Honda Compact Urban SUV spied for the first time

A prototype of Honda’s upcoming Urban SUV has been spied for the very first time wearing heavy camouflage, suggesting that a debut is imminent. Shown as a concept for the first time at this year’s Detroit Auto Show, the Urban SUV is scheduled to launch in Japan by the end of 2013.

A YouTube user has managed to capture it on video in which the heavily camouflaged prototype is seen being driven on Germany’s autobahn.

The Urban SUV is said to be based on the same platform that also underpins the all-new 2014 Jazz. Honda will do away with the Urban SUV nameplate and give this upcoming model a new name.

Given that it is based on the all-new Jazz platform, the Urban SUV will make use of Honda’s new ‘Earth Dreams Technology’ line of engines, which include highly efficient petrol and diesel units. The diesel model could be powered by the same 1.5-litre i-DTEC unit that currently powers the Amaze sedan.

The Urban SUV will go on sale in Japan by end-2013 and we expect Honda India to launch it here next year. When launched, the SUV will take on the likes of Renault Duster, Ford EcoSport and the upcoming Nissan Terrano.

Source;
http://www.oncars.in/Car-News-Detail/video-honda-urban-suv-spied-for-the-first-time-to-compete-with-ecosport/4661

Road & Track: Behold the 2014 Honda Fit

by Zack Bowman of www.roadandtrack.com

The third-generation Honda Fit was an outright champion. The little five-door ran about on our roads for nearly six years with little change and still managed to remain competitive in the face of fresh hardware like the Chevrolet Sonic and Ford Fiesta. Now Honda has unveiled the fourth-generation 2014 Fit in Japan.

If you thought the previous model looked funky, strap yourself in for a new stroll into Weirdsville. Honda calls the design language, and I’m not joking here, “EXCITING H DESIGN!!!” Expect to see it show up on other models in the near future, exclamation points and all.

The big news here is the 2014 Fit Hybrid, which boasts an Atkinson-cycle 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, high-output electric motor and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. As with before, the motor gets stuffed between the engine and transmission, but the addition of a lithium-ion battery pack helps shove fuel economy up to 36.4 km/l. That shakes out to around 85.6 mpg, though it’s worth noting that the figure isn’t derived using the US fuel economy cycle. Still, Honda says the new Fit Hybrid is more efficient than any other hybrid on sale in Japan right now, Prius included.

Don’t fancy a hybrid? Buyers who opt for 13G trim can look forward to a 1.3-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine married to a CVT good for 26 km/l, or around 61 mpg. What will we see in North America? Good money is on the driveline found in the 15X and RS trims. That’s a direct-injection 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine and either a CVT or a six-speed manual transmission. Honda says there’s around 10 percent more power on hand from the four-cylinder, which means you can expect to command around 130 horsepower. There’s no word on fuel economy from that combination, though.

Stay tuned for market-specific details.

Source;
http://www.roadandtrack.com/go/first-looks/go-first-looks-behold-the-2014-honda-fit

2014 Honda Ridgeline Adds New Top-of-the-Line Special Edition Model

09/05/2013

• Ridgeline remains most versatile vehicle in the 4-door truck segment
• Only pickup with standard rearview camera

Building upon a successful model year of double-digit sales growth in 2013, the versatile Honda Ridgeline returns for 2014 with a new, top-of-the-line Special Edition model. The Special Edition model, joining the lineup in November, features model-exclusive 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels with black-trimmed spokes, special badging and the popular black trim package from the Ridgeline Sport. The rest of the 2014 Ridgeline lineup goes on-sale today with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price¹ (MSRP) starting at $29,575.

"Honda's commitment to the truck segment is underscored by the new special edition model of the 2014 Honda Ridgeline," said John Mendel, Executive Vice President of Sales at American Honda. "The increased customer interest in Ridgeline this year demonstrates the important role Ridgeline will continue to play in the Honda lineup."

