2015 Honda Fit: 86 mpg from the next hyper-efficient hybrid

Could your next car get 86 mpg? It might if it’s a Honda. The next-generation Honda Fit subcompact will be unveiled this fall and arrive in the US in the first half of 2014. Most of the buzz over the new Fit, called the Honda Jazz in some countries) is the hybrid version, which promises a 35% improvement in fuel economy. The US currently gets the gasoline Honda Fit and EV Fit — not the hybrid Fit — but that could change with the next model.

On a Japanese test cycle, 2014 Fit Hybrid fuel economy will be on the order of 2.7 liters consumed per 100 km or 85.6 US mpg. That’s a mathematical conversion that doesn’t account for the US test cycle. But still, it could be the most efficient hybrid if and when it arrives stateside. Currently the most efficient non-EV cars sold in the US are the Toyota Prius C and Toyota Prius, each with 50 mpg combined EPA rating, 53 mpg and 51 mpg city ratings for the Prius C and Prius, respectively. The 2013 Honda Fit gets 29-31 mpg combined depending on the transmission or 33-35 mpg highway; the Honda Fit EV gets 118 mpg-e (miles per gallon equivalent), best in the category the EPA calls small station wagons.

Atkinson engine, 7-speed double clutch transmission, electric motor

Under the umbrella of Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology program, the new Fit Hybrid will be the first to employ Honda’s Intelligent Dual Clutch Drive system, or i-DCD. The gasoline power comes from a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder Atkinson cycle engine. A single electric motor is packaged with a seven-speed dual clutch transmission, linked through an intelligent power unit (IPU) to a lithium-ion storage battery. An Atkinson engine has an effectively shorter compression stroke (when the piston moves upward) than the downward power stroke, accomplished by not immediately closing each cylinder’s intake valve. It captures more of the power in the fuel-air mixture.

When starting out, the clutches disengage the gas engine and the Fit Hybrid starts off on battery power. The clutches engage the engine and gearbox under sporty (hard) acceleration and at higher speeds. When the Fit Hybrid decelerates, the gas engine is again disengaged.

Honda has claimed a 35% increase is compared to the current Fit Hybrid’s integrated motor assist (IMA) configuration. The IMA electric motor only runs when the gasoline engine runs, functioning much like a turbocharger. This is called a mild hybrid or weak hybrid configuration. A hybrid such as the Prius that can run on battery power alone is a strong hybrid, and who wouldn’t prefer strong over mild, let alone weak?
IMA may be cost-effective tech, but lots of hybrid owners want to see — and show their friends — a car that runs on battery alone for a mile or two. This is what happens when you let engineers have input into how a company runs: They pick solutions that make cost-effective sense. Sometimes the market agrees, other times not. Honda has long argued nobody needs an engine of more than six cylinders and it turns out they’re right, but that hurt the Acura brand competing against V8 offerings from Lexus, Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz the last two decades. Honda has also been one or two gears shy of the competition in transmissions, arguing that four or five forward gears was  fine — “look at our mpg figures, not the numbers of gears.” Now, they too are creeping upwards to as many as seven (the industry record is currently nine). The IMA hybrid is giving way to the i-DCD hybrid. At the very least, IMA served its purpose and Honda is moving on to a more efficient technology.

Source;
http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/163462-honda-fit-86-mpg-from-the-next-hyper-efficient-hybrid

Honda Civic Aces new IIHS Dual Barrier Crash Test

 
DETROIT -- Two redesigned Honda Civic models were the only small cars to get the top rating in stringent front-end crash tests performed by an insurance industry group.

Half of the 12 compact and subcompact cars tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety fared poorly, but six performed well. Safety is critical in the fast-growing small-car market, as buyers downsize from larger vehicles.

The two-door and four-door Civics earned "good" ratings, while the Dodge Dart, Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra and the 2014 Scion tC were "acceptable."

Popular models such as the Chevrolet Cruze and Sonic and the Volkswagen Beetle got "marginal" ratings, while the Nissan Sentra, Kia Soul and 2014 Kia Forte were rated "poor."

The group didn't test the Toyota Corolla because a new version is coming out in the fall. The Corolla is the No. 2-selling small car in America, behind the Civic.

The two Civic models and the Dart, Focus, Elantra and Scion tC each earned the IIHS' coveted Top Safety Pick Plus award for performing well in multiple tests, including the small offset crash. So far, 25 vehicles of all sizes have earned the award.

The IIHS ratings are influential because many auto shoppers find them while researching vehicles on the Internet.

