2015 Honda/Acura NSX spied at the Nürburgring hiding production body

Will feature a Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system

The highly anticipated 2015 Honda/Acura NSX has been spied undergoing final testing in Germany around the Nürburgring circuit.

Honda has been relatively quiet lately about the long-awaited NSX revival but now we have a fresh batch of spy photos with a camouflaged prototype testing at the 'Ring, ahead of a full reveal likely to occur before the end of the year since the company has already announced plans to begin production in 2015 at a newly established Performance Manufacturing Center in Ohio where they are investing 70M USD. As a reminder, the 2015 NSX is being developed by Honda R&D Americas in Raymond, Ohio.

The car appears to look virtually the same as the Acura NSX concept shown at last year's NAIAS in Detroit which itself was a minor revision of a concept exhibited a year earlier at the same venue. It will make use of a three-motor high-performance hybrid system encompassing two electric motors driving the front wheels along with a third motor built into an all-new dual-clutch transmission while a mid-mounted V6 engine will power the rear axle.

Honda has labeled this system as Sport Hybrid Super Handling All Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) and they say it will be capable to provide the NSX reboot with "instant delivery of negative or positive torque to the front wheels during cornering to achieve a new level of driving performance unparalleled by current AWD systems."

Source;
http://www.worldcarfans.com/114072278572/2015-hondaacura-nsx-spied-at-the-nrburgring-hiding-production

Lexus said building a 600HP monster coupe to revamp reputation

by Chris Davies of www.slashgear.com

Lexus may not be the first car brand that comes to mind when you think of outrageously extreme performance vehicles, but that may change if rumors of a twin-turbo production version of the striking LF-LC concept toting 600HP+ pan out. Likely to launch as the Lexus SC F, the hottest of the SC coupe range will supposedly have a meatier version of the 5.0 V8 set to power the top-spec Lexus RC F.


Revealed back in 2012, the LF-LC was more of a design study than a true intention of Lexus' production plans; however, the degree of positive response to the concept convinced Lexus execs to take the car more seriously.

According to Motor Trend's sources, "seriously" may turn out to be shorthand for "crazy fast and unexpectedly extreme" if Lexus' current prototypes are anything to go by. A twin-turbo test mule is said to be doing the rounds in Japan, its production offspring set to sit at the top of a three model range that will also include a hybrid.

Most affordable of the SC series will be a non-turbo V8, which is predicted to muster around 450HP. The SC H will sit in the middle, with a 500HP hybrid powerplant that Motor Trend predicts will borrow in no small part from the Toyota/BMW tech collaboration.

Unexpectedly, Lexus is said to be readying an even more potent version of the RC F, slotting the twin-turbo V8 into a $120,000 monster. That could launch as the RC FS in 2017.

If it all pans out, it's a sudden flurry of turbo tinkering from Lexus, which only waded into boosted engines with the NX crossover that will launch later this year. Lexus opted to develop its own, in-house turbo system rather than source it externally, though attached to a 2.0-liter four cylinder it only musters 235HP, a far cry from the supercar performance expected of the SC.


Source;
http://www.slashgear.com/lexus-said-building-a-600hp-monster-coupe-to-revamp-reputation-18337793/

MagX Renders Toyota's next Small SUV

I had to use Google Translate for the below;

Small SUV Toyota's can see the design at last

The model is introduced into the position below the RAV4 was too large, small SUV also serves as successor car ist. I caught the design of such a small SUV is wearing on the market at the time. Design that Nokka~tsu the design trend of recent Toyota seems to be given.

I'd like see the illustration above. Headlamp wide feeling is emphasized reminds the "leer" given SAI you big minor.

Garnish black trapezoid disposed in the mask center, also serves as a radiator grille. Deformation trapezoidal bumper painted underneath, in the same color as the body is also characteristic. Drawn the eye also trapezoidal air intake provided just above the lower end of the spoiler.

To be outdone in the impact of the front mask, rear view also seems to be built fairly As shown in the illustration above. You get the impression similar to the first generation Nissan Murano at first glance, but this was due to combination lamps disposed to the rear wheel tuning wheel arch. Quarter window of the triangle that is cut at an angle as well, would be one of the factors that seem like an Murano.

Convex back bottom of the window, which is considered as characteristic attention Nanoha, not in the competitive car's (stepped) design. This is similar to the design of the rear-end processing of Estima and Harrier. In addition, half of the back window hatch on the gate are summarized in square keynote, by moderate inclination angle is woven, is devised so that it looks light and sporty.

The engine equipped with is, downsizing of turbo 1.2L Toyota advance the development behind the scenes. D4-S using a combination of port injection and in-cylinder injection is incorporated, the power of the 1.6L class and good fuel economy are compatible. There is also an interesting news MT well CVT that is set.

1.8L hybrid lineup in addition to this. This will be shared with the next-generation Prius. In addition, BMW-made diesel turbo also seems to be set for the European version.

Appearance has been scheduled for early 2016. The deal in the country, the possibility of the Nets shop Corolla to lose from the commodity group Rumion, or have been sold ist is high.

※ It is a prediction article about the announcement of the new car in the July 1, 2014. It does not guarantee publication

Source;
http://www.carsensor.net/contents/editor/_25388.html 

AutoExpress: New Honda Civic Type-R concept meets its fans

Honda Type R fans from around Europe converged on Belgium’s Spa race track to get up close and personal with honda’s new hot Civic.

The death of the Honda Civic Type R four years ago epitomised Tokyo’s drift away from the fast, furious and fun hot hatch.

During its time, Honda’s hero overcame criticism of its crashy ride quality and power deficit to other hot hatches, until EU emissions legislation forced the brand to wield the axe.

