Honda Cars : 2010 Honda Odyssey: Odyssey In a class by itself | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

When Honda introduced its second-generation Odyssey minivan in 1999, it raised the bar for car makers. Here was a roomy, nimble, practical – and fast! – people-carrier that was actually fun to drive.

It could easily match many so-called sports sedans in terms of performance, and was in a class all its own when it came to highway driving.

When I drove this iteration of the Odyssey 10 years ago, I was pleasantly shocked with both its handling and power. This was a quick automobile and, at the time, could leave all its rivals in the dust, both on the highway and away from the stoplights. It's still one of my favourite long-distance vehicles.

After 1999, if you manufactured minivans and wanted to stay in the game, it was back to the drawing boards, and a whole new generation of similarly conceived vehicles – Kia Sedona, Hyundai Entourage – soon found their way into showrooms. You could even make the argument that the Odyssey sounded the death knell for domestically built minivans, as General Motors and Ford completely dropped out of this segment of the car market within a few years, and Chrysler is just hanging on by the skin of its teeth.

So successful has the Odyssey been that Honda hasn't really changed it much in the intervening years. Yes, it's more powerful than before, and carries a host of up-to-date convenience features and engineering goodies, but its basic dimensions are about the same and, from a distance, it even looks similar. Why mess with success?

These days, it comes in four trim levels and 2010 is a carryover year for the Odyssey (a new-generation 2011 model is scheduled to arrive this fall).

All 2010 models are powered by a powerful and silky smooth 3.5-litre V-6 that develops 244 horsepower. Transmission is a five-speed automatic only, with Honda's Grade Logic Control system. In a nutshell, this arrangement automatically finds the best gear combination based on driving conditions and engine speed, and Honda has been using it on various models for at least the past decade. It's most apparent during downhill deceleration, when it will subtly drop the gearbox down from fifth into fourth to aid in braking. A nice feature.

Honda has also tweaked this V-6 engine to within a millimetre of its life. As well as adding some 34 horsepower over the years, it now has Honda's Advanced Variable Cylinder management system, which shuts off up to half of the cylinders during certain conditions. A little “eco” light on the dash lets you know when this system is in play and it improves the Odyssey's fuel economy – from 8.5 L/100 km on the highway to 7.8 L/100 km, and from 13.3 in town to 12.3 in town. Unfortunately, it's only available on those models with leather interior (EX-L and Touring). This system is also found on the Pilot and in some Acura products.

The Odyssey will also seat up to eight people, but the small second-row centre jump seat seems to be an afterthought and is of minimal use. Still, the second-row seats are all fairly straightforward to remove and re-install, and tilt and slide for easy access to the back.

The rear windows also open, which is nice, and the recessed floor in the back luggage area will accommodate the third-row seats, which fold into the floor. With everything folded away or removed, there's a huge amount of room back there – some 4,173 litres in total and there's also an under-floor storage area behind the front seats. In short, if you can't fit everything into this rig, perhaps you should be thinking about a cube-van.

That said, the Odyssey may have the worst NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) of all the minivans on the market. Rivals, such as the Hyundai Entourage and Kia Sedona, for example, are flat-out quieter vehicles to drive. This is a pervasive problem with many Honda products and is something the company should be looking at.

I also think the Touring version is too expensive, and just has too much stuff. As well as the usual modcons – tri-zone climate control, leather interior, power-adjustable pedals, power rear lift-gate, heated front seats, rear DVD player, navigation system, etc. – the power sliding side doors can be controlled by dash-mounted buttons, interior switches or the key fob, and they are finicky and slow.

Not only do they take their own sweet time opening and closing, I've had problems with them simply not functioning properly in other testers in the past. The base DX version does not have power side doors, and were I in the market for this vehicle, that's something I'd keep in mind. Sometimes in the car business, more is less.

But the Odyssey is such a strong vehicle, with such good road manners and high drivability, its various little foibles can be overlooked. It has some serious rivals these days, but this is still the benchmark in the family transport market and proves that minivans can be practical and fun to drive at the same time.

Source;
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/new-cars/reviews/odyssey-in-a-class-by-itself/article1479987/

Honda Cars : Acura confirms sub-TSX model under consideration | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Just adding to the previous post....
Honda President and CEO Takanobu Ito has already confirmed that the automaker’s luxury division is in line for a number of new hybrid offerings, but the automaker’s fuel efficient offerings could expand beyond the realm of gas-electric drivetrains.Acura already offers the 30mpg TSX, but Japanese automaker is considering another high-mileage offering. Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura division, confirmed Acura is currently considering a smaller model to slot beneath the TSX.

Conrad failed to elaborate on the smaller offering, but said the new vehicle would compete with the likes of the BMW 1-Series, Audi A3 and Volvo C30. The smaller vehicle would also help Acura comply with upcoming CAFE regulations set to take effect in 2016.

Acura’s last compact offering – the RSX coupe – ended production in 2006. Acura’s Canada division continues to sell a luxury version of the Honda Civic called the CSX, but it remains to be seen if Acura would be bold enough to sell a re-badged version of the Civic in the States.

Source;
http://www.leftlanenews.com/acura-confirms-sub-tsx-model-under-consideration.html

Honda Cars : 2010 Honda Civic Sedan SPORT: A compact for the ages | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Globe rating 8.5/10 View Rating breakdown
No break on pricing here – you buy this runabout on its merits: No other car in this class has crisper steering, better brakes or superior ergonomics

For six million years, the Honda Civic has been Canada's best-selling car. Just kidding.
Actually, the Civic has been the top dog in passenger cars for 12 years running now – even though in 2009, Civic sales were down 13.5 per cent. (Note: the new-vehicle market overall was down 10.7 per cent, so the Civic managed to beat the market in exactly the wrong way.)

Make no mistake about the made-in-Canada Civic; it's a very good compact car. Let me count the ways:

Excellent crash test scores (a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety);
Top-notch resale value (Automotive Lease Guide ranks the Honda brand second overall here);
Outstanding quality (Consumer Reports argues that only the Hyundai Elantra is a better-rated small car overall with an automatic transmission; and the Civic is tops among small cars with manuals).

In all the right rational ways, the Civic is a very good runabout. Except on pricing. Honda tries hard not to discount its vehicles with sales sweeteners and the like and that means you will likely pay more, feature-for-feature, to buy a Civic than most rivals.

Take the $23,475 (freight included) Civic Sport sedan I just test drove. It does not come with any sparkling “deals” – no incentives that I could find, according to the pricing service www.carcostcanada.com.

Now compare that with the Hyundai Elantra, a direct rival and the fourth best-selling car in Canada last year. Elantra sales were up 151 per cent in Canada in December. This is in no small part because the Elantra comes with a $2,850 factory-to-dealer rebate, says carcostcanada.com.

The Elantra already starts at a lower price, too.

