2011 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite photos

2011 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite photos

2010 Honda CR-Z Photo Gallery

2010 Honda CR-Z

Honda Accord model designed with sloping roofline for trendy coupe profile.

Everybody’s trying to look like a coupe these days. Sedans, hatchbacks and wagons, many of them are being dolled up with dramatically sloping rooflines to look more like sporty hardtops despite their four-door configurations.

Even crossovers are getting into the act, sacrificing their stated purpose as practical alternatives to truck-based SUVs to become styling baubles designed to impress with attractive shapes rather than carrying capacities. The tradeoff is reduced comfort for rear-seat denizens as well as axing the cargo space by half.

Crosstour's styling is less evocative than that of its similar upscale sibling, Acura ZDX. (Photo: Honda)

Such is the Honda Accord Crosstour, an interesting exercise in style over substance that takes the underpinnings of the standard-issue midsize sedan and caps it with a body that is both bold and unlikely.

Essentially the downstream version of the Acura ZDX from Honda’s luxury division, Crosstour establishes a less-extravagant look than its fancy cousin, similar to the difference between an Acura MDX and a Honda Pilot. Same SUV, different package.

Crosstour got some heat from critics when it arrived last year for what was perceived as awkward styling. Not quite Pontiac Aztek awkward, but with a bulbous front that clashes with the abbreviated rear.

2010 Honda Accord Crosstour

The 2010 Honda Crosstour is an unusual beast—so unusual that the first time you see one you'll likely stand back, size it up, and scratch your head a bit.Then you're probably going to say

2010 Honda Accord Crosstour
something along the lines of, "I love it!" or "I don't see the point." Yes, it's that polarizing.

Once you're over the visual warm-up phase--and we like it after a long warming-to period--you'll find that the 2010 Crosstour drives somewhat like the Accord sedan but with a heavier, more deliberate feel that's a step in the opposite direction of the nimble feel we've praised the Accord sedan for in the past. The 271-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 moves the Crosstour plenty quick, but you're going to feel that weight in stop-and-go traffic. The transmission hesitates to downshift when coming out of a corner, yet it holds lower gears for longer than needed during light acceleration. It steers well and has reasonably good body control on a curvy road, but there's quite a bit more fore-aft motion during hard braking or strong acceleration than we remember from the Accord.

But that's not to say it's not a useful alternative to the trunked Accord: to find out more of our driving impressions and our overall take on the Accord lineup, read our Bottom Line on the 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour and get a full review of the 2010 Honda Accord lineup.

Honda Restarts Production at China Plants

Honda Motor Co. said production at two of its auto-assembly plants in China will be back to normal Friday after a two-day suspension was prompted by labor strikes.

Honda plans to resume production at its plants in Guangzhou after a strike was resolved at a parts factory that produces exhaust systems for the auto maker. The company continues to deal with a separate strike, which started Wednesday, at its Honda Lock (Guangdong) Co. unit.

The recent work stoppages are an ill-timed setback for the company as it struggles to keep up with demand in the world's biggest auto market. Honda is trying to bring its overall production capacity in the country to 830,000 vehicles from 650,000 by 2012.

But the Japanese car maker was able restart production at the two plants more quickly than during a previous stoppage, which took about two weeks to resolve. The auto maker aims to make up for lost time through overtime and holiday shifts to meet its sales target of more than 630,000 vehicles in China for this year, a Honda spokesman said.

The two auto plants run by Guangqi Honda Automobile Co. halted operations for two days from Wednesday after workers at Foshan Fengfu Autoparts—a joint venture run by Honda's 70%-held Yutaka Giken Co. and its partner—walked off the job Monday.

Honda to discontinue 4-door Civic Type R in August

Civic Type R

Honda confirmed today that it will discontinue production of the 4-door Civic Type R at the end of August, 2010.

“A purist’s sports car featuring precisely tuned vehicle dynamics, the Civic Type R creates a unity between car and driver for exceptional driving pleasure,” Honda said in a statement. “The first-generation model launched in 1997 and was produced at Suzuka Factory. The second-generation model following in 2001, was produced at Honda of the U.K. Manufacturing Ltd. For the current, third-generation Civic Type R that was released in 2007, the production has returned to Suzuka Factory.”

2010 Honda Accord Crosstour

2010 Honda Accord Crosstour
2010 Honda Accord Crosstour at the top of this page? The salt streaks show it has passed its winter semester in New England Highway Driving 101. Now take a moment and give that photo a second look. You'll notice the Crosstour is a vehicle that's different enough to draw second looks both on the highway and in parking lots.

It's a look that some will love, but it comes with a price, and that price isn't just the sticker, which ranges between $30,380 to $36,930, and which includes a tradeoff in decreased utility in terms of visibility and cargo space. Honda has taken a chance with the Crosstour, a new entry in the automotive world's "create a niche" sweepstakes. In that vein, Honda calls it a "premium CUV (crossover utility vehicle)"

Honda could have revived an Accord wagon. It also could have made the Crosstour a crossover in the more squared shape of rival Toyota's hot-selling Venza. Instead, they've gone in the sloped-back direction of Honda's corporate cousin, the new Acura ZDX, a look also featured on BMW's X6. It could have gone in a more economical direction, too, and offered a four-cylinder version as it does with the base Accord sedan. Instead, Honda has opted for power and amenities in this near-luxury vehicle.

Honda Jazz Price

Honda jazz launched in India at 10th June 2009 with premium price.

Honda Jazz comes with a 1.2-litre i-VTEC engine which, features programmed fuel injection that delivers maximum output of 90 PS (66 kW) @ 6,200 rpm and torque of 110 Nm (11.2 kg-m) @ 4800 rpm while giving fuel economy of 16.1 km/l, as per ARAI test data.

Honda Jazz will be available in six colours and three types in – Jazz, Jazz Mode and Jazz Active.

The Honda Jazz also offers active and passive safety features including ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System) with EBD (Electronic Brake-Force Distribution System), Dual SRS airbags and pre-tensioner seat belts.

Honda Jazz comes with a refreshed new interior design, comfortable driving position, keyless entry, integrated music system, steering mounted audio controls, auto volume by speed, magic seats and driver’s footrest.

Honda offers a 4 years or 80,000 kms warranty with 4 years roadside assistance for all Jazz buyers.

Honda jazz Prices: – All Prices are Ex-showroom

• Honda Jazz Price in Delhi/Gurgaon/Noida – Rs. 6,98,000/- Indian Rupee (INR)
• Honda Jazz Price in Mumbai – Rs. 7,43,000/- Indian Rupee (INR)
• Honda Jazz Price in Bangalore – Rs. 7,15,000/- Indian Rupee (INR)
• Honda Jazz Price in Chennai – Rs. 7,18,000/- Indian Rupee (INR)
• Honda Jazz Price in Kolkata – Rs. 7,14,000/- Indian Rupee (INR)
• Honda Jazz Price in Pune – Rs. 7,24,000/- Indian Rupee (INR)
• Honda Jazz Price in Hyderabad – Rs. 7,14,000/- Indian Rupee (INR)

Two Optional Accessories Packs Jazz mode, jazz active for Honda Jazz available at 30k and 35k.