Hyundai Elantra Launch Review
American Honda Civic Sedan spied for the first tim...
Jaguar to preview 2012 XK with Paris concept
Audi Downsizes
American Honda Civic Sedan spied for the first time
The spies caught the next-generation European Honda Civic 5-door testing near the Nurburgring. This time the sedan version which is slated for the American market was caught.
Looking pretty close to an alleged leaked image, the sedan has been an icon of practicality and reliability.
However, newcomers such as the Hyundai Elantra and Suzuki Kizashi have upped the ante with dramatic styling, and that’s not good for this ninth generation Civic as it looks quite drab, even in prototype form.
The all-new 2012 Honda Civic is getting closer to its introduction in 2011, and with each passing day. Another key feature is the obvious use of large rear disc brakes, something that was not used on the standard Civic for the outgoing model. The spy shots we have acquired of the latest sedan in testing used wheels that hid the rear brakes, so at this time we can’t confirm whether or not rear disc will be used across
Honda Accord EX-L 2010
Honda has had a hit on its hands for what seems like aeons with its Accord. The Honda Accord is one of those cars that is legendary in its reliability. In the U.S., the eighth-generation car, introduced for 2008, is currently available in LX, LX-P, EX and EX-L trim levels. The Honda Accord EX-L 2010 is spacious for passengers and storage and an upscale feel; however, its ride quality and overall performance are merely adequate.
The 2010 Honda Accord EX-L offers real luxury, with dual-zone automatic climate controls and leather upholstery wrapping the tilt/telescoping steering wheel as well as the heated front seats, the driver’s being an 8-way power bucket. A 2.4-liter, 190-hp engine is mated to a five-speed automatic. Safety comes via four-wheel antilock brakes with brake assist, traction control, an anti-skid system, and six airbags. The 6-CD/MP3 changer gains satellite radio, and the rearview becomes an automatically dimming unit with an integrated thermometer and compass. Automatic headlights mean you’ll never be caught in the dark, and intermittent front wipers and a rear defogger keep you prepared for any weather. Look to power mirrors, door locks, windows, and remote keyless entry for convenience and active noise control for comfort.
The extras on the Honda Accord EX-L 4 door sedan are 17-inch wheels, a sunroof, an in-dash six-CD changer, leather upholstery, automatic headlights, dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats and satellite radio. In addition, the EX trim allows you to get the V6 in a five-speed automatic. From behind the wheel, there’s an overall feeling of lightness to the Accord coupe that makes it an easy car to enjoy. It may not be a proper sports car, but it’s a good option for those who are ready to move on from their sporty compact but aren’t yet willing to commit to a sedate mid-size sedan.
All four cylinder engines include 5 speed manual transmissions. All V6 powered four cylinder engines include five speed automatic transmissions and the Accord Coupe EX-L V-6 is equipped with six speed manual transmissions. The Accord EX-L version is equipped with Honda Satellite Navigation System with Voice activation. This feature utilizes an 8 inch screen and an interface dial for user input. This model also includes additional features such as Bluetooth Hands Free Link for connecting compatible mobile phones.
Sporty Honda Jazz Si 2010 Announced for UK
Honda will begin sales of a new trim level for the Jazz in April. The Honda Jazz is now available in an all new trim-level Si, which gives the Jazz an overall sporty outlook, and the fresh offering has been announced for the United Kingdom. The Honda Jazz Si will only be sold with a manual transmission, and will be available with the 1.2-liter and 1.4-liter engines. The Si trim adds a chrome lined grille to the standard variant along with 16-inch alloy wheels and a rear spoiler. On the inside, customers get embroidered carpet mats and Si badges marked all around. Honda is claiming that the trim adds equipment worth £2,000 to the standard variant but it will only charge an additional £870. Accordingly, the price for the Honda Jazz 1.2-liter Si is £12,835 while the 1.4l variant demands £13,510.
Honda HSV-010 GT Racer – road version rendering
We are all excited with the Honda HSV-010 GT racer, and more than that, curious about a street version of the car. Due to the harsh financial situation, Honda does not plan to produce such a car in 2010, but we can hope for one later on, as the HSV was intended from the beginning as a street-racing duo and is a suitable concept for production. We can imagine an eventual street version as being of course less wide, with minimum ground clearance, more discrete spoilers and smooth flowing lines. The street-version engine could be based on the racing V8, but with a slight displacement increment (from 3.4 to 5 litres) and a little revved down.
Honda FC Sport Design Concept
Honda designer Jason Wilbur and his team from Advanced Design Studio of Honda R&D Americas in Pasadena, California, have developed this futuristic FC Sport design study seen at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show.
