Honda and the Future of the Automobile

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CarScoop: 2012 Toyota Prius Alpha Hybrid Minivan Scooped?

Hmmm, interesting....Carscoop reader Nick K. had an opportunity to snag what may very well be the first spy photos of the long-anticipated minivan version of the Prius, rumored to be called the Prius Alpha.Spotted out in California following a new Lexus CT200h with its logos covered, the camouflaged minivan seen here - said by Nick to be "about the size of a Mazda 5" - appears to be wearing a Prius-esque front fascia and doesn't look to fit anywhere else in the lineup.As you can see in our photo gallery after the jump, the minivan and the Prius also seem to share a similar design for the windshield, front window line and tail lamps.If earlier reports from Reuters and Japan's Nikkei daily are correct, the Prius MPV will end up housing three...

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Is the US ready to accept diesel?

By: Glenn Brooks, Monday, September 27, 2010, AutomotiveWorld.com "Hybrids are costly and although sales are strong in the US and Japan, globally they are not so successful. Of the 60 million vehicles built a year, just 1% are hybrids."So said Mazda president and CEO Takashi Yamanouchi at the New York auto show earlier this year. With its sole hybrid model, the Tribute HEV, having recently been withdrawn from the US market due to disappointing sales, Mazda has been brave enough to address a situation many rivals remain in denial over. While no-one doubts the success of the Toyota Prius in both the US and Japan, this car is the sole exception to the global reality of hybrid vehicles being little more than pricey niche models.Honda, Toyota's...

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General Motors to Sell a Diesel Powered Car in North America

I hope that if this car actually comes about that it is a success, then maybe companies like Honda can bring their diesel products over here to North America....General Motors has confirmed that it will sell a diesel-powered car on U.S. soil in the future. According to Ward’s Auto, the source of the news is none-other than GM Vice Chairman Tom Stephens. The use of a diesel would mark the first time in almost three decades that a diesel car was sold in the U.S., with the last diesels being sold in Cadillac, Buick and Oldsmobile vehicles in the late ’70s and early ’80s.There’s no additional info on what vehicle could get the new diesel powerplant or even if the diesel engine being considered is new. GM has been offering a diesel version of its...

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Next-Gen Acura Legend (RL) a Go

There were reports that development of the next-generation Acura RL was postponed, but Honda president Takanobu Ito has confirmed that it’s all go for Acura’s next full-size luxury car. Many have pointed to the current RL’s V-6 engine as the weak point in the car’s equipment lineup, saying V-8-power and smoothness are necessary to compete in this segment. Therefore, the next RL will feature Honda’s large displacement hybrid powerplant under its hood. Also, as you can see from this drawing, the front grille will look much different than the “shield” design used on today’s Acura cars. That said, don’t be surprised to the “shield” still be used on U.S. cars. As for me, I’ll take this grille, thank you.Source;http://blog.roadandtrack.com/next-...

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Freak Segway accident kills company owner

LONDON - The British millionaire businessman who owns the firm Segway has been found dead at the bottom of a cliff with one of the two-wheeled electric scooters near his body, police said on Monday.Jimi Heselden, 62, who bought the U.S.-based firm, and who was also chairman of Hesco Bastion, was discovered in a river near Leeds, northern England, on Sunday.The incident, described as a freak accident in the media, was not being treated as suspicious. A Segway was found near his body, a police spokeswoman said. “It is with great sadness that we have to confirm that Jimi Heselden has died in a tragic accident near his home in West Yorkshire,” Hesco Bastion said in a statement.A family spokesman said speculation about the cause of his death had...

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Euro Honda: Honda Jazz Hybrid, Fully Flexible

The world debut of the Jazz Hybrid at the Paris motor show will offer the first opportunity to see that Honda has added IMA hybrid technology to the innovative hatchback while still retaining the flexibility of its unique folding Magic Seats.Importantly in the Jazz Hybrid the integration of the hybrid system into the car has not diminished the interior space, with the boot floor remaining at the same level as the current 1.2 and 1.4 Jazz models. The IMA battery pack and power control unit have been integrated in the area under the boot floor, keeping the normal boot (above floor) area of 300 litres and allowing the Magic Seats to fold in the same manner as non-hybrid versions. This means that the seats still fold entirely flat to provide a...

