Honda Cars : Japanese Revival Seen in Honda’s First Plant in 49 Years | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

By Anna Mukai - Feb 27, 2013

In July, Honda Motor Co. (7267) is planning to do something it hasn’t done for almost 50 years: open a car factory in Japan.
In 1964, just as the country was preparing to host the Olympic Games, Honda inaugurated a plant in Sayama, near Tokyo. That factory, along with two older ones, met surging Japanese domestic demand as the country prospered. And since the early 1990s, when asset prices collapsed, ushering in Japan’s “lost decade,” there has been little need for expansion.
The new factory, with an annual capacity of 250,000 vehicles, is opening just as a weaker yen is making Japanese manufacturers such as Honda more profitable. In recent months, investors have flocked back to Japan, pushing the benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average to levels unseen since 2008. Evidence of a broader recovery is growing as economists predict the economy will emerge from recession this quarter.
The factory, in Yorii, a downtrodden city of about 36,000 two hours northwest of Tokyo, illustrates how that optimism is spreading from Tokyo’s trading floors to smaller towns.
“Honda is a world-renowned company and it’s coming -- who wouldn’t be excited?” said Tomiko Yokota, who runs a Yorii restaurant serving fried pork cutlets that’s been in her family for more than a century. “There will be more people, more traffic. We’re too small to fit lots of people, but we do take- out bentos too.”

West Virginia

Honda says the new factory is part of a reorganization of its domestic operations that includes scaling back Sayama. Yorii will use more efficient technology and allow the company to consolidate production of compact models such as the Fit, its top seller in Japan.
The factory is a departure from recent decades. Honda, Toyota Motor Corp. (7203) and Nissan Motor Co. (7201) have opened dozens of overseas plants from West Virginia to China’s Tianjin as Japanese car demand stagnated along with the economy. Honda factories outside Japan account for about three-quarters of the company’s annual output of 4 million cars.
The Yorii plant “is very important because big companies have high multiplier effects and will lead to many jobs,” said Jesper Koll, head of Japanese equity research at JPMorgan Chase & Co. in Tokyo. It shows Japan’s recovery is “not just about the exchange rate, but that what is happening is concrete and signals Japan is now a viable host for cutting-edge manufacturing.”

Yellowing Billboards

Like most of Japan, Yorii has seen its share of economic malaise. During lunchtime on a recent weekday, the local sushi restaurant is only one-third full, and on the main shopping street numerous stores are shuttered. At the exit of Yorii train station, yellowing signs hang on billboards, seeking advertisers.
“All the bars I used to go to have closed, and when new shops open, they shut quickly,” said Shozaburo Aoyanagi, a 63- year-old taxi driver who has lived in Yorii for two decades. “That Seven-Eleven is new,” he said, pointing to a nearby store. “It won’t last. There’s no one here.”
Yorii officials expect that to change. The local government says 3,800 jobs will be created by fiscal 2017 thanks to Honda and its suppliers.
“They’re going to need to live somewhere, eat somewhere, and throw year-end parties,” said Yoshiro Harada, a 71-year-old owner of a sushi restaurant in Yorii.

Cheaper Yen

Honda is opening the plant as the yen is falling against major currencies. It has dropped more than 12 percent against the dollar since polls in mid-November signaled Shinzo Abe would become prime minister. The cheaper currency boosts the value of Japanese products sold overseas and has prompted companies such as Toyota and Fast Retailing Co. (9983) to raise earnings forecasts in the past month.
Honda on Jan. 31 trimmed its profit outlook for the fiscal year ending March, though those projections were based on a stronger yen. The yen this week traded as low as 94.77, the weakest level since 2009.
Analysts surveyed by Bloomberg expect Honda to post a profit of 406 billion yen ($4.4 billion) for the current fiscal year, or almost double the previous year’s level. Honda shares have jumped about 40 percent since the end of October, versus gains of more than 50 percent for Toyota and more than 30 percent for Nissan.
Given that the Yorii plant has been in the works for six years, “the timing is very lucky for Honda,” said Martin Schulz, senior economist at Fujitsu Research Institute in Tokyo. Nonetheless, he cautions that competition from other Asian countries has grown so much that it will be hard for Japanese manufacturers to ever regain the primacy they once enjoyed.

‘Younger People’

Last December, the number of manufacturing jobs in Japan fell below 10 million for the first time since 1961. According to the Japan Center for Economic Research, Japanese manufacturing jobs may fall to 8.3 million in 2015 from a peak of 16 million in 1992. The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association expects domestic sales to fall 12 percent this year.
The broader economy is of little interest to Kazuyo Imamura, who has run a ramen shop in Yorii for 30 years. What interests the 60-year-old is the new factory’s effect on the town.
“I don’t know about jobs and all that, but I hope more younger people come in,” Imamura said. “You don’t see many young people around in Yorii right now.”

Source;
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/print/2013-02-26/japanese-revival-seen-in-honda-s-first-plant-in-49-years.html

Honda Cars : AutoGuide: 2013 Honda FIT VS 2013 Toyota Yaris | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Comparing the smallest cars from two Japanese juggernauts

By , Feb. 27, 2013

By Stephen Elmer, Feb. 26, 2013 Photography by Stephen Elmer, Honda and Toyota
Between the Honda Fit and the Toyota Yaris exists a difference of about seven inches in total length, a significant amount, especially when it comes to sub-compacts. So in a comparison of the two it raises the question, does the Yaris make up for its lack of length with other attributes, or does the Fit’s size render it a more useful small car?

FAST FACTS

1. The Honda Fit is powered by a 1.5-liter Four-cylinder engine that makes 117 hp and 106 lb-ft of torque 2. Fuel economy is rated at 28/35/31 city/highway/combined 3. 2013 Honda Fits start at $15,425 before delivery

AN EXTRA GEAR MAKES A DIFFERENCE

Well, the storyline that exists between these two starts with the powertrains. Both cars run small four-cylinder engines, with the Fit’s plant making 117 hp at 6600 RPM and 106 lb-ft of torque at 4800 RPM, while the Yaris just lags behind with 106 hp and 103 lb-ft of torque, made at 6000 RPM and 4200 RPM. With automatic transmissions, the Fit has a one-cog advantage over the Yaris, with an old four-speed – though both are rather outdated in a world of six-speed autos. Around town the two engines feel about the same at take off, though on the highway cruising speeds the Fit has more get up and go than the Yaris.

At it’s base level the Yaris is offered with a five-speed manual, just like the Fit. With that five-speed box, the little Toyota would likely feel much more suited to the Fit power wise, especially considering it weighs in about 200 lbs. less than the Honda. The five-speed manual in the Yaris is definitely the transmission to get, as having only four speeds leads to unnatural driving feel and poor fuel economy. 

FAST FACTS

1. The Toyota Yaris is powered by a 1.5-liter Four-cylinder engine that makes 106 hp and 103 lb-ft of torque 2. Fuel economy is rated at 30/35/31 city/highway/combined 3. 2013 Toyota Yaris starts at $14,115 before delivery

AND THE FUEL ECONOMY CHAMPION IS…

With a manual transmission, the Fit gets an EPA rating of 27/33/29 city/highway/combined, while with the automatic it improves slightly to 28/35/31. The Yaris tells a different story with better numbers all around. The manual transmission is rated at 30/38/33, while the automatic edges out the Honda with 30/35/32.
In real world testing, the automatic Fit proved the EPA right, with an overall rating of 32 mpg after a week of mixed driving, while the automatic Yaris disappointed with an average 29 mpg. Again, that five-speed manual in the Yaris seems to be the ticket to better fuel economy as well, as the four-speed auto is simply dated, and in bad need of an update.

