Honda Fit EV to Hit Roads

Honda Fit EV

The authorities of the City of Torrance plans to use the Fit EV cars in various city departments, including the Economic Development office, the Community Development department and the Public Works office.

2011 Accord, 2011 Pilot in the U.S. for Faulty Suspension

 
Honda has issued a recall in the U.S. for around 10,800 MY 2010 to 2011 Accord as well as MY 2011 Pilot vehicles owing to faulty front suspension. Honda further clarified that the recall affects vehicles that were produced at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, LLC, or HMA.

“A potential problem with the machinery used to tighten the spindle nuts on the front axles of both vehicles, as well as the damper attachment bracket bolts for the Pilot, may cause the front suspension of a small number of these vehicles to fail.”

Apparently, a software glitch for the equipment used for the assembly process was identified at HMA.

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.

2010 Honda Accord Crosstour

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 right

Honda Canada has unveiled new 2010 Accord Crosstour at dealerships across the country on 24th November.

The Accord Crosstour comes in different models, including EX-L which is a four wheel drive, and also a EX-L top of the line version with comes with luxury trim as well as Honda's satellite navigation system. All the models come with a 3.5 litre 271 horsepower V6 engine.

The 271 horsepower V6 VTEC engine features Honda's Variable Cylinder Management system which improves fuel consumption and increases power. The car comes packed with a 5 speed automatic transmission as well as a real time 4-wheel drive system for offroad and towing use.

The Accord Crosstour offers a dual heated front seats, leather trim pieces, dual climate control, XM Radio with USB Audio input, a fold down rear seat, 18 inch rims and tires, and a moon roof.

The car is designed with the ACE body structure which helps to protect the users in front end collisions, and also includes the Electronic Stability Control, Anti-Lock brakes and front and side airbags, the company said.

The EX-L 2-Wheel Drive has is expected to be retailed at MSRP of $34,900, EX-L 4-Wheel Drive has MSRP of $36,900 and the EX-L 4-Wheel Drive with navigation has MSRP of $38,900.

Honda Element Gets A Second Chance

The first-generation Honda Element didn’t give the Japanese automaker the sales that they expected. Nevertheless, Honda is giving the Element yet another start with its planned all-new model.

The Element went on sale in 2003 and since then rarely had minor updates, and never really fired up the sales charts. As such. Honda execs are still keen on keeping Element in production as it is part of the platform usability strategy of the automaker. Honda is also aware that the Element brings in a different kind of buyer to the Honda showrooms.

The Element fell below with its 75,000 sales goal per year, selling only 67,500 units on its first year on the markets. Having a new model hopefully boosts the sales this time.

Honda Insight EX

The Insight EX is one of Honda’s Release in hybrid models. This machine is a fuel saver and an impressive gas mileage. This is a roomy car for you and your family. It has ample room at the back for your belongings and not to mention, the Honda Insight EX’s interior design is a knock-out. You can choose from an array of different exterior colors that will suit you. Anyway, whatever color you choose is perfect. The Honda Insight EX is simply amazing. Affordable for tight budgets but the overall performance is as good as it gets. Sporty, cool design and a unique experience in driving… The Honda Insight EX is “The” car.

Toyota FT-86 and Honda CR-Z Concepts

The Honda stand featured everything from an EV-Cub to a butane-powered garden tiller, but the bright spot both for enthusiasts and environmentalists was the CR-Z Concept 2009. Name notwithstanding, the CR-Z is very close to what we'll see in production come fall 2010. Featuring a 1.5-liter i-VTEC four-cylinder paired with Honda's Integrated Motor Assist, nickel-metal-hydride batteries, and a six-speed manual, it promises to be the most engaging green vehicle on the market this side of a Tesla Roadster. Styling for the two-seater (or two-plus-two in Japan) hews closely to that of the 2007 concept, but the wheelbase has been shortened to improve handling. The original concept's swoopy interior has, predictably, been largely replaced with parts found in the Civic and the Fit. The car won't be a straight-line rocket, but we nevertheless expect it to offer all the cheap thrills of the original CRX. Look for the actual production model at the Detroit show. Enjoy the CR-Z, because it's likely the only sporty product we'll see from Honda in the near future

vote nowBuzz up! Details Leaked on 2011 Honda CR-Z

Honda enthusiasts who miss the small, light, high-performance coupes the brand was once known for have something to look forward to. Something green. Details on the 2011 Honda CR-Z hybrid have made their way into the automotive press, in the form of a leaked brochure – and the new CR-Z increasingly looks like a worthy successor to the CRXs of old.

The base model may not offer impressive performance. Autoblog reports, “The CR-Z nets a relatively uninspiring 0 to 62 mph time of 9.7 seconds.” The CR-Z will be powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine putting out 112 horsepower, with a 14 hp electric motor boosting power.

Motor Trend notes, “The fuel mileage claims translate to around 55 mpg, but Japan measures mpg with a different standard. You can expect the U.S. version's numbers to settle a little under the Insight's combined 41 mpg, as the CR-Z has a little more displacement.”

