Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Honda Civic Wagon Concept Looks Beautiful in Geneva [Live Photos]

When Honda says the Civic Wagon or Tourer is a concept, it actually means they haven't finished the interior yet, as the body you see here is pretty much what will roll off the line in Swindon next year.

Following the recent trend for shooting brakes, the first wagon version of the Civic is drop-dead gorgeous, at least by Honda standards. Even if we ignore the glistening white headlights that won't be the same on the production car, the flush door pillars make the side profile look like some sort of Pininfarina concept, not something you use to take the kids to school.

The production version of the Civic Tourer will be in dealerships in early 2014 and will be built alongside the hatchback model in Honda’s production facility in Swindon, Wiltshire. It will be available with the very same choice of four engines, two petrol and two diesel, as the Civic hatch.

We expect the pick of the bunch to be either the economical new 1.6 i-DTEC diesel with 120 PS and 300 Nm or the more powerful 2.2-liter diesel for people who really need to hall…

Source;
http://www.autoevolution.com/news/honda-civic-wagon-concept-looks-beautiful-in-geneva-live-photos-55941.html

HONDA AT GENEVA MOTORSHOW 2013

The 2013 Geneva Motor Show is the setting for Honda to unveil the new Civic Tourer Concept. This Concept provides strong cues for the exterior design of the Civic Tourer which will make its debut at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show. 

The CR-V will join the Civic in offering Honda’s new Earth Dreams Technology 1.6 i-DTEC diesel engine. 

The Civic WTCC car competing in this year’s WTCC championship is displayed on the Honda stand accompanied by Honda's works team drivers- Italian Gabriele Tarquini and Portuguese Tiago Monteiro.

Honda will display the JRM Racing HPD ARX-03a which has a chassis developed by HPD and is powered by the Honda 3.4-litre LM-V8 engine. The JRM race car competed in the LMP1 class of the 24 Heures du Mans in 2012, finishing overall in 6th position.

Earth Dreams Technology
The CR-V is the next model in the Honda line-up to benefit from the new Earth Dreams Technology engine series as it joins the Civic in offering the new 1.6 i-DTEC diesel engine. The engine will be available on the two-wheel drive, manual transmission CR-V, providing an exceptional balance of performance and economy. 

The 1.6 i-DTEC diesel is the lightest engine in its class, delivering 300 Nm of torque and with the CR-V, CO2 emissions of 119g/km*. The CR-V will deliver energetic performance, agile handling and low running costs for customers.

*Honda internal figure

Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology series aims to realise both “fun” and “environmental” values - and the NSX Concept represents the halo of the series embodying both these ideals on the ultimate level. At the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, Honda will display the latest NSX Concept that showcases the evolution of this model’s styling and design, including a look at the possible direction for its interior design.

Honda Stand
The full Honda car range are on display including the Accord, CR-V, Civic, and Jazz models. In addition, the full Honda hybrid range will be on show including the world’s first mass produced Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle, the FCX Clarity, the world’s first sporty hybrid, the CR-Z, the flexible Jazz Hybrid as well as the Insight hybrid now with CO2 emissions of just 96g/km.

HONDA CIVIC TOURER CONCEPT
The Civic Tourer Concept shares much of the same DNA as the Civic hatchback model. It has a sophisticated, aerodynamic body that creates a clean, dynamic and elegant look. 

With a unique profile amongst its competitors, the Civic Tourer Concept has a low and wide stance giving it a sporty feel which is complemented by the cab forward design and sleek cabin style which are also found on the Civic hatchback. 

Previous Honda wagon derivatives such as the Accord Tourer and Civic Aero deck have sought to offer sleek design combined with utility and class leading cargo space. The rear styling of the Civic Tourer Concept maintains this design direction making it the ideal vehicle for an active family. 

EVOLUTION OF NSX CONCEPT 
The new Honda NSX Concept makes its European debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show; showcasing the evolution of the next generation supercar’s styling and design, it also provides a look at the possible direction for the interior design.

The exterior design stays remarkably true to the original concept styling, maintaining its low and wide stance with the dynamic and alluring proportions that are highlighted by clean, modern and simple surfacing, and edgy details that communicate supercar attitude and a high-tech feel. 

