2026 Honda FIT/Jazz getting a Minor Model Change....China Only....Not for North America

It was a sad day when Honda decided to discontinue the Honda Fit for North America, it truly showcased Honda's engineering with how the Magic Seats worked and how Honda could continue to make a 'small car outside, big car inside'.  No plans to bring the car back to North America.

New Honda Freed Leaked In China

China’s leaky patent bureau had leaked again; this time with renderings of the new Honda Freed mini MPV that is scheduled for launch in September. The Honda Freed is mostly sold in Asian and South East Asian markets, but not in China. The new Freed however will make it to the Chinese market.

The current Freed debuted in 2008, is is based on the same platform as the Jazz/Fit. It is manufactured in Japan and in Indonesia. If it comes to China it will be made locally by one of Honda’s joint ventures; Dongfeng-Honda or Guangzhou-Honda.

The Freed is powered by a 1.5 with 118hp and 148nm, mated to a five-speed manual or a CVT. The engine will continue in the new Freed with a few horses more. Honda is also working on a full-electric version of the Freed.

Current Freed.

The market for small and mini MPVs is booming in China, so bringing in the Freed now would be a good idea. It has to be cheap though, to compare with the offerings of local Chinese car makers, which are getting better by the day.

Source;
http://www.carnewschina.com/2016/06/23/new-honda-freed-leaked-in-china/

Honda City hatchback (Honda Gienia) leaked in China

Hatchback version of the Honda Griez sedan.

Autohome.cn has acquired a spyshot of the production-spec Honda Concept B, which is christened as Honda ‘Gienia’. It is the hatchback version of the Honda Griez sedan, and both are based on the Honda City’s platform.

The exterior of the Gienia will draw design cues from the Honda Concept B, featuring a large Solid Wing Face with bold chrome elements, gloss black grille, projector headlamps and sporty bumper design. The rear-end has boomerang-shaped taillights connected by strip that runs across the upper portion, sculpted bumper with chrome accents and a rear spoiler.

The Gienia measures 4,517 mm long, 1,705 mm wide, 1,477 mm high, and has a wheelbase of 2,600 mm. Compared to the Griez, it is 22 mm shorter in overall length. Powering the Honda Gienia will be a 1.5L i-VTEC petrol engine producing 96 kW (128.6 hp) and 155 Nm of torque. A 5-speed manual gearbox will be the standard transmission, while a CVT option would also be available.

The Gienia will be manufactured by the Dongfeng-Honda JV, and sold alsongside its four-door sedan sibling later this year.

Source;
http://indianautosblog.com/2016/06/honda-city-hatchback-honda-gienia-leaked-china-235528

Acura CDX compact crossover debuts at 2016 Beijing Auto Show (not intended for North America)

By Viknesh Vijayenthiran of www.motorauthority.com  

It was roughly three years ago that Acura previewed a new compact crossover with its SUV-X concept car.

Today at the 2016 Beijing Auto Show we were graced with the unveiling of the production version, the CDX.

The CDX is the first Acura manufactured in China and may at some point be exported to other markets, judging by previous comments made by a senior engineer. However, at the unveiling Acura said the vehicle was designed primarily for the Chinese market.

The CDX is related to Honda’s HR-V already on sale in the United States, so there’s a chance we may see it yet. If sold here it would target the Audi Q3, BMW X1, Lincoln MKC and Mercedes-Benz GLA.

It features the latest take on the Acura’s Precision Crafted design principles, though on the tiny form of the CDX the enlarged grille, Acura symbol and headlights look a little out of proportion. We haven’t been shown the interior just yet but expect it to resemble the layout and design of the HR-V’s cabin.

Power comes from the new turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine of parent company Honda. The engine is mated to an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission and can power either the front wheels only or all four.

Sales commence in China in July of this year.

Honda also had a new crossover in Beijing.  Called the Avancier, the new crossover is a mid-size model whose design has been inspired by the Concept D unveiled a year ago, a rakish crossover not unlike the unsuccessful Honda Crosstour.