Those looking for a CR-Z as sporty as the old CRX may need to step up to a high-performance edition. Few details are known, but the automaker’s high-performance Mugen tuning team will offer its own edition. Motor Authority says that version is “Destined to be one of the first hybrid vehicles to be adopted by the mainstream performance community.”

2010 Honda Civic

2010 Honda Civic Sedan

If you've known the Civic as a source of inexpensive, economical transportation in the past, it's easy to think that on first glance at the feature set of our test 2010 Honda Civic EX-L Sedan—and its price tag: $24,515.

Although that's certainly not pricey for a vehicle today (the average price of a new vehicle lands a bit below $30k), the level of equipment is surprising, because—probably like you—I tend to associate the Civic either with frugality and basic transportation, geeky maximum fuel-efficiency (Civic Hybrid) or edgy tuner-style performance (Civic Si).

Go for the top-of-the-line EX or EX-L and you'll end up with a bit of a different experience. For starters, you get the same curvy yet slab-sided exterior and odd dual-tier instrument panel that had shoppers quite polarized on introduction. But it's accented with a few more soft-touch surfaces, upgraded trims, and perforated leather steering wheel trim. The center console has a padded, sliding armrest, while back-seat passengers get a pull-down armrest with integral cupholders.

Honda Plans Element Successor

It's hard to call Honda's boxy Element SUV a runaway success, but it certainly has carved a niche filled with loyal, passionate supporters. As such, the automaker is looking at replacing the compact SUV with a similar vehicle, which may or may not use the Element name.

In 2003, the first year for the model, Honda managed to sell 67,478 Elements. In spite of a facelift and a spiffy S/C model, Element sales have fallen short of the original 75,000-unit estimate. Thus far, only 13,458 Elements have been sold in 2009. In contrast, 172,528 examples of the CR-V -- which shares most mechanicals with the Element -- have moved off dealers' lots this year.

While it may seem that the CR-V may have stolen all of the Element's thunder, Honda executives argue otherwise.

"In the showroom," American Honda vice president John Mendel told Automotive News, "you couldn't get most Element buyers to even sit in a CR-V."

Element buyers are typically dramatically different than CR-V owners, complete with the oft-touted "active lifestyle." As such, the flexible interior, washable rubber floors, optional surfboard and kayak carriers, and a new Dog Friendly package appeal to these shoppers. The CR-V, on the other hand, is more luxurious, and is positioned towards catering to young families.

Honda plans to settle Civic Hybrid mileage suit

2008 Honda Civic Hybrid

If you buy a hybrid, you'll be rewarded with excellent fuel economy, right? Well, that's the idea, but sometimes things don't turn out exactly as we had hoped. Such is apparently the case with a number of Honda Civic Hybrid owners who claim that their vehicles don't even come close to achieving the mileage figures estimated by the EPA, leading to a class action lawsuit against Honda.

Back in the summer of 2007, we conducted a telephone interview with John True, one of the two men who started the suit. At the time, True claimed he only achieved, at best, 34.6 miles per gallon and had averaged well under that figure. The window sticker showed EPA estimates of 49 city and 51 highway, though the EPA's revised 2008 rating sits at 40 city and 45 highway.

Honda Civic Type R

The all-new Civic Type R comes equipped with a specially tuned 2.0-liter normally aspirated engine matched to a 6-speed manual transmission. A lighter, more rigid body shell, specially tuned suspension, 18-inch tires and large 17-inch front disc brakes contribute to the Civic Type R’s ability to push the performance envelope. Newly developed aerodynamic devices further enhance high-speed performance while giving the wide and low form a more aggressive look. Front bucket seats, a unique instrument panel and other performance accessories contribute to an easier and more responsive drive.

Type R models are specially tuned to take full advantage of the potential of the base model and provide a racing car-like driving feel. First offered on the NSX in 1992, the Type R range was extended to the Integra in 1995, and the Civic in 1997. This latest all-new Civic Type R is the distillation of 15 years of technological progress and the latest expression of Honda’s “Challenging Sprit”.

2010 Honda Accord Crosstour Price

Honda today announced the pricing details on its new 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour crossover model that will arrive in dealerships on November 20.

All 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour models are equipped with a 3.5L i-VTEC V6 making at total of 271-hp and 254 lb-ft of torque at 5,000 RPM. Estimated EPA-rated fuel-economy for the 2WD model comes in at 18/27 mpg (city/highway and 17/25 for the 4WD model. The Honda Accord Crosstour will be available with a singe transmission, a 5-speed automatic, and with a choice between a two-wheel-drive and 4WD. The Honda Accord Crosstour will be offered in three trim levels, EX, EX-L and EX-L with navi.

The Honda Accord Crosstour price starts at $29,670 for the 2WD versions and at $34,020 for the 4WD models. The Honda Accord Crosstour price for the top of the range 4WD EX-L with Navi starts at $36,220.