The 2014 Honda Ridgeline features a closed-box, unit-body structure and independent front and rear suspension to deliver a unique combination of truck capability, a spacious five-passenger cabin and car-like ride and handling. The Ridgeline also delivers a maximum tow rating of 5,000 pounds and a half-ton payload rating, all while offering innovative and unique features that include the large In-Bed Trunk® and dual-action tailgate for easy access. Providing more confidence in reverse gear, Ridgeline remains the only pickup truck on sale in the U.S. to feature a standard rearview camera.

Four distinctive Ridgeline models are available now: the Ridgeline RT, Ridgeline Sport, Ridgeline RTS and Ridgeline RTL, which is available with the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™².  View, build and price a 2014 Honda Ridgeline at http://automobiles.honda.com/ridgeline.

TRIM	MSRP1	EPA Fuel Economy Ratings3 (city/highway/combined)
Ridgeline RT	$29,575	15/21/17
Ridgeline Sport	$30,720	15/21/17
Ridgeline RTS	$32,380	15/21/17
Ridgeline RTL with leather	$35,155	15/21/17
Ridgeline RTL with leather and Navi	$37,505	15/21/17
Ridgeline SE with leather and Navi (available November)	$37,505	15/21/17

Ridgeline RT features include:
Unique 17-inch steel wheels, integrated trailer hitch, pre-wiring for 7-pin trailer hook up, keyless entry, power windows and door locks, power sliding rear window, air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, trip computer with instantaneous and average fuel economy, 6-speaker 100-watt audio system with CD player and MP3/WMA playback capability, rearview camera, and 60/40 split lift-up rear seat with under-seat storage.

Ridgeline Sport features include (adds to Ridgeline RT):
Exclusive black 18-inch aluminum wheels, black honeycomb grille with black surround and exclusive sport emblem, black headlight and brake light housings, fog lights, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, auxiliary audio input jack, all-weather floor mats and rear privacy glass.

Ridgeline RTS features include (adds to Ridgeline RT):
Exclusive 17-inch aluminum wheels, painted inner grille surfaces, body-color painted door handles, 7-pin trailer wiring connector, 8-way power driver's seat with lumbar support, dual-zone automatic climate control, 7-speaker 160-watt audio system with subwoofer, 6-disc in-dash CD system, steering wheel-mounted controls, auxiliary audio input jack, exterior temperature indicator, all-weather floor mats and privacy glass.

Ridgeline RTL features include (adds to Ridgeline RTS):
Exclusive 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels, fog lights, power moonroof, heated side mirrors, leather-trimmed interior with heated front seats, XM Radio⁴, HomeLink® remote system, ambient console lighting, 115-volt power outlet and carpeted floor mats.

The Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™² with Voice Recognition and Zagat Survey® restaurant information is available on the Ridgeline RTL. It includes XM® Radio⁴, Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® and a multi-information display. The navigation system includes a rearview camera display, thus eliminating this display in the rearview mirror.

Ridgeline Special Edition features include (adds to Ridgeline RTL):
Exclusive 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels with black-trimmed spokes and Special Edition badging on the rear tailgate. The model also adopts the black trim package from the Sport model, which includes black headlight and brake light housings, black tailgate and black honeycomb grille with black surround.

The Ridgeline Special Edition also comes standard with Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™² featuring Voice Recognition and Zagat Survey® restaurant information, and includes XM® Radio⁴, Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®, plus multi-information display and rearview camera display.
Colors choices for the Ridgeline Special Edition are Taffeta White, Crystal Black and Alabaster Silver, all with black leather interior.

Powertrain
The Ridgeline's all-aluminum, 60-degree, SOHC 3.5-liter VTEC V-6 engine produces 250 horsepower⁵ and 247 lb-ft. of torque⁶. Variable valve timing enhances low-rpm torque while extending high-rpm horsepower for a broad power band. The 5-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission features Grade Logic Control to help maintain the most appropriate gear when going uphill or downhill to avoid gear "hunting."