The Avancier features a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and has been developed exclusively for sale in China. It’s due to go on sale by the end of the year.

For more from the Beijing Auto Show, head to our dedicated hub.

Source;
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1083417_acura-cdx-compact-crossover-debuts-at-2016-beijing-auto-show

Overview of Honda and Acura Exhibits for the 14th Beijing International Automotive Exhibition (Auto China 2016)

BEIJING, China, April 7, 2016 - Honda Motor (China) Investment Co., Ltd., a wholly-owned Honda subsidiary in China, today announced the outline of Honda and Acura exhibits for the 14th Beijing International Automotive Exhibition (Auto China 2016), which will take place in Beijing, China. (Press days: April 25 - 26, 2016, Public days: April 29 – May 4, 2016).

The Honda exhibit will include the world premiere of the production model of an all-new SUV developed based on the Concept D, which was unveiled at Auto Shanghai 2015 last year. The Acura exhibit will include all-new models such as a new compact SUV, which will become the first Acura model to be produced locally in China.

Overview of Honda exhibit
Honda will set up a joint booth with Guangqi Honda Automobile Co., Ltd. and Dongfeng Honda Automobile Co., Ltd. and the Honda exhibit will include all-new SUV model developed exclusively for the Chinese market, the all-new Accord Hybrid which will become the first hybrid model Honda will produce in China starting in the second half of this year, as well as the all-new Civic.

＜Automobiles＞

• Guangqi Honda: All-new SUV (world premiere), all-new Accord Hybrid (China premiere)
• Dongfeng Honda: All-new Civic
• Other mass-production models:
  - Guangqi Honda: Accord, Vezel, Crider, Odyssey, City, Fit, Crosstour, Li Nian S1
  - Dongfeng Honda: CR-V, Spirior, Elysion, Jade, XR-V, Greiz, Ciimo

＜Motorcycles＞

• CRF1000L Africa Twin, NC750X and CB500X

＜Others＞

• HondaJet (1/4 model), HF120 turbofan jet engines and UNI-CUB β

Overview of Acura exhibit
The Acura exhibit will include the all-new compact SUV model which will become the first Acura model to be produced locally in China and the all-new NSX the next-generation supercar model.

• All-new compact SUV (world premiere)
• All-new NSX (China premiere)
• RLX, TLX, RDX, MDX

Press conference schedule (plans)
- Honda: Monday, April 25, 2016/11:20 - 11:40
- Acura: Monday, April 25, 2016/13:00 - 13:30

SPYSHOTS: Honda UR-V spotted virtually undisguised

by Gerard Lye of www.paultan.org

Following Honda’s trademark filings for the ‘UR-V’ nameplate in China, the upcoming SUV has now been leaked virtually undisguised by Sohu. The UR-V is built specifically for the Chinese market by the Guangzhou-Honda joint venture, and is expected to debut at this year’s Beijing Motor Show.

So how does the UR-V look when compared to the vehicle that previewed it, the Concept D? Well, the front fascia shares very little in common with the Auto Shanghai concept, and appears more conventional in looks, as expected.

Appearing Civic-like, the UR-V sports LED headlamps in a similar design, flanking a large chrome trim piece running across the front grille. The lengthy positioning light bar of the concept is omitted here. Similarly, the large fake intakes and sculpted bumper is not seen on the production UR-V. In its place are smaller fog lamp enclosures with what appears to be an array of LEDs fitted within them.
Moving down the vehicle’s side however, certain elements of the concept are transferred over. Maintaining an almost identical profile, the slat holes located in front of the A-pillars are still here as well.

Even the silver-painted exterior trim piece at the bottom of the doors have been adopted from the concept as well. Elsewhere, the thin side mirrors are replaced, and include a Honda LaneWatch camera (on the right one), a sign of Honda’s Sensing safety suite?

The spyshots here do not include a shot of the UR-V’s rear. However, expect the heavily-sculpted rear bumper of the Concept D to be replaced with something a little “softer”, along with new tail lamps as well, similar to the overhaul that takes place at the front.

