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Tuesday, August 13, 2013
2015 Nissan X-Trail (Rogue) spied testing in United States - photos
Inspired by the Hi-Cross Concept
by Adrian PadeanuA heavily disguised prototype of the 2015 Nissan X-Trail / Rogue has been spied undergoing testing in United States.
Despite the serious amount of camo, we already pretty much now the car's design after seeing the patent photos which surfaced the web at the beginning of the year. The new "V" front grille treatment will be seen on the next-gen Qashqai and later on the third-gen X-Trail which will be influenced by the Hi-Cross Concept presented at last year's Geneva Motor Show.
The all-new X-Trail is expected to grow in size compared to the current model so it should provide more space inside the cabin, especially for rear passengers. We remind you the aforementioned Hi-Cross was 4660mm long (183.4 inches) long, 1850mm (72.8 inches) wide and 1670mm (65.7 inches) tall, with a 2780mm (109.4 inches) wheelbase.
Some form of hybridization will probably be available for the 2015 X-Trail since the concept was envisioned with a 2.0-liter gasoline mill and an electric motor working together with the company's XTRONIC continuously variable transmission.
A public reveal should occur at next year's Geneva Motor Show before going on sale in late 2014 as a 2015MY.
Source (with a few more pix);
http://www.worldcarfans.com/113081361397/2015-nissan-x-trail-rogue-spied-testing-in-united-states
Honda Canada: Honda Releases Pricing For 2014 CR-V, On Sale Today
Everything remains the same on the CR-V front, with even the MSRPs barely changing versus 2013.
Honda will begin rolling out 2014 CR-Vs to dealers this week and they would really like you to buy one. Instead of adding more kit to the ever-present CR-V, Honda is taking an approach of holding prices at last year’s levels, with only slight variations in MSRP (some down, some up, depending on trim).If you’d like to jump into a base CR-V, the LX 2WD will set you back $25,990 plus freight and grabby government hands. For a fully loaded model, expect to spend almost $10,000 more.
All CR-V are equipped with a 2.4L i-VTEC in-line 4-cylinder engine with 5-speed automatic transmission.
Award-Winning 2014 Honda CR-V Goes On Sale Today, is an Efficient and Compact SUV Loaded with Value, Versatility and Features
Compact and maneuverable yet roomy inside, the 2014 Honda CR-V offers an unparalleled balance of size and capability
- For 2014, CR-V continues to be a great value, offering a host of standard features including Heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors, Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink, air conditioning, rearview camera, rear privacy tinted glass and one-pull fold-flat seats
- 2014 Honda CR-V provides unmatched combination of a just-right size and ingenious interior packaging
The Honda CR-V has earned a host of favorable ratings, including a U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 5-star Overall Vehicle Score1 and a 2013 TOP SAFETY PICK designation from the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It has also garnered awards and accolades from Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com, ALG Canada and others. The 2014 Honda CR-V goes on sale today, with prices starting at $25,990.
The CR-V model lineup carries over for 2014, starting with the remarkably well-equipped CR-V LX with standard heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors, one-pull fold-flat rear seats, cruise control, Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink™, air conditioning, rearview camera, 160-watt 4-speaker audio system and more. The CR-V EXadds premium features including a power moonroof, upgraded 6-speaker audio system, retractable cargo cover, front fog lights and 17-inch alloy wheels. Building from there, the EX-L adds a leather-trimmed interior, a 328-watt 7-speaker audio system with XM® Radio3 and much more. The Canadian-exclusive CR-V Touring trim completes the lineup with the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System with voice recognition and illuminated steering wheel-mounted controls, auto-dimming rearview mirror, roof rails and chrome door handles. Real Time All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) with Intelligent Control System is available on LX and EX models and comes standard on EX-L and Touring trim.
| Honda Canada 2014 Honda CRV Pricing and Fuel Economy | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| http://www.autos.ca/general-news/honda-releases-pricing-for-2014-cr-v-on-sale-today/ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Autoevolution: Spyshots: 2015 Honda Civic Type R Nurburgring Testing
Honda thus needs something new, something distinctly European, something with heritage. They need this new Civic Type R.
The last one was a mixed bag o potatoes. With only 200 hp, it played second fiddle to the much more powerful turbo engines used by its competitors, meaning Honda payed the price for its reluctancy to deviate from VTEC technology and use turbos.
