With Honda's in-house parts department in the game and Mugen developing it's own line of kit for the CR-Z, the tuner trifecta is almost complete with the release of Spoon's performance parts for Honda's hybrid hatch.
While we thought bright blue wheels went out of vogue (even in the U.S.) in 2008, Spoon has coated its CR93 rollers in the company's signature hue, along with upgraded calipers clamping onto 15-inch slotted discs. A ride height lowered by 50mm comes courtesy of front coilovers and a spring and shock combo in the rear, while the body has been subtly altered with the addition of a carbon fiber hood, mirrors and front lip spoiler.
More importantly, a new N1 exhaust has been fitted and Spoon is fiddling with the ECU to churn out a few extra (and much-needed) ponies. There's no word on what the rejiggered computer and exhaust is good for power-wise or how Spoon is manipulating the hybrid drive system to boost performance, but considering the company's past endeavors, we're expecting good things.
Honda has its eyes on hot hatch prize with extreme version of Civic. we get behind the wheel of new thriller.
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Thrill seekers take note – Honda’s Civic Type R is finally white hot! In a bid to beat competition from MINI’s amazing new JCW flagship, the Japanese firm has developed a very special version of its legendary hot hatch. But the unique white paint isn’t the only thing that sets the range-topper apart. A limited-slip differential has been introduced, too.
Although prices have yet to be finalised, the GT Championship White – driven here for the first time – is tipped to cost less than £20,000. That will make it nearly £1,000 more than a standard Type R GT, which might sound like a high price to pay.
But further additions include a numbered plaque by the gearstick, as well as unique white 18-inch alloy wheels. What the car doesn’t get, though, is guaranteed exclusivity – Honda intends to build as many Champ models as it can.
In the metal, the newcomer is striking from every angle. The look debuted at the Paris Motor Show last month – although it’s the way in which this Type R drives that leaves the biggest impression.
With a long history of Auto Express group test victories to its name, the standard Civic Type R is an accomplished hot hatch. We’ve always loved its blend of high-revving performance, agility and drama. However, as some rivals deliver considerably more than 220bhp, an obvious upgrade for the Japanese model would have been a power boost.
Not for Honda, though. Determined to maintain the performance variant’s engineering integrity, bosses have resisted fitting turbos or superchargers to the 197bhp petrol engine. Rather than aim for straight-line pace, they have instead gone for a limited-slip differential (LSD) to improve cornering abilities.
To experience the mechanical add-on in action, take any tight corner (the wetter the better) and accelerate part way through the bend. In the standard Civic, the unladen inside front wheel will start to spin while the frenzied engine races towards the red line. Not so in the Championship White variant. The LSD does exactly what it says on the tin – limits slip in the spinning wheel.
Power is fed to the tyre which has the most grip, helping the driver to accelerate out of corners more safely and securely.
In practice, this enables the car to tear around race circuit bends at incredible speeds where the standard model would be slithering about for lack of traction. Go too fast, and the range-topper will still push wide rather than track around the corner, but few will be disappointed by this Civic’s dynamics.
Only when you want to relax does the Honda lose any appeal. Its manic nature and near-4,000rpm buzz on the motorway can become tiresome. What’s more, the ride is firm and finding a perfect driving position with the huge Recaro seats proves a real challenge.
No such compromises need to be made when it comes to practicality, though. The Championship White is just as versatile as an entry-level three-door Civic, as the two cars have the same huge, split-level boot and generous rear room.
The limited-slip differential is the finishing touch on what is already a thoroughly capable hot hatch. Stepping out of the car, we couldn’t help wondering what the Japanese model might achieve if it was able to keep up with MINI’s mighty JCW down the straights, as well as through the corners...
Rival: MINI JCW IN common with its new rival, our reigning hot hatch king has a limited-slip differential to improve traction in corners. The British-built car’s 1.6-litre turbo engine delivers 208bhp.
For a few years now, hybrids have been all the rage in the consumer car market. The Prius has been elevated to the status of an icon and Honda is now trying to catch up with its revived Honda Insight. But what about motorcycles, where Honda has been the unquestioned world leader for years?