The new NSX Concept offers a glimpse at a potential direction for the next-generation NSX’s interior design. The interior package boasts outstanding visibility, a strong driving position, and an intuitive “Simple Sports Interface” that minimises interior clutter, allowing the driver to focus on the driving experience. Consistent with the spirit of the original NSX, Honda’s designers have strived to deliver synergy between man and machine. 

With the aim of delivering a new sports car experience that combines supercar dynamic capabilities with advanced environmental performance, the NSX will be powered by a mid-mounted, direct-injected V-6 engine mated to Honda’s Sport Hybrid SH-AWD (Super Handling All-Wheel Drive) system which is part of Earth Dreams Technology series and maximises the overall drive train efficiency, reaffirming Honda’s commitment to reducing CO2 emissions. 

As previously announced, the new NSX is being developed by a global R&D team led by designers and engineers at Honda R&D Americas, Inc. located in Los Angeles, California, and Raymond, Ohio. The new NSX will also be manufactured at a new production facility in central Ohio.

NSX Concept
Length, mm
4,330
Width, mm
1,895
Height, mm
1,160
Wheelbase, mm
2,575
Wheel size
19x9 (front)
20x10 (rear)
Tyre size
255/35R19 (front)
275/30R20 (rear)

HONDA CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC 
Honda’s 1.6 i-DTEC diesel engine is the latest addition to the CR-V line-up. 

Introduction
Rising fuel prices combined with increasingly stringent environmental performance targets have led to greater customer preference for low emission vehicles. Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology series addresses these concerns whilst also delivering advanced and fun driving performance. 

With the increasing demand for lower cost motoring in Europe, the trend for two-wheel drive diesel SUV’s has grown in Europe and now represents nearly 30% of the total C-SUV
market. The new CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC addresses this trend with competitive CO₂ emissions of 119g/km*. The CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC is set to go on sale in autumn 2013 and will be built at Honda's production facility in Swindon, United Kingdom. 

The new CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC helps to assert the original CR-V concept of delivering a perfect, centred balance between the efficiency and performance of a car and the functionality and security of an SUV. The new 1.6 i-DTEC engine in the CR-V combines competitive power (120 PS) and 300 Nm of torque with CO2 emissions of just 119g/km*, offering an impressive balance between fuel economy and performance. 
 
The Engine
Lightest Diesel Engine in its class
Honda’s new 1.6 i-DTEC is comprised of an aluminium cylinder head joined to an open deck aluminium block. It is the lightest diesel engine in its class, weighing 47kg less than Honda’s 2.2 i-DTEC engine. All the individual components have been redesigned to minimise their weight and size and advanced production techniques have helped reduce weight even further. 

Reducing mechanical friction of the 1.6 i-DTEC engine was a key objective in development, and consequently, at 1500rpm, the 1.6 i-DTEC has around 40% less mechanical friction than the 2.2 i-DTEC. “We have reduced the mechanical friction of the engine to the level equivalent of an existing petrol engine, which is an outstanding achievement.” states Tetsuya Mikaye, Chief Engineer for the 1.6 i-DTEC. 

Honda’s engineers have also worked to improve the volumetric efficiency of the cylinders, employing a high intake flow and a high-swirl head port that precisely controls the combustion process to reduce hot spots that create unwanted emissions. The engine air flow is managed by using an EGR (Exhaust gas recirculation) system that operates at high and low pressure to reduce NOx emissions.

*Honda internal figure
 
Design & Features

Efficient, functional and capable
The new CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC’s styling maintains the more aggressive and aerodynamic stance adopted at the introduction of the new CR-V in 2012, with deeper sculpting of the bodylines and a bolder nose section.

The new CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC allows a broad range of drivers to achieve an ideal driving position as the bonnet design allows for improved visibility around the nose area making it easier for the driver to judge distances when manoeuvring. The CR-V's large wheels and bold wheel arches and lower front bumper are designed to convey its SUV capability and dynamic presence. 

The new CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC will include Honda’s easy fold-down 60/40 split rear seats which can be folded flat in one movement. At the pull of a handle, the CR-V can be transformed from a five-seater passenger car into a versatile load-lugger. 

The CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC will feature Honda's acclaimed ECON mode which helps to minimise fuel consumption and the Eco Assist system which advises drivers on how their driving style is impacting on fuel economy. Idle Stop technology will also be standard on the new CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC. Many of Honda’s advanced Active and Passive Safety features will also be available on the new CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC including a suite of ground-breaking technologies in the form of ACC (Automatic Cruise Control), LKAS (Lane Keeping Assist System) and CMBS (Collision Mitigation Braking System), that raise safety to a new level.

CR-V history 
Over five million CR-Vs have been sold across the world since its introduction in 1995. The CR-V is one of the world’s top-selling SUVs, sold in more than 160 countries throughout Europe, Asia, North America, South America and Africa. The new CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC is exclusive for Europe and will go on sale in Autumn this year.

CR-V milestones in Europe 
2000  CR-V production begins at Honda of the U.K. Manufacturing (HUM)
2004  ¼ million CR-Vs sold in Europe
2006  ½ million CR-Vs sold in Europe
2012 4th Generation CR-V production starts at HUM.

Specification 
CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC
Displacement
cc
1596
Max Power
kW/PS
88/120
@ rpm

4000
Max Torque
Nm
300
@ 2000rpm

2000
CO2 emissions
g/km
119*

*Honda internal figure

HONDA GENUINE ACCESSORIES

CR-V Black Edition
Honda has created a Black Edition option pack that has been designed to give black CR-Vs even more stylish standout and classy functionality. This pack extends the black theme by perfectly complementing the Crystal Black paint of the CR-Vs bodywork and includes a front grille, tail gate spoiler, running board, front and rear skid plates, and alloy wheels.

Like all of Honda’s accessories packs, every part has been engineered for a perfect fit with the lines and curves of the CR-V.

The front grille features a honeycombed pattern with shiny black surround, that not only matches the car’s bodywork, but also gives it a more powerful expression of performance.

To top the tail, the tail gate spoiler makes an ideal addition. Seamlessly extending the flowing lines of the roof over the rear window, it lends a sleek, aerodynamic and sporty touch.

For CR-V owners, getting into their vehicle is always special. But with stylish running boards the experience is a real step up. Smoothly integrated and making it easier to step in or out of your CR-V, they are as practical as they are stylish.

Protecting the underside of the CR-V is always a good idea, and with Honda’s new front and rear skid plates comes a ruggedly elegant solution. The shiny black garnish emphasizes the hunkered-down styling and stance.

But for all-round attitude, alloy wheels are hard to beat. Both in Gunpowder Black finish, 2 possible designs – 18” Taurus or 19” Orion – more than complete the Black Edition look.

The CR-V Black Edition will be available on sale in autumn 2013.
 
Civic Aero Pack 
Honda has launched the Aero Pack for the Civic, helping to boost the dynamic and athletic design through the addition of a muscular new front bumper and a dynamic rear diffuser.

The front aero bumper comes complete with a top section finished in a body-matching colour, while the intricately designed lower section gets a carbon-inspired look. The rear diffuser is finished in the same carbon-inspired design and is attached to the lower part of the rear bumper.

A perfect match for the Aero Pack is the ‘Argon’ alloy wheel design, available in two sizes: either 17-inch or 18-inch. These striking diamond cut wheels are finished in a matte clear coat and feature contrasting Gun Powder Black windows, which perfectly complement the Aero Pack’s dark carbon-inspired additions. 

But the Aero Pack is just the latest in a line of packs and single options available for the Civic, which allow customers to personalise their car in exactly the way they want to.
    
To see the full range of Civic packs and single options, go to www.honda-accessories.eu.

Source;

Monday, March 4, 2013

CarScoop!: Toyota's Three-Wheeler EV i-ROAD Concept Officially Unveiled Ahead of Geneva Premiere

Compact, narrow two-seaters that combine the agility of a motorcycle with the protection of the elements of a car are the new niche automotive manufacturers have discovered. After Renault’s Twizzy, Toyota today unveiled its own take in this new form of transportation in the form of the i-ROAD concept that will debut tomorrow in the 83rd Geneva Auto Show.
 
