Eco Cars: Honda Native all-electric concept vehicle can change its color

Eco Factor: Zero-emission concept vehicle designed to run on electricity.With the world in need of cars that are smarter, efficient and powered by clean fuels, industrial designers are working hard on next-gen vehicles that are light in weight, boast unique features and are powered by electric batteries. Auto designer Tudoran Liviu has come up with a concept electric vehicle dubbed the Honda Native, which packs all these requirements in a stunning package.The concept vehicle is made of lightweight materials and uses, in some regions, a photochromatic material that allows the car to change its color when temperature, light or other environmental changes occur. The Honda Native is designed to be powered by an electric engine that is fueled by...

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Benchmarking Shows Toyota, Honda Follow Different Paths to Hybridization

LYON, France –Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. Ltd. are the global hybrid leaders, together controlling 70% of the market, but a benchmarking teardown of their hybrid-electric vehicles gives a detailed view of the auto makers’ different strategies.While Toyota has worked to constantly improve hybrid performance, Honda’s strategy has been to reduce cost, says Antoine Chatelain, director of Mavel SA’s Mavtech subsidiary, which recently presented an overview of the Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid and Insight at the French consultancy’s technical center here.The ’09 Insight is less hybridized than the ’05 Civic Hybrid, Chatelain says, noting the Civic has electric air conditioning and regenerative braking, which the Insight lacks.In contrast,...

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Consumer Reports: Q and A: Why do car batteries die in winter?

Q: Why do car batteries go dead in winter?A: Cold weather is often fingered as the culprit when car batteries die, but actually warm temperatures do the most damage to them. High temperatures quicken corrosion of internal plates and vaporize the electrolyte faster. But car batteries usually go dead in cold weather mostly because damage done during the summer doesn’t show up until the battery is more taxed. A cold battery has reduced cranking power, and cold temperatures thicken motor oil, making it harder to turn the engine over. Modern electrical and fuel systems can mask a weak battery by starting an engine with a minimum of cranking, but when a weak battery is further compromised by cold conditions, it’s more likely to fail.For more information...

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New Mugen Kit for Honda Fit

Mugen propose a 2 new Kit in Japan for the Honda Fit, with a selection of 2 different from spoiler and bumper as well as not less than 5 different set of wheels including 2 16” models and 3 15” ones.Our kit also includes sport suspension, a sport silencer, new breaking pads a quick sifter as well as some other accessories purely cosmetics including sport pedals and shift knobs…Source;http://www.nihoncar.com/en/news-1193-New+Mugen+Kit+for+Honda+Fit.h...

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Another proposed Toyota MR2 Hybrid Article

Tell us if this sounds familiar: Hybrids will kill the driver-oriented sportscar. It's the line taken by no small share of enthusiasts, and some of them are among us here at Autoblog. But the skeptics were silenced – or temporarily hushed, at least – when Honda took the wraps off of its CR-Z coup concept. After all, anything that could bring back the CRX hatchback with added oomph at no extra cost at the fuel pumps has to sound good to anyone's ears, right? But you didn't think Toyota would let Honda have the fun all to itself now, did you?It's far from official, but reports out of Japan suggest that Toyota may be working on a reborn hybrid sportscar of its own. The company once known for its sports-coupes recently unveiled the FT-86 concept,...

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Honda Helpful giving out free gas to SoCal Honda owners

Honda pays it forward....If you live in Southern California, keep your eyes open for a blue tanker truck from now until December 31. SoCal Honda is sending their “Honda Helpful” teams to give out free gas to lucky Honda owners. The team is reportedly spread out across Southern California communities to perform good deeds including handing out umbrellas when it’s raining, handing out reusable grocery bags and feeding the homeless.“The majority are Honda drivers, but some non-Honda drivers may also get lucky!” someone at Honda told KickingTires.So if you own a Honda and live in Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange Count, San Fernando Valley, Pasadena or Ventura Count, keep a lookout for a big blue truck that reads “Hey Honda owners, enjoy free gas...

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Toyota to Revive MR2 as Hybrid Competitor to Honda CR-Z? Japanese Magazine Believes So

Ever since Honda announced the CR-Z hybrid sports coupe, there have been rumors going around about the possibility of a corresponding Toyota model. Just to make it clear, we haven't heard anything official, but Japan's Best Car magazine is reporting/speculating/imagining (take your pick) that Toyota may revive the MR2 as a hybrid model called the MR-S to compete with Honda's CR-Z coupe that will go on sale in 2010.We'll have to wait until some of our Japanese-fluent readers give us all the details from the article, but from what we gather, the MR-S would probably use a specially developed version of the Toyota Prius' hybrid powertrain.The magazine's article is accompanied by an artist's impression on how the MR-S could like. Judging by the...