Or the Ford Focus, No. 8 in sales last year. If you take advantage of the Extended Term Finance Allowance, the factory-to-dealer rebate is $4,000. The Focus is an older design, but it's still a recommended pick from Consumer Reports.

The Civic? You buy this car on its own merits. The so-called “deal” is not what Honda pushes here – unless, again, you factor in the strong resale value and the fact that, last November, Honda Canada cut the Civic's price by $1,000.

That price cut applied to both body styles – coupe and sedan – and all five trim levels. The Sport version is one of them and it replaced the previous LX. As Civics go, it lands right in the middle of the range.

The name “Sport” generally implies performance, yet under the hood is the same 1.8-litre, four-cylinder motor in all the other Civics, save the Si (197 hp). Transmission: five-speed manual or automatic.

Frankly, that's more than enough power. The Sport weighs only 1,226 kg, so there isn't much bulk to move. Obviously, fuel economy is good, too – 8.2 litres/100 km city and 5.7 highway.

What does make the Sport sportier are 16-inch alloy wheels (versus the 15-inch on lesser Civics) and P205/55R16 all-season tires. They are reasonably grippy. Honda says the disc brakes have been upgraded, too, with anti-lock standard.

For a bit of visual flair, body-coloured door handles are standard and there is a different exhaust outlet. The side mirrors are heated and a power glass moon-roof is standard. But you get the latter at the cost of 34 mm of headroom.

What's missing? Standard electronic anti-skid system.

But there is other standard stuff, and the list runs longer than on the base Civic: 60/40-split/folding rear seat with centre armrest, leather-wrapped steering wheel, variable intermittent windshield wipers, remote entry system with electric trunk release, auto-up/down driver's power window and iPod plug-in. The extra dough for a Sport also gets you map lights, an outside thermometer and rear cup holders.

But if you want a better sound system, you need to spend more. The stereo in the Sport is the same four-speaker affair sold with base Civic models.

All those details aside, there is no denying that the Civic is a really fine little car. No other car in this class has crisper steering, better brakes or superior ergonomics.

For a small car, the cabin is comfortable and roomy. The seat cushions have dense foam that makes a long drive palatable. Aside from the odd-looking, two-level instrument cluster, the controls and readouts are perfectly sensible, too.

Honda may not be throwing around the deals here, but I'd bet that even six million years from now, most buyers would say, in 2010, they got good value for their money.

2010 Honda Civic Sport sedan

Type: Compact sedan
Price: $23,475
Engine: 1.8-litre, four-cylinder
Horsepower/torque: 140 hp/128 lb-ft
Transmission: Five-speed automatic
Drive: Front-wheel-drive
Fuel economy (litres/100 km): 8.2 city/5.7 highway; regular gas

Alternatives: Hyundai Elantra, Ford Focus, Kia Forte, Chevrolet Cobalt, Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Volkswagen Golf, Nissan Sentra, Dodge Caliber, Mitsubishi Lancer

Source;
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/new-cars/reviews/a-compact-for-the-ages/article1474902/

Honda Cars : Incoming new president for Honda Canada Inc | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Honda Canada Inc will have a new President and Director beginning April 1.

Masahiro Takedagawa, president of Honda Siel Cars India since 2005, will take over from Manabu Nishimae, who will have served less than two years when the changeover takes effect.

"During the five years of Takedagawa's leadership, HSCI witnessed rapid expansion from a production capacity of 30,000 units per annum in year 2005 to 100,000 units per annum in 2008 and commensurate increase in dealership network from 52 facilities in 41 cities (March 2005) to the current 117 facilities in 70 cities," according to a published report out of India. "The sales turnover of the company has more than doubled during his tenure."

That's the kind of touch Honda is counting on Mr. Takedagawa to bring to its Canadian operations now in the midst of a near two-year period marked by declining vehicle sales, production cuts, shift reductions, contract worker terminations, cuts to employee perks and wage and salary freezes.

Source;
http://www.madhunt.com/honda-can-inc-prz-20100224.htm

Honda Cars : Acura Considering Small Car, New Hybrids | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Apart from Lexus, Japanese luxury brands still pale in comparison to their German rivals in terms of the number of models they produce and the prices they can command. Overall image in the marketplace and status on the street have likewise proven difficult to develop. That's why Acura is making a hard push specifically to boost its image and achieve 'tier 1' luxury automaker status, but in its own unique way.

While many automakers use big powerful models as attention grabbers, Acura sees fuel economy as a way to differentiate itself in what is becoming a very competitive market. Though this may come as just more frustration for dealers, who have to deal with a limited, lackluster and aging lineup, Acura is adamant that it won’t offer big rear-drive V-8 vehicles and will instead start selling more hybrid models.

Speaking with Automotive News, Acura vice president Jeff Conrad said the brand was considering adding a smaller car positioned below the TSX to take on the likes of the BMW 1-Series and Audi A3. This is a direction Lexus and Infiniti are also taking, with Lexus revealing its new model, the CT 200h, next week at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show and Infiniti confirming its compact model earlier this week. Note that neither Lexus nor Infiniti have announced plans to bring their new compact models to the U.S. market.

Conrad also revealed that there would new hybrid models though their launch could take a year or more. Acura’s first hybrid model is expected to be a gasoline-electric version of the TSX and arrive in 2011.

Source;
http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1042879_acura-considering-small-car-new-hybrids

Honda Cars : Super GT Provisional Entry List Revealed | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

For those of you that don't know, this was going to be the replacement for the Acura/Honda NSX....
It’s shaping up to be a great season of Super GT this year with the news that 13 GT500 and 25 GT300 teams have completed entry registrations.

Among those 13 GT500 teams, 5 supported by Honda with its new HSV-010 GT with Epson, Keihin, Raybrig, ARTA and Weider teams running the new car. Only three teams, Calsonic Impul, HIS Advan Kondo and Motul Autech, will field Nissan’s GT-R in 2010 with Hasemi Motorsport leaving their GT-R behind and moving out of the GT500 class to enter a Nissan Fairlady Z in the GT300 class. Nissan has also introduced a new 3.4L V8 for this season and hopes to be very competitive up against the previous season winning Lexus SC430.

GT300 class has had a total of 25 registrations, two more than last year thanks to the previously mentioned team Hasemi Motorsport, plus an new entry in the form of an Aston Martin V8 Vantage fielded by A Speed. ThunderAsia Racing is a Singapore-based team running a Mosler MT900M and will be the first wholly international team to race in the Super GT for an entire season. The team that brought an ‘Itasha’ BMW Z4 M to Round 6 of the 2008 Super GT season will return this year but under a new organisation, now named Goodsmile Racing with Cox and fielding a Porsche 911. Toyota Team Tsuchiya that raced in the GT500 class previously will now be called Samurai Team Tsuchiya and enter the GT300 class with a car that has yet to be announced.

