2010 Honda Odyssey: Odyssey In a class by itself

When Honda introduced its second-generation Odyssey minivan in 1999, it raised the bar for car makers. Here was a roomy, nimble, practical – and fast! – people-carrier that was actually fun to drive.It could easily match many so-called sports sedans in terms of performance, and was in a class all its own when it came to highway driving.When I drove this iteration of the Odyssey 10 years ago, I was pleasantly shocked with both its handling and power. This was a quick automobile and, at the time, could leave all its rivals in the dust, both on the highway and away from the stoplights. It's still one of my favourite long-distance vehicles.After 1999, if you manufactured minivans and wanted to stay in the game, it was back to the drawing boards,...

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Volkswagen launches Small Car POLO in India, Priced at Rs. 4.34 to 6.7 Lakhs - VW Polo Photos, Pictures,Images

Volkswagen launches Small Car POLO in India, Priced at Rs. 4.34 to 6.7 Lakhs - VW Polo Photos, Pictures,Images Volkswagen India launched its much awaited hatchback "New Polo" at a very competitive price of Rs. 4.34 Lakhs on 23rd February, 2010 at Mumbai. Volkswagen Polo has been introduced with the 1.2-litre three-pot petrol and the 1.2-litre diesel engine options with 3 variants Trendline, Comfortline and Highline. The deliveries of VW Polo will begin in March 2010 for the petrol model. Volkswagen Polo will compete with Hyundai i20, Chevrolet Beat, Honda Jazz, Maruti Rits and Swift.Volkswagen Polo Price in India:Volkswagen New Polo Exterior Photos:Volkswagen New Polo Interior Phot...

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Acura confirms sub-TSX model under consideration

Just adding to the previous post....Honda President and CEO Takanobu Ito has already confirmed that the automaker’s luxury division is in line for a number of new hybrid offerings, but the automaker’s fuel efficient offerings could expand beyond the realm of gas-electric drivetrains.Acura already offers the 30mpg TSX, but Japanese automaker is considering another high-mileage offering. Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura division, confirmed Acura is currently considering a smaller model to slot beneath the TSX.Conrad failed to elaborate on the smaller offering, but said the new vehicle would compete with the likes of the BMW 1-Series, Audi A3 and Volvo C30. The smaller vehicle would also help Acura comply with upcoming CAFE regulations set...

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2010 Honda Civic Sedan SPORT: A compact for the ages

Globe rating 8.5/10 View Rating breakdownNo break on pricing here – you buy this runabout on its merits: No other car in this class has crisper steering, better brakes or superior ergonomicsFor six million years, the Honda Civic has been Canada's best-selling car. Just kidding.Actually, the Civic has been the top dog in passenger cars for 12 years running now – even though in 2009, Civic sales were down 13.5 per cent. (Note: the new-vehicle market overall was down 10.7 per cent, so the Civic managed to beat the market in exactly the wrong way.)Make no mistake about the made-in-Canada Civic; it's a very good compact car. Let me count the ways:Excellent crash test scores (a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety);Top-notch...

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Incoming new president for Honda Canada Inc

Honda Canada Inc will have a new President and Director beginning April 1.Masahiro Takedagawa, president of Honda Siel Cars India since 2005, will take over from Manabu Nishimae, who will have served less than two years when the changeover takes effect."During the five years of Takedagawa's leadership, HSCI witnessed rapid expansion from a production capacity of 30,000 units per annum in year 2005 to 100,000 units per annum in 2008 and commensurate increase in dealership network from 52 facilities in 41 cities (March 2005) to the current 117 facilities in 70 cities," according to a published report out of India. "The sales turnover of the company has more than doubled during his tenure."That's the kind of touch Honda is counting on Mr. Takedagawa...

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Acura Considering Small Car, New Hybrids

Apart from Lexus, Japanese luxury brands still pale in comparison to their German rivals in terms of the number of models they produce and the prices they can command. Overall image in the marketplace and status on the street have likewise proven difficult to develop. That's why Acura is making a hard push specifically to boost its image and achieve 'tier 1' luxury automaker status, but in its own unique way.While many automakers use big powerful models as attention grabbers, Acura sees fuel economy as a way to differentiate itself in what is becoming a very competitive market. Though this may come as just more frustration for dealers, who have to deal with a limited, lackluster and aging lineup, Acura is adamant that it won’t offer big rear-drive...

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Super GT Provisional Entry List Revealed

For those of you that don't know, this was going to be the replacement for the Acura/Honda NSX....It’s shaping up to be a great season of Super GT this year with the news that 13 GT500 and 25 GT300 teams have completed entry registrations.Among those 13 GT500 teams, 5 supported by Honda with its new HSV-010 GT with Epson, Keihin, Raybrig, ARTA and Weider teams running the new car. Only three teams, Calsonic Impul, HIS Advan Kondo and Motul Autech, will field Nissan’s GT-R in 2010 with Hasemi Motorsport leaving their GT-R behind and moving out of the GT500 class to enter a Nissan Fairlady Z in the GT300 class. Nissan has also introduced a new 3.4L V8 for this season and hopes to be very competitive up against the previous season winning Lexus...