The market for small cars is one of fastest-growing in the U.S. Automakers have made the cars quieter and more refined as people who want good gas mileage turn to compacts and subcompacts.

So far this year, Americans have bought more than 1.8 million new small cars, up 12 per cent over a year ago, according to Autodata Corp. IIHS said that as a group, small cars performed worse than mid-sized cars, but better than small SUVs.

Results for mini-cars will be released later in the year, the group said. Kia said in a statement the IIHS test goes beyond U.S. government requirements and noted the Soul and Forte received top safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Nissan said it will review the IIHS tests. The Sentra, it said, performed well in other IIHS tests.

Honda bolstered the Civic's front structure as part of a redesign late last year, said Karl Brauer, senior analyst at Kelley Blue Book.

Some older models, such as the Cruze and Sonic, were designed before the test was announced.

The IIHS, a non-profit research group funded by insurance companies, conducts its small offset test by crashing vehicles into a fixed 1.5-metre-tall barrier at 65 km/h to simulate collisions with a utility pole or tree.

The institute gives vehicles demerits when the structure intrudes into the passenger compartment, or if a crash dummy suffers injuries to head, neck, chest or other body parts. "Good" is the top rating, followed by "acceptable," then "marginal" and "poor."

 --The Associated Press

Honda touts Civic wagon's 'sleek' look

Claire Bal

Automotive News Europe

 
August 9, 2013 12:40 CET

Honda will join rival Toyota in targeting Europe's compact wagon segment with the Civic Tourer.

Honda says the Civic Tourer will stand out in Europe's crowded compact wagon segment because of its "sleek and sophisticated exterior combined with class-leading interior space."

The company will debut a production version of the Civic Tourer at next month's Frankfurt auto show, alongside an updated version of the Civic hatchback.

Honda stopped selling compact wagons in Europe 15 years ago. Rival Toyota also withdrew from the segment but the automaker is currently rolling out the Auris Touring Sports, its first compact wagon sold in Europe since 2006 and the only wagon also offered with a hybrid powertrain.

Honda will begin sales of the Civic Tourer early next year. Honda expects 20 percent of Civic sales in Europe to be wagons.

The Civic Tourer will be Honda's first production model to offer a rear adaptive damper system, which improves stability and comfort under varying load and driving conditions.

The wagon will be built at Honda's factory in Swindon, England, alongside the Civic hatchback, Jazz subcompact and CR-V crossover.

The Civic is a key model line for Honda in Europe with sales of 25,079 units in the first half, up 20 percent from the same period in 2012, according to JATO Dynamics. The Civic was Honda's No. 2 seller in the region, slightly behind the CR-V which had sales of 25,648, up from 16,790 the year before.

Wagon variants currently represent 25 percent of compact car sales in Europe, according to Toyota.

Source;
http://europe.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130809/ANE/130809844/honda-touts-civic-wagons-sleek-look#axzz2bUWlexHW

Honda to invest $215M in Ohio engine plant and build 2 training centres

DETROIT -- Honda says it will spend $215 million to expand an engine plant and build two training centres in Ohio.

The investment will add about 60 jobs in the state, although 50 of them will come from other Honda operations in North America.

About $180 million will go to Honda's Anna, Ohio, engine plant to expand work on aluminum die casting and engine parts production. Money also will go a training centre for the plant.

Honda also plans a $35 million training centre for auto assembly workers and engineers at its Marysville, Ohio, assembly plant. Honda says the building also will have office space and a heritage centre to document Honda's North American history.

Honda says it's invested nearly $2.7 billion in its North American operations during the last three years.

Source;

http://www.ctvnews.ca/autos/honda-to-invest-215m-in-ohio-engine-plant-and-build-2-training-centres-1.1401124

Award-Winning 2014 Honda CR-V Goes On Sale Today, is an Efficient and Compact SUV Loaded with Value, Versatility and Features

08/06/2013 - TORRANCE, Calif.

• For 2014, CR-V continues to be a great value, offering a host of standard features including Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink, air conditioning, rearview camera, Pandora® interface, 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 returns for the 2014 model year as one of the most fun and functional compact SUVs in America. With its upscale styling, excellent fuel efficiency and its impressive list of standard convenience features, the 2014 Honda CR-V remains the smartest choice in its segment. The CR-V provides car-like interior comfort, a smooth, quiet ride and innovative features, making it a great fit for families or anyone with an active lifestyle.