The added weight and complexity has previously kept the word “hybrid” from squeezing in front of the word “motorcycle,” but now Honda thinks they’ve found a way to build and market hybrid motorcycles. According to the Mainichi Shinbun, Honda will begin releasing the hybrid motorcycles in the 2010s, which will be followed up by electric motorcycles in 2011.
Honda will be adapting the hybrid system it uses on its current cars to work with motorcycles of engine displacement between 200 and 1000cc. It would probably be too cumbersome to use on smaller bikes, but Honda hopes to increase fuel efficiency by about 50% with the hybrid bikes.
Now, the real question for all you bikers out there is this: would you ride one?
While the other makes are clamoring to bring their electric vehicles to market, Honda has chosen to rely on tried and true technologies.
Though the automaker concedes that a hybrid would be adequate for 80% of most people's typical car usage, it foresees the electric car achieving no more than 1% of the auto markets today. Also, it claims that, despite advances in battery technology, it would take two tons of batteries to provide an all electric car performance and range qualities comparable to one of its Accords.
Our take? Honda is supposedly run by engineers. Is their lack of enthusiasm regarding EVs some form of sour grapes? Or are they aware of battery limitations better than even their rivals? C'mon, Honda, enough of the double speak.
Honda may not want to offer electric cars, but its motorcycle division apparently has no qualms about joining Yamaha in the offering of electric vehicles of the two wheeled variety.
Yamaha is apparently targeting some 62 miles of range and a 2010 introduction date, while Honda is targeting half of that and a year later. Both are to provide performance comparable to a 50cc motorcycle, so in a word, none.
They will be useless out of the urban jungle, but even with such modest performance goals the instant torque of electric motors should provide both perfect power delivery for the cut and thrust riding used in the urban landscape.
Our take? Don't look for these too reach our shores, and without the ability to filter/lane split outside of CA, they really proved no advantage in the urban centers of the states.
The all-new Honda Insight hybrid was completely left choking in the dust as the Toyota Prius blasted off to sell over fifty times more vehicles than they did.
In a mad dash for cash, Honda is making the new Insight a five-seater like the Prius. Also with improved cost management, Honda will be undercutting the price of both tits hybrid Honda Civic and the Toyota Prius. The new platform will have the battery and control unit beneath the cargo space. The engine appears to be the typical gasoline/electric hybrid type.
Honda is aiming for the goal of 200,000 annual sales with half of them being sold in North America.
Our take? Whether or not Honda’s “insight” can really be called that, it feels like they’re simply following one step behind the Prius on a path that has already been trailblazed.
TORRANCE, Calif. - Following a significant refresh for the entire lineup of Odyssey minivans in the 2008 model year, the 2009 Odyssey receives additional upgrades on the EX-L trim level with features previously exclusive to the Odyssey Touring.
The Odyssey EX-L adds a power tailgate to its existing features, while its available Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System gains Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® as standard equipment.
"The Odyssey has earned a reputation for its spaciousness, versatility and a fun-to-drive feel," said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda Motor *** Inc. "For 2009, we've expanded the application of Bluetooth and added a convenient power tailgate to the Odyssey EX-L."
Contributing to fuel efficiency, the 3.5-liter i-VTEC V-6 engine exclusive to the Odyssey EX-L and Touring models benefits from Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM®) technology that provides the capability to seamlessly deactivate either two or three of the engine's six cylinders during cruising and deceleration. An "ECO" light near the speedometer provides driver feedback when the vehicle is operating at an optimal level of fuel efficiency.
Known for its industry trend-setting One-Motion 60/40 Split 3rd-Row Magic Seat®, the Odyssey's innovative eight-passenger seating areas (seven-passenger on LX) quickly and easily adapt between passenger and cargo duties.
