Driving.ca: Car Comparison: 2016 Honda Civic vs. 2017 Hyundai Elantra

Here's a link to a article showcasing a showdown of sorts between the 2016 Honda Civic and the 2017 (already?!?) Hyundai Elantra;

http://driving.ca/honda/civic/reviews/road-test/car-comparison-2017-hyundai-elantra-vs-2016-honda-civic

Honda is Working on an Engine with Different-Sized Cylinders

by Jason Siu of www.autoguide.com

Honda has filed an interesting patent that could reveal what it is working on for its next generation of engines.
 

Found on Japan’s patent office database, it appears that Honda is working on a solution that would vary the stroke of each cylinder in an engine, allowing each cylinder to have a different displacement. For example, if you take a current Honda 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine where each cylinder has 500cc of displacement, you can only vary the displacement in four different ways, either 500cc, 1000cc, 1500cc or 2000cc depending on how many cylinders are firing.

The new technology could offer more than four different total displacements working at the same time, with a smaller gap between each of them. Given four cylinders of varying sizes, there are a total of 15 different combinations of one-to-four cylinders firing. Yes, that essentially means an engine could have 15 different displacements working at a time.

Interestingly enough, the patent describes how the technology would work on inline- two, three and four-cylinder engines as well as a V6. Presumably, this type of setup would help increase fuel efficiency, but Honda didn’t disclose what the purpose was. 

Source;
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2016/05/honda-is-working-on-an-engine-with-different-sized-cylinders.html

New Honda Ridgeline Sports Commendable Fuel Economy

by Micah Wright of www.cheatsheet.com

From the launch of turbocharged Civics last year, and the development of the NSX supercar, there is so much to love about what Honda is doing right now.

Though it’s not as exciting, the 2017 Ridgeline pickup belongs on that list as well. Especially since it reportedly sports significant gains in fuel economy over its predecessor, further planting it in the pantheon of worthy midsize trucks. Thus far Honda has kept quiet about the specs, but thanks to the Federal government (an organization that just so happens to be obligated to release data figures), we were able to spill the beans ahead of schedule.

The version of the truck that was made prior only came with all-wheel drive and sported a mediocre 15/21 miles per gallon during the 2014 model year. So with Honda’s latest round of Earth Dreams V6 engines doing a bang-up job of hitting gas mileage gains, the powerplant out of the new Pilot (which is spectacular, by the way) is quickly proving to be a real winner in every aspect.

But the Ridgeline is a bit of a different animal than the posh, kid-toting SUV, and we were curious to see how this midsize pickup measured up when compared to the competition. Which leads us to a few statistics that made this oddball SUV-truck all the more appealing.

Autoblog reports that the government’s figures for the front-drive versions of the new Ridgeline indicate that it will manage 19 miles per gallon in the city and around 26 on the highway. All-wheel drive variants aren’t much worse, at 18/25.

Interestingly enough, the Honda Pilot crossover, which you think would fare worse due to its added weight, gets slightly better mileage at 20/27 on a front-drive model, due partially to its smoother aerodynamics and an optional nine-speed automatic.

But when putting the Ridgeline toe-to-toe with the latest round of equally sized pickups, the Honda does admirably. Other trucks with similarly sized V6 engines, automatic transmissions, and four-wheel drive did not do as well; the Toyota Tacoma gets 18/23. GM’s offerings, the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon, weighed in at 17/24.

Interestingly, when comparing this truck to its smaller displacement competition, the Ridgeline is close to getting about the same ratings as a few four-banger, rear-wheel drive options out there — and in certain circumstances, saw even better highway mileage.

As for getting the Ridgeline with something like a turbocharged four-cylinder, we are just going to have to wait on that one. For now, Honda says it will offer the 2017 Ridgeline with a 3.5-liter V6 and a six-speed automatic alone, and while the automaker still has yet to release powertrain statistics, it’s safe to assume that it will make the same 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque as the Pilot.

Source;
http://www.cheatsheet.com/automobiles/new-honda-ridgeline-sports-commendable-fuel-economy.html/?a=viewall

AutoExpress: New Honda CR-V ready to grow with seven seats for 2017 model

by Jonathan Burn of www.autoexpress.co.uk

Next-generation Honda CR-V will be bigger than current model, and is set to be pitched against the Land Rover Discovery Sport

Honda’s largest European SUV is about to become even bigger. The fifth-generation CR-V will be based on a new platform and is set to be powered by a range of new engines. The focus will be on a more upmarket experience when the new SUV arrives in UK showrooms in 2018, and our exclusive images preview how it could look.

Prototypes have already been spied testing in the US and despite the heavy disguise, one thing is clear; the CR-V will significantly grow in size. With the Jazz-based HR-V muscling into Honda’s SUV line-up, the Japanese maker is bulking up the larger CR-V and possibly fitting a third row of seats for the first time. That means a new batch of rivals, including the Nissan X-Trail, Land Rover Discovery Sport and Kia Sorento.

The CR-V will share a chassis with the new Civic hatch, which arrives in dealers next February. The wheelbase on the all-new SUV could increase by around 80mm over the existing car’s, with overall length boosted by 50mm. Proportionally, this will bring it closer in line with the X-Trail.

The CR-V was North America’s best-selling SUV last year, with more than 345,000 cars finding homes. Honda is hoping a mild exterior refresh will also help widen the model’s appeal in the UK, where between 15,000 and 20,000 models sell annually.

Our spy shots show how the trademark ‘Solid Wing Face’ grille merges with the lights to ensure the nose retains Honda’s family DNA. It’s most evident in the narrower yet longer LED headlamps. As our images show, the rear is dominated by bolder, L-shaped lights that stretch wider on to the bootlid.