An interesting battle among tire manufacturers will surely add some spice to each race too with all three Nissan GT-Rs running different tire brands, with Nismo Motul Autech running Michelin tires, Calsonic Impul running Bridgestone and the HIS Advan Kondo running Yokohama. So expect to see some different race strategies between these teams running the same car but different tire brands.

The season opener will be held at Suzuka Circuit on March 20 – 21.
Entry list: http://supergt.net/supergt/news/2010n/news100222_1e.htm

Source;
http://www.7tune.com/super-gt-provisional-entry-list-revealed/

Honda Cars : Toyota Parts Sellers Probed (by FBI) | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Yikes!
U.S., Japanese and European investigators raided the offices of auto-parts suppliers tightly tied to Toyota Motor Corp. in recent days stemming from a probe in alleged anticompetitive practices.

The probes aren't connected with the Japanese auto maker's quality issues. But it comes as Toyota faces political pressure at home and abroad after a series of quality lapses.

Warrants were carried out on the Michigan offices of Yazaki Corp. in Canton, Denso International America Inc., in Southfield, and Tokai Rika Co., also known as Tram, in Plymouth, an FBI spokeswoman confirmed Wednesday.

"The Antitrust Division is investigating the possibility of anti-competitive cartel conduct of automotive electronic components suppliers," said Department of Justice spokeswoman Gina Talamona. "We are coordinating with the European Commission and other foreign competition authorities."

The European Commission, which regulates competition in the European Union, said Thursday that it had conducted so-called dawn raids—unannounced visits—Wednesday at the premises of several companies in Europe that make electrical-distribution systems for automobiles. The commission said it has "reason to believe" the companies may have broken EU rules that forbid cartel behavior.

It named neither the companies raided nor the countries in which they were located, though German auto-parts maker Leoni AG said Thursday its offices were searched. The investigation appeared to be global. The EU said it was coordinating its probe with "several other competition authorities worldwide."

Another large German automotive parts supplier, Robert Bosch GmbH, said it wasn't being investigated as part of the EU probe.

French automotive supplier Valeo said that it no longer has any wiring harness operations since it sold them to Leoni in 2007. "Valeo is not involved in this investigation," a spokeswoman said.
The EU is an active cartel-buster. Between 2004 and 2009, it ruled that 243 companies had participated in cartels, and it levied €10.1 billion ($13.67 billion) in fines. It does target foreign companies, though nine of the 10 largest cartel fines it has issued since 1969 have gone to European companies. The unlucky holder of the top spot is France's Saint Gobain Group, which was fined €896 million in 2008 for participating in an auto-glass cartel. The dawn raids suggest the EU is taking the case seriously. Under a leniency program, the first cartel participant to rat out its fellow price-fixers can escape fines. That has increased the number of cases in recent years.

In Japan, investigators searched the offices of Yazaki, Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd., Furukawa Electric Co. and several other Japanese electric cable makers over suspected collusion, an official with the Fair Trade Commission said.

Denso, Yazaki, Sumitomo and Furukawa confirmed the probes and said they were cooperating. A Tokai Rika spokesman couldn't be reached.

Officials are looking at possible anticompetitive behavior of these companies, the people familiar with the matter said. Toyota has ownership stakes in Denso and Tokai Rika.

U.S.-based auto parts makers have for years cited frustration in attempting to win new contracts from Toyota when bidding against one of Toyota's "captive suppliers."

Toyota spokeswoman Cindy Knight said the company is still trying to determine why the FBI is investigating Denso, Yazaki and Tokai Rika.

"Toyota is aware that certain suppliers have been contacted by government officials, but we have limited information about the scope of the investigation," Ms. Knight said. "Toyota has not been contacted by authorities."

The raid came the same week as Toyota and federal automobile-safety regulators testified about problems of unintended acceleration in some Toyota vehicles.

Yazaki supplies several electronic components, while Denso makes a variety of parts including accelerator pedals that Toyota has used in its vehicles. Those pedals weren't involved in the recent recalls of Toyota vehicles based on complaints of unintended acceleration.

Tokai Rika makes a variety of safety products including seat belts, door mirrors, power windows and steering switches. — Brent Kendall, Kate Linebaugh , Charles Forelle, Peppi Kiviniemi and Nico Schmidt contributed to this article.

Source;
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704479404575087001494145936.html?mod=WSJ_auto_IndustryCollection

Honda Cars : MUGEN Accessorizes the Honda CR-Z Hybrid Coupe | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Honda fans, hold your 'horses'; Mugen's take on the new Honda CR-Z improves the Japanese hybrid coupe in all areas except the one that probably counts the most for you: Performance...

However, there's still hope as Honda's official tuning arm has made it clear that it is still considering the development of a high-performance version of the CR-Z in the likes of the MUGEN Civic Type Rs, but until we see the car in the flesh, you'll have to do with the firm's new range of go-fast bits.

The dress-up package includes various parts such as front and rear aprons, a large roof-mounted wing, side skirts, rear diffuser and a new grille with LED daytime running lights. Buyers can also choose from a variety of 17-inch alloy wheel designs.

For the interior, Mugen's lineup comprises of additional gauges, a carbon fiber mirror, unique gear lever knobs and floor mats.

Hardware improvements come in the form of a sport exhaust system, air filters, sport suspension and brake packages, as well as an 'intelligent' tire-monitoring system.

Source;
http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2010/02/mugen-accessorizes-honda-cr-z-hybrid.html

Honda Cars : GM will wind down Hummer as the sale could not be completed | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

I guess the good news is that gas prices should go down with Hummer out of the game, it's that whole supply and demand thing.... alright, it's not that funny....
As expected, GM announced today that the deal to sell Hummer to Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machines Co., Ltd. (Tengzhong) was unable to be completed and as a result the American branf will be wound down.

After Pontiac and Saturn, another one bites the dust! But don’t worry… GM will still continue to honor Hummer warranties and provide service support and spare parts to Hummer owners.

“One year ago, General Motors announced that we were going to divest HUMMER, as part of focusing our efforts on Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac going forward. We have since considered a number of possibilities for HUMMER along the way, and we are disappointed that the deal with Tengzhong could not be completed,” said John Smith GM vice president of corporate planning and alliances. “GM will now work closely with HUMMER employees, dealers and suppliers to wind down the business in an orderly and responsible manner.”

Source;
http://www.4wheelsnews.com/gm-will-wind-down-hummer-as-the-sale-could-not-be-completed/

Honda Cars : Honda 3R-C concept World Debut at Geneva International Motor Show 2010 | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Honda 3R-C concept World Debut at Geneva International Motor Show 2010

The revolutionary Honda 3R-C concept will make its world debut in Geneva, alongside the EV-N concept which makes its European debut at the show.

Both the three-wheeled 3R-C concept, which envisions a single occupant vehicle for zero emission commuting, and the EV-N urban concept, draw on Honda's vast working knowledge of vehicles utilising electric motors.