ROOM: FOR PASSENGERS AND CARGO

So the Honda Fit manages better fuel economy, a more engaging engine, and an extra seven inches that feels like a lot more, especially when you have whiny back seat passengers. Honda offers 34.5 inches of rear-seat legroom, while the Yaris stays close behind offering 33.3 inches for rear-seat passengers. While passenger room is almost equal, total storage space falls in favor of the Fit, with an expansive 57.3 cubic feet of total cargo volume available with the seats folded down.

In the Fit, you can quickly forget about the size of the vehicle, because of the clever use of space. There is flat surfaces on the dash for holding things, two center cup holders, along with small cubbies fitted for both the passenger and driver on the outside of the dash mounted vents. In the rear, the seat bottoms fold up for easy access to a flat floor, which also reveals yet another glovebox-like storage spot in the bottom of the seats.

As for interior quality, both of these subcompacts keep it simple and affordable, as both are laden with black and grey plastics, cloth seats and hard-touch surfaces, though neither one nor the other seems more lavish. Intelligent use of space in the Fit helps to make a small car feel bigger, whereas the simplicity of the Yaris keeps a small car feeling small.

As a straight no frills kind of car, the Yaris has nothing out of the ordinary when it comes to storing your items. There’s a glove box, cupholders, a small cargo spot between the front two seats, and there are door pockets; just the necessities and nothing more. So with the Fit pulling ahead in fuel economy, engine responsiveness and storage, does its plus size hinder its driving feel?

BEHIND THE WHEEL

In short, no. With a much tighter steering feel which helps the car cut in hard on turn-in, the Fit can be decent amount of fun to thrash around, where as the Yaris always feels like plain white toast bread no matter how much acceleration and driving skill you spread on it.

Of note, the Yaris (at least in base trim with the manual transmission) does offer a tighter turning circle than the Fit. Unfortunately, when fitted with larger wheels and tires in a higher-trim version that’s no longer the case.
[vs-comparsion-table]
It would seem that the Fit is the clear winner in every category, though it will hit you a little harder at the bank. Based on the fuel economy, better turning radius and more responsive engine, the base-model manual transmission equipped Yaris is the car to get, and it comes in at $14,115, more than $1,000 cheaper than the Fit’s base price of $15,425.  A top spec Yaris still saves you money, pricing out at $17,100 compared to the Fit’s top trim price of $19,790.

THE VERDICT

While the Yaris remains the budget option, the Fit is both more useful and more fun. Both vehicles have something going for them, and both come from automakers with great reputations for reliability, but at the end of the day, the Honda Fit comes out on top as the better choice despite the small premium you will pay for it.

Source;

http://www.autoguide.com/car-comparisons/2013-toyota-yaris-vs-2013-honda-fit-2453.htm

Honda Cars : Edmunds: 2014 Honda Accord Plug in Hybrid | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Pros

Plug-in hybrid technology; high fuel economy; premium feel interior; loaded with standard safety and convenience features; quick recharging times.

Cons

Considerably more expensive than the typical hybrid sedan; no folding rear seat.

What's New for 2014

The 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid is an all-new model.

Introduction

Honda recently redesigned the Accord for its ninth generation, improving the sedan's interior and exterior styling. For 2014, the Honda Accord gains a new model, the Accord Plug-In Hybrid. With this new addition to the lineup, Honda becomes one of the few automakers to offer a midsize family sedan in a plug-in hybrid configuration.
Unlike Honda's other hybrids such as the Insight, the Plug-In has an all-new hybrid system that's capable of accelerating the car using pure electric power. And as its name implies, the Plug-In can be recharged externally, thereby minimizing gas usage. Honda says the Accord Plug-In provides about 10-15 miles of pure electric range, after which point it switches over to normal hybrid operation. In regular hybrid mode, this Accord earns EPA estimates of 47 mpg city/46 mpg highway and 46 mpg combined.
Like the standard Accord, the plug-in hybrid offers similar features and comes in one well-appointed trim level based on the standard Accord Touring trim. That includes LED headlights, a rearview camera, Bluetooth, a navigation system and monitoring of vitals like charge status, charging stations and even enabled remote charging controlled by smartphone apps. Honda says a full battery charge on a 120-volt outlet will take three hours, while charging on a 240-volt outlet takes less than one hour.
The family sedan segment is packed with more great choices than ever before, but the field is wide open for plug-in hybrids. For now, the Accord competes directly with the 2013 Ford Fusion Energi, which, like the Accord, bundles a lengthy list of winning features into a plug-in package. One could also consider the 2013 Chevrolet Volt. It offers approximately three times the electric-only range, though it only seats four and those in back will find cramped quarters compared to the Honda.
For now Honda will only sell the Accord Plug-In Hybrid in California and New York, so consider yourself lucky if you're interested in the car and happen to live in one of those states. We've yet to fully test the 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In, but check back for a complete evaluation in the coming months.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid comes in one well-equipped trim level.
Standard features include 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, foglamps, dual-zone automatic climate control, full power accessories, a rearview camera, adaptive cruise control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, special "bio-fabric" upholstery, heated front and rear seats, an eight-way power driver seat (with power lumbar), driver memory settings and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Electronic features include Bluetooth connectivity, an 8-inch touchscreen interface, voice recognition, a navigation system and a six-speaker sound system with satellite radio, an iPod/USB interface and smartphone app integration (HondaLink). Adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning and a blind-spot monitor are also standard.

Powertrains and Performance

The 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine combined with an electric motor. Together, they send a total of 196 horsepower to the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). A 6.7 kWh lithium-ion battery pack powers the electric motor.
The Accord Plug-In Hybrid offers three driving modes: full electric, gas/electric (switches when battery capacity depletes to a specific threshold) and gasoline (for higher speeds or under high demand for acceleration). Additionally, two sub-modes tailor the Accord Plug-In's hybrid mode. "HV" acts as a conventional hybrid, blending gasoline and electric power for optimum fuel efficiency, while "HV Charge" does the same, while feeding energy back into the battery.
The EPA estimates stand at 47 mpg city/46 mpg highway and 46 mpg combined.

Safety

The 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid comes with antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, active front head restraints, front seat side airbags and side curtain airbags. Blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure and forward-collision warning systems are also standard.
Of note is the LaneWatch blind-spot system, which instantly switches the 8-inch screen's display to a low and expansive view of the passenger side of the car when the right turn signal is engaged. A camera in the right-side mirror dedicated to this function provides a confidence-inspiring view, and acclimating to catching the view in the center-dash display is quick and natural.

Interior Design and Special Features

With a few exceptions, the 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid features an elegant and well-constructed cabin trimmed with high-quality materials that you could almost mistake for an Acura. The center stack embraces the spirit of legibility with an effective three-tier layout, capped at the top with an 8-inch display.
Despite the new Accord's slightly smaller exterior dimensions compared to the previous generation, its interior room remains impressive. There is plenty of leg and shoulder space for front occupants, and rear-seat passengers should be quite comfortable and happy. Road and tire noise -- often among Honda's traditional weaknesses -- are noticeably reduced in the 2014 Accord thanks in part to two active noise-cancellation systems plus improved aerodynamics.
We're also fond of the visibility afforded by the Accord cabin, which offers a lower beltline, slimmer roof pillars and a generous amount of glass. Unfortunately, the presence of the plug-in hybrid's battery pack means the rear seat does not fold down, thus limiting the Accord's cargo usefulness. The trunk, at 8.6 cubic feet, is also considerably smaller than the regular Accord's.

Driving Impressions

We've yet to test the 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid, so check back for impressions on the car's new plug-in hybrid powertrain and handling capabilities.

