Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Woodyscarsite: What would the Avengers 'one-of' look like in production form?

Last week we saw the new Avengers movie Acura Supercar. Acura has said that this is going to be a one of made specifically for the movie and www.woodyscarsite.com managed to get a hold of an illustration as to what the car could look like if it were under production. I've got to say, looks nice!

Source;
http://www.woodyscarsite.com/2011/09/hondaacura-nsx.html

Honda Motor President and CEO, Takanobu Ito reveals New Civic at Frankfurt Motor Show

-New Civic makes public debut
-Designed for, tested and uniquely produced in Europe
-Newly developed smaller diesel added to Civic range in 2012
-New generation of low emission engines for Europe
-30% CO2 reduction target for all product areas by 2020

Good morning, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am very pleased to join you today at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
50 years ago, Honda's first European company was established in Germany in 1961. Since then, our mission has always been to satisfy European customers with unique and innovative products.
Our journey still continues today. We are making progress with a range of clean and sustainable, yet fun-to-drive mobility technologies. We continue to develop our Hybrid, Battery Electric, Plug-in, and Fuel Cell products alongside energy generation technologies such as Solar Cell and Cogeneration.
Since 1972 when we became the World's 1st auto maker to meet strict US emissions regulations with CVCC technology, Honda has been committed to reducing our environmental footprint.
Our New Environmental Mark symbolizes our passion to provide sustainable mobility for future generations and to deliver ‘blue skies for our children'.
To measure and demonstrate this commitment, we announced in June that we aim to deliver a 30% CO2 reduction on all product areas by 2020.
The New Civic is the first step towards achieving this new target. The 1.8 litre petrol engine delivers a 10% CO2 reduction. The 2.2 litre diesel engine reduces CO2 emissions by nearly 20%, whilst further enhancing performance.
By the end of 2012, we will add a newly developed smaller diesel engine to the Civic range. Designed specifically for the European market, the new engine will further reduce CO2 emissions. Starting with this new smaller diesel, Honda will introduce a new generation of low emission engines, renewing all of our automobile engines in Europe.
From the First Civic to this 9th generation Civic, we have always challenged ourselves to give Civic a new value. The New Civic offers a striking sporty design and class-leading utility created by Honda's unique centre-tank layout, whilst now offering even more improved fuel economy, handling and comfort.
The New Civic is designed for European customers. We tested this car on European roads more than any other Honda car in our history. It is dynamic and stable. It is fun and comfortable with no compromise made to achieve these improvements.
New Civic is not just an evolution, it is a revolutionary evolution. We have jumped 2 generations ahead of our current model.
The new Civic will be uniquely produced in Europe, and sales will start in early 2012.
Ladies and Gentlemen, THIS IS... THE NEW CIVIC, and with this New Civic, Honda's strong regeneration in Europe begins.
Thank you for your attention.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.eu/en/news/index.pmode/modul,detail,0,1977-DEFAULT,21,text,1/index.pmode

Exclusive Preview of the New Civic (Europe)

September 12, 2011 - The new Honda Civic will be launched tomorrow at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA). Honda has released the first exclusive photos of the new Civic. Designed and developed specifically for the European market, the new Civic will be offered as a five-door hatchback and will compete in the C-segment. It will reach European showrooms in early 2012.


The designers of the new Civic wanted to keep the sporty and advanced elements of the car’s character but tailor them to express the new model’s even more elegant yet dynamic feel. Sources of inspiration included a ‘blended wing body’ aeroplane * in which the fuselage and wings blend into a single body for superior aerodynamic performance, quietness and habitability.


Nearly all of the body components have been redesigned on the new Civic with particular focus on ride and handling, reduced CO2 emissions, interior quality, while preserving the class-leading cabin and boot space and flexible practicality.



Source;
http://world.honda.com/news/2011/4110912New-Civic/index.html


Link to Honda's site;

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Why the Honda Ridgeline pickup is driving off into the sunset

Here we go again, according to Autoweek, the Ridgeline is going to be phased out. C'mon Honda, this is a really nice truck and by not coming out with a full redesign by your own 5yrs standards (you do this for a reason on other products, why not here!?!) you've hurt this truck. Alot of people that own one now would buy a redesign, I am on the front lines and see it all the time! People don't want the same thing every year (hmm Element come to mind?).
The Honda Ridgeline is a good example of what happens when an automaker abandons a model.
After much fanfare with its introduction in 2005, little was done to upgrade the mid-sized pickup. Ridgeline's plummeting sales are no surprise considering the lack of sheet metal changes and significant engineering improvements over the seven-year period.