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Road & Track: Honda Contemplates a CR-Z Convertible

September 24, 2010 by Sam MitaniWe have reported about the possibility of an S2000 successor for many months, and now we’re hearing reports that it may indeed happen, but not in the way we previously imagined. Our sources in Tokyo have told us that Honda is putting a priority on adding a sports car in its lineup; the execs feel that a sports car is a necessity to uphold its brand image. While there have been many debates and arguments within the walls of Honda HQ’s Aoyama-based offices buildings about the details of the car, many believe that the best first step may be to use the CR-Z hybrid car’s platform. Despite its front-drive layout, performance will be increased via a stronger engine and lighter weight. If such a car can be created,...

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2012 Honda Civic Interior Inspired by Honda's Open Concept

Just an observation really, the top photo is of the "Open Concept" in 2008 and the bottom one is of the spyshot from www.vtec.net with Brenda Priddy....Spyshot Source;http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=924...

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2011 Honda Odyssey debuts

Minivan on display this weekend at Georgian College Auto ShowBARRIE - The 2011 Honda Odyssey minivan will be making its Canadian debut this Friday (Sept. 24) at the 25th annual Georgian College Auto Show in Barrie.The Odyssey, which is set to go on sale Oct. 22, will be on display at the Honda exhibit Friday from noon until 6 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday (Sept. 25 and 26) it will be on display from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Georgian College’s Barrie campus is located at 1 Georgian Dr. More information is available online at www.georgianc.on.ca."The all-new Odyssey is set to once again redefine the minivan segment as the benchmark of minivans," said Jerry Chenkin, executive vice president of Honda Canada Inc. "Never before has so much space, functionality...

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Honda Takes Over Times Square for First-Ever 3-D Launch of All- New 2011 CR-Z Sport Hybrid Coupe

09/23/2010 - NEW YORKHonda held the first-ever takeover of Times Square in 3-D technology today to support the launch of the all-new CR-Z sport hybrid coupe. Spanning five blocks of Times Square, the event marked the first time 3-D footage was broadcast to the public space. As a part of the takeover, Honda ran 3-D CR-Z commercial footage on the Times Square HD Spectacolor screen (located on Broadway between 46th and 47th Street), displayed several CR-Z's and sponsored a special performance from chart-topping hip-hop trio, N.E.R.D. An estimated 250,000 people attended the CR-Z event in Times Square today.Source;http://www.hondanews.com/channels/corporate-headlines/releases/honda-takes-over-times-square-for-first-ever-3-d-launch-of-all-new-2...

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Hyundai Launches Next Gen i10, New i10 priced at Rs. 3.48 - 5.9 Laks - New i10 Kappa2 Photos, Pics, Images

Hyundai India face lifted its successful entry level hatchback " i10" with major changes both in exterior and interior on 23rd, September, 2010. The new i10 got a new sporty front grill with new head lamps. The pricing of the new Hyundai i10 starts at Rs 3.48lakh and goes upto Rs 5.9lakh.The ‘Next Gen i10’ will replace the existing i10 and will be available in two petrol engine variants of 1.1 litre with a mileage of 19.81 km per litre, and 1.2 litre with a fuel economy of 20.36 km per litre.New Next Gen Hyundai i10 Exterior Phot...

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Honda working to address environmental challenges

By Masahiro Takedagawa, For The Calgary HeraldBased on our commitment to innovation and original technology creation, Honda is working to help address the world's environmental challenges, such as global climate change, emissions reduction and energy sustainability. Honda is taking a comprehensive portfolio approach that involves advanced powertrain and energy technologies for the near and longer terms. Honda's unique strategy also includes further improvements to gasoline-engine fuel efficiency, including the expanding use of gasoline-electric hybrid technology; the development of viable alternatives to gasoline, including compressed natural gas, non-food-based biofuels, electric vehicles and hydrogen-powered fuel-cell electric cars; and advanced...

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Honda Commercial 2010, Impossible Dream 2

This is one of Honda's best commercials....

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Consumer Reports: Why you should buy a 2010 Honda Odyssey now!