Source;
http://www.edmunds.com/honda/accord-plug-in-hybrid/2014/

Honda Cars : Honda: diesel an ‘opportunity we couldn’t miss’ (Australia) | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

by Alborz Fallah of www.caradvice.com.au

Honda Australia has confirmed that diesel engines will now make up an important part of its strategy going forward.

Honda, which has been primarily focused on its hybrid drivetrains, has changed its strategy to bring about a range of diesel engines as it seeks to further expand marketshare in Australia and around the world.

The Honda Civic hatch will be the first vehicle to get a diesel engine in April this year with the CR-V SUV to follow very late this year or early 2014.

Honda Australia’s director and head of sales and marketing, Stephen Collins, told CarAdvice that diesel was an opportunity too big to miss.

“We took a decision about a year and half ago that the diesel market was continuing to grow and it was an opportunity that we couldn’t miss.” Collins said.

He admitted that it had taken Honda some time to get its first diesel here (Honda has been selling diesels in Europe for some time) but that it’s likely to be part of its ongoing strategy in the future.

“I think our strategy up until a year and half ago was more hybrid but now it’s a combination of diesel and hybrid.”

Given that Australia’s hybrid market makes up just 1.5 percent of annual sales (of which a great deal are the locally produced Camry Hybrids), while sales of diesel passenger and SUV vehicles have rapidly increased, the shift in Honda’s strategy isn’t unexpected.

Last year more than a third of SUV buyers purchased a diesel. In 2012, 57,435 private buyers decided on a diesel SUV, a 50.6 per cent increase over 2011 and more than double the growth of petrol SUVs.

Meanwhile 45,133 diesel passenger cars were sold last year, compare with just 13,231 hybrids.

More than a third of SUV buyers purchased a diesel last year. In 2012, 57,435 private buyers decided on a diesel SUV, a 50.6 per cent increase over 2011 – more than double the growth of petrol SUVs.

Source;
http://www.caradvice.com.au/216735/honda-diesel-opportunity-couldnt-miss/

Honda Cars : Honda to Add Three China-Focused Models to Line by 2015 | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Honda Motor Co. will introduce three models catering to the China market with partner Dongfeng Motor Group Co. (489) by 2015 in a bid to regain market share lost after tensions escalated over a Sino-Japanese territorial row.

The new products are part of the automaker’s drive to almost double sales by 2015, and will include a global model to be first introduced in China and two country-specific cars, Chen Binbo, executive vice president of Dongfeng Honda, said in a Feb. 20 interview in Wuhan, China.

Honda is betting more China-oriented models will help win back customers in the world’s largest vehicle market, after demand slumped by a record in the quarter ended December as consumers shunned Japanese brands following a dispute between the two countries over ownership of some islands. The backlash sent the market share for Japanese car brands plummeting to about 9 percent in October, or less than half the full-year average in 2011, data from China’s auto association show.

“It will take Japanese carmakers at least three years to recover the market share of about 23, 24 percent during the best times,” Chen said. “To achieve this, all Japanese carmakers should work hard to speed up the introduction of new products and to better understand customers’ needs.”

Honda will also begin to produce and sell the Concept-S, a wagon-like model first unveiled at the 2012 Beijing auto show, in the second half of this year, Chen said.

Japan’s third-largest automaker will also upgrade powertrain systems in China within two to three years to include direct injection technologies and turbochargers, he said. Details will be announced at the Shanghai auto show in April.

Sales Slump

“It’s the right decision to introduce more models that cater to Chinese needs,” Lin Huaibin, an analyst with researcher IHS Automotive in Shanghai. “One of the reasons why Japanese brands have lost ground in recent years is because they have been slower to embrace Chinese tastes.”

Honda deliveries in China fell a record 32 percent in the October-to-December period, based on company statements dating back to 2006, to cap a 3 percent drop in full-year sales.

Japan’s three largest automakers reported their first year- on-year gains last month since September, when rioters in China smashed Japanese-brand cars.

Dongfeng Honda, based in Wuhan in central China’s Hubei province, is the only Japanese joint venture that saw an increase in sales last year, helped by the revamped CR-V, Honda’s best-seller in China, and Civic compacts.

“The CR-V managed to achieve almost the same sales as Tiguan of VW last year even as there was anti-Japanese sentiment among consumers,” Yasuhide Mizuno, Dongfeng Honda’s president, said in a separate interview. “I’m sure the CR-V will regain pole position in the mid-range to high-end SUV category this year.”

Elysion Minivan

Dongfeng Honda is renewing marketing of the Elysion minivan this year, following the anti-Japanese protests that hurt sales soon after its introduction in 2012, Mizuno said.

The automaker began production at its second plant in Wuhan last year and will have a full capacity of 500,000 units by 2015. The joint venture sold 280,000 cars in 2012, 11 percent more than the previous year, and targets to sell 340,000 units in 2013, according to the company.

“There’s a lot of pressure, as we only have three years to almost double our sales,” Chen said.
Honda has another joint venture in China with Guangzhou Automobile Group Co.

Source;
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-02-25/honda-to-sell-three-china-focused-models-by-2015-to-gain-share.html

Honda Cars : Honda Shifts US Executives To Play Bigger Part In Global Vehicle Development | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

by Ben Timmons of www.automobilemag.com

That the U.S. market is an important one for Honda is no surprise; neither is the fact that American Honda developers and engineers are playing a bigger role in engineering the cars the company sells. But Honda is playing a game of musical chairs at Honda North American Regional Operations to further boost American Honda’s share of the work.

Honda announced this morning that Tetsuo Iwamura’s job is growing. Currently the President of Honda North America, the COO of North American Regional Operations, and the President/CEO of American Honda Motor Company, he now adds COO of Automotive Operations and risk management officer for Honda Motor Co. to his list of responsibilities. That’s a lot of buzzwords and titles, but it all boils down to this: the man running American Honda operations will now head Honda’s international automotive operations.

Beneath Iwamura, Hidenobu Iwata will head a new company called Honda North America Services, LLC. HNAS will be headquartered in Marysville, Ohio (near Honda’s manufacturing plant) and will “provide common support functions and streamline coordination of R&D.” Again, a lot of buzzwords, but it seems to signal Honda’s commitment to putting American research and development at a higher level. Elsewhere around Honda’s North American operations, the executive vice president of Honda Canada Inc, Jerry Chenkin, will be promoted to CEO of Honda Canada.

The moves aren’t very big on paper, but if you give them a little bit of context it appears that Honda is shifting many of its research and development efforts away from Japan and to the United States. We already know that the next Civic will be designed and engineered here (in hopes of avoiding the 2012 model’s lackluster reviews), and Honda’s automotive crown jewel, the Acura NSX project, is taking shape in Ohio as you read this.

Source;
http://rumors.automobilemag.com/honda-shifts-us-executives-to-play-bigger-part-in-global-vehicle-development-206589.html#axzz2LvBOJvKb

Honda Cars : Out with the Jeep Liberty and return of the (2014) Jeep Cherokee | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Bold. Not sure if they are going to be alienating their traditional core buyers....

The 2014 Jeep Cherokee (yes, you read that right) is back in Jeep’s U.S. lineup, serving as a replacement for the aging Liberty midsize SUV that featured far more off-roading capability than on-road fuel economy. The new Cherokee will make its world debut at the 2013 New York auto show at the end of March.

Before any midsize SUV customers hear about the 2014 Jeep Cherokee’s 45-percent improvement in fuel economy, the comments are bound to fly about its new exterior look. Like the Nissan Juke, the 2014 Cherokee has three sets of front lights, including one with LED daytime running lights. The seven-bar Jeep grille is prominently displayed, with a pulled-back look that’s far more modern than the Cherokee of yore — or Liberty for that matter — ever was.