3R-C
This revolutionary three wheeled battery electric vehicle concept shows what a future minimal urban transport vehicle for one person might look like. The battery electric drivetrain is mounted low in the three wheeled chassis, therefore keeping the centre of gravity low and thus improving stability.

The 3R-C has a clear canopy that covers the driver's seat while it is parked and not in use. When 3R-C vehicle is in motion, the canopy becomes an enveloping wind-shield that provides the pilot, who sits low in the vehicle, with significant protection from the bodywork and doors.

The high sides of the safety shell seat give greater safety to the occupant, reducing the threat from side impacts and improving weather protection. In front of the driver is a lockable boot area, which gives significant secure storage for luggage or other items. The 3R-C's designers created a flexible cover that surrounds the upper torso to reduce exposure to bad weather and improving comfort.

The 3R-C study was created by European designers working at Honda's Research and Design facility in Milan.

EV-N
The EV-N concept, which has only previously been shown at the Tokyo Motor Show will make its European debut in Geneva.

The EV-N is a battery electric vehicle study, which evokes the spirit of the diminutive 1967 N360 city car. Honda designers have incorporated Honda's own solar panels in to the roof of the concept, to charge the car while it is parked. Two of Honda's U3-X, electric personal mobility devices are attached to the inside of each door. The two-door EV-N concept is envisioned with a Lithium ion battery pack, and small electric motor for predominantly urban use.

FCX Clarity
The two concept vehicles will be displayed alongside Honda's production fuel cell electric vehicle, the FCX Clarity. The World Green Car winner is being leased by customers in Japan and the US, who are experiencing the range, performance and practicality of this unique zero-emission vehicle. Two of the bespoke hydrogen fuelled vehicles are now permanently stationed in Europe for long-term research purposes. Alongside research work, the pair of FCX Claritys are being demonstrated at events like the COP 15 climate summit in Copenhagen, and the Berlin Climate Conference. The FCX Clarity shows Honda's continuing commitment to fuel cell electric vehicles as the ultimate zero harmful emission mobility technology.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.eu/en/news/index.pmode/modul,detail,0,1431-DEFAULT,21,text,1/index.pmode

Honda Cars : Honda EU3000i Handi Portable Generator Earns Most Innovative Product Award | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

02/22/2010 - ALPHARETTA, Ga. -
Rental Equipment Register (RER) magazine has named the Honda EU3000i Handi portable generator as a recipient of the prestigious 2009 Innovative Product Award. The EU3000i Handi tied for first place in the magazine's generators and welders category, selected by RER editors as displaying innovation in rental industry products.

The RER Innovative Product Award was established in 2003 to honor excellence in new product development in the equipment rental industry. This year, the awards were given to the magazine's selections for the most innovative rental products introduced between August 1, 2008 and July 31, 2009.

The new EU3000i Handi adds increased portability to the fuel efficiency and reliability of Honda's existing EU3000i generator. The lightweight and extremely user-friendly EU3000i Handi provides customers with dependable, portable power for use at home, work or play.

In an all-new design for Honda, the EU3000i Handi features built-in wheels, two fixed handles and a folding handle to allow for easy movement of the generator from place to place and from job to job. When one person uses the foldable handle to wheel the generator, its total towing weight is a slight 17.6 pounds – easily manageable by people of many statures. Two people can conveniently carry the EU3000i Handi with the unit's fixed handles, or one person can more easily load and unload the unit from a storage spot using both handles for optimal leverage.

"Being named an innovative product by the editors of RER Magazine is truly an honor, and we appreciate the recognition," said Honda Power Equipment vice president, Steve Bailey. "The EU3000i Handi is a dependable power package. Our newest generator provides consumers an innovative way to help easily move a portable power source to any location as well as offers durability, ease of operation and fuel efficiency."

Honda received the award at the American Rental Association Rental Show in Orlando, Florida, earlier this month.

Honda is the world's largest engine manufacturer, having sold over 23 million units in 2009 across all of its global product lines. Its generators are characterized by the same fuel-efficient technology that is behind the company's reputation for unparalleled durability, quality and reliability.

Editor's Note:
Honda Power Equipment, a division of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., markets a complete range of outdoor power equipment, including outboard marine engines, general purpose engines, generators, lawnmowers, pumps, snowblowers, tillers and trimmers for commercial, rental and residential applications. Its comprehensive product line is powered exclusively by 4-stroke engines.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.com/categories/1097/releases/5382

Honda Cars : Honda’s Hybrid Comeback: Hybrid Minivans and SUVs | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Honda unveiled a sleeker more stylish Odyssey minivan concept at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show. New design elements could appear in the 2011 Odyssey. Within three years, Honda could produce a hybrid gas-electric version of the minivan.

Honda is developing a hybrid system suitable for larger cars such as the Odyssey minivan the Pilot sports utility vehicle. Tomohiko Kawanabe, Honda’s chief operating officer for automobile research and development, today told Reuters, "We've left the research stage and entered the field of development." Kawanabe said these vehicles could hit the US market in about three years.

Honda took an early lead in hybrid development about a decade ago, but has fallen behind Toyota and Ford in the race for appealing fuel-efficient gas-electric vehicles. Honda has been advocating a two-part efficiency strategy: diesel vehicles for larger vehicles and hybrids for cars. However, it appears that the company might be flipping that strategy by producing larger hybrids for the US market and diesels with smaller engines for Europe and Asia.

In late 2008, the company abandoned its large-vehicle diesel strategy, but held firm to its goal of producing smaller relatively affordable hybrids. In July 2009, Honda president Takanobu Ito promised to speed up production of hybrid cars, focusing on small hybrids, such as the CR-Z and a Honda Fit Hybrid. Ito said, "Our theme is hybrids." In January 2010, Ito said that it apply hybrid technology to Acura vehicles.

However, its biggest move in that direct, the 2010 Honda Insight, failed to capture interest from consumers. Last week, Honda Executive Vice President Koichi Kondo told Bloomberg that the 2010 Honda Insight might have compromised too much size in the name of efficiency, and hinted that the company might abandon plans for a gas-electric Fit. “There are plenty of people who think that the current Fit meets their needs already” Kondo said. “A hybrid version might seem expensive. Our engineers are really struggling.”

New Life for Honda Hybrids

In today’s interview with Reuters, Honda’s Kawanabe said the company is studying development of a small diesel engine for emerging markets including India, as well as in Europe. "If you want to compete in markets like India, and also Europe, (a small diesel engine) is necessary."

Honda's single motor hybrids are less expensive than gas-electric systems offered by Toyota and Ford, which are considered “full” hybrids. However, many observers believe that Honda will need to develop a full hybrid system, and eventually a plug-in hybrid, to be competitive.