The Honda CR-V has earned a host of favorable ratings, including a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 5-star Overall Vehicle Score¹ and a 2013 TOP SAFETY PICK designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It has also garnered awards and accolades from Edmunds.com, Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com, U.S. News & World Report and others. The CR-V finished 2013 as the best-selling SUV in America. The 2014 Honda CR-V goes on sale today, with prices starting at $22,945.²

The CR-V model lineup carries over for 2014, starting with the remarkably well-equipped CR-V LX with standard one-pull fold-flat rear seats, cruise control, Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink™, air conditioning, rearview camera, 160-watt 4-speaker audio system with Pandora® interface (with compatible smartphones) and more. The CR-V EX, the most popular trim, adds premium features including a power moonroof, upgraded 6-speaker audio system 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. Also available on the CR-V EX-L are a Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System⁴ with Voice Recognition™ and FM Traffic, or a DVD Rear Entertainment System⁵. Real Time AWD (all-wheel drive) is available on all models.

2014 Honda CR-V Pricing and EPA Data
Model	Transmission	MSRP2	EPA MPG Ratings6 City/Hwy/Combined
CR-V LX (2WD)	5-Speed Automatic	$22,945	23/31/26
CR-V LX (AWD)	5-Speed Automatic	$24,195	22/30/25
CR-V EX (2WD)	5-Speed Automatic	$25,045	23/31/26
CR-V EX (AWD)	5-Speed Automatic	$26,295	22/30/25
CR-V EX-L (2WD)	5-Speed Automatic	$27,695	23/31/26
CR-V EX-L (AWD)	5-Speed Automatic	$28,945	22/30/25
CR-V EX-L w/ Rear Ent. Sys. (2WD)	5-Speed Automatic	$28,395	23/31/26
CR-V EX-L w/ Rear Ent. Sys. (4WD)	5-Speed Automatic	$29,645	22/30/25
CR-V EX-L w/ Navi (2WD)	5-Speed Automatic	$29,195	23/31/26
CR-V EX-L w/ Navi (AWD)	5-Speed Automatic	$30,445	22/30/25

Body
The CR-V's highly rigid unit-body is designed to contribute to high fuel efficiency and vehicle safety while enhancing interior quietness. All CR-V models feature an exterior Expanded-View Driver's Mirror that adds an additional 5.5 degrees of visibility at the outer edge of the mirror's field of view, which can assist the driver in detecting other vehicles or road conditions that they might not otherwise see in a conventional mirror.

Versatile Interior
There is plenty of space to stretch out in the CR-V’s roomy 5-passenger interior, and there's also abundant storage, including a large center console. When it comes to utility, the innovative Easy Fold-Down 60/40 Split Rear Seatback can be quickly folded using release levers located near the tailgate opening or via a pull-strap accessible from each rear door.

The CR-V features sophisticated instrumentation that includes a standard full-color "intelligent" Multi-Information Display (i-MID) that offers a range of customizable features via fingertip controls on the steering wheel. A multi-angle rearview camera, standard on all models, provides a choice of three different views on the i-MID or optional navigation screen.

Comprehensive Safety
As standard equipment, every CR-V incorporates a VSA® electronic stability control system; ABS with Brake Assist; driver and front-passenger airbags; side-curtain airbags with roll-over sensor; front-side airbags with a passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); and a front seat design that can help reduce the severity of neck injury in the event of a rear collision. An Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure helps make the CR-V highly effective at absorbing and dispersing the energy of a frontal crash.

Powertrain
All CR-V models are powered by a 2.4-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine with 185 horsepower and 163 lb-ft. of torque (SAE net), paired with a standard 5-speed automatic transmission. Real Time AWD with the Intelligent Control System further harnesses available traction in low-grip driving conditions. The CR-V has an EPA fuel economy⁶ rating of 23/31/26 mpg city/highway/combined for the front-wheel-drive model and 22/30/25 mpg city/highway/combined for the AWD model.

Responsive Chassis
With its front MacPherson strut and rear multi-link fully independent suspension, the CR-V chassis is designed to maximize driving enjoyment, passenger comfort and confidence. All CR-V models feature Motion-Adaptive Electric Power Steering (EPS) that works with the standard VSA and Electric Power Steering to detect instability in slippery road conditions and automatically initiate steering-wheel inputs that prompt the driver to steer in the correct direction.

Manufacturing
The CR-V is sold in more than 160 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa. In the U.S., CR-Vs are manufactured at the Honda of America Manufacturing, Inc., East Liberty Auto Plant in Ohio from domestic and globally sourced parts.