The Jeep Liberty finished 2012 with sales of 75,483, ahead of the Patriot and Compass, but behind the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee. With far more competitive fuel economy and exterior styling that will get its driver noticed, the 2014 Jeep Cherokee might just have what it takes to become a more significant part of Jeep’s lineup. And those who complain the 2014 Cherokee isn’t as off-road ready as its predecessor can always buy a Wrangler or Grand Cherokee. Rumor has it that the new Cherokee will use a 3.2-liter version of the Pentastar V-6 and could possibly be one of the first Chrysler products to employ a ZF-sourced nine-speed automatic transmission.

The 2014 Jeep Cherokee will arrive at dealers in the third quarter of this year and be built at Jeep’s facility in Toledo, Ohio.

Source;

http://rumors.automobilemag.com/2014-jeep-cherokee-is-the-new-liberty-206747.html#axzz2LvBOJvKb

Honda Cars : PaulTan.org; Delving into the details – interview with Norio Tomobe, Large Project Leader of the new facelifted Honda CR-Z | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

By now we’d assume that you’ve read our comprehensive launch report of the facelifted Honda CR-Z from yesterday. We were first to report the car’s surprise world debut at the Indonesian International Motor Show last September, and then covered its European premiere at the Paris Motor Show a week later.

We’ve driven the facelifted car in Japan too, taking it out for a short spin around the Twin Ring Motegi Speedway in Tochigi. Closer to home, we’ve tested both the manual and CVT variants of the original CR-Z. It’s safe to say that we’ve covered the Honda CR-Z a fair bit, but we’re not done yet!

Here comes an extensive interview with the new CR-Z’s Large Project Leader, Norio Tomobe we had the privilege to meet earlier this week. Read about everything you’ll ever want to know about the updated hybrid coupe – from its new lithium-ion battery to the possibility of a more powerful version. Yes, yum indeed.


How does the new battery differ in terms of performance as compared to the old one?
By quite a bit actually. Positively of course. Both voltage and power outputs are increased by 44% each. Effectively the battery performance alone is up to 1.5 times better, and the charging rate is 1.5 times faster too. And as the capacity is bigger, we can store more and output more as well.

The new battery weighs the same as the old one, but has a slightly smaller size. It’s packaged in the same place as before, which is in the boot as to not alter the CR-Z’s perfect weight distribution or handling balance.

Does the use of a new battery improve fuel efficiency?
Yes, of course. Over the Japanese-standard JC08 cycle, the new CR-Z uses 0.2 litre per 100 km less than before despite being quicker and more powerful.

Has the suspension or anything else been changed to support the extra performance?
Yes, the clutch in the manual gearbox has been beefed up to support the additional power. The CVT stays the same. We have revised the front stabiliser and dampers for better response. In Japan, we offer bigger 17-inch wheels so the changes are also done to support that option.

Why does the manual variant get more horsepower than the CVT?
With CVT, the engine growl is higher as it sticks to a higher rpm for prolonged periods. To solve this problem, we’ve used a different silencer on the CVT models which explains the slight difference in power between the two variants.

What is the current demand split between the manual and CVT variants?
For Malaysia it’s 90% CVT and 10% manual, whereas in Japan and America, the model split is closer to 70-30 (%).

Regarding the S+ button, was it something that the existing customers want, or was it a planned addition?
I’m a BMW fan and in my Z4, I like the fact that it has a Sport + function on top of the standard Sport mode to offer a different driving feel. It was too late to implement it into the original CR-Z so for the facelift model, I personally suggested the implementation of an S+ mode.

It’s basically just a software setting, where when the button is pressed, the electric motor pushes out 100% assist power and the throttle opens fully. Effectively it works like a boost button. Paired with the CVT, it will also trigger appropriate downshifts for maximum acceleration.

As a performance benchmark, when you press the S+ button while travelling at 100 km/h, it will only take 7 seconds to reach 180 km/h.

Since the S+ plus button is on the steering wheel and operates the engine performance, can it be dangerous if activated through tight corners?
No, it’s perfectly safe. The electronics will sense the cornering and steering angle before activating the S+ mode. In a straight line or a smooth curve, it will provide the necessary performance kick. But if the steering is turned tightly and there’s a chance of losing traction should the boost be triggered, the system will be cut off.

Regarding the exterior changes, is it purely cosmetics or are there any aerodynamic benefits?
The mesh grille on the new car would actually affect the aerodynamics, but we’ve managed to monitor the situation so in the end, we changed the cosmetics without having any detrimental effects on the aerodynamics.

A hybrid’s battery is always a big concern among consumers, even with the long and comprehensive warranty package that Honda Malaysia offers. How long can the CR-Z’s new lithium-ion battery last?
As with all of our hybrid vehicles, the CR-Z was developed to adhere to all existing regulations globally, especially concerning the battery. At the moment, the strictest standard is the American Emission Warranty, which dictates that the battery must last for at least 15 years and 240,000 km.

The CR-Z, new or old, passes that standard. There is no exact answer on precisely how long the battery can last, but we can commit that it adheres to the American Emission Warranty which again is set at 15 years and 240,000 km.

So does that mean that if the battery happens to fail before 15 years and 240,000 km, it will be replaced under warranty?
At the moment, Honda Malaysia is giving a battery warranty of five years with unlimited mileage – the same with all of our hybrid models. And this warranty is from Honda Malaysia, not a purchased warranty. Also rest assured that the battery passes the American regulation.

Our hybrid technology has been in development for quite a while already. We have done all sorts of toughness tests in the past years, and we are confident that the CR-Z will not face any problems with the battery.

It’s known that a lithium-ion battery generates more heat in operation than the older nickel metal hydride item. How has this issue been handled?
Yes, a Li-ion battery runs hotter than a NiMH power cell. To counter this effect, we have equipped an improved cooling system to the battery pack itself to control its operating temperature. There’s now a cooling fan next to the battery pack.

The new CR-Z has four battery modules, each with 10 cells. There’s a temperature sensor placed on each module to monitor the heat, and the cooling system is very efficient to ensure that the battery modules stay within their optimum operating windows. We’ve done numerous tests on the new CR-Z, toughness tests, and we’ve never had the battery overheat (on which situation it would shut down and go to power save mode).

Can the outgoing CR-Z be retrofitted with the new Li-ion battery?
No, because the operating computer system and ECU are totally on different settings. To swap all the necessary components to allow the change would be very challenging and anyway it can’t be done at a Honda dealer, as there won’t be any supporting warranty for it.

As the two models now have very different batteries, for how long will Honda stock up the replacement parts for the old model?
Ten years after production stops. That’s a standard procedure at Honda across all production models, so in the old CR-Z’s case, it will be until 2022.

With the recent floods, how well is the battery protected should it encounter such situations?
Basically, if it is completely submerged under water then it will fail. It is water resistant in the sense that it’s protected to not let water filter through into the battery pack, but it’s not waterproof. It’s not like a G-Shock, it can’t work under water. If that happens, there’s a failsafe system that shuts down the battery to avoid electrocution.

To reaffirm this, the battery is well protected. For example if you put wet items in the boot, the water will not affect the battery. It’s insulated against that. Also, all Honda hybrids are thoroughly tested by driving through 30 cm of water at a certain speed without being damaged.

Feedback from current hybrid owners suggest that the cabin can get a bit warm when the engine shuts down automatically in heavy traffic. Has Honda found a fix for this?
In terms of whether we’ve improved the situation compared to the old CR-Z, the answer is no. Only the latest Civic Hybrid has a different compressor to control the air con separately with the engine off.