For power, a report by autohome claims that the UR-V will be motivated by 2.4 and 2.0 litre petrol engines, with drive being directed to the front wheels (all-wheel drive optional) via a six-speed automatic transmission.

The publication adds that the UR-V will be priced between 250,000 yuan (RM150,035) and 425,000 yuan (RM252,059). Unfortunately, the SUV is exclusive to the Chinese market. Nonetheless, what do you think of the production Honda UR-V’s looks?

Source;
http://paultan.org/2016/04/07/spyshots-honda-ur-v-spotted-virtually-undisguised/

Honda, Acura prep crossovers for Beijing auto show

TOKYO -- Honda Motor Co., which is already outpacing industry growth in China, aims to spur sales by tapping the shift to crossovers with two new entries at this month’s Beijing auto show.
The Honda brand will introduce the production version of a new crossover developed for the China market. The vehicle is based on the ruggedly sculpted Concept D shown as last year’s Shanghai show.

At the time, Honda said the production version will be a top-end crossover positioned as the brand’s “new flagship model” in China. It will feature high-quality driving dynamics and a spacious cabin.

The vehicle is expected to be sold through the carmaker’s two local channels, Guangqi Honda and Dongfeng Honda. At the Beijing show, press days for which begin April 25, the vehicle will be displayed on the Guangqi Honda stand, Honda said.

Meanwhile, Honda’s premium Acura brand will amplify the crossover theme with its own new compact crossover.

Acura did not disclose its name or details. But the vehicle is expected to be developed for China, possibly sharing some underpinnings of the Honda HR-V compact crossover.

The company says it will be the first Acura vehicle manufactured in China, the world’s largest auto market.

Gaining traction in China is key to generating the volume needed to support development of Acura’s pricey, technology-heavy lineup. The brand is sold mainly in the U.S. and spreads limited resources across a six-vehicle lineup, including the r&d-intensive NSX sports car that went on sale in February.

The Acura entry is expected to showcase the brand’s new “precision crafted performance” design language. The styling debuted in the Precision Concept at January’s Detroit auto show.

At the 2013 Shanghai show, Acura unveiled the Acura Concept SUV-X which possibly foreshadows the upcoming crossover. That marked the first time Acura premiered a concept model outside of North America. The company said then that a production version of the SUV-X would go on sale in China in about three years.

Honda Motor Co. is among the Japanese auto companies booking solid sales gains in China, despite cooling demand there.

Honda brand passenger vehicle sales climbed 40 percent to 139,015 units in the first two months of the year, thanks partly to its solid crossover lineup, according to LMC Automotive. The overall passenger vehicle market rose only 7 percent.

Source;
http://www.autonews.com/article/20160407/OEM03/160409835/honda-acura-prep-crossovers-for-beijing-auto-show

Honda Greiz debuts in China

It's always interesting to see what is being release around the world, models that we don't get here in North America.  This one is basically a Honda FIT Sedan, like the Honda City.

Honda Greiz unveiled for Chinese market (2017 Honda City)

For those of us in North America, think of this as being a Honda Fit Sedan....

The Honda Greiz will take on the Volkswagen Santana and will sport a 1.5-litre i-VTEC motor

The Interiors are very similar to the Chinese Honda City

The Honda Greiz takes styling cues from the 2016 Honda Civic and the facelifted Japanese Honda Vezel

by Ritesh Madhokon of www.indiancarbikes.in

      Honda has unveiled the new Greiz for the Chinese market which is set to take on cars like the Volkswagen Santana. The car will be officially launched on the coming 7th of November.

Now don’t get confused, Honda has two joint ventures in China namely Dongfeng Honda and Guangqi Honda. Guangqi Honda already sells the City sedan in China so Honda has developed another B-segment sedan in collaboration with Dongfeng Honda. The new Honda Greiz measures 4495mm in length, 1705mm in width, 1477mm in height and sports a 2600mm wheelbase. The car will be offered with a 1.5-Litre i-VTEC petrol engine mated to a CVT gearbox, the same combo that is offered on the Chinese Honda City.