Like the Twizzy, it seats two in tandem but, unlike the Renault, it features one rear wheel instead of two, making it a three-wheeler that leans into corners like a motorbike. Toyota’s Personal Mobility Vehicle (PMV) is controlled by a conventional steering wheel and the “Active Lean” technology that automatically balances the vehicle when cornering or going over rough surfaces based on the steering angle, vehicle speed and a gyro-sensor.
 
The i-ROAD is 2,350 mm long, 1,445 mm high and rides on a 1,700 mm wheelbase. Toyota says that its 850 mm width makes it no wider than a typical motorcycle, thus offering great maneuvering in traffic, easier parking and a minimum turning circle of just three meters.
 
The Japanese carmaker’s PMV is powered by two 2kW motors mounted on the front wheels. The typical driving range is around 50 km (30 miles) and the battery can be fully charged from a domestic power source in three hours – plus, being an EV, it has zero emissions.
 
In spite of being as narrow as a motorbike, the i-ROAD requires no helmet or special skills – just a regular car license. It is designed to be fitted with a weatherproof closed body and can offer a car-like environment with features such as interior lighting, heating, an audio system and Bluetooth connectivity.

By Andrew Tsaousis

Source;
http://www.carscoops.com/2013/03/toyota-three-wheeler-ev-i-road-concept.html 

Honda Recycling Rare Earth Materials From Used EV Batteries

By Joshua S. Hill of www.cleantechnica.com

Electric vehicles are becoming more and more important to the future of a green planet Earth, with production and sales increasing worldwide. Vehicle manufacturers the world over are making electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles a priority, and adjunct companies focusing on recharging and distance calculations are popping up all over the place.

Arguably the key component for any electric vehicle is its battery, a nickel-metal hydride battery in many cases.

However, batteries have also proved to be a sticking point when it comes to the ‘actual’ greenness of an electric vehicle; battery creation is an intensive process, and then — at the end of a battery’s lifespan — there is the question of how to dispose of it.

One of these issues may be on the way out, however, according to Honda, which has announced on its website that it has established the world’s first process (according to Honda internal research) that reuses rare earth metals extracted from nickel-metal hydride batteries in the creation of new nickel-metal hydride batteries.

One of the key elements of a nickel-metal hydride battery is the use of rare earth metals like Lanthanum. Honda has now managed to extract an oxide containing rare earth metals from used nickel-metal hydride batteries at the Japan Metals & Chemicals company (JMC).

The process involves applying molten salt electrolysis to the oxide from the battery, allowing them to extract metallised rare earth that can be used directly as negative-electrode materials for nickel-metal hydride batteries.

The rare earth metals extracted have a purity of more than 99%, which is as high as that of ordinarily traded and newly mined rare earth metals. On top of that, the new process enables the extraction of as much as 80% of rare earth metals contained in a nickel-metal hydride battery.

Honda isn’t just leaving this in the laboratory, either. Honda plans to use the extracted rare earth metals from JMC in new batteries as early as this month, as negative-electrode materials.

The current batch of rare earth metals were harvested from 386 Honda hybrid vehicles, which were stored prior to being on sale, but which were subsequently damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake.

Minus a handy supply of unused and damaged hybrids sitting in a warehouse somewhere, Honda plans to begin using the new process on batteries collected by Honda dealers through battery replacements. The company also hopes to extract rare earth materials from various used parts to further how much it is recycling.


Source;
http://cleantechnica.com/2013/03/04/honda-recycling-rare-earth-materials-from-used-ev-batteries/

Jalopnik: Lamborghini Veneno: All Of It

Whoa! Batmobile eat your heart out....
As Ferrari, McLaren, and Porsche ready their reserved, eco-friendly hypercars, Sant'Agata preps the Lamborghini Veneno, a $4.6 million middle finger of a car.

Ever since the arrival of the Murcielago, people have been missing the rude, absurd, overdrawn, wonderful Lamborghini of the '80s and '90s. Audi's take on Lamborghini started out fairly conservative, with relatively clean, classic shapes.

Well, it looks like that design era is over and the Veneno thoroughly brings back the crazy wings, vents, and angles of the Countach era. These un-watermarked photos give us an even better sense of its Le Mans LMP1 car via Sbarro styling. We can't look away.