Early reports about the coming of a new Type R were not that encouraging, suggesting Honda wanted a rival for the Golf GTI, basically a civilized and economical car for the road.
But these latest spyshots prove the Japanese automaker is willing to bet big and bank on the experience it's gained from the World Touring Car Championship. The prototype covers the Nurburgring track well using its ground-hugging body kit. They've also installed huge fender flares onto the factory panels instead of changing them and slapped a large wing and quad exhaust on the back.
Honda Europe is the one responsible for the development of the car which means it will have nothing in common with the cheap-ish models offered in the US. "GB" license plates indicate this prototype was developed by British engineers. Last month, Honda announced it was building a motorsport facility in Milton Keynes as it plans to return to Formula One as a supplier in 2015.
Source;
http://www.autoevolution.com/news-g-image/spyshots-2015-honda-civic-type-r-nurburgring-testing/139578.html#sjmp
Monday, August 12, 2013
Rendering – 2015 Honda City looks just as futuristic as the 2014 Jazz
This rendering of the next generation City comes from ‘abesselingSVF’. And as you can see, it borrows most of its styling from the new Jazz. If you trace the overall profile from the bonnet to the roof, it seems that aerodynamics plays a significant part in this particular rendering. And even though this rendering borrows its front from a Jazz, the overall proportions of the sedan do not appear to be out of place.
If the interiors of the new Jazz are anything to go by, expect the next gen City to be one of the most spacious sedans in its class. You can also expect a few interior components such as the steering wheel, music system, power window switches and aircon vents to be carried over from the Jazz.
It is highly likely that before we see the next gen City, Honda would announce the Jazz-based compact SUV (which was previewed as the Urban SUV concept at the 2013 Detroit Motor Show), which is scheduled to go on sale in Japan by the end of this year.
Source;
http://indianautosblog.com/2013/08/2015-honda-city-rendering-91316
First Glimpse of the new Honda Civic Tourer
The new Civic Tourer was developed and designed in Europe, allowing Honda’s European R&D team to lead the creative and technical design process. The sleek and sophisticated profile of the Civic Tourer does not compromise the car’s practicality. The Civic Tourer delivers exceptional versatility and functionality with class leading interior space of 624L (trunk volume with the rear seats up, measured up to the tonneau cover).
The Civic Tourer will feature either the1.6 i-DTEC engine from the Earth Dreams Technology series or the 1.8 i-VTEC engine in manual or automatic transmission. A brand new Adaptive Damper System (ADS) will help to enhance stability and comfort under varying load and driving conditions.
The Civic Tourer will be built at Honda’s UK manufacturing facility and will be launched in Europe from early 2014.
Functionality & Form: No compromise on design or space
“I am very proud of the Civic Tourer’s sporty, sleek and dynamic proportions, which somewhat hide the car’s true functionality and versatility. To achieve true utility on a compact car, you have to consider how to make the most of the space in the cabin, which generally also affects the design. Due to the clever platform of the Civic, we had freedom to optimise the package. The end result is a car that has almost a sports-car silhouette. For me, the strength of the car is the synergy of functionality, versatility, and dynamic expression.” Adrian Killham, Large Project Leader, Civic Tourer.
The exterior design of the Civic Tourer is sophisticated and sporty, its unique style is defined by a bold line that runs continuously from the front A-pillar to the D-pillar creating the impression of a floating roof line.
The development team for the Civic Tourer spent much time working on new ways to interpret this section of the car to deliver a feeling of premium value and character. The glass of the rear quarter window has been extended to cover the body work of the D-pillar and the rear door sash has been raised by 17mm compared to the Civic 5-door to enable this bold styling line and creating an elegant look.
“At first glance it is clear that the Civic Tourer does not look like other Wagons. Recently-launched cars have tended to follow a similar style. The Civic Tourer has a different balance and appeal.” Adrian Killham, Large Project Leader, Civic Tourer.
Behind this sophisticated and sporty design is a hidden versatility that leads to clever functionality and unrivalled practicality.
The Civic Tourer benefits from the same unique centre fuel tank layout used in the Civic 5-door. The fuel tank is located under the front seats allowing the Civic Tourer to offer unparalleled interior space and Honda’s magic seat configuration.