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Toyota Parts Sellers Probed (by FBI)

Yikes!U.S., Japanese and European investigators raided the offices of auto-parts suppliers tightly tied to Toyota Motor Corp. in recent days stemming from a probe in alleged anticompetitive practices.The probes aren't connected with the Japanese auto maker's quality issues. But it comes as Toyota faces political pressure at home and abroad after a series of quality lapses.Warrants were carried out on the Michigan offices of Yazaki Corp. in Canton, Denso International America Inc., in Southfield, and Tokai Rika Co., also known as Tram, in Plymouth, an FBI spokeswoman confirmed Wednesday."The Antitrust Division is investigating the possibility of anti-competitive cartel conduct of automotive electronic components suppliers," said Department of...

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MUGEN Accessorizes the Honda CR-Z Hybrid Coupe

Honda fans, hold your 'horses'; Mugen's take on the new Honda CR-Z improves the Japanese hybrid coupe in all areas except the one that probably counts the most for you: Performance...However, there's still hope as Honda's official tuning arm has made it clear that it is still considering the development of a high-performance version of the CR-Z in the likes of the MUGEN Civic Type Rs, but until we see the car in the flesh, you'll have to do with the firm's new range of go-fast bits.The dress-up package includes various parts such as front and rear aprons, a large roof-mounted wing, side skirts, rear diffuser and a new grille with LED daytime running lights. Buyers can also choose from a variety of 17-inch alloy wheel designs.For the interior,...

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GM will wind down Hummer as the sale could not be completed

I guess the good news is that gas prices should go down with Hummer out of the game, it's that whole supply and demand thing.... alright, it's not that funny....As expected, GM announced today that the deal to sell Hummer to Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machines Co., Ltd. (Tengzhong) was unable to be completed and as a result the American branf will be wound down.After Pontiac and Saturn, another one bites the dust! But don’t worry… GM will still continue to honor Hummer warranties and provide service support and spare parts to Hummer owners.“One year ago, General Motors announced that we were going to divest HUMMER, as part of focusing our efforts on Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac going forward. We have since considered a number of possibilities...

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Honda 3R-C concept World Debut at Geneva International Motor Show 2010

Honda 3R-C concept World Debut at Geneva International Motor Show 2010The revolutionary Honda 3R-C concept will make its world debut in Geneva, alongside the EV-N concept which makes its European debut at the show.Both the three-wheeled 3R-C concept, which envisions a single occupant vehicle for zero emission commuting, and the EV-N urban concept, draw on Honda's vast working knowledge of vehicles utilising electric motors.3R-CThis revolutionary three wheeled battery electric vehicle concept shows what a future minimal urban transport vehicle for one person might look like. The battery electric drivetrain is mounted low in the three wheeled chassis, therefore keeping the centre of gravity low and thus improving stability.The 3R-C has a clear...

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Honda EU3000i Handi Portable Generator Earns Most Innovative Product Award

02/22/2010 - ALPHARETTA, Ga. -Rental Equipment Register (RER) magazine has named the Honda EU3000i Handi portable generator as a recipient of the prestigious 2009 Innovative Product Award. The EU3000i Handi tied for first place in the magazine's generators and welders category, selected by RER editors as displaying innovation in rental industry products.The RER Innovative Product Award was established in 2003 to honor excellence in new product development in the equipment rental industry. This year, the awards were given to the magazine's selections for the most innovative rental products introduced between August 1, 2008 and July 31, 2009.The new EU3000i Handi adds increased portability to the fuel efficiency and reliability of Honda's existing...

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Honda’s Hybrid Comeback: Hybrid Minivans and SUVs

Honda unveiled a sleeker more stylish Odyssey minivan concept at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show. New design elements could appear in the 2011 Odyssey. Within three years, Honda could produce a hybrid gas-electric version of the minivan. Honda is developing a hybrid system suitable for larger cars such as the Odyssey minivan the Pilot sports utility vehicle. Tomohiko Kawanabe, Honda’s chief operating officer for automobile research and development, today told Reuters, "We've left the research stage and entered the field of development." Kawanabe said these vehicles could hit the US market in about three years. Honda took an early lead in hybrid development about a decade ago, but has fallen behind Toyota and Ford in the race for appealing fuel-efficient...

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Toyota Remains Third in Consumer Reports Brand Ranking

In spite of all the recalls, Toyota was ranked third in the annual spring auto issue of Consumer Reports, the same rank the carmaker had last year.The magazine rankings are based on the performance, comfort, utility and reliability of more than 280 vehicles.Toyota builds extremely good, reliable cars, said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports’ Auto Test Center. “I think once they get through all the recalls,” he said, “you’ll see that they are a very, very reliable manufacturer.”Honda (which includes Acura models) and Subaru were tied for first place, the fourth year that Honda was the leading manufacturer. They were followed by Toyota, and Hyundai (including Kia) was ranked fourth, up from ninth last year.American manufacturers...