Oh, and it supposedly has a 740 horsepower 6.5 liter V12 with a top speed of 220 miles an hour and a 0-62 time of under three seconds.

Source;
 http://jalopnik.com/lamborghini-veneno-all-of-it-450933018

Honda Civic Tourer Wagon Concept Surfaces, Teases Production Model

Revealing new images of Honda's new Civic Tourer small wagon have surfaced online this meaning, giving the new model an unscheduled unveiling.

Shown here in concept form, the Civic Tourer evolves the look of the still-new Civic Hatch, while adding a unique new D-pillar, a new tail-light design, large alloy wheels and centre-mounted exhaust tips.

The concept is decked out in LED lighting at both ends, and while the headlight and tail-light LEDs could transition to production, the bumper lighting is unlikely to cross over.

Like the new CR-V SUV, the stretched Civic Tourer concept is likely a thinly-veiled preview of the coming production model.

Like the UK-built Civic Hatch, a right-hand-drive version of the wagon is likely, meaning that the only thing keeping it from Australia will be a suitable business case.

Internationally, the Civic Hatch will take on Volkswagen's coming new Golf wagon, along with the wagon versions of Ford's Focus and the Toyota Auris (Corolla in Australia).

Watch for more details on production plans as the Civic Tourer concept makes its Geneva debut this week.

Source;
http://www.themotorreport.com.au/56065/honda-civic-tourer-wagon-concept-surfaces-online-teases-production-model

Friday, March 1, 2013

Spied – Honda Concept C testing in China; mini Accord in the making?

The Honda Concept C was shown by the Japanese car maker at the 2012 Beijing Auto Expo. Less than a year later, here are the first ever pictures of the production version undergoing testing, somewhere in China.

This executive sedan is scheduled to be unveiled at the 2013 Shanghai Motor Show, set to commence on April 20 for the press. That is the good news.

The bad news is that, for now, the Concept C would be made exclusively for the Chinese market. In China, the Concept C will be positioned below the Honda Accord as well.

Honda will consider making the Concept C locally through its Guangzhou-Honda joint venture. While it is a China specific model, Carnewschina.com reports that Honda is considering exporting the Concept C to other Asian markets as well, plans of which are not finalized yet.

Options of a 1.8-liter or 2.0-liter petrol engine mated to a 5-speed manual/automatic gearbox would power the sedan.

You may remember one of our articles a while back, about the new China specific Hyundai sedan that would slot between the Elantra and the Sonata. So it looks like the Honda will find a perfect competitor in the upcoming Hyundai.

Prices for the Concept C could start at 130,000 CNY (INR 11.4 lakhs) and go up to 170,000 CNY (INR 14.9 lakhs).

In India, the Honda Civic which is struggling with double digit sales would be offered only till the stocks last. The Accord is not doing all that well either. The lack of a diesel engine has proved to be a disaster for Honda in all the segments, low and high.

Do you think Honda should introduce the Concept C in India only once they have their diesel engine in place, or do you think they can still pull it off with the petrol only model (like the new CR-V)?

Source;

Toyota FT-86 Open concept breaks cover

C'mon Honda, let's get going on the next gen Honda Prelude!
The Toyota FT-86 Open concept, which you saw a preview sketch of earlier, has finally been unveiled in its entirety through a load of images, ahead of its Geneva show debut. The 86 convertible concept features a soft top (as yet unclear if manual or electrically operated) and 2+2 seating.

The concept’s goal is to gauge public reaction to the idea of an 86 convertible. By concept standards it actually looks pretty tame, which could mean that the production car, if it happens, won’t stray very far from this, visually at least.

Save for some high-contrast colours (coordinated by a Milan-based designer, no less), yellow-gold stitching on the floor mats and seats, and centre console-mounted gauges, the interior looks to be unchanged from the 86 coupe‘s.

Toyota hasn’t said anything yet about specifications, but the 2.0 litre flat-four is likely to stay, kicking out 200 PS and 205 Nm of torque. Like the coupe, manual and automatic transmissions should be offered.

Prototype testing is already underway, according to the company. More info to come when the wraps come off, which isn’t far away now.

Source (with more pix);
http://paultan.org/2013/03/01/toyota-ft-86-open-concept/