Changes will also extend to the engine range. Honda has recently confirmed new 1.0-litre three-cylinder and 1.5 i-VTEC turbos, plus an updated 1.6-litre diesel for the Civic, and it’s likely the new CR-V will benefit from the two larger units. There should also be a revised version of the 2.0-litre petrol with Honda’s latest technology. There’s no word on a plug-in, but with ever-tightening emissions regulations, a hybrid is a real possibility.

Four-wheel drive will remain an option, as will the nine-speed automatic transmission, which is unashamedly geared towards economy. Standard models will be front-wheel drive and come with a six-speed manual gearbox, however.

Improvements in tech and quality will also be on the agenda. Honda had set ambitious targets to sell six million cars annually by 2017, yet new CEO Takahiro Hachigo put the brakes on his predecessor’s target to focus on raising quality. Expect plusher materials and extra sound-deadening in the CR-V, plus a more modern infotainment system with a suite of smartphone-integration apps.

The new Honda will be built alongside the HR-V in Japan, launching in the US towards the end of 2017. We can expect to see it in UK showrooms the following year.

Source;
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/honda/cr-v/95445/new-honda-cr-v-ready-to-grow-with-seven-seats-in-2018

Auto Facil Renders the 2017 Honda CRV

Another look at what the next generation Honda CRV is probably going to look like.  Last month a camo'd test mule was spotted and the front end was pretty easy to see, this rendering looks to be pretty accurate.

Source;
http://indianautosblog.com/2016/04/next-generation-honda-crv-rendering-229771

Indianautosblog.com: 2017 Honda CRV Rendering

by Aravind Jayachandran of www.indianautosblog.com

Will offer a third row seating option for the first time, according to reports.
Based on spyshots of the pre-production prototype, IAB’s rendering artist, Shoeb R Kalania, has created a mockup of the next generation 2017 Honda CR-V.

The next CR-V will draw cues from the tenth generation Honda Civic and the current CR-V, as seen in the trapezoidal grille flanked by sleek LED headlamps. The bumper has also been redesigned with more sculpted features and larger intakes for a sportier look.

The side profile hasn’t drastically changed. The overall greenhouse, even in the next gen model, is still very much current CR-V-like. The rear-end gets sporty new L-shaped taillights that look similar to the new Civic and the Acura Concept SUV-X. As for the interior, there are no details or images at the moment, although reports suggest that a three-row version could be offered for the first time in select markets.

The next-gen Honda CR-V will be ride on the tenth-gen Honda Civic’s platform. Other than i-VTEC naturally aspirated engines, Honda will also offer all new turbocharged petrol engines as well as a diesel-powered option, with displacements between 1.5- to 2.4-litre. There will also be an option of a plug-in hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with electric motor.

Source;
http://indianautosblog.com/2016/05/2017-honda-cr-v-rendering-230000

Honda And Hitachi Have Built A Smart Car Key With A Breathalyser Inside

by Campbell Simpson of www.gizmodo.com.au

Hitachi and Honda have teamed up to prototype a “portable alcohol detection device” that might be integrated into your next car’s key. You can’t fool it by spraying air on it — it knows what human breath is — and it’ll work even when it’s not near your car, giving you the ability to check your sobriety even while you’re still sitting in the pub.


Most in-car breathalysers — which function as an ignition interlock, stopping the car from starting until a test has been successfully passed — are directly linked to the car’s ignition, meaning the test has to be taken while sitting in the vehicle. Honda’s battery-powered smart key can run its tests anywhere, reducing the car owner’s temptation to drive drunk.

With a small display on its body, the Honda and Hitachi key can give a graphical read-out of the driver’s alcohol blood level, with a 5mm-square sensor able to distinguish blood alcohol from a breath sample to a sensitivity of 0.015mg/L — so with several steps of sensitivity underneath and above Australia’s 0.05mg/L national drink driving limit.

Hitachi and Honda demonstrated the tech at the SAE 2016 World Congress, but there aren’t any plans just yet to integrate the system into a production car just yet.

Source;
http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2016/04/honda-and-hitachi-have-built-a-smart-car-key-with-a-breathalyser-inside/

Acura CDX compact crossover debuts at 2016 Beijing Auto Show (not intended for North America)

By Viknesh Vijayenthiran of www.motorauthority.com  

It was roughly three years ago that Acura previewed a new compact crossover with its SUV-X concept car.

Today at the 2016 Beijing Auto Show we were graced with the unveiling of the production version, the CDX.

The CDX is the first Acura manufactured in China and may at some point be exported to other markets, judging by previous comments made by a senior engineer. However, at the unveiling Acura said the vehicle was designed primarily for the Chinese market.

The CDX is related to Honda’s HR-V already on sale in the United States, so there’s a chance we may see it yet. If sold here it would target the Audi Q3, BMW X1, Lincoln MKC and Mercedes-Benz GLA.

It features the latest take on the Acura’s Precision Crafted design principles, though on the tiny form of the CDX the enlarged grille, Acura symbol and headlights look a little out of proportion. We haven’t been shown the interior just yet but expect it to resemble the layout and design of the HR-V’s cabin.

Power comes from the new turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine of parent company Honda. The engine is mated to an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission and can power either the front wheels only or all four.

Sales commence in China in July of this year.

Honda also had a new crossover in Beijing.  Called the Avancier, the new crossover is a mid-size model whose design has been inspired by the Concept D unveiled a year ago, a rakish crossover not unlike the unsuccessful Honda Crosstour.

The Avancier features a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and has been developed exclusively for sale in China. It’s due to go on sale by the end of the year.

For more from the Beijing Auto Show, head to our dedicated hub.

Source;
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1083417_acura-cdx-compact-crossover-debuts-at-2016-beijing-auto-show