For the new CR-Z, Jazz Hybrid and Insight, the issue is handled by manipulating the idle stop operation, where as soon as it detects the cabin temperature rising, the engine will start automatically. For the hot Malaysian climate, the idle stop is set to start the engine sooner.

As fast as it is, there will always be Honda enthusiasts who wish for something faster. Will there be a more powerful version of the CR-Z in the future, perhaps with a larger hybrid engine or even conventional petrol powerplant?
There already is a faster version, and I was personally involved in the Mugen RZ project – that 300-unit limited run CR-Z that has 170 hp. But the basic concept of the CR-Z when I first developed it was to add a new value to the world, to the fans out there. The CR-Z excels in both fuel efficiency as well as performance.

Honda as a company always promotes the sportiness of the product itself. Like what our president Takanobu Ito has mentioned, the NSX will be coming out soon. As you know, the NSX will cost you a bomb to buy, while the CR-Z is the attainable mass-market sports car for the public.

But to answer whether there will be a more powerful version of the CR-Z, why, yes, you can expect that. The CR-Z has another 10 years left in its life cycle, so moving forward, it will always be improved until the next one appears.

In Japan at the moment, there isn’t a significant demand for more performance, as fuel efficiency is still a priority. If there is enough demand for it, I would personally like to answer that demand. That’s so to say that it is not out of the question.

The CR-Z has been designed as a hybrid, so there won’t be a pure petrol version of it. But, if I were to imagine a more sports-oriented version of the CR-Z, a hybrid and turbo combination would be ideal.

A turbocharger works at its best beyond 2,000 rpm, while the hybrid system is more effective below that engine speed. If we can combine these two together, that would be the best combination to achieve optimum fuel efficiency as well as power.

Source;
http://www.paultan.org/2013/02/22/delving-into-the-details-interview-with-norio-tomobe-large-project-leader-of-the-new-facelifted-honda-cr-z/

Honda Cars : 2013 Toyota Camry gains upgraded interior, new equipment | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Toyota had to do something, what with the new Honda Accord and Nissan Altima redesign's....

NEW-GENERATION TOYOTA CAMRY AND CAMRY HYBRID GAIN INTERIOR ENHANCEMENTS IN THEIR SECOND YEAR

New soft-touch material on LE and SE grades
Blind Spot Monitor adds rear cross traffic alert
Display Audio screen now standard on base models
Following the introduction of the all-new seventh-generation Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid for 2012, these midsize sedans enter the 2013 model year gaining enhancements to interior design and comfort and safety technology. The Blind Spot Monitor system, with availability expanded to the Camry SE grade, adds a rear cross traffic alert function.

America's best-selling car for 14 of the past 15 years, the Toyota Camry introduced a bold, sophisticated new design with a more spacious interior, improved driving dynamics and an even quieter ride than before when it debuted for 2012.

The 2013 Camry Hybrid, which achieves 43 city MPG, also gains the interior enhancements of the gasoline Camry. A new soft-touch material is used on the front door panels on the Hybrid LE, as well as on the gasoline LE and SE grades, replacing harder plastic material used in the 2012 models. On LE grade models (including Hybrid), interior armrests now match interior color, replacing black. On models equipped with leather seating, the door panels feature new stitching accents.

In other changes for 2013, the Display Audio screen becomes standard for the Camry L grade and Camry Hybrid LE. The gasoline Camry is offered in entry-level L, value-driven LE, premium XLE and sporty SE grades, with a four-cylinder engine on L and LE and a choice of four-cylinder or V6 on SE and XLE. The Camry Hybrid is offered in LE and XLE grades.

Introduced in 1983, the Toyota Camry would later establish the template for the modern midsize sedan, setting benchmarks for Quality, Dependability and Reliability (QDR), along with a comfortable, quiet ride. Since that time, Toyota has sold more than 15 million Camry models worldwide.

Performance and Efficiency
The 2013 Toyota Camry offers three powertrain choices, including a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, a 3.5-liter V6 and the Hybrid Synergy Drive. The 2.5-liter four offers 178 horsepower and 170 lb.-ft. of peak torque and, teamed with the standard six-speed automatic transmission, returns 25 MPG city / 35 MPG highway EPA fuel economy ratings, among the highest in its class.

The 2.5-liter engine employs Dual VVT-i (Dual Variable Valve Timing-intelligent), which controls valve timing on both the intake and exhaust camshafts for optimal performance and efficiency at all engine speeds. The Acoustic Control Induction System (ACIS) helps optimize torque over a broad engine speed range.

The DOHC 3.5-liter V6, available in the SE and XLE grades, delivers 268 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 248 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 4,700 rpm. This engine also gained enhancements in the 2012 redesign, resulting in impressive 21 MPG city / 31 MPG highway fuel economy ratings. The V6 uses chain-driven camshafts and Dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (Dual VVT-i).

The gas-engine LE, XLE and SE models come equipped exclusively with a six-speed automatic transmission that offers a sequential manual shift mode using the console shifter. Intelligent control adapts shifting strategy in response to driver input, with fast kick-down. The Camry SE exclusively offers "D range" sequential shifting, which allows manual shifting with the new steering wheel paddle shifters even when the console shifter is in the "D" mode. Also exclusive to the Camry SE, the automatic transmission features faster shift times when in "S" mode, along with downshift blipping control to emphasize a sense of sportiness.

Camry Hybrid Achieves 43 MPG City
The new-generation Camry Hybrid debuted a highly revised version of the brand's Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain, including a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine.

The EPA-estimated 43 mpg city/39 mpg highway/41 mpg combined ratings for the 2013 Camry Hybrid represent a more-than-30 percent boost in fuel economy compared to the original Camry Hybrid. The gain was due largely to the new hybrid powertrain, but also due to lighter vehicle weight and optimized aerodynamics.

Through its unique transaxle, the Hybrid Synergy Drive system combines output from the four-cylinder engine with a small high-torque electric motor. The system produces a combined 200 horsepower and varies power between the gas engine and electric motor, or combines both, as needed.

The 2.5-liter engine, like the 2.4-liter it replaced, uses the Atkinson cycle (delayed intake-valve closing for an expansion ratio greater than compression ratio) to achieve maximum efficiency. The Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) system on the intake camshaft enhances torque, which is greater than with the previous engine. An electric water pump, a roller-rocker type valvetrain and a variable-output oil pump help to reduce internal friction, boosting economy.

A water-cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system helps to ensure the lowest possible emissions at all vehicle speeds and helps increase fuel efficiency. By cooling and controlling exhaust gas injected into each cylinder, the system eliminates the need to richen the air-fuel mixture to control cylinder temperatures.

The 2013 Camry Hybrid meets AT-PZEV (Advanced Technology Partial-credit Zero Emissions Vehicle) standards.

Because there are situations in which the gas engine in the Camry Hybrid shuts off, air conditioning and power steering systems are driven electrically. New efficiency measures in the Hybrid Synergy Drive system include reducing internal losses in the transaxle, improving motor-voltage control, and optimizing the regenerative braking. The proven nickel-metal-hydride battery, located in the luggage compartment behind the rear seats, features enhanced air-cooling. Its more compact size, along with moving the DC/DC converter to the engine compartment, results in a trunk that is 2.1-cubic feet larger than in the previous-generation Camry Hybrid.

Lighter overall vehicle weight also contributes to better performance and fuel economy. A 7.6-second zero-to-60 acceleration time places the Camry Hybrid between the four-cylinder and V6 models. Lower rolling resistance tires, available for the first time in 17-inch size, also help boost fuel economy.