The Greiz is completely redesigned version of the Honda City (something like the Skoda Rapid and Volkswagen Vento in India but by the same company) and it shows. The exterior has a completely new design in the front and the rear whereas the interior is pretty much the same as that of the City. It looks more like the next generation 2016 Civic and the recently facelifted Japanese Honda Vezel. No complaining though as this is a pretty catchy design and will work well with youngsters purchasing their first sedan. On the insides as mentioned earlier, it is pretty much the same as the Honda City which means it gets a 6.2-inch infotainment system, similar chunky steering wheel with mounted audio control buttons and a touchscreen interface for the climate control system.

The Honda City in India comes with 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines mated to a 5-speed manual and a 6-speed manual gearbox respectively. The petrol also features a new 7-step CVT automatic gearbox which is quite a popular choice among City buyers in India.

Source;
http://www.indiancarsbikes.in/cars/honda-greiz-unveiled-for-chinese-market-129977/

WorldCarFans: Honda Concept D prototype version spied for the first time [video]

To be Honda's flagship model in China

Honda has commenced testing procedures for a production version Concept D and our spies caught a prototype testing in Spain.

Earlier this year at the Auto Shanghai in China we saw Honda's radically styled mid-size SUV featuring a fastback-like rear end. At that point, Honda said their plan is to roll out a production version in 2016 exclusively for the Chinese market where it would act as the company's flagship model. Now, a fully camouflaged prototype has been spotted undergoing testing in Spain.

To put it nicely, the concept was far from being one of Honda's most attractive designs and hopefully the translation to a production car will bring a more appealing body. Despite the massive disguise, the mid-size SUV appears to look significantly toned down and seems to have a very flat rear window. The rear end will definitely be the most interesting or perhaps controversial part of the design and hopefully it will be less busy compared to the concept.

Little else is known about the production car, but Honda said during the Concept D's reveal the road-going model will have "advanced safety technologies and other advanced features" to be worthy of the range-topping status in China. 

Concept D in full Concept form.

Source;

http://www.worldcarfans.com/115092199244/honda-concept-d-prototype-version-spied-for-the-first 

DigitalTrends: Embrace the sporty: Honda introduces VTEC Turbo-powered Jade RS in Japan

by Andrew Hard of www.digitaltrends.com

There are moments where you’re proud to say, “I was there for that.”

We’re not talking massive social movements or ground-breaking inventions here, but in the automotive community, shifts in a manufacturer’s ethos are always cool to witness in real time.

We’re in the midst of such a change for Honda, one where the traditionally conservative Japanese automaker is turning up the burners and committing to real, aggressive performance from many of its cars. This evolution was punctuated by the eye-catching Civic Concept that wowed the 2015 New York Auto Show, as well as the news that the next Civic Type R would indeed make it to the U.S.

Another promising development is the proliferation, across Honda’s range, of VTEC Turbo engines, which aim to generate the power of larger naturally aspirated units but with small-displacement fuel economy. The tenth-generation Civic will equip a 1.5-liter turbo when the line rolls out this fall.
The first donor to receive Honda’s VTEC Turbo technology was the funky Step WGN minivan, and another has just been announced.

It’s called the Jade RS, and it’s a sportier version of the five-door MPV Honda sells in both Japan and China.
With 147 horsepower 149 pound-feet of torque ferrying up to six passengers, the Jade RS is by no means a performance car. It does feature some cool tech though, like the ‘Honda Sensing’ driver-assist safety suite and something called ‘Agile Handling Assist,’ which uses targeted braking to improve cornering in a manner similar to how many torque-vectoring systems operate.

It’s also just a cool trickle-down from the manufacturer’s performance range, as the improved low-end torque across the lineup should dramatically improve driving dynamics. The Jade RS returns around 42 mpg on the U.S. cycle as well, which means the whole things is still very ‘Honda’ indeed


Source;
http://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/2016-honda-jade-rs-pictures-specs-performance-news/#/5

Honda concept D unveiled in Shanghai (Chinese Market Only)

So that's where they put our CrossTour....

