridgeline Hybrid Model?

Looks like the economic feasability of a Diesel engine coming to North America are starting to waver. It was expected that by the time the next gen (2011, as a 2012 model) Ridgeline came about that so would a V6/V8 diesel engine. Now, rumours are that Honda is leaning towards a Hybrid model which of course would work with cylinder deactivation (VCM). There are still rumours of a 4.2 litre V8 engine, and it would make sense that Honda would have 2X options for this vehicle, 1X gas and 1X Hybrid or Diesel.

As always, I'll keep you posted as I hear anything else.

Ridgeline Expected to Recieve a Substantial Facelift for 2009

No, it's not going to look quite like the above vehicle, I just happen to love the kit that is on this 2006 Honda Ridgline.

This is an apparent spyshot of the revised Ridgeline, I won't bother posting the rear shot, it's identical to the current version and will probably change as of release time sometime in the next month or so.

Vtec.net reports from an anonymous source that;

"the MMC is in fact taking place during model year 2009, and it will be appearing in showrooms sometime in July. Honda has reportedly informed its dealers that the Ridgeline has gone through a "large scale, minor-model change (MMC)". A "bolder look" is promised, along with "integrated towing features" and several new accessories. Styling improvements are said to have been executed to both the front and the rear of the vehicle. New features coming to the RTL model include 18" wheels and a rear-view camera. Also coming are two additional bed tie downs, daytime running lights (DRL), and a hitch integrated into the rear bumper. Interior enhancements are also coming, and a new soft tonneau cover will be offered."

Changes Expected for the 2009 Honda Civic?

Changes? Sure. Big ones? Nope! And how could you? When the current bodystyle of the Civic came onto the market, it threw the competition on its ear (2006-2007 Honda Accord included). Honda has raised the bar so high in this segment that I'd hate to be the one responsible for 'one-upping' this one. Expect some minor mid model changes to the front head lights and rear tail lights with some added colour choices (with the subtraction of others). The Si is rumoured to have a new intake manifold, but that should be it. Frankly, I can't blame Honda for not wanting to mess with the formula that has made this car so successful.

The Honda Stream or Latitude for the North American Markets in 2009?

According to the Temple of Vtec;

"Stream/Latitude (Crossover)
The buzz regarding bringing the Honda Stream into the US has been brewing for years, but we've yet to hear any sort of confirmation. Honda has been contemplating a crossover that would slot in between the CR-V and Pilot, and the Stream would almost be a candidate for that (at least in terms of passenger capacity), but it's based on the Civic architecture and is actually positioned below the CR-V in its home market. Whatever the case, we feel that Honda could capitalize on the US's renewed interest in small vehicles by placing the Stream into showrooms ASAP.

UPDATE: We've received word from a source that a new crossover is a go and it will be using the name 'Latitude'. Consistent with past rumors, it's also supposedly based upon the Accord architecture - so it's sounding less probable that it will simply be a re-badged Stream. It also sounds like that this may be one of the 2 "surprises". We're also thinking this will be positioned directly against the new Toyota Venza. Summary: An Accord-based crossover is supposedly on its way.

Available: 2009"

Here are some of my past articles on this subject;
http://thehondaportal.blogspot.com/2007/09/2007-honda-stream.html

http://thehondaportal.blogspot.com/2007/10/2010-honda-stream-update.html

The Honda FIT; The Car of the Future Today

Honda's Fit meets fuel economy rules that are still several years away.
Joseph B. White
Wall Street Journal
06 May 2008 03:32

Detroit is partying like it's 1979.

Gasoline prices are soaring. Big V-8 powered muscle machines are gathering dust on dealer lots. Sales of small cars are surging. The government is ordering steep increases in new vehicle fuel economy in the cause of reducing America's reliance on foreign oil.

What's this nasty flashback mean for the future of the automobile? Maybe you think the antidote to gas pump angst is a plug-in hybrid such as the Chevy Volt, or a new generation all-electric car such as those that Nissan Motor Corp. says it may launch in the U.S. as soon as 2011 . If so, you'll need to wait, or take your chances with one of the flock of tiny upstart car companies testing their wings on the Internet.

But there are mainstream, name-brand cars you can buy today that can vault you all the way to 2011 or 2012 -- at least in terms of the new fuel-efficiency targets the Bush administration is proposing for the next seven years. One such car is Honda Motor Corp.'s Fit.

The Fit, which typically sells for about $16,000, occupies a niche in today's U.S. auto market similar to the one the early Honda Civic hatchbacks occupied during the 1979-80 oil crunch period. Standing in for the gas-guzzling Pontiac muscle cars and Lincoln land yachts of the late 1970s are vehicles like the Chevrolet Tahoe, one of the best-selling big sport utility vehicles that lorded over the highways just a few years ago.