An EV Drive mode allows the driver to operate the Camry Hybrid on the electric motor alone for up to 1.6 miles at lower speeds (below approximately 25 mph). The EV indicator illuminates when the vehicle is being propelled solely by the electric motor. A driver-selectable ECO mode optimizes throttle response and air conditioning output to prioritize maximum fuel economy.

Applying the brake in the Camry Hybrid converts the electric motor to a generator that captures the kinetic energy from the still-spinning vehicle wheels, storing it in the hybrid battery pack. Putting the shifter into "B" uses regenerative braking as a form of engine braking for enhanced control on steep descents. Hill-start assist control helps prevent the vehicle from rolling backward when starting off on an incline when the brake pedal is released.

Exclusive exterior and interior design touches and badging differentiate the 2013 Camry Hybrid from other Camry models. A Hybrid-exclusive instrument cluster with Hybrid System Indicator and fuel consumption indicator helps the driver to operate the car as economically as possible. Instantaneous fuel economy is shown with LEDs (light emitting diodes) around the outside of the average fuel economy gauge. The car's Multi-Information display graphically shows fuel economy in real time and can also show energy flow, and cruising range information.

Hybrid-exclusive trim is used on the instrument panel and door switch bases, upper console panels and shift knob. The Camry Hybrid also features its own exclusive seat fabric in ivory or light gray, and an exclusive leather and Ultrasuede® is also available. A three-dial Optitron gauge panel with chrome-accented outer rings provides a luxurious appearance.

Exterior Design
The new-generation Camry employs an elegantly simple but modern form, emphasizing a wider, lower stance than previous models. The design conveys an "architectural statement" through crisp, precise character lines, accented by dynamically shaped headlights. A strongly curved door cross-section and defined rocker panel molding (chrome accented on LE and XLE) give the Camry an expressive appearance. Fog lights are standard on the XLE and SE grades.

The Camry LE and XLE feature additional exterior chrome trim, and the SE grade has its own lower-body design and exclusive fine-mesh upper grille section. The SE also features a three-part lower grille section housing fog lamps, along with black sport trim headlamp bezels. The more prominent rocker panel moldings on the SE cleanly link to integrated front and rear underbody spoilers, emphasizing width, and the trunk lid carries an integrated spoiler.

Interior Design
While featuring nearly the same external dimensions as the previous generation, the new-generation Camry offers a more spacious interior. Toyota optimized interior elements to gain additional space and to enhance driver and passenger comfort. As one example, tilt range for the standard tilt/telescoping steering wheel was increased 33 percent over the previous-generation model. And the middle rear seat gained two inches of legroom in the redesign.

The prominently curved center cluster appears to float over the instrument panel, reducing its visual mass. Soft textures used on the upper instrument panel, upper door trim, door panels, armrests, and center console armrest contribute to refined comfort in the Camry. Stitching on the instrument panel soft padding and matching stitching-look trim elsewhere helps to create a sense of luxury. Aluminum-color and chrome trim are used judiciously.

The LE and XLE grades feature either ivory or gray seating color; the Camry SE features unique upholstery in black-on-black or black-on-gray. Seat comfort, long a Camry strong suit, received extensive attention to detail in the 2012 redesign. New seat frames, higher seat backs and longer seat cushions all combine to enhance driver and front passenger comfort. The SE's sporty front seats provide thicker, more supportive side bolsters.

The 2013 Camry offers four seat-covering materials: fabric in the LE and XLE; fabric with SofTex™ trim in the SE, standard leather trim on the XLE V6 (optional in the XLE four-cylinder), and Ultrasuede®with leather available for the SE and XLE Hybrid. Heated seats are standard on the XLE V6 and are available for SE, XLE four-cylinder and Hybrid with variable temperature control.

Two steering wheel designs, with integrated audio and Bluetooth® controls, are featured: a four-spoke for LE; a leather-wrapped four-spoke for XLE; and a sporty three-spoke, leather-wrapped wheel for the SE, which offers paddle-shift control for the six-speed automatic transmission.

Controls in the Camry impart a high-precision feel when used. The console's front section offers a 12V accessory connector and an easy-to-access USB/input jack port for connecting iPods and other media devices. A sliding rear console door, rather than the more traditional flip-up design, enables easier access from either front seat.

All grades feature a standard 60/40 split folding rear seatback to expand cargo capacity. The seats can be lowered by a remote release from the trunk area. Rear-seat side airbags are standard across the line, and an armrest with cup holders adds comfort and convenience.

Advanced Connectivity
All 2013 Camry models feature a standard Bluetooth® wireless connection for compatible hands-free phone calls, and a phone book transfer function is available. A standard USB port allows playing music and video from portable audio devices, using the vehicle sound system and available in-dash display screen, and includes full iPod® integration.

The Camry L and Camry Hybrid LE models gain the Display Audio 6.1-inch screen for 2013. On the Hybrid, the screen also displays the energy monitor and fuel consumption data. On models with the available integrated back-up camera, the display functions as the monitor. The screen also offers a new value-driven navigation system and serves as a portal for Entune®, Toyota's innovative new multimedia system. An available HD Radio system enables CD sound quality from digital FM broadcasts, and has features that maximize analog and AM broadcast sound quality. The system includes HD Radio with iTunes® tagging and SiriusXM Satellite Radio™.

The top-of-the-line audio is equipped with a new seven-inch Premium HDD Navigation system with Entune®and JBL. This system offers a new split-screen feature that allows for simultaneously displaying navigation and audio information.

Camry also offers the JBL GreenEdge™ audio system that combines an eight-channel amplifier and door-mounted acoustic lens speakers. The GreenEdge™ amplifier achieves a 66-percent reduction in overall mass and a 50-percent enhancement in sound efficiency, and the speakers produce a higher sound output with the same power or less consumption of conventional models.

Entune Multimedia System
The Camry's available Entune multimedia system leverages the user's smartphone to provide a richer in-vehicle experience with fully integrated access to navigation, entertainment and information services.

Toyota Entune offers support for engaging mobile apps, such as Bing, OpenTable, and movietickets.com, along with accessing useful travel-related services, such as live weather, traffic, fuel information (location and price), stocks, and sports. Toyota Entune brings the largest selection of music options available to a vehicle, including iHeartRadio's 750+ stations, and Pandora's personalized music service.

The audio systems combined with Entune feature a best-in-class, advanced conversational voice recognition system that helps the driver to stay focused on the road by eliminating the need to memorize thousands of voice commands. The system also allows for audio read-back and replay capabilities for text messages, with the ability to respond by pre-set "Quick Reply Messages" such as: "I'm driving and will reply later."

A Benchmark for Midsize Sedan Quietness
Long lauded as a benchmark for ride smoothness and quietness in the midsize segment, the new-generation Camry takes both attributes to an even higher level of refinement. To reduce noise throughout the entire cabin, focus was placed on suppressing noises that stand out. As powertrains have become more refined and quieter, wind noise and road noise have tended to become more noticeable to drivers and passengers. A low noise reading (in decibels) does not always equate to a subjectively quiet interior. Vehicle occupants' perception of quietness also depends on the type and frequency of the sound.

Additional insulation was placed in areas where such noticeable sounds might enter the cabin. Sound absorbing materials silence any noise that manages to penetrate the interior. In particular, engineers focused on suppressing noises that are near the frequencies of human speech to provide an environment that is more comfortable for conversation.

Measures that focus on reducing wind noise include stronger door and rocker area seals; optimized placement of sound insulating materials; foam applied in the roof, pillars and door openings; acoustic glass used for the V6 and Hybrid model's windshield, and special bracing of cowl intake louvers. The dashboard structure and assembly was thoroughly optimized to prevent noise intrusion, including the use of sandwiched sheet steel that uses asphalt foam to absorb vibration energy while increasing sound blocking effectiveness.