The Type R was Honda’s last true performance car, and when it left the range it took plenty of credibility with it.

To get your head around how frustrating it is for Honda fans that the company no longer sells a model with an R stamped on its rev-hungry engine, you just have to talk to existing Type R owners.

For the rest of the article, just follow this link;

Source;
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/honda/civic/87829/new-honda-civic-type-r-concept-meets-its-fans

Honda puts final touches to new compact SUV (HR-V)

Already on sale in Japan as the Vezel and revealed in North America as the HR-V, the European version of the new compact SUV has yet to be given a name, although Honda sources confirmed to Autocar at the Vezel’s Tokyo motor show reveal last year that Vezel would not be used here.

The HR-V name was also used on a compact SUV that launched in the UK in 1999.

Whatever name Honda decides on for it, the model will line up against the likes of the Nissan Juke, Vauxhall Mokka and Ford EcoSport in a segment rapidly growing in popularity in the UK and further afield.

The new SUV is based on the underpinnings on the next-generation Jazz (FIT here), another model that’s already been revealed and is on sale in other global markets without having made it to Europe yet. As with the next-gen Jazz, the compact SUV will not be built at Honda’s Swindon plant.

The core engine is set to be a version of Honda’s 1.6-litre turbodiesel found in the Civic and CR-V. Options elsewhere include a direct injection, four cylinder 1.5-litre hybrid and Honda’s new 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo motor, although no detail has been given by Honda Europe on an engine line-up for either the new SUV or the upcoming Jazz replacement. (We in North America will only be getting the 1.5L 130hp).

The car is expected to be offered with both manual transmission and a seven-speed double clutch gearbox.

As these spy pictures of the model testing in the Alps reveal, the styling will not radically depart from the versions of the SUV on sale in other global markets. The chassis will be tweaked to suit European tastes, while the interior trim and specification is likely to be upgraded for the same reasons.

Source;
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/scoop/honda-puts-final-touches-new-compact-suv

2015 Honda CRV Headlights?

Makes sense that this could be the headlights to the upcoming Minor Model Change 2015 Honda CRV, just like the Accord, they could add the LED lights under neath the Projector lens. 

Looking at the spyshots that are floating around, this would confirm things.

Here is the Euro CRV for 2015.

Thanks for the find Mark!

2015 Honda Pilot Special Edition Spec's

The Pilot adds SPECIAL EDITION (Replaces the EX trim) trim to its 2015 model lineup in order to provide Honda owners with an enhanced driving experience. The Pilot SPECIAL EDITION includes unique and innovative features such as:

•Honda DVD Rear Entertainment System with 9-inch display, integrated remote
•control and wireless headsets with personal surround sound
•18” aluminum-alloy wheels (2 tone) design
•One-touch power moonroof with tilt feature
•SiriusXM®
•115-volt power outlet
•Conversation mirror with sunglasses holder
•Security system
•Body-coloured heated power side mirrors
•Chrome exhaust finishers
•Fog lights
•Roof rails
•HomeLink® remote system
•Driver’s seat with 10-way power adjustment including power lumbar support
•Heated front seats

Source;
Honda Canada

Honda claims overall win, production electric vehicle record at Pikes Peak

Romain Dumas raced to the overall win at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

The 2014 Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb resulted in two more Pikes Peak titles for Honda, as four Honda drivers and riders earned top-five class finishes in Sunday's 12.42-mile trek up the mountain.
The Honda effort was highlighted by Romain Dumas, who scored his first overall Pikes Peak title. Roy Richards also came up big in his Honda Fit EV, winning the Electric Production class with a record run of 12 minutes, 55.591 seconds.

"After [finishing 2nd in] 2012, the target was to win one," Dumas said. "This year, we did a perfect job, the [Honda engine] was running good and we prepared how we should. I knew I was running smoothly, so I didn't want to take any risks. It was a clear run. It was not incredible, but it was enough to win and that was the target anyway. We are very happy, and this is a big win for the team.'

This year marked the 13th consecutive year that a Honda-powered vehicle has won at least one class in the Pikes Peak event.

"I am very pleased with the Fit EV's performance this year," Richards said. "We knew from last year's practice times that the Fit EV had a shot at the record, but weather spoiled our run. Building on the knowledge gained from last year, our team refined the suspension settings and did additional weight reduction. The results were better than we expected with a new record for the production EV class."

Associates from American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Honda Performance Development (HPD), Honda North America and Honda R&D combined to field six vehicles for Honda associates in this year's race. With five of the six Honda drivers having previously competed at Pikes Peak, each of the six vehicles made successful runs to the 14,115-foot Pikes Peak summit.

Honda provided power for Dumas in his own Norma RD Limited prototype chassis entry in the Unlimited class. Starting first, Dumas pushed his Honda powerplant to a race-winning time of 9:05.801 to claim his first race win and the first overall Pikes Peak victory for a Honda-powered car.

James Robinson posted the fastest time of the six Honda associate-driven vehicles in his Acura Pikes Peak NSX, finishing sixth in the Open Class with a time of 11:09.134. Zach Jacobs rode his Honda CBR600RR throughout the course's 156 turns in 11:11.885 to place fifth in the Middleweight motorcycle class, while Sage Marie's effort of 11:59.095 in his Honda S2000 was good for fourth in the Time Attack 2 class.

Keith Steidl placed sixth in the quad class with a time of 12:31.245, while the only rookie in the 2014 class, Corey Taguchi, placed fourth in the Exhibition standings after posting a time of 14:26.438 in his Honda Fit.

Source;
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20140702/motorsports/140709977