The prospect of a full range of Honda hybrids, especially a Honda hybrid minivan, is expected to be well received by hybrid fans. Toyota’s recent quality problems could create an opportunity for Honda to become competitive with hybrids. If Honda can succeed, a new level playing field for hybrids could emerge, with Toyota, Ford, Honda, General Motors and Nissan going head-to-head with electric-drive vehicles.

Source;

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/honda-hybrid-comeback-hybrid-minivans-and-suvs-27277.html

Honda Cars : Toyota Remains Third in Consumer Reports Brand Ranking | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

In spite of all the recalls, Toyota was ranked third in the annual spring auto issue of Consumer Reports, the same rank the carmaker had last year.

The magazine rankings are based on the performance, comfort, utility and reliability of more than 280 vehicles.

Toyota builds extremely good, reliable cars, said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports’ Auto Test Center. “I think once they get through all the recalls,” he said, “you’ll see that they are a very, very reliable manufacturer.”

Honda (which includes Acura models) and Subaru were tied for first place, the fourth year that Honda was the leading manufacturer. They were followed by Toyota, and Hyundai (including Kia) was ranked fourth, up from ninth last year.

American manufacturers fared poorly. Ford was ranked 11th, moving up one place from last year. General Motors and Chrysler occupied the bottom two slots, respectively.

But the big surprise was Toyota (including Lexus and Scion), though it was not all good news. The magazine ended up dropping a couple of Toyota models from the Top Picks after the company suspended sales because of the recall.

Mr. Champion said that “it was a little bit of a stretch to say we recommend you go out and buy a Highlander when you couldn’t actually go out and buy one.”

There was another surprise. Although Honda was ranked the best manufacturer, the brand did not receive a single top pick, the first time that’s happened to the company since 1998.

Top Picks are chosen from among more than 280 vehicles that Consumer Reports evaluates.

They must perform well in road tests, have average or better predicted reliability and perform adequately in safety tests. They must offer electronic stability control as standard equipment or as a readily available option.

There were six new vehicles on the list, marking a shift from Japanese automakers dominating the top spots. Newcomers are the Chevrolet Silverado and Traverse, Mazda 5, Nissan Altima, Subaru Forester and Volkswagen GTI. The other Top Picks are the Hyundai Elantra SE, Infiniti G37, Lexus LS 460L and the Toyota Prius.

The Nissan Altima replaces the Honda Accord as the best Family Sedan and is one example of changes taking place in a very competitive industry.

“Honda is starting to get passed over in many categories,” said Jake Fisher, the magazine’s senior automotive engineer, even though they rank tops in the “report card.”

“Honda over all does well, they don’t have many bad vehicles. Honda used to be known for great powertrains and great fuel efficiency, and now they are behind most of the top vehicles in terms of fuel economy. That’s unheard of from Honda.”

The issue goes on sale March 2.

Source;
http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/23/toyota-finishes-third-in-consumer-reports-brand-ranking/

Honda Cars : Honda Performance Development, Inc. Begins Honda FF Engine Deliveries for 2009 FIT | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

02/19/2010 - TORRANCE, Calif. -
Honda Performance Development recently began shipping 1.5-liter Honda Fit engines to racers planning to run the engine in Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Formula F competition.

Through its introduction to the category, HPD hopes to strengthen FF's position as the first step in American open-wheel auto racing.

The initial batch of fuel-injected Honda L15A7 overhead-cam engines was shipped to competitors who had previously secured their orders via cash deposit. The Fit engine can be adapted for installation in existing FF chassis.

"This is an exciting day for all of us at HPD," said Erik Berkman, president of Honda Performance Development. "We hope that this foundational step in our grassroots motorsports initiative will help grow the FF class by making it more affordable and competitive."

The Honda FF engine was developed by HPD in cooperation with Maryland-based Quicksilver RacEngines. The engine was developed to equal the performance of the traditional Kent power plant through utilization of an intake restrictor plate and appropriately mapped Engine Control Unit (ECU), as confirmed during comparative testing with representative Kent engines under SCCA supervision. Final track output will be mandated by the SCCA through its restrictor determination.

Honda-powered FFs are approved for SCCA competition effective March 1, 2010.

Developed from the current Honda Fit, introduced in 2009, the L15A7 engine in FF form is intended to provide open-wheel racers with a modern, fuel-injected design offering superior service life, increased availability and lower operating costs. Engine rebuilds will be reduced, with a corresponding reduction in the need for top-end refreshing. In addition, crankshaft and valve-spring life should be extended dramatically; and most ignition and all carburetor maintenance will be eliminated."Many of us at HPD, myself included, have been involved in FF racing," said Marc Sours, HPD Production Division Manager and Large Project Leader for HPD's grassroots effort. "We believe in the class and want to see it grow in popularity. With the delivery of this first batch of Honda FF engines, and future orders, we are hoping to increase participation through economical competition."

Honda Fit race engines can be purchased as a complete package, including a base L15A7 engine and FF engine conversion kit (including intake, exhaust, dry sump, lightweight alternator, restrictor plate and ECU). Individual component parts will also be available for purchase separately.

HPD also offers chassis kits for three of the most popular FF designs: the Swift DB-1, Swift DB-6 and Van Diemen RF99-09 models. Several current race-car manufacturers, including Fast
Forward Components (Piper) and Citation Engineering, offer FF chassis ready to accept the Fit engine.

For more information on the Honda Fit FF engine, racers can explore the HPD website, http://racing.honda.com/hpd, or contact the company at:

Honda Performance Development, Inc.661-702-7777grmsadmin@hra.com

Honda Performance Development (HPD) is Honda's racing company within North America. Founded in 1993, and located in Santa Clarita, Calif., HPD is the technical operations center for American Honda's high-performance racing cars and engines. In addition to its new grassroots motorsports business, HPD is the single engine supplier to the IndyCar Series and spearheaded Acura's championship-winning efforts in the 2009 American Le Mans Series.

Quicksilver RacEngines (QSRE) is a private company in Frederick, MD, owned and operated by Sandy Shamlian since 1973. QSRE engines have been a staple in open-wheel and sports-car racing, logging countless professional and amateur race wins and championships in the USA, England, Venezuela, Australia and Canada in classes such as Zetec F2000, Formula Continental Sports 2000, Formula Atlantic and FF1600.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.com/categories/1097/releases/5383

Honda Cars : Honda studying development of a small diesel engine for Europe and India | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Maybe one day, we'll get a Diesel engine in North America too....
Honda is currently studying how to develop a small diesel engine for Europe and India. Tomohiko Kawanabe, Honda’s chief operating officer of automobile r&d, said that having a small diesel engine is crucial if any carmaker wants to compete in markets like India and Europe.

Presently, Honda only has a 2.2-liter diesel engine fitted on the Accord and other models in Europe. The increasing interest in diesels is understandable. Since about half of the cars sold in Europe and India (an emerging market) are diesel, Honda would be smart to exploit this fact.