Could preview China-only crossover

Honda has introduced the Concept D at Auto Shanghai 2015, following the release of a teaser image late March.

It likely serves as a sneak preview for a China-only crossover with a bold design and probably targeting a young crowd. The front fascia is a bit busy with that huge grille, massive vents and a large bumper incorporating strips of daytime running lights using LED technology just like the futuristic slim headlights.

The side profile is also a bit on the bulky side with those oversized skirts and bulging wheel arches while instead of conventional mirrors it has received cameras. The rear end hosts C-shaped LED taillights and a roof-mounted spoiler together with an angular rear bumper also packing big air breathers.

Sitting on massive 21-inch wheels shod in 285/45 tires, the Honda Concept D wears a bronze paint and has been fitted with recessed door handles while details about the powertrain are not available at this point. However, this is most likely an electric vehicle as it doesn't seem to have an exhaust tip.

Honda says the concept previews a production SUV scheduled to go on sale exclusively in China where it will act as the company's flagship model and is going to feature "advanced safety technologies and other advanced features."

Source;

http://www.worldcarfans.com/115042092478/honda-concept-d-unveiled-in-shanghai

Honda releases teaser image of Compact SUV Concept, likely to unveil at Shanghai Auto Show

TOKYO: Honda has teased a new crossover concept, due to be unveiled at the Shanghai Auto Show.

Few details have been outlaid at this stage, but Honda does tell us that the concept was penned by its Chinese design team.

Honda also says the concept is one that we have not seen before, which previews a new SUV developed exclusively for the Chinese market.

Front styling appears to mirror Honda’s corporate face, seen in the City, Odyssey and Civic, while the side profile could have a few similarities with the new Honda HR-V.

Powertrain specifications are unknown at this stage, but the HR-V’s 105kW/172Nm 1.8 litre four-cylinder petrol engine and CVT automatic could potentially point fans in the right direction.

Otherwise, visitors to the Honda stand in Shanghai can expect to see the new City, CR-V and the US-spec Accord Hybrid models, along with an Odyssey special-needs vehicle and a McLaren F1 racer.

The 2015 Shanghai Auto Show is set to run from April 20-29. Stay tuned to TMR for more.

Source;
http://customstoday.com.pk/honda-releases-teaser-image-of-compact-suv-concept-likely-to-unveil-at-shanghai-auto-show-3/

More Pictures of the Dongfeng Honda XR-V for China

The Honda XR-V debuted today on the 2014 Chengdu Auto Show in China. The Honda XR-V is a Chinese-market variant of the Japanese Honda Vezel and North American Honda HR-V. The Honda XR-V comes with a different front and back, including a sleeker grille and more rectangular styled taillights.

The Honda XR-V is manufactured in China by the Dongfeng-Honda joint venture. It is based on the same platform as the Honda Fit. The Japanese style Honda Vezel will also  be available on the Chinese auto market, it will be manufactured by Guangzhou-Honda, Honda’s other Chinese joint venture. China thus, will have the same car twice. This kinda madness is perfectly normal down here where most Western manufactures have two joint ventures with two different Chinese companies, and each wants what the other one has.

The XR-V will be available with two four-cylinder patrol engines: a 131hp 1.5 and a 165hp 1.8, both mated to a 5-speed manual or a CVT. Size: 4295/1770/1605, wheelbase is 2610.

The XR-V will be launched on the Chinese auto market just before the end of this year. Price will start around 100.000 yuan and end around 140.000 yuan. The Guangzhou-Honda Vezel will cost about the same, and launch around the same time.

The rear is much hipper than on the Vezel. Skid pad, big black bumper, separate fog lights, and a light strip under the window.

Source;
http://www.carnewschina.com/2014/08/30/honda-xr-v-suv-debuts-on-the-chengdu-auto-show-in-china/