A dash outer silencer uses an air layer between the dash panel and sound absorbing felt. An inner silencing layer uses soft and hard felts to block a wide range of low-to-high frequencies.

Damping-coating thickness and application areas were optimized for reduced floor-panel vibration and noise penetration through the floor, and a new type of carpet also helps eliminates noise. Silencer panels installed in the rear-wheel housings, and new sound-absorbing materials added to the trunk's interior side trim further reduce road noise from the tires and wheel housings.

Exceptional Handling and Ride
A rigid body structure, revised front suspension, redesigned rear suspension and aerodynamics all help to imbue the new-generation Camry with greater straight-line stability and crisper steering response, while also enhancing overall ride comfort.

The Camry body structure uses a greater amount of high tensile steel (440 Mpa or higher) than before and even stronger high tensile strength sheet steel (590 Mpa or higher), resulting in a stronger but lighter body than the previous model. A flared design on the doors and fenders enables the use of slimmer but stronger construction. High tensile aluminum bumper supports are lighter yet stronger than before. Newly developed plastic for the bumper covers and cowl louvers reduced weight, as well.

The front-suspension towers are directly connected through the cowl to increase rigidity, and the attachment method and reinforcement braces have been strengthened. The all-new rear underbody and rear subframe increase lateral force control and torsional rigidity.

The McPherson-strut front suspension now uses inversely wound coil springs that enhance straight-line stability. Shock-absorber damping and stabilizer-bar thickness have been optimized as well. The proven dual-link rear suspension was redesigned with new geometry (increased toe-in during cornering and braking) and retuned components to enhance cornering stability.

Inspired by Formula One racing technology, the rear-combination lamps and side-view mirrors on the new Camry incorporate aero stabilizing fins that create air vortexes on the body sides to contribute to handling stability. Underbody aerodynamic elements regulate airflow under the vehicle, also contributing to ride smoothness.

The Camry SE model features specific suspension components and tuning, including exclusive steering knuckles and lighter, stiffer lower front control arms. The front and rear springs are exclusive to this model, and the shock absorbers feature internal rebound springs for greater cornering roll resistance. The rear suspension No. 1 control arm uses a pillow-ball bushing to further enhance handling agility.

Camry's electric power steering (EPS) control system regulates power-assist response based on vehicle speed and steering-input rate. The vehicle-speed sensing feature ensures light effort during low speeds, changing to moderate effort during higher speeds. A different power-assist ratio for the SE grade provides a more sporty feeling than the LE and XLE. With electric power steering, electricity is only consumed when assist is necessary, helping to improve fuel economy. Electric power steering is also more environment-friendly, as it does not require hydraulic fluid.

The LE grade features standard 16-inch wheels; the SE comes standard with five-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels, and the V6 SE offers the first 18-inch alloy wheels on a Camry. The latter feature is a unique twist-spoke design with 225/45R18 all-season tires. Camry SE models will also offer tires that have more grip. The Camry XLE comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels featuring an elegant 10-spoke design.

Safety and Security
All 2013 Camry models are equipped with 10 standard airbags: dual-stage advanced SRS front airbags, front and rear seat-mounted side airbags, side curtain airbags and a driver's and front passenger's knee airbag.

The Camry's body structure is designed to help absorb collision-impact forces and help minimize impact deformation to the passenger cabin. High-strength steel is used for B-pillar and rocker panel reinforcements to help manage overall body deformation in the event of certain side collisions. The seat frames also are designed to help absorb side collision loads. The inner-hood structure and front-edge construction are designed to help reduce pedestrian injuries in a collision.

Toyota's Star Safety System™ includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist. It also features the Smart Stop Technology brake-override system, and Camry is equipped with an electronic tire pressure monitoring system.

Another available safety system, Safety Connect, can access a call center with a live operator who can dispatch police and emergency vehicles. The system combines automatic collision notification and a stolen vehicle locator feature, which can track the location of the stolen vehicle via GPS and help guide police to recover it.

The available Blind Spot Monitor uses sub-millimeter wave radar to detect vehicles in the driver's blind spots. When the system detects a vehicle in the adjacent lane, it alerts the driver using indicators on the side mirrors. If the turn signal is on when the there is a vehicle in the blind spot of the driver's intended lane, the indicator on the corresponding mirror will flash. New for 2013, the system incorporates a rear cross traffic alert, which can be especially helpful when backing out of a driveway or parking slot.

In vehicles equipped with one of the display audio systems and backup camera, when the vehicle is shifted into Reverse, the audio display screen shows the image of what the camera captures, along with an overlay of positioning lines representing the parking space and distance to obstacles.

Peace of Mind Warranty Protection
Toyota's 36-month/36,000 mile basic new-vehicle warranty applies to all components other than normal wear and maintenance items. Additional 60-month warranties cover the powertrain for 60,000 miles and against corrosion with no mileage limitation. The hybrid-related components, including the HV battery, battery control module, hybrid control module and inverter with converter, are covered for eight years/100,000 miles.

The Camry will also come standard with Toyota Care, a complimentary plan covering normal factory-scheduled maintenance and 24-hour roadside assistance for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Honda Cars : Autoevolution: 2014 Honda Civic Estate/Wagon Rendering | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

The ninth generation Honda Civic was launched in Europe in 2012, after it was revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2011.

The model sports an even stronger design identity than the model that came before it, one that's practically its own, since no other Honda model looks as bold. The basic proportion of the car was retained from the previous model, but the aerodynamics have been much improved, thanks to a boy shape that has more in common with a Prius than a regular VW Golf.

Because it has kept torsion beam rear suspension system and the central fuel tank, the Civic hatchback has a massive boot capacity of 470 liters. And thanks to a the new 1.6-liter i-DTEC diesel engine, you can cary stuff and be efficient about it as well.

470 liters should be enough for any C-segment hatchback buyer, but not for Honda. They want to give the five-door Civic an even bigger boot by making it into an estate. A concept car is to be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in about two weeks, but we went ahead ands revealed it for you ahead of time. This is our latest rendering, created using Honda's own teasers that gave us a clear idea as to what the profile will look like.

The Civic Estate should enter production at the same Swindon plant in the UK by this time next year. Suddenly, the 2.2-liter diesel engine starts to make a lot more sense for this car.

Source;
http://www.autoevolution.com/news/2014-honda-civic-estate-wagon-rendering-55401.html

Honda Cars : SolarCity and Honda Partner to Provide Solar Power to Honda and Acura Customers and Dealerships, for Less than the Cost of Utility-Supplied Power | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Partnership seeks to broaden efforts to address climate change by giving Honda and Acura customers an opportunity to save money with solar power

 

SAN MATEO, Calif. & TORRANCE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SolarCity® (Nasdaq: SCTY) and American Honda Motor Co., Inc., today announced a partnership to make solar power more affordable and available to Honda and Acura customers in the U.S., providing a cleaner source of electricity at a lower cost than utility-supplied power. The partnership, which is aimed at addressing global climate change by reducing CO₂ emissions from home, business, and transportation energy use, establishes an investment fund to finance $65 million in solar projects to assist Honda and Acura customers with the initial cost of solar power installation. Millions of Honda and Acura customers and hundreds of dealerships in SolarCity’s 14-state service area may be eligible for the special offer, and SolarCity and Honda expect to be able to accommodate thousands of interested homeowners in the fund.*

“This is an unprecedented partnership—few companies have made a more substantive or comprehensive commitment to environmental responsibility than Honda.”

