Euro 2010 Honda CRV

While the Japanese market 2010 CR-V facelift isn't due to be revealed until September 17, Honda's European division surprised us today with the unveiling of the domestic market model that's set to go on sale from January 2010. In addition to the gentle cosmetic facelift, the European-spec CR-V that is built in the UK also benefits from a cleaner and more powerful 2.2-liter turbo diesel engine that can now be coupled to a new automatic transmission.

For the 2010 model year, the CR-V's looks have been slightly refreshed with newly designed front and rear bumpers, a more conventionally styled front grille without the chrome bars and new 17- and 18-inch alloy wheels plus color coded bumper on higher grade models.

There are no pictures of the interior as of yet but Honda says that the 2010 CR-V receives upgraded fabrics and plastics inside along with a new audio console design. Furthermore, the company claims to have improved sound deadening around the engine and cabin.

Under the bonnet, the revised SUV gets a updated version of the company's 2.2-liter turbo diesel engine that now produces 150 horsepower and 350Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque at 2,000 rpm, an increase of 10 hp and 10Nm over the previous unit.

This diesel unit can be paired with either a manual transmission or Honda's new 5-speed automatic gearbox that has been developed in-house.

Honda said that full specs and pricing on the 2010 CR-V will be announced later in the year, but it is possible that we might learn more about the facelifted model at next week's Frankfurt Show.

Source;

http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2009/09/2010-honda-cr-v-facelift-european.html

Honda FCX Clarity still on track! Coming by 2015…

Only 10 examples of the Honda FCX Clarity are presently on the road since its introduction last year. Despite that, Honda says that it is on track to meet its early sales goals for the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. Honda targets that by 2015, it will be able to offer the FCX Clarity to consumers.

However, until it is able to bring the production costs to an affordable level, it is leasing the cars to select customers in California and Japan. Honda also faces the challenge of developing an accessible fueling infrastructure. Honda had hoped to lease 200 examples by 2012, but claims today that it’s still on pace. Sachito Fujimoto, the chief project manager for the FCX program, said that it will maintain its target of 200 cars and that he would like to make “fuel cell vehicles for the ordinary motorist.” He also talked about making the age of the fuel cell cars begin as early as possible. He said that Honda has tackled a number of issues preventing such vehicles from reaching the market, but still has an arduous task ahead. “The four stages of the five in total are behind us,” Fujimoto said. “We’re now at the beginning of the last and the steepest path to the top.” Among the issues that have yet to be resolved relate to the materials and process used in assembling a fuel cell stack, along with promoting a refueling infrastructure.

Source;
http://www.4wheelsnews.com/honda-fcx-clarity-still-on-track-coming-by-2015/

Honda planning a 2011/12 Honda Freed Minivan Hybrid

Honda Motor Co., Japan's second-largest carmaker, may release hybrid versions of minivans and sedans as it plans to expand its offerings of fuel-efficient vehicles.

Honda plans to release a hybrid version of the Freed minivan around 2011, Nikkei English News reported earlier, citing company President Takanobu Ito. The models and timing haven't been chosen, Ito told journalists in Tokyo on Tuesday.

Honda plans to bring out a hybrid version of the Fit car next year and the hybrid CR-Z sports coupe in February, Ito said in July. The new vehicles will give Honda four hybrids in its lineup.
Ito also said that although it is developing an electric car, Honda cannot yet discuss how it would fit into the carmaker's business model.

Honda is developing a small battery-electric car to be sold in the United States by about 2015, the Nikkei newspaper said Aug. 21.

Source;
http://www.freep.com/article/20090910/BUSINESS01/909100306/1002/Business/Auto-headlines--Geely-plans-Volvo-bid

Japan: Honda plans EV prototype, 2011 Honda Minivan Hybrid?!?

This is an older concept of the Honda ASM Hybrid Minivan, it was rumoured to come to North America a few years back, but obviously was put on the back burner, could this idea be coming back to life?
According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, Honda is poised to make a cautious foray into development of EVs and may display a prototype model at the forthcoming Tokyo auto show. If a production model follows, initial availability is expected to be limited to just the domestic Japanese market and perhaps one export market and region, e.g. in the US.
Despite this tentative step into the EV sector, where domestic rivals Nissan, Toyota and Mitsubishi already have clear strategies, it is believed Honda will continue to dedicate the majority of powertrain technology R&D towards further development of gasoline-electric hybrids. The OEM retains scepticism concerning the performance and safety of EVs and the available infrastructure for recharging.

In a separate report, and in keeping with Honda’s current strategy, the OEM’s president, Takanobu Ito is reported in the Nikkei as saying the company plans to release a hybrid minivan around 2011. The executive is quoted as saying: "First of all, it is important to expand our line-up; we want to introduce a hybrid model to minivans, which continue to enjoy strong customer demand."

Source;
http://www.automotiveworld.com/news/powertrain/78401-japan-honda-plans-ev-prototype

Honda RA-X concept car

Wow, what a nice concept! Honda, hire this guy!
Hailing from Spain, indie-designer Xuacu Pérez Quesada cooked up a concept vehicle that will have most Honda fans salivating. The Honda RA-X is a two-seater concept car that features Gull-wing doors and a sleek design that resembles a fighter-jet cockpit rather than an automobile.

The rear of the vehicle also features four exhaust pipes, and a series of rippled black panels that definitely offer the shuttlecraft aesthetic most geeks have been hoping for. According to the designer, the proposed vehicle would include an amazing 350 horsepower MR engine that would be visible through the top of the car's body. You can see more of Quesada's work here.

Source;
http://dvice.com/archives/2009/09/honda-ra-x-conc.php

2011 Honda CRZ Pic

Staying pretty close to the concept below....but I gotta say it looks a lot nicer than the concept.
Source;
http://www.burlappcars.com/2009/09/2011-honda-cr-z.html

2010 Toyota 4Runner pic leaked

Source;
http://www.autospies.com/news/Images-Of-2010-Toyota-4-Runner-DUD-or-STUD-47660/

Insight 1G: first-gen Honda Insight with diesel upgrade gets 80 mpg

Ever heard of the Insight 1G? Sounds like the name of a first generation of the high-efficiency hybrid, right? It is, but the twist here is that the 1.0-liter, 70 hp gasoline engine has been swapped out in favor of a oil-burning 1.2L PD TDI from Volkswagen, specifically the Lupo 3L. How does the diesel swap make the car run? Excellent, says the Red Light Racing team's website. In fact, they claim they're getting 80 mpg without the hybrid portion of the powertrain in operation (It appears the team is using a manual Insight, which was rated at 53 mpg combined, by the EPA). They expect a further fuel economy boost of around 15 to 20 percent once the bugs in the engine signal translator are worked out.

Speaking of bugs, the conversion hasn't exactly been easy, and the team has set up a list of technical difficulties (and solutions) here. Jake Staub, the team's lead engineer, told AutoblogGreen that, "The main idea was to take existing hardware, hack it, and make a vehicle that could be produced by major manufacturers or individuals that would deliver tremendous fuel economy without a tremendous leap in technology. I believe we succeeded." Do you agree?

Source;
http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/05/insight-1g-first-gen-honda-insight-with-diesel-upgrade-gets-80/