Honda Mobilio sporty Modulo kit revealed (Not for North America)

by Pearl Daniels of www.rushlane.com

An exclusive Honda Modulo kit is being presented with the upcoming Honda Mobilio in Indonesia.

Honda Modulo Kit on board the new Mobilio MPV will consist of a slew of external and internal accessories which can be purchased individually while it also comes in a package.

The Prestige+ package is priced at Rp 2,143,000 (INR 11,310) and consists of a new front grille, hood top garnish, door mirror cover and tail light garnish.

Added accessories include front bumper protector, roof bumper, headlight garnish, door handle cover, exhaust pipe finisher and some hardware accessories to include rear corner sensor and air conditioning filter.

In Indonesia, Honda is also offering an Internal package with includes rubber mats priced at Rp 428,000(INR 2,259), illuminated step garnish Rp 1,037,000 (INR 5,473), rear bumper garnish Rp 514,000 (INR 2,713), trunk tray Rp 616,000 (INR 3,251), interior panel in a choice of metal or carbon Rp 1,427,000 (INR 7,531) and a host of other options.

Source;
http://www.rushlane.com/honda-mobilio-sporty-modulo-kit-revealed-12114402.html

All-new Version of ASIMO Will Debut in North America April 15

04/03/2014 - MARYSVILLE, Ohio 

 

Honda will introduce its newest version of ASIMO, the world's most advanced humanoid robot, to U.S. audiences on the popular nationally syndicated talk show "LIVE with Kelly and Michael," on Tuesday, April 15, 2014. The newest version of ASIMO will join hosts Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan to debut several of its new robotic abilities.

The new version of ASIMO — which stands for Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility — features enhanced hand dexterity, including the ability to sign in both Japanese and American sign language, as well as the ability to run faster than previously, climb stairs more smoothly, hop, jump, balance on one foot, and transition seamlessly between walking and running, among other new and unique capabilities.

"ASIMO was designed to help those in society who need assistance, and Honda believes that these improvements in ASIMO bring us another step closer to our ultimate goal of being able to help all kinds of people in need," said Satoshi Shigemi, Senior Chief Engineer with Honda R&D Co., Ltd. in Japan, responsible for humanoid robotics.

Following the broadcast on "LIVE with Kelly and Michael," ASIMO will demonstrate its new capabilities for national technology and science media in New York.

About ASIMO
Honda introduced the first version of ASIMO, the world's most advanced, bi-pedal humanoid robot, in 2000, after 14 years of research on humanoid robotics. Honda created ASIMO to help people and society, to create a helpmate for humans requiring assistance with their daily lives.

The small, lightweight robot is designed to operate fluidly in a human environment, and is capable of walking, running, climbing and descending stairs, avoiding objects, and recognizing human faces, among other skills.

The new version of ASIMO is 4'3" tall (130 cm), weighs 110 lbs (50 kg), and is made of magnesium alloy, plastic resin and other materials. ASIMO runs on a rechargeable lithium ion battery, with an approximate operating time of 40 minutes before recharging.

Previous versions of ASIMO have entertained people around the United States, while showcasing its innovative technology, including ringing the opening bell on the New York Stock Exchange, conducting the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, walking the red carpet at a Hollywood movie premiere, and appearing in regular performances at Disneyland.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.com/channels/corporate-headlines/releases/all-new-version-of-asimo-will-debut-in-north-america-april-15

Honda Vezel to receive HR-V nameplate in United States - report

So, what does HR-V stand for you ask?  Hi-rider Revolutionary Vehicle....

Will be built in new Mexico production facility

A new report indicates Honda will use the "HR-V" moniker in United States for its Fit-based crossover.

Honda's Urban SUV concept eventually became the Vezel crossover for Japan and now it seems the model is heading to the United States but with the HR-V name. The vehicle was reportedly shown to North American dealers at a recent meeting and Honda also filed an application for the "HR-V" name with the U.S. Patent and Trademark offices.