A fully automatic Variable Torque Management® 4-wheel drive system (VTM-4®) provides confident operation in rain, snow, ice, sand and mud, while also improving on-road and towing performance by distributing torque to all four wheels as needed. The system operates predominately in front-wheel-drive mode during dry-pavement cruising conditions and continuously proportions torque to the rear wheels during acceleration and low traction situations. The VTM-4 lock button located on the instrument panel allows the driver to temporarily hold engagement of both rear wheels to aid traction in the first two gears at speeds of up to 18 mph.

Standard towing equipment includes an integrated tow hitch, transmission and oil coolers, heavy duty brakes, dual radiator fans and a wiring harness for a 7-pin trailer hook up (pre-wiring only on RT and Sport).

Body
The unit-body architecture is designed for vastly superior rigidity compared to traditional body-on-frame designs and provides the foundation for the Ridgeline's spacious interior cabin and bed, safety performance and class-leading ride and handling performance. Its modern and athletic design incorporates a solid, one-piece appearance with no separation between the bed and the cab. The windshield wipers have a heated wiper zone to enhance wiper performance in winter driving conditions and minimize ice buildup, while large side mirrors enhance rear vision while towing.

A 5-foot-long composite cargo bed with eight tie-down locations provides a payload rating of 1,100 pounds, while four cargo area lights illuminate both the bed and the in-bed trunk. A dual-action tailgate opens down for traditional access to the cargo area or to the side for ease-of-access to the 8.5 cubic-foot In-Bed Trunk®. The Ridgeline is available with a wide variety of accessories and can conveniently accommodate motorcycles or ATVs. The cargo area measures 49.5 inches wide between the wheel wells, 20.7 inches deep and 60.0 inches long (79.0 inches with the load-supporting tailgate in the down position).

Chassis
A MacPherson strut front suspension and fully independent multi-link rear suspension with trailing arms provide a smooth ride and responsive handling. A heavy-duty braking system includes 12.6-inch front and 13.1-inch rear 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist. The Ridgeline RT has 17×7.5-inch steel wheels and P245/65 R17 all-season tires, while the Ridgeline RTS upgrades to 17×7.5-inch aluminum wheels. Ridgeline Sport and Ridgeline RTL models are uniquely equipped with 18×7.5-inch aluminum wheels and all-season P245/60 R18 tires. The Special Edition model features exclusive 18x7.5-inch aluminum alloy wheels with black-trimmed spokes and all-season P245/60 R18 tires.

Interior
The interior takes advantage of Honda's unit-body packaging efficiency to deliver full-size interior space dimensions while maintaining garage-friendly, mid-size exterior dimensions. The driving position provides ergonomically comfortable access to large and easy-to-use controls.

Between the front seats, a large multi-function console features a sliding armrest and sliding lower tray – each with a hidden storage area. Other console storage areas accommodate large and small items like mobile phones, beverage holders, compact discs and portable digital music players.

The 60/40 lift-up rear seats feature a storage area underneath that is large enough to accommodate a golf bag. Plus, the rear seating area can quickly convert for cargo duty by lifting the seats up to create enough room for a full-size mountain bike with the front wheel removed. The rear seat incorporates three LATCH positions for compatible child safety seats.

Safety
All Ridgelines are equipped with standard safety features including dual-stage, multiple-threshold driver's and front passenger's SRS airbags, side-curtain airbags with a rollover sensor, front-seat active head restraints, Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®), a tire pressure monitoring system and daytime running lights.

Awards, Accolades and Ratings
The 2013 Ridgeline received a TOP SAFETY PICK rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), earning the highest-possible score of GOOD in four IIHS tests, including the side impact test and the rigorous roof-strength test. In addition, the Ridgeline is ranked among the best in compact pickup trucks by U.S. News and KBB.com, based on reliability, comfort of ride and refined drivetrain.

Warranty
The 2014 Honda Ridgeline is covered by a 3-year/36,000-mile new-vehicle limited warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, and a 5-year/unlimited-mile corrosion limited warranty.