The 3rd-Row Magic Seat can accommodate up to three passengers and still provide 38.4 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the seats, or fold completely flat into the floor for cargo duty to create 91.1 cubic feet of cargo volume while still maintaining room for five passengers (four passengers on LX). With the second row seats removed, total cargo volume expands to 147.4 cubic feet. Total interior volume measures 209.8 cubic feet for passenger and cargo volume combined. The 2nd-Row PlusOneSeat™ integrates a storage bin inside the seat structure and is standard equipment on the Odyssey EX, EX-L and Touring.
The Odyssey achieves the highest five-star crash safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for both frontal and side impacts1 . The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates the Odyssey as a Top Safety Pick with "good" ratings for frontal offset, side impact and rear crash protection crash tests, while including electronic stability control as standard equipment. All Odyssey models are equipped with Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®), also known as electronic stability control; standard anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution and brake assist; advanced dual-stage, dual-threshold driver's and front passenger's SRS front airbags; front side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Protection Detection System (OPDS); three-row side-curtain airbags with a rollover sensor; active front seat head restraints; daytime running lights and a pedestrian injury mitigation design in the front of the vehicle. An Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure provides enhanced occupant protection in a frontal collision.
Designed with families in mind, a total of three Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH) child seat attachment systems exist: two are located in the outboard second-row seating positions and one is located in the middle third-row seating position.
Standard comfort and convenience features include dual-zone air conditioning (tri-zone automatic climate control on Odyssey EX, EX-L and Touring), tilt and telescope steering wheel, power windows and door locks, keyless entry and cruise control.
Available premium features include leather-trimmed seating surfaces; the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™2 with voice recognition, an 8-inch screen, and Zagat Survey®3 restaurant guide information; and a Honda DVD Entertainment System with a 9-inch screen.
A rearview camera aids rear visibility on the Odyssey EX-L equipped with the available navigation system. Odyssey EX-L models without the available navigation system provide a rearview camera display via a 2.5-inch monitor embedded in the rearview mirror.
The 3.5-liter, all-aluminum, SOHC VTEC® engine on the Odyssey LX and EX produces 244 horsepower at 5750 rpm and 240 lb-ft. of torque at 5000 rpm. The Odyssey LX and EX models achieve an EPA-rated city/highway fuel economy of 16/23 mpg4 . A 5-speed automatic transmission is standard equipment.
The Odyssey EX-L and Touring models feature a 3.5-liter, all-aluminum, SOHC i-VTEC® V-6 engine with VCM for enhanced fuel efficiency. This engine produces 244 horsepower5 at 5700 rpm and 245 lb-ft. of torque at 4900 rpm. The Odyssey EX-L and Touring models achieve an EPA-rated city/highway fuel economy of 17/25 mpg4.
The 2009 Odyssey features Honda's latest version of VCM that provides the capability to selectively deactivate either two or three of the engine's six cylinders during cruising and deceleration.
Vehicles equipped with VCM use both an audio system-based Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) system and a chassis-based Active Control Engine Mount (ACM) system to cancel noise and vibration that can occur during cylinder deactivation.
An independent front and rear suspension and a rigid unit body structure help provide comfortable and refined handling performance. Additional chassis components include power-assisted 4-wheel disc brakes and variable power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering. Odyssey LX, EX and EX-L models have 16-inch wheels (alloy on EX and EX-L) with all-season 235/65R16 tires. Odyssey Touring models are equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels and all-season 235/60R17 tires (standard); Michelin® PAX® System run-flat technology wheels and tires are available (460 mm wheels and 235-710R 460A tires).
1Government star ratings are part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program (www.safercar.gov). Model tested with standard side-impact airbags (SABs).
2 The Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System is available on EX-L and Touring models in the United States except Alaska. See your Honda dealer for details.
3Zagat Survey® is a registered trademark of Zagat Survey, LLC.
4 Based on 2009 EPA mileage estimates, reflecting new EPA fuel economy methods beginning with 2008 models. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.