Source;
http://www.4wheelsnews.com/honda-studying-development-of-a-small-diesel-engine-for-europe-and-india/#more-6760

Honda Cars : Report: Honda's large-car hybrid system getting closer | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Honda hasn't shared similar success with its various hybrid automobiles as cross-town rival Toyota, despite the fact that the two Japanese automakers introduced their first gasoline/electric models around the same time. The reasons for the sales disparity are many and varied, and at least due in part to the design of Honda Integrated Motor Assist drivetrain, which doesn't quite match the level of sophistication and fuel mileage of Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive.

Still, Honda is pushing forward with the next generation of its IMA system, and it will be added to larger, thirstier models within the next three years or so. The last time Honda put a hybrid powertrain in a larger car, the results were more than a little disappointing with the Accord Hybrid failing to meet sales or efficiency expectations. As such, it will be interesting to see how Honda improves the upsized hybrid system and whether it will be enough to compete with the likes of Toyota, Ford and General Motors.

In somewhat related news, Honda is apparently still working on diesel engines, though apparently not for the U.S. market. According to Tomohiko Kawanabe, chief operating officer of automobile research and development at Honda, "If you want to compete in markets like India, and also Europe, (a small diesel engine) is necessary."

Source;

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/19/report-hondas-large-car-hybrid-system-getting-closer/

Honda Cars : Honda Launches Insight and Civic Sedan Hybrid Taxis in Europe | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Honda UK
Most, if not all taxis on the other side of the pond run on diesel or LPG, but Honda believes it might be able to convince some European cabbies to try out its Insight and Civic mild-hybrid models. Both cars come in appropriate exterior colors and are equipped with pre-installed roof brackets and a mounting for the taxi-meter on the dashboard as well as some other special equipment such as heavy duty floor mats.

In the European driving cycle, the Insight achieves a combined fuel rating of 4.4 lt/100km (53.5 mpg US) while the Civic Hybrid, 4.9 lt /100km (48 mpg US).

Prices in Germany start from €15,990 for the Insight and from €17,990 for the Civic Hybrid (about US$22,000 and $24,700 at today's exchange rates) with Honda offering upon request, a warranty extension to 3 years or 300,000km, whichever comes first.

Source;
http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2010/02/honda-launches-insight-and-civic-sedan.html

Honda Cars : Honda's new CR-Z Type R | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

It would be nice to think that we'd get this over here in North America, but I for one wouldn't hold my breath....

Honda’s eco Type R promises 45mpg economy as bigger electric motor boosts power to 200bhp.
From hybrid to high-performance! Honda’s new petrol-electric coupe, the CR-Z, is being readied for Type R treatment, and Auto Express can bring you the first exclusive images of how the hot new model is shaping up.

Revealed in production trim at this January’s Detroit Motor Show, the CR-Z has already caused quite a stir by marrying a sporty three-door body with a fuel efficient hybrid powertrain – creating the world’s first truly desirable sports hybrid in the process. But the Japanese firm is going one step further with this stunning Type R version, which boasts a raft of head-turning design cues, and a more powerful hybrid powertrain under the skin.

A tarmac-hugging bodykit will create a clear definition between the standard car and this high-performance variant, and includes daytime running lights in the front apron and a black rear diffuser with integrated exhaust pipes. But it’s the colour scheme that will be most recogniseable to Type R fans.

A black bonnet, wing mirrors and wheels set against an alpine-white paint scheme will make the CR-Z stand out in a crowd. Blacked-out A-pillars are a new styling cue - giving the impression of a glass area that wraps around the car.

The standard CR-Z uses a 102bhp 1.5-litre engine coupled to a 20bhp electric motor for a total output of just 122bhp - but the Type-R is set to offer much more than that! Mugen, Honda’s official tuning arm, is reportedly being lined-up to work its magic on the CR-Z and boost its performance credentials. There had been rumours that a reworked version of the Civic Type R’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine could make it into the CR-Z Type-R, but because the coupe has been designed as a hybrid from the outset, a petrol-electric powertrain is a must.

The front-wheel drive layout and six-speed manual gearbox will remain, but expect the naturally-aspirated 1.5-litre engine to be cranked up to around 150bhp and mated to a larger 50bhp electric motor. The combined output of 200bhp will move the Type-R into serious performance territory with a 0-60mph time of close to six seconds, three seconds faster than the 122bhp CR-Z, and a top speed of 140mph.

The standard car’s three driving modes will also be extended to four, to include an additional Sport Plus setting. Select it and the throttle response, steering, timing of the stop-start system and the level of assitance from the electric motor will be set for maximum performance. Upgraded brakes and stiffened suspension will complete the package.

Our sources have revealed that the CR-Z Type R is already being prepared for a debut at next year’s Tokyo Motor Show before going on sale in Japan in late 2011. UK sales are set to commence a few months after that with prices starting from around £20,000.

Source;

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/248239/hondas_new_crz_type_r.html

Honda Cars : Rendered Speculation: Porsche 928 successor | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

I've got to admit this is one sweet looking concept....

If all the rumors, wishes and Internet chatter about a new Porsche 928 can actually make the car happen, we are all for it – there are few automobiles we miss as lustily as the 1992-1995 928 GTS. We do know that Porsche has seven new models in the works and a 928 successor could be one of them, but until we have something more substantial to go on it looks like we're in for a slew of crowd-sourced renderings.



The above is from Teamspeed forum member Wildspeed, who's done a thorough job of melding Panamera and early 928 cues with a bit of flourish around the front wheel wells. If it comes in a manual version we'll consider it. You can have a better look at it in the high-res image and let us know what you think of Wildspeed's 928 and the GT's speculators in Comments. -Autoblog

Source;
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/18/rendered-speculation-porsche-928-successor/

Honda Cars : No Significant Changes for 2011 Honda Ridgeline | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

No all-new Honda Ridgeline is expected in the next 18 months, Honda said late Friday. We've been in touch with Honda's PR team since our post earlier this week on the next-generation Honda Ridgeline.

Last March, Dave Marek, chief designer and senior manager of the automotive styling group at Honda Research and Development, Americas, told PickupTrucks.com that design work on the next Ridgeline was under way.

“The (current) Ridgeline was the right thing to do at the time,” Marek said. “But now that the truck market is a moving target, our opportunity is to make it more fuel-efficient -- aerodynamic and lighter -- but still retain the core value it has, which is the inside space and usage in the back.”

We met Vicki Poponi, Honda’s assistant vice president of product planning, on Wednesday at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show and asked her for an update on when the next-gen Ridgeline would arrive.

A new Ridgeline “is coming in ’11, for the 2011 model year,” Poponi said.

But it looks like our question was misunderstood, because today we received a new statement from Honda about the Ridgeline from Christina Ra, manager, Honda public relations.

"American Honda apologizes if there was inaccurate information shared at the Chicago Auto Show about the Honda Ridgeline pickup," Ra told PickupTrucks.com. " I can confirm that there will be no significant change to the Ridgeline through the 2011 model year."