About Honda
Honda offers a complete lineup of cars and trucks through a network of more than 1,000 dealerships in the United States. The Accord, Civic, CR-V sport-utility vehicle and Odyssey minivan were the best-selling models in their respective segments among individual car buyers for the first six months of 2013. The company operates 14 manufacturing facilities in North America, including seven auto plants. In 2012, more than 90 percent of the Honda vehicles sold in the U.S. were manufactured in North America⁷. Over the past three years alone, the company has invested more than $2.7 billion in its North American manufacturing capabilities, bringing to more than $22 billion the amount Honda has invested in its North American operations.

Consumer information is available at http://automobiles.honda.com/ridgeline. To join the Ridgeline community on Facebook, visit https://www.facebook.com/hondaridgeline. Additional media information including detailed pricing features and high-resolution photography of the 2014 Honda Ridgeline is available at http://hondanews.com/channels/honda-automobiles-ridgeline.
¹ MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, $830 destination charge and options. Dealer prices may vary.
² The Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ is available on the Ridgeline RTL in the United States, except Alaska. Please see your Honda dealer for details.
³ Based on 2013 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.
⁴ Required XM Radio subscription sold separately after 90-day trial period. Subscriptions are governed by the XM Customer Agreement available at xmradio.com/service terms. Other fees and taxes apply after trial period; see XM Customer Agreement for details. Fees and programming subject to change. Service not available in Canada, Alaska, or Hawaii. 2013 SIRIUS XM Radio Inc. SIRIUS, XM and all related marks and logos are trademarks of SIRIUS XM Radio Inc. and its subsidiaries.
⁵ 250 hp @ 5,700 rpm (SAE net).
⁶ 247 lb-ft @ 4,300 rpm (SAE net).
⁷ Using domestic and globally sourced parts.
Third-party trademarks: The Bluetooth word mark and logos are owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc., and any use of such marks by Honda Motor Co., Ltd., is under license.

Report: Subaru to drop the five-door hatch WRX/STi along with other lineup changes

AutomotiveNews learned some crucial details about Subaru’s near-future, which includes a variety of changes to be implemented across their entire lineup.

As of now, the plans include phasing in an all-new and completely redesigned Outback wagon and Legacy sedan for the later half of 2014, along with a new seven-seater crossover to replace the Tribeca, and wholly reworked versions of Subaru’s much-loved WRX and STi performance Imprezas.

Click here for our original post on the 2013 Subaru WRX Concept from the 2013 New York International Auto Show.

Speaking of which, word is that the next generation WRX and STi Imprezas will only be available in sedan form, meaning no more five-door hatchback variant. A debut is expected at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show in November with sales beginning in 2014. Pointers hint to an exterior design heavily influenced by the beautiful WRX Concept that debuted at the 2013 New York Auto Show earlier this year.

Lastly, a refreshed BRZ is expected in late 2015 as a 2016 model and the most probable addition to the BRZ line shapes up to be a convertible version, piloted by the Toyota FT86 Open Concept that was revealed earlier this year as well. But what we don’t understand is why Subaru is putting all of this effort into a convertible version of the BRZ when the demand is clearly for a turbo model.

And to further support this concern, Subaru apparently will have to elongate the BRZ by four inches at the wheelbase in order to accommodate folding origami. Let’s also not forget that chopping the head off of any car  will compromise handling in the way of reducing the chassis’ structural rigidity. Last time we checked, the BRZ’s focus was to be about handling and driving fun. Seems a bit counterintuitive, dont’chya think?

- By: Chris Chin

Source;
http://www.egmcartech.com/2013/08/27/report-subaru-to-drop-the-five-door-hatch-wrxsti-along-with-other-lineup-changes/

2014 Nissan GT-R Nismo spied for the first time - photos

Godzilla cometh

by Michael Gauthier

After months of rumors and speculation, our spies have snapped the first photos of the 2014 Nissan GT-R Nismo.

Caught undergoing testing in Europe, the prototype is heavily camouflaged but appears to feature a new front splitter and a revised rear bumper with additional vents. We can also see a prominent rear wing - which was removed for road testing - and Nismo-branded six-spoke alloy wheels.