Production of the Honda HR-V will take place at the company's Celaya assembly plant in Mexico where they also produce the 2015 Fit upon which the HR-V is based on. The model will go on sale in the second half of the year while in 2015 it will be introduced in Europe possibly with the same HR-V designation. The JDM-spec Vezel has been on sale since November last year.

The previous Honda HR-V (Hi-rider Revolutionary Vehicle) was produced between 1999 and 2006 and was available as a three- and five-door model with a 4-cylinder 1.6-liter gasoline engine delivering 105 PS (77 kW) and 125 PS (92 kW) in the VTEC version.

Source;
http://www.worldcarfans.com/114040572902/honda-vezel-to-receive-hr-v-nameplate-in-united-states

2015 Honda FIT Pricing for US LEAKED

Trim levels and MSRPs (not including destination):

LX (6M) $15,525
LX (CVT) $16,325
EX (6M) $17,435
EX (CVT) $18,235
EX-L (CVT) $19,800
EX-L Navi (CVT) $20,800

LX standard features:

Air conditioning
Cruise control
Power door locks with keyless entry
Power windows
Body-color power mirrors
60/40 split folding rear seat
Bluetooth phone connect
Radio - AM/FM/CD/AUX/USB 4-speaker w/5" screen and backup cam
Rear wiper
LED brake lamps
15" steel wheels

EX adds:

Power moonroof
Proximity Key entry and ignition
Paddle shifters (with CVT)
LaneWatch right-side camera
Radio upgrade - adds 6-speaker, 7" touch screen, HondaLink
Fog lamps
16" cast aluminum wheels

EX-L adds:

Leather seats
Heated front seats
Leather shift knob and steering wheel
Signal mirrors

Source (via www.autoblog.com);
http://www.tlxforums.com/forum/acura-tlx-lounge/674-leaked-2015-u-s-honda-fit-pricing-trim-details.html

2014 Honda Civic DX/LX Tire Bead Recall affects approx 10,000 cars

By Frédérick Boucher-Gaulin 

GM is not the only one to recall vehicles at the moment!

Honda is currently recalling more than 10,000 cars. The only model concerned is the 2014 Honda Civic, especially the LX version.

During assembly, a tire may have been pinched between the steel wheels and the assembly line, creating a weak point in the rubber. 

The more luxurious versions are not concerned, since they are equipped with alloy wheels. Those are not assembled in the same location.

Of the 10,000 cars recalled, only a handful have actually been sold. The rest are still sitting in dealer’s lots.

The recall started on March 28, and Honda is currently contacting the few clients with a faulty model. The repair is very simple, they will just change the tire. Of course, this will be done free of charge.

Source;

http://www.guideautoweb.com/en/articles/24570/honda_also_recall_cars/

Honda Salvages April Fools' Day While Skewering DIY Ridiculousness

April Fools' Day is the worst. Ninety-nine percent of jokes fall flat, everyone tries too hard, and Twitter manages to take its shark jumping to a new level entirely. There's an exception to every rule, though, and this year it was Honda that managed to thread the April Fools' needle with a legitimately funny spoof ad.

Taking aim at the absurdity of the overly self-serious DIY fad, Honda introduces the Honda Handmade Series, the world's first DIY car. While sitting in what is obviously supposed to be a Brooklyn loft, a millenial couple lays out their "handcrafted movement" credentials—from a homemade yarn collection to an upcoming project involving blown-out amplifier fuses—before pitching the hipster dream car.

"There's something cool about making it ourselves with our own fingertips. Like, we make homemade Kombucha," says Vanessa, with her mustachioed boyfriend Caleb looking on lovingly. "That's what I really love—that Honda takes the idea of handcrafted to the new Fit. What better way to have a personal connection with an object than to just build it piece by piece?"