So, what does all of this mean for the Ridgeline? Is an all new truck still planned or will the current one solider on as one of the oldest vehicles in Honda's lineup?

"[Honda's PR staff in the U.S.] usually receives word about 18 months before the launch of a new vehicle," Ra said. "As of now, we don't know when a new Ridgeline is coming. It's not going to be before the summer of 2011."

Given the Ridgeline's slowing sales, we're starting to wonder if Honda is still willing to offer a pickup truck over the long term. Let's hope so. The Ridgeline may not have been embraced by traditional truck owners but its unique features deserve a second shot in a more fuel efficient package.

Source;
http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2010/02/honda-now-says-nextgeneration-ridgeline-not-coming-in-2011.html

Honda Cars : Euro 2010 Toyota RAV-4 Facelift: First Official Photo Released Ahead of Geneva Show Debut | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

This year's edition of the Geneva Motor Show will see Toyota lifting the wraps off the refreshed RAV-4 compact SUV. According to the Japanese automaker, for the 2010 model year, the European specification RAV-4 receives a new front-end design and a more refined interior, plus engineering tweaks to further nudge CO2 emissions downwards.

In what concerns the exterior updates, the single photo released by Toyota suggests that the automaker's designers simply copied the front fascia of the recently revised Japanese market Vanguard (a.k.a. the long-wheelbase version of the RAV-4) to the short-wheelbase European model.

The styling changes include different head lights, a new front grille with more chrome bars, reshaped front bumper with different fog lights and a restyled hood.

Toyota did not say whether or not these cosmetic tweaks will also apply on the North American spec RAV-4.


Source;

http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2010/02/2010-toyota-rav-4-facelift-first.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+Carscoop+(CARSCOOP)&utm_content=Google+Reader

Honda Cars : Honda FIT Hybrid pic's | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Here are a couple of pic's of the 'pending(?!?)' Fit Hybrid;
Source;
http://www.burlappcars.com/2010/02/honda-fit-hybrid.html

Honda Cars : Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Vancouver 2010 Olympics start today!
Here's the official site;
http://www.vancouver2010.com/

February 12, 2010 – The much awaited event this winter season is now here. Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics will have its opening ceremony tonight live from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Schedules are complete and time table for the sports events are prepared so get ready and be sure to watch it tonight.

The Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremony will start at 6:00 PM PST (9:00 PM ET) at BC Place, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. This will mark the winter season in Canada ast the lightning of the Olympic cauldron takes place.

The Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics live stream will be available in NBC channel (CTV in Canada) and other sports channels and networks. Online streaming will be also available in the internet.

There are about 55,000 visitors that are going to watch the opening ceremony tonight. The theme for this year’s Winter Olympic is “To Inspire the World”. The first event for the Winter Olympics is the ski jumping (individual competition), which will start at 10 a.m. PST today.
Governor General Michaelle Jean will be the one to formally start the Winter Olympics tonight with the participants, performers and audience.

Source;
http://www.showbizgalore.com/4794/winter-olympics-2010-schedule-opening-ceremonies-live-at-vancouver/

Honda Cars : Car and Driver: Honda Odyssey Concept @ 2010 Chicago Auto Show – Video | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Honda Cars : Next Generation Honda Ridgeline Coming for 2011 Model Year | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

At five years old, the Honda Ridgeline is one of the oldest vehicles in Honda’s lineup. That’s expected to be fixed by next year, according to Vicki Poponi, Honda’s assistant vice president of product planning, at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show.

A new Ridgeline “is coming in ’11, for the 2011 model year,” Poponi said.

The midsize, unibody Ridgeline arrived in 2005. It did away with conventional leaf springs in favor of an independent rear suspension that gave it great ride comfort and enough room for an in-bed lockable trunk – the first in a pickup. The Ridgeline also featured all-wheel drive and a dual-action tailgate that folded down or off to the side, like a door, to allow unimpeded access to the cargo box.

But sales over the last year have fallen as the market for new trucks dramatically softened and the Ridgeline has aged.

Last year, Honda sold 16,464 Ridgeline pickups, down from 33,875 a year earlier, a drop of 51.4%.

“The customers love the Ridgeline,” Poponi said. “It’s really a unique truck. It’s its own segment. But because it’s a niche vehicle, they’re really aren’t many people out looking for it. It’s also a bit older than we like” Honda vehicles to be.

The 2011 Honda Ridgeline is expected to keep the same size and crew cab configuration of today’s truck but with improved aerodynamics and powertrain refinements to get better gas mileage.

Source (via autoblog);
http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2010/02/new-honda-ridgeline-coming-for-2011-model-year.html

Honda Cars : More 2011 Honda Odyssey Concpet Pic's | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

This will be a sharp indication of what the production version will be, looks great so far! I can't wait to see what they have up their sleeves for the interior....
These pic's are from the Autoblog, here's a link with more photo's;
http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/2011-honda-odyssey-concept-in-chicago/#2

Here's the link to Honda's Press Release(s);
http://bestscoops.blogspot.com/2010/02/2010-chicago-auto-show-remarks-by-vicki.html
http://bestscoops.blogspot.com/2010/02/odyssey-concept-reveals-stylish-dynamic.html

Honda Cars : 2010 Chicago Auto Show Remarks by Vicki Poponi, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., and Catalin Matei, Honda R&D Americas, Inc. | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

02/10/2010 - CHICAGO -

Vicki Poponi, Assistant Vice President of Product Planning

Good morning and thank you for joining us.

We're thrilled to be here with you in Chicago as we take our first important step toward the introduction of an all-new 2011 Honda Odyssey, the top-to-bottom redesign of America's best-selling minivan, about to enter its 4th generation, and will launch later this year.

The Odyssey is Honda's flagship vehicle for families, and over the years, it has continued to set new industry benchmarks through groundbreaking innovation by focusing on the real world needs of our customers.

If you'll pardon a pun, our Odyssey began with our first offering in the minivan segment in 1995 -- the first generation Odyssey.

Yes, we started out small, with a four-cylinder engine and four swinging doors, built on our mid-size sedan platform.

Odyssey quickly grew up, with its own light truck platform and a focus on American customers, so we added space and family function, V6 power, and new segment-leading innovations like Variable Cylinder Management to deliver better fuel efficiency as well as introducing the world to the 3rd row magic seat now ubiquitous in the minivan segment.

This Odyssey was also the first minivan to earn a government, five-star crash safety rating.
Along the way, Odyssey has earned high marks from our customers for its highly space-efficient and user-friendly design, its sophisticated appearance, inside and out, its class-leading safety and fuel economy, and something really unusual for a minivan, an engaging and fun-to-drive character.

With each new generation of Odyssey, we've built upon this strong foundation... making Odyssey the most popular choice for American families for the past two years, the benchmark of its class.