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Lexus LFA will be available on lease in the US and Canada

The 552hp Lexus LFA supercar will be available in North America on a lease basis for at least two years, after which, you can choose to purchase the car. Out of 500 units planned, about 140 are expected to be available in the US and 10 for the Canadian market. This is to prevent the cars from not being driven until they carry more value and subsequently sold. It also to avoid speculators from purchasing the car and selling it immediately for a huge profit.Source;http://paultan.org/2009/11/26/lexus-lfa-will-be-available-on-lease-in-the-us-and-cana...

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Corvette C6.BlackforceOne, by German tuners Loma Performance

This is one Bada$$ vette....Germans from Loma Performance have unveiled a tunned Corvette C6, with a particulary dark look and mean specs. Dubbed the “BlackForceOnce”, this mean machine is one of the best tunes we’ve seen this year, both when it comes to the design and the monster under the hood. With hopes that the name will spark no racism debate, we continue the article on the BlackForceOnce Corvette by Loma Performance…The inspiration is not not a bad choice. I mean, Nike did it and no one pointed at them “You’re lame!”, did they? (I mean the Air Force 1 Nike sportsshoes, killers btw google them if you wish..). We don’t know if this one will carry any President (thought I’d like to see some of their faces at 200 mph), like the Air Force...

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Two Japanese Carmakers Leads Over All Other Mainstream Brands.Toyota, Honda

Toyota, Honda and Volkswagen Take Top Spots in ALG's Fall 2009 Perceived Quality StudyLas Vegas (CRWENEWSWIRE) Nov. 23, 2009 Two Japanese carmakers, Toyota and Honda were the top performers among mainstream brands in ALG’s Fall 2009 Perceived Quality Score (PQS). German carmaker Volkswagen (VW), takes third spot .Ford Cars showed the strongest year-over-year improvement in perceived quality, followed by Ford Trucks/SUVs. Ford’s ability to avoid bankruptcy and launch new models in 2009 has likely generated increased consumer confidence in the brand.Hyundai rounded out the top three in terms of greatest year-over-year improvement.Consistently lead the industry when it comes to perceived quality are Toyota and Honda. These companies have maintained...

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Honda tops 2009 corporate fuel economy charts, Chrysler trails

The Environmental Protection Agency is currently in the process of compiling the the fleet average fuel economy numbers for model year 2009, which recently concluded, and it looks like Honda will be on top yet again. The final numbers are still some months away as the data is collected on exactly how many cars were sold and in what configurations. Based on early numbers, Honda's fleet average comes out to 23.6 mpg with Hyundai-Kia close behind at 23.4 mpg. Both of those companies are down slightly from 2008 when they averaged 23.9 and 23.7 mpg, respectively. Of course, last year Honda sold huge quantities of Civics and Fits when gas went to $4 / gallon. This year, those sales – along with everything else – are down, bringing the average mpg...

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Acura Announces Pricing and On-Sale Information for 2010 ZDX

Provocative four-door sports coupe goes on-sale December 15TORRANCE, Calif. - 11/20/2009The all-new 2010 ZDX four-door sports coupe is set to go on-sale at Acura dealerships on December 15 with a manufacturers suggested retail price (MSRP) starting at $45,495, plus a destination and handling charge* of $810, Acura announced today.Designed, developed and manufactured in North America, the ZDX has already generated a tremendous amount of excitement since its world debut at the New York Auto Show in April, thanks to its stunning coupe-like styling combined with flexible utility, a commanding presence and outstanding performance."Acura dealers are seeing strong interest from customers for the ZDX well before its official on-sale date," said Jeff...

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2010 Honda Accord CrossTour Canadian Pricing

Well, here we have it....Official sales date will be Nov 24, 2009, although we are said to recieve our first ones Nov. 20, 2009.2010 Honda Accord CrossTour EX-L V6 2WD Automatic$34,900 plus freight and pdi ($1,550 here in Manitoba), plus taxes2010 Honda Accord CrossTour EX-L V6 4WD Automatic$36,900 plus freight and pdi ($1,550 here in Manitoba), plus taxes2010 Honda Accord CrossTour EX-L V6 4WD Navigation Automatic$38,900 plus freight and pdi ($1,550 here in Manitoba), plus taxesSource;Honda Can...