The Civic Tourer offers class leading interior space across both the C and D segments. The cargo area will accommodate 2 full-size mountain bikes or 3 large-sized Samsonite cases with the tonneau cover pulled over to conceal the cases.
· 624L* trunk volume (Rear seats up, up to window)
· 1668L* trunk volume (Rear seats down, up to roof lining)
There is a small compartment suitable for storing the tonneau cover so that it can be detached and stored out the way when it is not needed.
Furthermore, there is additional under floor storage in the boot which makes carrying tall objects in the boot easy and the height of the loading lip has been reduced by 137mm* compared to the Civic 5-door to facilitate effortless loading.
Honda’s unique Magic Seats deliver further practicality and space within the Civic Tourer, enabling a range of seating configurations for maximum versatility.The rear seats assembly folds down in one easy movement, and the interior trunk floor of the Civic Tourer has been raised compared to the 5-door to create a completely flat area when the seats are folded down.
The rear seat cushions can also be flipped up to reveal ample floor space for carrying tall objects. A 60:40 split in the seat base offers even more options for carrying both people and cargo and provides an alternative load area if access via the tailgate is limited.
Driving Performance: Advanced and Efficient Technology
The Civic Tourer will feature either the1.6 i-DTEC engine from the Earth Dreams Technology series or the 1.8 i-VTEC engine in manual or automatic transmission.
1.6 i-DTEC
The 1.6 i-DTEC diesel engine was first applied to the Civic 5-door and subsequently to the new CR-V. The engine is the first of Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology series to be introduced in Europe.
The philosophy behind Earth Dreams Technology is to deliver an impressive balance between fuel economy and driving performance and this is certainly the case in the Civic Tourer.
The 1.6 i-DTEC engine is comprised of an aluminium cylinder head joined to an open deck aluminium block and is the lightest diesel engine in its class. The mechanical friction has been reduced to the level equivalent of a petrol engine. All the rotating parts have been carefully optimised to reduce their friction, helping to provide excellent fuel economy whilst making sure the new Civic Tourer is fun to drive.
The 1.6 i-DTEC engine was designed specifically for the European Market and is built at Honda’s UK Manufacturing plant (where the Civic Tourer will also be built).
Adaptive Damper System (ADS)
The Civic Tourer also features an innovative Adaptive Damper System. This is the first time that a rear adaptive damper system has been introduced on a production car and it features three settings - comfort, normal and dynamic - all of which have been developed to enhance stability and comfort under varying load and driving conditions. This allows the Civic Tourer to remain comfortable during highway cruising, yet firm and agile when high-performance handling is required.
“By introducing the technology in this format, we expect many customers will be able to experience the benefits of this advanced system.” Adrian Killham, Large Project Leader.
Safety
As with all Honda cars, safety was at the forefront of the development team’s mind when designing the Civic Tourer, particularly the integration of advanced active safety systems. The Civic Tourer will deliver a high standard of safety for the driver, passengers, pedestrians and other road users in line with Honda’s philosophy of ‘Safety for Everyone’.
Comparison table (Civic 5-door/ Civic Tourer)
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CIVIC 5-DOOR
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CIVIC TOURER
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Dimensions (LxWxH) |
4285/1770/1440
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4520/1770/1440*
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Volume |
Luggage space (Seats up, up to window) Litres |
477
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624*
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Luggage Space (Seats down, up to roof lining) Litres |
1378
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1668*
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Load height (mm) |
702
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565*
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(*Honda internal figures)
Source;
http://www.hondanews.eu/en/carnewsdetail/?id=3083
Friday, August 9, 2013
Honda Motor Co Ltd (ADR) (HMC): Acura’s NSX — The “Next Big Thing”
Will this sleek new electric car turbocharge Honda
Motor Co Ltd (ADR) (NYSE:HMC) and Acura moving forward, or will competitors like Porsche, Nissan Motor, and Audi
make the new Acura NSX slam the brakes? Honda Motor Co Ltd (ADR)
(NYSE:HMC)’s revamping of the Acura brand and the NSX’s appeal to
consumers will be a catalyst for Honda Motor Co Ltd (ADR) (NYSE:HMC)’s
stock moving forward. Even if the NSX doesn’t sell as well as other
competitors, the car itself will probably drive customers to buy other
Acura or Honda cars.