Connect with Honda:
Media Newsroom (for journalists): http://www.hondanews.com/channels/honda-automobiles-cr-v
For consumers: http://automobiles.honda.com/cr-v/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/honda
Flickr: www.flickr.com/hondanews
Twitter: www.twitter.com/honda
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HondaCR-V
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/honda/
On Google+: https://plus.google.com/+Honda/posts
¹ 5-Star Safety Ratings are part of NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (www.SaferCar.gov). Model tested with standard side airbags (SABs). Vehicles tested under the new program cannot be compared to MY10 and earlier vehicles.
² MSRP excluding tax, license, registration,$830.00 destination charge and options. Dealer prices may vary.
³ Required XM Radio subscription sold separately. Subscriptions are governed by the XM Customer Agreement available at xmradio.com/service terms. Other fees and taxes apply; 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.
⁴ The Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ is available on the CR-V EX-L in the United States, except Alaska. Please see your Honda dealer for details.
⁵ Rear Entertainment System (RES) not available with Navigation
⁶ 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.
Third-party trademarks: Kelley Blue Book is a registered trademark of Kelley Blue Book Co., Inc. 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. Pandora, the Pandora logo and other Pandora marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Pandora Media, Inc. or its subsidiaries worldwide. SIRIUS, XM and all related marks and logos are trademarks of SIRIUS XM Radio Inc. and its subsidiaries.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.com/channels/corporate-headlines/releases/award-winning-2014-honda-cr-v-goes-on-sale-today-is-an-efficient-and-compact-suv-loaded-with-value-versatility-and-features

Automobile Mag: 2014 Honda Accord PHEV Driven

by Anne White www.automobilemag.com

There's something a little unsettling about driving the 2014 Honda Accord Plug-in Hybrid in all-electric mode. Press the push-button start, and the dash lights up and tells you the car is ready to go. But if you're waiting for the reassuring grumble of an engine turning over, you're going to be waiting a long time. This Accord is riding the wave of the future, and where it's going, you don't need (as many) gas pumps.  

The 2014 Honda Accord Plug-in Hybrid hit dealer showrooms in January 2013. With an EPA rating of 115 mpg-e combined, it is one of the most efficient cars money can buy. The Accord PHEV owes that rating to its 6.7 kWh battery, which Honda says can give drivers up to 15 miles of all-electric range when fully charged.

Is fifteen miles of range enough?
By adopting a sedate driving style and sticking to city streets, where the Accord PHEV can make the most of its regenerative braking capability, it's fairly easy to drive ten or more miles without engaging the 137-horsepower, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine (combined with the electric motor, net system output is 141 hp). Still, we eked out a full 15 miles of battery-powered travel just once during our weekend with the Accord.

Driving at high speeds and using climate control will significantly decrease electric driving range. And forget about full-throttle acceleration. The Accord Plug-in can travel in electric mode at speeds of up to 80 mph, but anything other than light acceleration will make the gasoline engine kick in to lend a hand.  

For our purposes, the Accord PHEV proved perfect. Our short commute on city streets with a 240-volt charging port at the end of it makes us the ideal customer for a plug-in hybrid. The car charges in just an hour with a 240-volt outlet and three hours with a 120-volt outlet, so by lunchtime the Accord is topped up and ready to go. (The speed of battery charging is the real differentiator in plug-in hybrids and EVs, we've found.) Plug it in again after lunch for the drive home, and we've gone 24 hours and almost as many miles without a drop of gasoline. 

Plug-in means flexibility
Left to its own devices, the Accord Plug-in automatically depletes its battery charge before switching to its gasoline engine. Yet drivers can also elect to save battery charge for later, say if they're driving fifty miles on the highway before ending up on city streets, which is a worthwhile feature.  

We like plug-in hybrids because the gasoline engine offers flexibility for drivers who sometimes need more range than a fully electric car could offer, just as in our weekend trip to darkest Indiana. Yet the Accord Plug-in is by no means a family road trip car, as we discovered. Why? Two words: trunk space. Because of the big battery pack, there's hardly room for a couple of overnight bags back there, so forget about packing a volleyball net or a few bags of groceries. If you're traveling in the Accord PHEV, you'll be traveling light.  

The 2014 Honda Accord Plug-in is good at what it does. It returns truly impressive gas mileage, drives well in the city and on the highway, and makes up for its short battery life with a very quick recharging time. Passengers found the ride smooth and were impressed by the car's standard technology, like a blind-spot camera that turns on when the right turn signal is engaged. The Accord PHEV suffers from slightly dorky "Look, I'm an EV!" styling -- those aerodynamic wheels may help fuel economy but they're not going to help you get a date -- but its crimes of fashion aren't egregious.