5 Testing of production engines for horsepower and torque output of the i-VTEC V-6 on the Odyssey EX-L and Touring models has revealed that the average horsepower and torque produced by these engines is higher than originally estimated prior to the start of mass production. Though there have been no design changes to the engines to create more power, the horsepower and torque ratings for the specified 2009 models have been increased to reflect the actual output of the engines. Note: 2008 to 2009 hp @ RPM = 241@5700 to 244@5700. 2008 to 2009 lb-ft. @ RPM = 242@4900 to 245@4900
Arguably, the Japanese makes have benefitted the most from the rise in fuel prices in the American market.
Their ability to offer models with best in0class fuel efficiency throughout the various classes has seen a resurgence in their sales, especially in small cars, here in the US, even though few cars in general are being purchased.
Leader among the brands, though, is Honda. Recent drops in oil prices and subsequent strengthening of the dollar has seen its stock value rise with the US economy, while profit have margins increased as the US accounts for more than half of the brand's business. Basically, the stronger the dollar is, the more money has been made.
Honda even beat out rival Toyota, even though Toyota offers the much loved Prius, its stock rising some 4.4 percent recently as opposed to Toyota's 2.9.
Our take? No doubt the fact that the Honda Civic became America's best seller played a part in that.
TORRANCE, Calif. - Honda will reveal a concept version of its new small hybrid vehicle, to be named Insight, at the 2008 Paris International Auto Show, October 2, the company announced.
The new Insight Concept shares styling cues with the Honda FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle and will provide an early look at the highly-anticipated five-passenger hybrid vehicle.
Going on sale in the U.S. next spring, the all-new purpose-built Insight will come to market at a price significantly below hybrids available today. From this unique position in the marketplace, the Insight will advance the affordability and accessibility of hybrid technology to a new generation of buyers.
"The original Honda Insight pioneered hybrid technology in the U.S. and remains a symbol of Honda's commitment to innovative technology and fuel efficiency," said Takeo Fukui, Honda Motor *** Ltd. CEO. "This new Insight will break new ground as an affordable hybrid within the reach of customers who want great fuel economy and great value."
The Insight Concept defines a new stage in the evolution of hybrid technology by utilizing a more cost-efficient version of Honda's Integrated Motor Assist™ (IMA™) hybrid technology, resulting in a new level of affordability for hybrid customers worldwide. Evoking the innovative styling cues first seen in the FCX Clarity, the Insight Concept is designed with a low center of gravity and a generous five-passenger cabin, offering the kind of driving pleasure and roomy interior that customers have come to expect from Honda. While the Insight Concept's aerodynamic design clearly identifies its fuel efficient purpose, its five-door access and folding rear seats speak to functionality that is designed to meet the needs of customers with an active lifestyle. The Insight Concept is a small, fuel efficient hybrid car that delivers big style and functionality with a healthy dose of fun.
Honda achieved a significant cost reduction in Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) components which should make Insight the most affordable hybrid vehicle to date. The production Insight will be offered as a five-door, five-passenger hatchback. Numerous technologies, including a function to assist customers in achieving more fuel efficient driving habits, will be applied to achieve a further improvement in real world fuel efficiency. With its affordable price, the new hybrid vehicle will represent the best value in its segment. Along with the Civic Hybrid, the new vehicle will be produced at an expanded hybrid vehicle production line at the Suzuka factory in Japan.
The Insight is expected to have annual global sales of 200,000 units per year - approximately 100,000 in North America. Following the launch of the new Insight, Honda also plans to introduce another unique sporty hybrid vehicle based on the CR-Z, first shown at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show. All together, Honda's global sales of hybrids should increase to approximately 500,000 units a year, or more than 10 percent of its total worldwide annual automobile sales.
The original Honda Insight was introduced in December 1999 as America's first gas-electric hybrid car. The first vehicle to break the 70-mpg fuel economy barrier, Insight was designed from the ground up to demonstrate the ultimate potential for fuel-economy in a two-seater subcompact automobile.
A leader in the development of cleaner, more fuel-efficient mobility products, Honda introduced the first low-emission gasoline vehicles; America's first gas-electric hybrid car and the world's first EPA-certified hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle, the FCX. In 2007, Honda was named "greenest automaker" by the Union of Concerned Scientists for the fourth straight time.