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Honda arrives fashionably late

With the Accord Crosstour, Honda finally has a five-passenger mid-size crossover in this important market segment. The car maker may have taken its time – but it’s got it rightFord has the Edge. Subaru has the Outback. Toyota has the Venza. Nissan the Murano. Mazda the CX-7. Hyundai the Santa Fe. And now, coming later this month, Honda has the 2010 Accord Crosstour. Yes, Honda is late to this game. Very late. And even at that, Honda really is only dipping its big toe into a segment where so many others have found success and won fans. In fact, Honda has exceedingly modest expectations for the Crosstour: annual sales of about 3,000 for a car that amounts to a tall station wagon with a long list of standard upscale features.Toyota has been selling...

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Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 27 winners of 2010 Top Safety Pick award

new requirement to win is good rating for protection in rolloversARLINGTON, VA — Nineteen cars and 8 SUVs earn the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Top Safety Pick award for 2010. For the first time, good performance in a roof strength test to measure protection in a rollover is required to win. Top Safety Pick recognizes vehicles that do the best job of protecting people in front, side, rear, and now rollover crashes based on good ratings in Institute tests. Winners also must have electronic stability control, which research shows significantly reduces crash risk. This is the second time the Institute has tightened criteria since announcing the first recipients in 2005.Subaru is the only manufacturer with a winner in all 4 vehicle...

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Honda P-NUT Coupe Concept Destined for 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show

Crack as many jokes about the name as you want, but the P-NUT -- or Peronsal-Neo Urban Transport -- concept will be another look at an ultra-futuristic Honda coupe.Few details (and no images, the one above is a random logo pic) are being released at this time, but Honda does note that the concept, which is designed and crafted by the automaker’s Advanced Design Studio in Los Angeles, demonstrates “a futuristic concept for an ultra-compact, aggressively designed coupe.” The same studio was also responsible for the FC Sport concept (pictured) shown at last year’s L.A. show.We’re told this will have no relation to either the concept or production CR-Z, and won’t focus on powertrain innovations. Instead, expect Honda’s designers to toy with new...

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Honda India: Honda may roll out new Small Car before 2011-12

Interesting....NEW DELHI: Honda Motor’s small car is likely to hit the Indian market earlier than expected. The new car (code named 2CV) being developed especially for India may be launched before 2011-12 to take on Toyota and break Suzuki’s stronghold on the Indian market.Toyota plans to launch its small car next year, while Suzuki with its seven compact models dominates the Indian small car segment with over 60% market share. Honda doesn’t have a small car in its portfolio and has been looking at new models to gain market share in India. The 2CV may come with a 1.1 litre petrol engine and could double Honda’s volumes in India, currently hovering around 52,000 cars per year. The car is expected to roll out from its stalled manufacturing plant...

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Fuel cell vehicles finish 707-mile demonstration run in Japan

Toyota, Nissan and Honda all participated in a fuel cell demonstration run in Japan last week. The three automakers brought their most advanced hydrogen fuel cell vehicles out for the two-day trip from Tokyo to Fukuoka with an overnight stop in Osaka. The driving teams piloted a Honda FCX Clarity, a Nissan X-Trail FCV and a Toyota Highlander FCHV-adv. Back in 2007, a Toyota FCHV traveled from Osaka to Tokyo on one tank of H2. Over the course of the trip the three vehicles covered 706.5 miles and consumed 28.8 kg of hydrogen. That works out to an average of 73.6 miles / kg. One kg of hydrogen has roughly the energy equivalent of one gallon of gasoline, so the mileage works out to about 73-74 mpg. The drive was organized by the Japan Hydrogen...

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Special Star Wars Kit for Honda Del Sol (sorry sold out)....

Words cannot describe.... Source;http://thechive.com/2009/03/daily-afternoon-randomness-31909-20-photos-2/kid-bike-back-...

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7tune; New Super GT Honda Confirmed

With the last race of this year’s Super GT already over and done with, fans of Honda have been left wondering what will replace the current NSX GT car for next season.Due to new Super GT regulations forcing the use of FR cars for the 2010 season, fans of the mid-engine Honda saw the last race of their venerate NSX earlier this month at Twin Ring Motegi Circuit here in Japan. With it’s first debut back in 1997 at the then All Japan GTC (followed by the JGTC and now Super GT), the NSX has had an illustrious career, claiming 49 poles with 36 race wins from 105 starts. With all this, Honda and the NSX teams have obviously attracted a multitude of fans and supporters over the last 13 years. But now, with rule changes forcing the end of the NSX’s...

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BMW Z4 Launched in India | BMW Z4 Priced at Rs. 59 Lakhs | BMW Z4 Photos, Picture, Images

BMW launches its convertible two seater sporty "Z4" model in India. BMW Z4 will be available in six colors Alpine White, Black Sapphire, Deep Sea Blue, Orion Silver, Space Grey, and Titanium Silver.BMW Z4 Price in India: Rs. 59 LakhBMW Z4 Exteriors:BMW Z4 Interio...

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