The pickup's best year was 2006 when 50,193 sales were tallied. After that point, it's been all down hill. Last year, sales for the 12-month period totaled a 16,142, a 2 percent drop from the previous year. This year's sales through August nosedived 49 percent, to 5,776 vehicles.

While the Honda Ridgeline does not fill everyone's pickup needs, nor was it intended to so, it is a credible pickup. Despite the fact that it was developed off a front-drive platform, it has a 1,500-pound-plus payload capacity and tows up tow 5,000 pounds. Four-wheel drive is standard.

And, from what I hear, Ridgeline owners like the pickup, especially the towing capability, the ride, the handling, and the standard tailgate that swings down or to the side like a door.

Honda doesn't talk about future products. But Automotive News reported last month that the Honda Ridgeline will be discontinued in about two years. Based on conversations with industry sources, the story said a smaller pickup is under consideration, derived from the Honda CR-V platform.

Presuming less payload and towing capacity than the Ridgeline, I can't imagine why a smaller pickup based on a front-drive platform would be a more successful product formula for Honda.

Source;
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20110909/CARNEWS/110909864#ixzz1XYpAAqDj

Thursday, September 8, 2011

(UK?) 2012 Honda Civic Concept Photo's

Source;
http://visions-autos.sport24.com/654545/Future-Honda-Civic-2012-et-Honda-Civic-Concept/

Honda City facelift spied! Launch could be in October

It is time for the all new Honda City to get a makeover. Honda is expected to launch the Honda City in October with a mid-life facelift. Honda recently dropped the prices of its products which has made the Honda City a very attractive buy among the other mid-sized sedan in its company. The new aesthetic package will only add to the popularity of the Honda City. Autocar India is carrying spy shots of the all new Honda City facelift testing.


The changes however, minor have helped freshen-up the overall visual appeal of the mid-sized car. The major change to the front end consists of a redesigned front grille finished in brushed black. The front bumper has also been redesigned and has fog lamps neatly integrated in to it. The car also gets new side skirts as well as rear bumpers with subtle sporty touch. The new alloys are from the Accord. The 10-spoke alloys enhance the sporty theme that is evident from the new aesthetic touches that have been added to the new Honda City.


The top-of-the-line variant of the Honda City is also expected to carry a sun-roof. Also, we hope Honda might add automatic-climate control, bluetooth and auto-retractable mirrors. The main competitors of the car offer these features in their cars and Honda might respond to this. If, Honda includes these features on the City, cars like the Hyundai Verna are in for a big battle in the coming months. The mechanicals on the car will remain the same though. The all new facelift Honda City will get the same 1.5 litre i-VTEC with 116 horsepower on tap. The prices of the car are expected to remain the same.

Source;

Honda UK: Hot Honda Civic’s power hike

The limited-edition Honda Civic Type R Mugen has received a power and torque hike thanks to a reworked version of the venerable K20 powerplant.

Just 20 examples of the motorsport-derived Honda Civic Type R Mugen went on sale last year, and for the new version technicians at Northampton-based Mugen Euro company have increased the cylinder bore and stroke of the engine to 2156cc.

See pictures of the Honda Civic Type R Mugen 2.2

The result is a 20bhp power hike to 260bhp and additional torque on tap throughout the rev range, with a peak of 177lb ft at 6000rpm.

The tweaked engine capacity has prompted Honda to christen the new machine the Civic Type R Mugen 2.2. Like its predecessor, the machine features Mugen-produced sports suspension, uprated brakes and a performance bodykit.

The Civic Type R Mugen 2.2 has been developed as a tribute to the Honda K20 2.0-litre petrol engine, which has ceased production in Japan. The race-tuned engine has powered the only two complete road cars produced by Mugen – the Japan-only Civic Mugen RR four-door saloon and the Civic Type R Mugen produced in the UK.

Hiro Toyoda, vice-president of Mugen Euro, said, “Environmental pressures mean naturally aspirated engines are rapidly being superseded by other engine architectures and technologies. We may never see the like of the K20 in a mainstream production car again, so it felt only fitting we mark the occasion with this special 2.2 version of the Honda Civic Type R.”

It’s not yet clear how the Honda Civic Type R Mugen 2.2 will be sold. Of the 20 limited-edition 2.0-litre cars launched in 2010, four remain unsold and it’s possible Mugen Euro may offer them with the reworked engine.

Existing owners of the Honda Civic Type R Mugen could also be invited to return their cars for an upgrade. Honda UK says a decision will be made shortly.

Source;
http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/259070/

The Next Toyota Camry Coupe (Solara) Imagined

What if the brought back the Solara? Nice rendition anyways....
Source (via www.autoblog.com);
http://www.theophiluschin.com/?p=3553