Better than the competition?
Good it may be, but how does the 2014 Honda Accord Plug-in stack up to the competition? It's a fairly even fight. The Ford Fusion Energi gets up to 21 miles of electric range, and it's available with leather seating, while the Accord is only available with Honda's tacky, eco-friendly cloth seats. Both cars start right around $40,000. Both are eligible for federal tax credits -- $3,750 for the Fusion Energi and $3,334 for the Accord Plug-in. 

They'll both serve you well, if a plug-in hybrid is what you're looking for. What's not clear is just how many people are looking for them. The Honda Accord Plug-in has sold just 200 copies in six months in the two states where it's available, California and New York. Honda says it's only planning to sell 1,100 of the vehicles in a two-year period, so don't expect to see them on every corner.

Source (with lots of other pic's);

http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/driven/1308_2014_honda_accord_phev/

Leaked catalog shows the Mugen tuned 2014 Honda Jazz (Fit)

by  Nithyanandh K of www.indianautos.blog.com

Images of the 2014 Honda Jazz (2014 Honda Fit) have started appearing on the internet and in Honda’s dossiers . The next gen hatchback is slated to go on sale in Japan this September.

Here is some good news for the Honda enthusiasts! The catalog of the 2014 Honda Jazz Mugen performance version has been leaked on to the internet. Mugen does the performance cars for Honda, in other words, think of them as the AMG of Honda if you may.

The Jazz Mugen is available in two variants – RS (orange car) and S (white car). Both the variants come with accentuated and aggressively styled bumpers with front splitters, a full body kit, diffuser, centrally mounted exhaust tip, vents on the rear bumper, roof mounted spoiler and 17″ multispoke alloy wheels.

Understandably the RS version has a slightly more racier body kit compared to the S version. There is also a chrome cladding below the rear windshield in the RS.

The powertrain details of the new Jazz Mugen is unknown but expect the RS version to be a bit more powerful than the S. Apart from the beefy power outputs, the Mugen versions will also feature a sporty suspension setup with stiffer dampers.

The Honda Jazz Mugen is expected to be released a few months after the world premiere of the regular Jazz.

Source;
http://indianautosblog.com/2013/08/2014-honda-jazz-fit-mugen-90193

Updated: McLaren and Honda discuss road car collaboration

The relationship between the British sports car manufacturer and Japanese automotive giant looks set to go much deeper than a Formula 1 engine deal

McLaren and Honda are considering ways to extend their Formula 1 tie-up into road cars, McLaren Group CEO Martin Whitmarsh has confirmed.

Earlier this year, Honda announced that it would return to F1 as an engine supplier to McLaren Racing in 2015. The two companies enjoyed a fruitful partnership in F1 between 1988 and the end of 1992, winning four drivers’ championships and four constructors’ crowns during that spell.

Whitmarsh described the new deal as a “multi-year” one, and his comments suggest that there is scope for a much deeper co-operation that could spread into McLaren’s automotive division.

“It’s a pure Formula 1 contract, but we’ve already been looking at automotive technology and we’re sharing that very openly,” said Whitmarsh at last weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix. “Our road car strategy at the moment has no other automotive partner and 
Honda would be a good place 
to collaborate.”

Whitmarsh said the results of any Honda involvement in future McLaren road cars wouldn’t be seen for some years. The company is currently working on the third model in its contemporary range, the Porsche 911-
rivalling P13, but Honda hasn’t had any input into that car.

“If you look at our product range, 12C is running and will run for a few more years. P1 has just been launched and P13, which is the follow-up car, is relatively developed, so actually it is something that you would see in quite a few years to come,” he said.

A deeper relationship between McLaren and Honda would most likely be a bilateral technical arrangement, with both sides reaping the benefits for their road car projects.

“Nothing’s fixed, but we’re open to that and so are they,” said Whitmarsh.

It has also been reported that a McLaren 12C is being used in Acura's benchmarking tests for the new NSX in America.

A subsequent statement issued jointly by Honda and McLaren stressed that the immediate focus was on Formula 1: “On 16 May 2013, Honda announced its decision to participate in Formula 1 from the 2015 season, under a joint project with McLaren. This has led to a full, open and productive working relationship with McLaren. As Martin Whitmarsh has stated, many ideas have been discussed between McLaren and Honda colleagues.

"However, we both know how challenging it is to win in Formula 1, and we need to be 100 per cent committed to that task. Therefore, at this stage, all our focus is towards the development of the 2015 Formula 1 car and powertrain, and there are no plans for collaboration on other projects at this moment.”

Source;
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/updated-mclaren-and-honda-discuss-road-car-collaboration