Importantly, today Odyssey has the youngest and most affluent buyers of any vehicle in the segment.

The premium choice for discerning minivan customers.

Today, we're ready to take the next step forward in the evolution of the Odyssey and the minivan, adding new functionality, greater fuel efficiency, and a dazzling new design for our loyal Odyssey customers and for people considering a change to something more practical, fuel-efficient and stylish for their family-oriented lives.

This new Odyssey is, most assuredly, about more than only delighting existing Odyssey and minivan owners.

With the growth and evolution of the crossover utility market, customers today have more choices than ever for a family vehicle.

Our own products, including the Pilot and new Accord Crosstour, speak to this continued evolution of the market.

Our research found that customers who require the passenger and cargo-carrying capabilities of a larger vehicle fit into three general categories:

Those who embrace the minivan, those who outright reject it, and those who appreciate its practical value but remain somewhat on the fence due mainly to styling and image concerns.

We refer to this last category of customers as HESITATORS...and they're the people we really hope to add to the Honda family.

What you're about to see is the 2011 Odyssey CONCEPT, not the final production vehicle.
But I can tell you that it comes very close to the production vehicle in its shape, style and dimension.

I can also share a few other details about the new production Odyssey that is due to arrive later this year.

Ultimately, the best minivan in the market will get even better, with improved functionality and comfort, more space for people and cargo, advances to safety, even better driving dynamics, and improved aerodynamics for greater fuel efficiency.

But to understand how the Odyssey could even better support their lifestyles, we talked extensively with our customers.

Of course, we always talk to our customers as part of the concept making for new products, and this Odyssey Concept truly reflects their input.

For instance, while they already view Odyssey as the best looking minivan, they challenged us with the question "Can you give Odyssey more personality and make it more stylish?"

We believe the Concept we are debuting here today and the production model to follow delivers in spades on that request.

To tell you more about this new design is the exterior designer for the 2011 Odyssey from the Honda R&D Americas Design Center in Torrance, California... Catalin Matei.

Catalin Matei, Senior Designer of the 2011 Honda Odyssey

Thank you, Vicki.

And thanks to all of you for your time this morning.

It is a rare opportunity in Design to work on a vehicle from the very beginning as both the designer as well as the Exterior Styling Project Leader.

I have followed the new Odyssey all the way through to final styling design -- working closely with our engineers in Ohio, and many other R&D associates -- to complete the development for the production vehicle that will go on sale later this year.

So, I'm truly excited to introduce the concept version of a vehicle I've worked so closely on for the past several years, and as a father of three, and having been an Odyssey owner since 1995, I'm even more excited to introduce something that I can't wait to own myself.

Our objectives can be narrowed down to three basic words: REDEFINE THE MINIVAN.
As Vicki touched on, common feedback that we received from our customers on the current generation Odyssey was that while top in its class, with GREAT FUNCTIONALITY, DRIVEABILITY AND PERFORMANCE it's still a bit too boxy and too generic in appearance - especially from a profile view.

THIS was our biggest challenge with redesigning the Odyssey - to create a new image without sacrificing utility.

And now here is the result of our efforts.

<2011>
http://bestscoops.blogspot.com/2010/02/odyssey-concept-reveals-stylish-dynamic.html

Our goal as designers and engineers of this all-new Odyssey was to address our customers' desires without sacrificing but rather ENHANCING the qualities that have made Odyssey the benchmark in its class.

With the styling embodied in this Concept we are presenting you a dramatically more distinctive and dynamic Odyssey, separating it from other minivans and giving it more personality.

The overall styling direction is Sporty, Strong, Confident, and Athletic.

The new Odyssey is marked by an aerodynamic cab-forward body with tapered rear cabin, directional character lines and a genuinely athletic stance.

That means: lower height, wider body, better wheel-to-body proportions, strong shoulders and wheel flares.

To create the Odyssey's dynamic mono-volume shape, we moved the windshield touchdown point forward and changed the windshield rake.

Then we angled the "A" and "D" pillars and tapered the rear cabin to give the vehicle a sleeker look, separating it from the boxy image of current vans.

Also, we added rear and side spoilers to enhance the aerodynamics for improved fuel economy and reduced cabin noise.

One very evident design cue is this unique "lightning bolt" Belt-line and sporty side glass graphic that will make the new Odyssey easy to recognize from a distance.

But beyond its striking appearance, one of several examples of "form follows function", this line enables improved outward visibility for third-row passengers.

After all, we want the kids to be happy too!

But as you'll see in the days ahead, with this new Odyssey, kids won't be the only ones willing to jump into the 3rd row seats.

Even the best looking minivan isn't going to sell unless it has an equally stylish and functional interior.

This has always been Odyssey's strong suit and while I can't say too much today, I will promise you that we've seen the competition and this new Odyssey will take functionality to a new level.

What I can tell you is that there will be more interior space.

Here are a couple of our ideation sketches:

We made the interior wider and more spacious, the 2nd row now allows for three child seats.

We also increased headroom and legroom in the 3rd row, yet made the styling sleeker and tighter.

The design aims to be progressive, athletic and distinctive with a simple and clean motif.

All in all, we couldn't be more excited about this new Odyssey and the new value it will deliver to our customers in these challenging times - better functionality, better styling, and better fuel economy.

As the only representative of our U.S. Research and Development team speaking today, I want to say how proud we all are to work on this new American Odyssey.

Now, I'd like to invite Vicki back on stage for some additional details.

Vicki Poponi

Thank you, Catalin.

The new Odyssey will launch later this year as a 2011 model with a full complement of advanced safety, comfort and convenience features and with a V6 to give our customers the power and performance that they need not only for fun, but to feel confident on the road.

And, to improve fuel economy, our Variable Cylinder Management system with 3, 4 and 6-cylinder modes will be standard on all models.

Catalin spoke about achieving a more aerodynamic shape -- another key part of our effort to improve fuel economy.

Our current Odyssey already achieves top-of-class fuel economy of 17 miles per gallon in the city and 25 on the highway.

We expect to reinforce our fuel economy leadership with estimated fuel economy ratings of 19 in the city and 28 on the highway, once again, with a V6.

This new Odyssey is all about giving our customers the style, comfort, convenience, fun AND efficiency they expect from a Honda, with no sacrifices.

As you can see, we are calling this an American Odyssey and we do so for many reasons. Proud to have designed and engineered it entirely in the U.S. with our teams in California and Ohio, with our manufacturing team in Alabama, just as proud to be building it here as well.

But ultimately, it's an American Odyssey because this vehicle was created expressly for our customers in the U.S. by Honda associates like Catalin who understand precisely what American families need and want.

So, we are confident this new Concept will mean Honda's Odyssey will continue for years to come.

Thank you, and now we invite you all to come on up and take a closer look at the 2011 Honda Odyssey Concept.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.com/categories/1097/releases/5377