Motor Co Ltd (ADR) (NYSE:HMC) and Acura moving forward, or will competitors like Porsche, Nissan Motor, and Audi
make the new Acura NSX slam the brakes? Honda Motor Co Ltd (ADR)
(NYSE:HMC)’s revamping of the Acura brand and the NSX’s appeal to
consumers will be a catalyst for Honda Motor Co Ltd (ADR) (NYSE:HMC)’s
stock moving forward. Even if the NSX doesn’t sell as well as other
competitors, the car itself will probably drive customers to buy other
Acura or Honda cars.
The NSX can help Honda compete better
The original first generation NSX was a
lot different than the planned second generation redesigned NSX
supercar. However, Clement D'Souza, associate chief engineer at Honda of
America, underscored the importance of the first generation NSX:
The first NSX redefined the sports car world and this car will hopefully do the same, with new technologies that will cascade down to other models in the Acura line.
Honda Motor Co. Ltd (ADR) (NYSE:HMC) has a good foundation to build upon from the
success of the first generation NSX, and is currently overhauling the
luxury Acura brand. Acura sales in the United States were up an encouraging 14% in the first four months of 2013. But Acura is “only” ranked fifth in the United States among luxury brands, behind BMW, Toyota's Lexus brand, Mercedes-Benz, and General Motors' Cadillac. And although the Acura team is most likely not planning on directly competing with Porsche and Ferrari,
the more affordable NSX supercar will appeal to more consumers and give
Honda a new front to compete with the likes of Nissan, Audi, and
Porsche.
Honda shares have done fairly well in the past few months due to a weaker Japanese yen and a robustly strong automotive market:
Sure, an NSX supercar will probably not
be the first model a budget-conscious family or consumer. Analysts
estimate the NSX will cost somewhere in the $120,000-$200,000 range
to compete with Audi’s R8. The Nissan GT-R, a comparable model to the
NSX, runs at about $110,000. Porsches are priced expensively since they
are very high-end, high quality sports cars. So, the NSX might have some
difficulty competing with Nissan if its price is much above $120,000.
And, people with a lot of discretionary income to spend on a high priced
car aren’t offered much of a reason to not buy a snazzy Porsche and get
an NSX instead.
But, as we will see in in the next
point, the NSX itself might not be the biggest piece to Honda Motor Co
Ltd (ADR) (NYSE:HMC)’s puzzle. Acura's NSX will possibly not only take
some market share away from Nissan, Audi, and Porsche, but will also
give Honda leverage in selling its other brands. The NSX would probably
ride the coattails of the electric car revolution and have a larger
impact than its numbers might originally suggest.
The NSX might give Honda leverage
The danger the NSX poses to Nissan and
Porsche might not initially lie in how well the NSX sells. As Ronald D.
White of the Los Angeles Times explains:
Experts said the previous iterations of the NSX created a so-called halo car that brought attention to the entire Acura line. The automaker is hoping that will happen again with the new version. The NSX has been the kind of car that "adds luster and excitement to the Acura brand," Jack Nerad, executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book, said in an interview. "It will bring people into the showrooms, not so much to buy, but maybe to look," Nerad added. "And if they look and then buy an ILX or an MDX, the Acura people will be very happy."
The new generation NSX has one key
factor in common with the first generation NSX -- the allurement factor.
The first generation NSX sold very well, but also helped consumers take
a second look at other Honda Motor Co Ltd (ADR) (NYSE:HMC) and Acura
cars that they otherwise might not have taken a look at, thus driving
revenue up for Honda.
How Nissan, Porsche, and others respond
to this development remains to be seen. Nissan probably has more to lose
than Porsche since Porsche most likely won’t be in direct competition
with the NSX for the most part. Both Nissan and Porsche posted pretty strong results in the first quarter of 2013, with Nissan benefiting from a weaker Japanese yen like Honda has.
The outlook for both Nissan and Porsche
at this moment looks fairly good, but Honda’s NSX will probably be a
factor weighing down on Nissan’s sales in the long run. At this point,
if all goes well with the rest of the NSX's development then it is safe
to say that Acura's NSX will be "the next big thing" in the automotive
industry.
The article Acura’s NSX -- The “Next Big Thing” originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Evan Buck.
Evan Buck has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Evan
is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network -- entries represent the
personal opinion of the blogger and are not formally edited.
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