While the exterior doesn't look too exciting, the model is expected to feature a number of carbon fiber components. This combined with an upgraded twin-turbo 3.8-liter V6 engine - that is rumored to produce more than 570 bhp (425 kW) - could enable the car to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in as little as two seconds.

The GT-R Nismo is expected to debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in November, so stay tuned for full details.

Source (with more pix);
http://www.worldcarfans.com/113090262297/2014-nissan-gt-r-nismo-spied-for-the-first-time

Honda Thinks Smartphones Can Save Pedestrians From Bad Drivers

by Damon Lavrinc of www.wired.com

Smartphones are too often a colossal distraction to motorists, but Honda sees a way of using them to protect pedestrians from inattentive drivers.

The automaker hopes to tap into pedestrians’ phones to alert passing drivers to their presence. The technology — dubbed Vehicle-to-Pedestrian — uses a smartphone’s GPS and dedicated short range communications (DSRC) to warn drivers when a pedestrian steps out from behind a parked car or other obstruction. A light flashes on the dashboard to tell the driver of an approaching pedestrian, while the hapless walker gets an alert on their smartphone.

The DSRC system can be deployed through a dedicated app with the technology operating on the 5.9GHz band set aside for automotive applications. Honda’s not alone in pursuing this. General Motors is using the same tech to develop its own pedestrian detecting technology. But Honda is taking it a step further. In addition to the pedestrian detection tech, Honda is also testing Vehicle-to-Motorcycle systems using the same DSRC to alert drivers of a motorcycle outside their field of vision.

Honda is joined by several other automakers working with the University of Michigan through the Connected Vehicle Safety Pilot Program conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation on the technology, and if all goes well, these systems could be deployed in the next several years.

Source;
http://www.wired.com/autopia/2013/09/honda-pedestrian/

Honda to launch City, Fit and Brio diesels in India

by Anthony Lim of www.paultan.org

A report indicates that Honda is planning to introduce three diesel-based models in India next year in a bid to catch up with competitors such as Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai. The automaker has been lagging behind because there are better tax incentives for oil burners in that market, and it only has a single diesel model on sale there at this point.

The Nikkei adds that the diesel engines for the trio will be manufactured at its plant in Uttar Pradesh in northern India, after improvements to the production line for gasoline-powered engines are made. The report doesn’t state the engine displacement, so the question remains if it’ll be the 1.5 litre Earth Dreams i-DTEC turbodiesel as seen on the Brio Amaze sedan.

Honda is also planning to introduce the Brio-based MPV – which is set to make its world debut at the upcoming Indonesian International Motor Show – in India. The seven-seater is set to challenge the Suzuki Ertiga MPV when it arrives there; pricing of the ‘Brio MPV‘ in India is expected to be kept to around RM33,500, equivalent to that for the Ertiga.

The report adds that Honda is slated to increase the number of dealers in India by 60% to 250 in an effort to take total sales to 300,000 units in 2016.

Source;
http://paultan.org/2013/09/02/honda-launch-city-fit-brio-diesel-versions-india/

2015 Ford Mustang rendered based on latest spy shots

These new renders with the 2015 Ford Mustang are based on the most recent spy shots with the sixth-gen pony car.

Earlier this month our spies were able to snap a few pictures with a prototype of the Ford Mustang wearing slightly less camouflage at the front which revealed a portion of the design. These two renders are based on those images and indicate that Ford has used the Evos concept as a foundation for the new Mustang's styling.

From what we know so far, the new generation will be about 400 lbs (181 kg) lighter than the outgoing model which means it will weigh around 3,100 lbs (1,406 kg). Powering the 2015 Mustang will be a 2.3-liter 4-cylinder EcoBoost (already confirmed for Europe), along with a rumored 5.0-liter V8. Reports are also indicating a V6 mill and a range-topping Shelby GT350 which will have more than 450 bhp (335 kW).

The all-new Ford Mustang is expected to be unveiled in January 2014 at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.

Source: mustang6g.com 
Source via;
http://www.worldcarfans.com/113083062198/2015-ford-mustang-rendered-based-on-latest-spy-shots