Powered by existing fuel cell technology, the FC Sport is a three-seater sports car with a low centre of gravity, zero emissions and a potent, clean electric motor. It’s FCX Clarity meets NSX. Clever design ensured low weight and high-performance, with FC Sport maintaining a balanced weight distribution between front and rear, ideal for any serious sports car.
Configuration of the fuel cell stack is such that it is located between the two rear seats that flank driver’s position, while a battery pack sits low in the middle of the car. Electric motor is just ahead of the rear axle and the two fuel storage tanks just above it. The layout guarantees optimal weight distribution, a good passenger cabin (for a sports car) and an interior that focuses a lot on the center-placed driver.
“The Honda FC Sport explores how to satisfy automotive performance enthusiasts in a world beyond petroleum,” said Dan Bonawitz, vice president of American Honda Motor Co. “People who love sports cars will still have a reason to love in a hydrogen-powered future.”
The FC Sport emphasizes the design flexibility and potential of Honda’s V Flow fuel cell technology – already deployed in the Honda FCX Clarity sedan – and reconfigures it into a lightweight sports car design with an ultra-low center of gravity, powerful electric motor performance and zero-emissions. The design study concept is inspired by supercar levels of performance through low weight and a high-performance, electrically driven fuel cell powertrain.
“The Honda FC Sport explores how to satisfy automotive performance enthusiasts in a world beyond petroleum,” said Dan Bonawitz, vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “People who love sports cars will still have a reason to love in a hydrogen-powered future.”
The high-output Honda fuel cell powertrain and a sleek, aerodynamic body contribute to the vehicle’s performance potential. A modular approach to fuel cell component packaging and the electric drivetrain contribute to the FC Sport’s low center of gravity with the majority of vehicle mass distributed between the axles, creating the balanced weight distribution sought after in sports cars.
The ideal placement of the Honda V-Flow fuel cell stack and related components demonstrates the benefits of a platform-specific, hydrogen-powered fuel cell powertrain. The FC Sport is configured to accommodate a custom-formed high-power fuel cell stack, located between the rear seats, and a battery pack placed low in the middle of the vehicle. The electric motor resides just forward of the rear axle. Two fuel storage tanks, visible from above, are located above the rear axle.
The optimal placement of fuel cell components for performance also allows for a relatively large passenger cabin by conventional supercar standards with enough space for three seating positions. The interior layout focuses primarily on the driver with a racecar-like center driving position. The enclosed canopy opens upward from the rear to allow for entry and exit. Two rear passenger seats flank the driver’s left and right side.
The sleek, low-profile body is designed to convey a high-technology appearance with sculpting that combines angular shapes in the front of the vehicle that taper into geometric, hex forms in the rear. The rear hex forms house cooling radiators for the fuel cell. Formula 1-style barge boards behind the front wheels enhance high speed aerodynamics and convey the vehicle’s racing pedigree. The hydrogen storage tanks, visible from the rear deck, showcase the FC Sports fuel cell technology in much the same way that a “naked bike” motorcycle showcases its engineering technology.
The glacier white body color conveys the FC Sport’s clean environmental aspirations while the dark wheels and deeply tinted glass provide a symbolic contrast befitting of the vehicle’s unique combination of clean power and high performance. Green construction techniques further contribute to a reduced carbon footprint. An organic, bio-structure theme is carried through to the body construction where exterior panels are intended to use plant-derived bio-plastics.
The Advanced Design Studio of Honda R&D Americas, in Pasadena, California, developed the FC Sport design study with the primary objective of using existing fuel cell technology as the basis for an ultimate Honda sports car. Designer Jason Wilbur led the design efforts.
Honda R&D Americas, Inc. began its operations in California in 1975 with local market research activities and has steadily grown its capabilities over the past 33 years to include all aspects of new vehicle design and development. Recent development efforts include trend-setting products such as the Honda Pilot, Ridgeline, Element, Civic Coupe and Civic Si.
In 2008, the company opened two new design centers in Southern California: the Acura Design Studio (Torrance), for the research and design of new Acura products; and the Advanced Design Studio (Pasadena), for the exploration and development of advanced design themes for both Honda and Acura.
The company operates 11 major R&D facilities in North America, including a full vehicle development center in Raymond, Ohio, and three design studios in Southern California. Honda R&D designers, engineers and support personnel are engaged in the development of Honda and Acura automobiles, powersports products, and power equipment for North America and global markets. The company’s main centers of operation include the Los Angeles Center (Torrance, California), responsible for market research, concept development and styling design; the Ohio Center (Raymond, Ohio), responsible for complete product development, testing, and support of North American supplier and manufacturing operations; and a dynamic test facility in Cantil, California.