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Opel Meriva Concept

I understand that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but whoa, this is officially the ugliest prototype i've ever seen.... Source;http://visions-autos.sport24.com/596288/Design-retour-de-la-Porte-Suicide-et-de-la-porte-Coulissan...

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AMS Terra Brings the Space Invader Theme to Honda's CR-Z Hybrid Coupe

This is AMS's take on the new Honda CR-Z hybrid sports coupe/hatch, and it's called the Terra. The CR-Z, which already looks nice as a cute little sporty hybrid, has been dropped on 19-inch RAYS Versus Torismo Rechente one-off rollers that have been finished in piano black and pearl white.The front of the car gets a new front bumper - with or without a license plate holder- and some "eyeline garnish", while both front and rear fenders have been widened (15 mm and 70 mm, respectively). Also, the side sills get their WIDE on to the tune of 30 mm.Up above, there's a roof lip and rear hatch spoiler. The rear of the car is where the magic really happens, though: the Terra gets an alien-inspired rear diffuser with twin center exhaust outlets for...

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Honda to overhaul sourcing method for emerging markets push

(Reuters) - Honda Motor Co will overhaul its sourcing strategy by ditching its one-spec-fits-all method on global car models to better compete with Hyundai Motor and others in emerging markets, an executive said on Tuesday.Honda, Japan's No.2 automaker, has until now used a common blueprint for components on cars built and sold globally for efficiency's sake, and to offer consumers around the world the same specifications for those models.But Masaya Yamashita, head of Honda's purchasing operations, said that strategy was outdated and making some of its cars unnecessarily pricier in China, India and other regions at a time when South Korea's Hyundai and others were boosting sales with cars that were a better fit for local consumers."Hyundai...

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Car and Driver: 2011 Ford Fiesta vs. 2010 Honda Fit, 2011 Mazda 2 - Comparison Tests

Most drivers in Europe motor around in small, efficient hatchbacks without feeling like failures. But here, in America—the hell with the gas bill—size still matters. On the Continent, the social stigma that’s attached to driving a very small car isn’t as virulent and deprecating as it continues to be for many drivers in the U.S.So Ford is trying, once again, to take the edge off that particular shame with its latest Fiesta—a snazzy-looking, Euro-transplant B-segment subcompact that emphasizes lots of features and high fuel economy. Mazda enters the fray with its 2, first released in Europe in 2007 and, ironically, riding on the same platform as the Fiesta (they share the same 98.0-inch wheelbase). These new releases make Honda’s product planners...

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TOV & Priddy: 2012 Civic Sedan Interior Spied!

Here is a link to 2X spyshots of the next gen Honda Civic's interior....http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=924038Here's what Brenda Priddy's team has to say accompanying the spyshots....SPIED INSIDE & OUT:'12 Honda Civic!! Honda engineers had been trying very hard to hide the interior of the 2012 Civic from us, but today we got lucky and can REVEAL the next-gen interior!Our photos show that the center stack now appears more oriented towards the driver. We can also see the dual-pod setup on the dash has undergone a redesign. Almost all the audio and HVAC controls are new as well as the air vents and the steering wheel.Originally, the 9th gen Civic was set to debut in the Summer of 2010 as a 2011 model, but once CAFE regulations changed and the auto industry hit hard times in...

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2012 Honda Civic to be unveiled in Detroit

Honda Canada invited some auto writers to a media roundtable the other night, looking for feedback on what the consumer is thinking.While we emphasized the demand for technology that works as simply as the iPhone and iPad (and connects to them too) as well as more clean diesel engines, the more interesting news of the night was the confirmation the 2012 Honda Civic will be unveiled this fall at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.Calling the new car "beautiful" and an evolution rather than revolution like the current model, Jerry Chenkin, Executive Vice President of Honda Canada, said he had driven the new Civic and that it would "set a new standard" for interior excellence. He said the new Civic will have "better numbers"...

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Renaul Fluence Photos | Renault Fluence Picture | Renault Fluence Launch Date, Images

French car maker Renault planning to launch their beautiful sedan "Fluence" in the Indian market later this year. Renault Fluence will compete with Fiat Linea, Maruti SX4, Volkswagen Vento and Honda City. Renault Fluence will be priced at around Rs. 7-10 Lakhs.Renault Fluence Exterior Photos:Renault Fluence Interior Phot...

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