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Honda Performance Development, Inc. Begins Honda FF Engine Deliveries for 2009 FIT

02/19/2010 - TORRANCE, Calif. -Honda Performance Development recently began shipping 1.5-liter Honda Fit engines to racers planning to run the engine in Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Formula F competition.Through its introduction to the category, HPD hopes to strengthen FF's position as the first step in American open-wheel auto racing.The initial batch of fuel-injected Honda L15A7 overhead-cam engines was shipped to competitors who had previously secured their orders via cash deposit. The Fit engine can be adapted for installation in existing FF chassis."This is an exciting day for all of us at HPD," said Erik Berkman, president of Honda Performance Development. "We hope that this foundational step in our grassroots motorsports initiative...

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Honda studying development of a small diesel engine for Europe and India

Maybe one day, we'll get a Diesel engine in North America too....Honda is currently studying how to develop a small diesel engine for Europe and India. Tomohiko Kawanabe, Honda’s chief operating officer of automobile r&d, said that having a small diesel engine is crucial if any carmaker wants to compete in markets like India and Europe.Presently, Honda only has a 2.2-liter diesel engine fitted on the Accord and other models in Europe. The increasing interest in diesels is understandable. Since about half of the cars sold in Europe and India (an emerging market) are diesel, Honda would be smart to exploit this fact.Source;http://www.4wheelsnews.com/honda-studying-development-of-a-small-diesel-engine-for-europe-and-india/#more-6...

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Report: Honda's large-car hybrid system getting closer

Honda hasn't shared similar success with its various hybrid automobiles as cross-town rival Toyota, despite the fact that the two Japanese automakers introduced their first gasoline/electric models around the same time. The reasons for the sales disparity are many and varied, and at least due in part to the design of Honda Integrated Motor Assist drivetrain, which doesn't quite match the level of sophistication and fuel mileage of Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive. Still, Honda is pushing forward with the next generation of its IMA system, and it will be added to larger, thirstier models within the next three years or so. The last time Honda put a hybrid powertrain in a larger car, the results were more than a little disappointing with the Accord...

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Honda Launches Insight and Civic Sedan Hybrid Taxis in Europe

Honda UKMost, if not all taxis on the other side of the pond run on diesel or LPG, but Honda believes it might be able to convince some European cabbies to try out its Insight and Civic mild-hybrid models. Both cars come in appropriate exterior colors and are equipped with pre-installed roof brackets and a mounting for the taxi-meter on the dashboard as well as some other special equipment such as heavy duty floor mats.In the European driving cycle, the Insight achieves a combined fuel rating of 4.4 lt/100km (53.5 mpg US) while the Civic Hybrid, 4.9 lt /100km (48 mpg US).Prices in Germany start from €15,990 for the Insight and from €17,990 for the Civic Hybrid (about US$22,000 and $24,700 at today's exchange rates) with Honda offering upon...

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Honda's new CR-Z Type R

It would be nice to think that we'd get this over here in North America, but I for one wouldn't hold my breath....Honda’s eco Type R promises 45mpg economy as bigger electric motor boosts power to 200bhp. From hybrid to high-performance! Honda’s new petrol-electric coupe, the CR-Z, is being readied for Type R treatment, and Auto Express can bring you the first exclusive images of how the hot new model is shaping up. Revealed in production trim at this January’s Detroit Motor Show, the CR-Z has already caused quite a stir by marrying a sporty three-door body with a fuel efficient hybrid powertrain – creating the world’s first truly desirable sports hybrid in the process. But the Japanese firm is going one step further with this stunning Type...

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Rendered Speculation: Porsche 928 successor

I've got to admit this is one sweet looking concept....If all the rumors, wishes and Internet chatter about a new Porsche 928 can actually make the car happen, we are all for it – there are few automobiles we miss as lustily as the 1992-1995 928 GTS. We do know that Porsche has seven new models in the works and a 928 successor could be one of them, but until we have something more substantial to go on it looks like we're in for a slew of crowd-sourced renderings.The above is from Teamspeed forum member Wildspeed, who's done a thorough job of melding Panamera and early 928 cues with a bit of flourish around the front wheel wells. If it comes in a manual version we'll consider it. You can have a better look at it in the high-res image and let...

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Upcoming Cars in 2010 - 2010 Car Launches in India

2009 was a good year for car manufacturers in India after recession and market is picked up with some good launches. 2010 begins with Auto Expo at New Delhi and almost every manufacturer promised their car launches in this year specially small cars. Chevrolet already launched their new small car "Beat" just ahead of Delhi Motor Show. Find the list of car launches of 2010.Car Launches of 2010:Hatchback-Small Cars List of 2010:Chevrolet Beat:Launch Date: Already launched in January 2010Expected Price: Rs. 3.30 to 3.94 LakhsEngine: 1.2 litre turbochargedMaruti-Suzuki SX4 Hatchback:Launch Date:End of 2010Expected Price: Rs. 4.5 to 6 LakhsEngine: 1.6 litre VVT engineVolkswagen Polo:Expected Launch Date: February-March 2010Expected Price: Rs. 5-6...

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