The ad—which you can watch above—absolutely pillories hipster culture, and as both a millenial and Williamsburg resident, I can safely say that Honda pretty much nailed it. Now, to be fair, whether my enjoyment of the whole thing comes from a place of self-loathing remains to be seen, but what I do know is this: I laugh at the "Espana" line every single time.

Source;
http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2014/04/02/honda_april_fools_day_ad_honda_homemade_series_spoof_mocks_the_diy_fad.html

Rendering – Honda Brio facelift with wing-face grille

by Anjan Ravi of www.indianautosblog.com

Honda’s small car, Brio, has been in the Indian market for about two and a half years now, and that amount of time has qualified it to receive a facelift. A top Honda India official confirmed the facelift, but declined to provide a launch timeline.

In this rendering presented by Geijutsute, the Brio is seen with Honda’s new front face which the company refers to as the Solid Wing Face (seen on the new City).

Apart from the new grille and bumper, this rendering foresees no other changes to the small hatchback. In the middle of last year, Honda launched a mildly updated Brio in Thailand which got a rear wiper and washer along with a plastic applique, to lend more style to the all-glass bootlid.

Mechanically, we do not expect the Honda Brio to change in anyway. The hatchback is powered by a 1.2-liter four-cylinder i-VTEC petrol engine outputting 88 PS and 109 Nm of torque in India. A Honda official told Indian Autos Blog that the company has no plans to introduce its i-DTEC diesel engine in any of its existing products (which at that time were the Brio, older City and Accord)

Brio in Thailand received rear wiper and washer last year, though this was not a facelift.

The Brio’s monthly sales average of 1,235 units (January-March 2014 period) falls short of the competition from Hyundai and Maruti. A facelift with inclusion of features such as a rear wiper and a better entertainment system may help bring additional volumes.

[Image from Deviantart]

Source;
http://indianautosblog.com/2014/04/honda-brio-facelift-rendering-126548

Honda Lawnmower Sets Speed Record of 117 Friggin’ MPH

by of Jordan Golson www.wired.com

For some, there’s nothing better than spending a lazy Sunday cutting the grass on a riding mower. For others, ripping around a racetrack is the perfect way to unwind on the weekend. Honda thought they could combine the two, and the result is a 109-horsepower beast that just set the world speed record for lawnmowers. Yes, that’s a thing.

Honda’s U.K. division joined up with its British Touring Car Championship partner Team Dynamics and tore apart a Honda HF2620 Lawn Tractor before revamping the whole thing with a custom-fab chassis and a 1000cc engine from a Honda VTR Firestorm motorcycle. For good measure, the team took the suspension and wheels from an ATV to cope with the extra grunt.

Of course, this is a lawn mower we’re talking about. Guinness, sticklers that they are, required that the Mean Mower be able to actually cut grass. So Team Dynamics created a custom cutter deck out of fiberglass and installed a fuel tank, high-capacity oil cooler, and secondary water cooler for the radiator in the mower’s grass bag to preserve as much of the look of the original tractor as possible.

There’s a six-speed paddle shift tranny, along with a custom racing seat and exhaust, and since they couldn’t find the right size steering rack for something this small, they pilfered one from a Morris Minor. All that adds up to a mower geared for a top speed in excess of 130 mph with the 109 hp 1000cc engine propelling its 308 pounds from 0-60 in just 4 seconds.

Two electric motors were installed on the cutter deck, with 3mm steel cable spinning at 4000 rpm making to keep the judges happy. It can actually cut grass at up to 15 mph, more than double the speed of the machine on which it was based.

The world record was set at the IDIADA Proving Ground, in Tarragona, Spain on a 2km stretch of tarmac. Top Gear writer Piers Ward was behind the wheel, averaging 116.57 mph over two runs in opposite directions through a 100 meter speed trap, crushing the previous lawn mower speed record of 87.83 mph.

Ward wrote that the mower was stable, with “no wobbles, no drama.” Sounds safe enough, even if it doesn’t have a seat belt.

Source;
http://www.wired.com/2014/04/honda-mower-record/