The Fit gets about double the mileage of a Tahoe -- 30 miles per gallon combined compared with 16 miles per gallon for the Chevy, according to government fuel-efficiency estimates. (fueleconomy.gov) The Department of Transportation is proposing that by 2015, the average fuel efficiency of all new vehicles -- cars and light trucks -- should be about 31.6 miles per gallon. If our vehicle fleet operated at the 2015 standard today -- roughly equivalent to all of us trading in our rides for Fits tomorrow -- it would be about 25% more efficient than the cars and trucks we ride around in today.

At $3.51 a gallon, a Fit would burn up about $1,753 in gasoline during 15,000 miles of driving. A Tahoe would siphon $3,291 out of your wallet, unless you could fill it up with an E85 ethanol blend, in which case the toll would be $3,136 a year. One plus for the Tahoe: After you put $82 or so into the tank, it would run 374 miles before you had to visit the gas station again. The Fit's tiny 10.8 gallon tank only holds enough for 292 miles of driving between F and E.

If you're keeping score on carbon, the Fit would put 6.1 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere every year, compared with 11.4 tons for the big SUV.

In other ways, the Fit represents a significant advance over the tiny Hondas that got their big break around the time Jimmy Carter was making "cardigan" a political four-letter word.

The Fit is tiny compared to the Tahoe, weighing in at just 2,551 pounds to the big Chevy's 5,233 pounds. Still, the Fit scored a five-star rating for front passenger protection in the federal government's crash tests, and a five-star rating for side-impact protection for front-seat passengers. The rear-seat passenger side impact score was three stars.

Those are the same scores as the Tahoe, except for the rear-seat side-impact test, where the tall-riding SUV scored five stars.

That doesn't mean I'd want to crash my Fit into a Tahoe. I didn't pay a lot of attention in high school physics, but I grasped the basics about mass and momentum.

But Honda's focus on the problems presented by making a subcompact car more crashworthy has produced a vehicle that is objectively safer for its occupants than a 1979 Civic, but also feels safer and more solid on the road.

The Fit also offers clever solutions to the other problem with small cars. They're small. There's not as much room for people and stuff. The Fit uses a variety of tricks – including positioning the gas tank in the center of the car so that the seats can fold flatter and lower to the ground – to increase cargo capacity. (Other manufacturers who've focused on improving their small cars over the years work what industry people call "packaging" just as hard – including the European and Asian arms of the Detroit manufacturers.)

So are we all ready to drive cars like the Fit? A lot more of us are than were a year ago. The Power Information Network's analysis of vehicles traded by people buying Fits shows that the top three trade-ins are larger Honda models. But at No. 5 on the list is the Dodge Caravan, with the now discontinued Chevy Blazer SUV at No. 6.

Sales in the "lower small" segment as defined by Autodata Corp., which includes the Fit and rival cars such as the Chevy Aveo or the Nissan Versa, are up 33.9% through the first four months of this year, jumping even as sales of all cars and light trucks fell nearly 8%. The Fit isn't the biggest seller in its segment – that title belongs to the Toyota Yaris. But new Fits are selling in just 20 days after hitting the dealerships, according to Power Information Network data. That's one day faster than the average Toyota Prius and more than twice as fast as the average Yaris.

How bad is the big SUV market? General Motors Corp.'s production of vehicles like the Tahoe has been crippled for nearly three months by a strike at a major supplier, and GM dealers still had 125 days worth of unsold Tahoes nailed to their lots as of April 30. Overall, large SUV sales are cratering, down 29% so far this year, according to Autodata figures.

The asteroid has landed on the dinosaurs. Vehicles like the Fit look like the crafty mammals that will thrive among the wreckage, until something more highly evolved comes along.

2009 Honda Airwave Wagon Facelift

The Honda Airwave is not available in North America or Europe, it is exclusive to the Japanese market and has been around since 2005, which puts it right in line with Honda's mid life model update. This vehicle is based on the Honda Fit platform and even uses the Fit's 1.5litre engine with the same five speed automatic transmission. Just like the Fit, the gas tank has been moved from under the rear seats to the front, creating a significant amount of freed space for versatility.

No word on whether we would ever get this, considering it is just a longer version of the Honda Fit.

New Honda Hybrid Over Honda Diesel?

There have been rumblings about the new proposed Diesel for Honda being scrapped in favour of a new Accord Hybrid. This looks to be rumoured because of the run away success of the Toyota Camry Hybrid. There are NO official reports or sources on this, it is just something that I have heard when discussing how well the Toyota Camry Hybrid has been doing.

This time Honda would do well to;

-Make it a 4 cylinder Hybrid

-Put the battery into the floor and allow the rear seats to fold down.

-Have 1X (de-contented, ie: no moonroof, no power seat, no alloys, JUST the basic power group and A/C, Tilt, Cruise) cloth trim level and 1X (loaded up) leather trim level to start.

-Keep the style in line with the current Accord.

Anyway, food for thought.

2009 Acura RL / Honda Legend Revealed

For those who don't know, everything that is Acura here in North America is a Honda in Japan. You might remember the Acura Legend here, which was re-badged the RL (don't know why they had to change the nameplates). The Acura here will have a mildly different front grill, but aside from that, here's the car.