Honda and Acura dealerships in SolarCity’s service territory may also be able to take advantage of the offer to install affordable solar power through the partnership. Additionally, Honda and SolarCity will explore opportunities to integrate solar power and electric vehicle recharging, envisioning a future in which Fit EV and Accord Plug-In Hybrid owners will be able to charge their cars from the power of the sun, thereby reducing household CO₂ emissions to nearly zero.

Honda, recognized for its leadership in producing fuel-efficient, low-emission vehicles, and SolarCity, America’s leading full-service solar power provider, have established the $65 million investment fund to remove a pervasive obstacle to the broader adoption of solar power: the high initial investment associated with installing solar power. Through the partnership, the first for any automaker, Honda and Acura customers and dealerships will be able to install solar power with little or no upfront cost, depending on the customer’s choice of plans. Customers will be given a choice to pre-pay for their solar electricity or pay a monthly payment that will be lower than the cost of their current utility bill, with insurance, repairs and monitoring service included.

SolarCity has developed a proprietary system that has greatly simplified the process by which homeowners can go solar. From an initial phone call or Web consultation, SolarCity can quickly assess whether a homeowner is a good candidate for solar, and can design a custom solar system to meet a customer’s specific energy needs. In addition to offering affordable solar power, the partnership will enable owners of Honda and Acura products to make energy-efficiency upgrades—such as weatherization and more efficient heating and cooling—that can further reduce their home energy consumption.

SolarCity offers service in all or parts of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington. Honda and Acura customers interested in these new clean energy options can find more information at www.hondasolarcity.com.

Executive Quotes
“At Honda, we are always looking at ways to improve the lives of our customers while reducing our environmental footprint,” said Steven Center, vice president of the Environmental Business Development Office of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “We believe Honda and Acura customers are going to be very interested in going solar once they find out that they can install solar at their home with little or no upfront cost, can lower their monthly utility bill, and can make a positive contribution to protecting the environment.”

“By making it easier and more affordable for its customers to use clean power, Honda is reinforcing the fact that solar is the new normal,” said SolarCity CEO Lyndon Rive. “This is an unprecedented partnership—few companies have made a more substantive or comprehensive commitment to environmental responsibility than Honda.”

About Honda
Honda is a leader in the development of leading-edge technologies to improve fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions. Honda has led the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) rankings of overall vehicle environmental performance since 2000, and a Honda vehicle has topped the list of America's greenest vehicles from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) for eleven out of the past twelve years. The company leads all automakers with twelve LEED-Certified "Green Buildings" in North America, and 10 of its 14 North American manufacturing facilities are zero-waste to landfill.

Honda has developed numerous technologies to improve the fuel efficiency and reduce CO₂ emissions from its products, including the just released 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid, the Fit EV, Civic Natural Gas and the Honda FCX Clarity fuel cell electric vehicle.

In 2006, Honda became the first automaker to announce voluntary CO2 emissions reduction targets for its global fleet of automobile, power sports and power equipment products and its global network of manufacturing plants. In 2011, the company set a new CO2 emission reduction targets for 2020, including a 30% reduction in CO2 emissions from its products compared with 2000 levels.

Honda established operations in America in 1959, and now employs more than 26,000 associates in its U.S. sales, R&D and manufacturing operations with a capital investment of more than $12.5 billion. Over 90% of Honda vehicles sold in the U.S. are produced in North America, using globally and locally sourced parts.

About SolarCity
SolarCity® (NASDAQ: SCTY) provides clean energy. The company has disrupted the century-old energy industry by providing renewable electricity directly to homeowners, businesses and government organizations for less than they spend on utility bills. SolarCity gives customers control of their energy costs to protect them from rising rates. The company offers solar power, energy efficiency and electric vehicle services, and makes clean energy easy by taking care of everything from design and permitting to monitoring and maintenance. SolarCity currently serves 14 states and signs a new customer every five minutes. Visit the company online at www.solarcity.com and follow the company on Facebook & Twitter.

Source;
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20130220005571/en/SolarCity-Honda-Partner-Provide-Solar-Power-Honda

Honda Cars : MotorTrend: 2014 Acura RLX First Drive | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Acura has had a tough time hawking its RL flagship luxury sedan these past few years. With U.S. monthly sales in the double digits for all of 2012, it's refreshing to hear from an Acura rep that the biggest thing the new RLX shares with its predecessor is the first two letters of its name.

Indeed, the majority of the car has been redesigned for the new model year -- enough to market the car as an all-new machine for a very new era. With increased comfort and luxury a priority for the car's middle-aged, baby boomer target market, the RLX has a wheelbase and track stretched 2 inches over the RL's, giving it an improvement in interior space, especially in the limo-like rear cabin, where 38.8 inches of legroom is enough to best the Mercedes E-Class, Audi A6, and Lexus GS. Despite its increased interior dimensions and slightly increased width, overall vehicle length is roughly the same as on the old car, meaning it's not any tougher to park or maneuver. In fact, if anything, it's slightly easier to steer this full-size luxury car around town, thanks to Acura's new Precision All-Wheel Steer system. PAWS alters thetoe angle of the rear wheels with steering and braking input, making the car more agile and stable when being driven quickly, as well as slightly reducing the car's turning radius.

Acura freshened up the exterior design and skinned the doors, front fenders, and engine hood in aluminum. (The total weight of the RLX is down more than 160 pounds on the RL; it's also the most aluminum-intensive Acura since the original NSX supercar of the 1990s.) Acura's designers went for strong horizontal character lines along the side of the car, with a distinctive pair of jewel-like LED headlights up front that will likely become a familial feature in models to come. The overall design is more elegant than flashy, in line with Acura's current sedan styling directive.

The interior has also been revamped. Our car was trimmed in high-quality, well-stitched leather and looked worth every penny of its price. The most distinctive new feature will be the twin LCD display screens. The upper screen primarily displays the navigation, and the lower one is for radio and climate controls. It's an evolution of Acura's previous system's single-line monotone display for audio and climate settings, and with its new full-color screen and haptic feedback, it works well. The next-generation version of AcuraLink also rolls out with the new RLX, using a button on the ceiling -- OnStar style -- for route information, vehicle assistance, emergency services, and other features based on subscription level. (The most basic features are free for three years.)

The RLX also introduces several Acura "firsts" that we suspect will trickle down to other models in time. The engine is an all-new 3.5-liter V-6 that features both direct injection and cylinder deactivation (Variable Cylinder Management), along with Acura's proprietary VTEC variable-valve timing setup. Though the engine has been slightly downsized from the RL's 3.7-liter six, output is up by 10 hp for 310 hp and 272 lb-ft of torque. A revised six-speed automatic remains the only transmission choice, and Acura's Sportshift sequential paddle shifters are mounted on the steering wheel. Fuel economy is said to be 20 mpg city and 31 mpg highway, with a combined rating of 24 mpg -- a 22 percent improvement over the outgoing RL.

Other Acura firsts in the RLX aim at taking safety to the next level. The RLX is the first Acura with an active lane-keeping system, knee airbags, and revised adaptive cruise control with what Acura calls Low-Speed Follow -- the ability to brake the car all the way down to a stop when the car ahead stops, without driver involvement. Acura expects the RLX to garner a Top Safety Pick + rating from the IIHS when tested later this year.

The majority of the car was redesigned -- enough to market it as an all-new machine for a very new era

We got a chance to sample the RLX around some of Northern California's finest wine-country roads in Napa Valley, along with a brief stop at Sonoma Raceway (formerly Infineon and Sears Point) to sample the car on a short-track configuration. On the road, the RLX is comfortable and fairly quiet, with excellent isolation from wind and engine noise, thanks to new acoustic glass and added sound-deadening, but a little more tire noise than we'd like finds its way inside the cabin. Nevertheless, for a car that Acura markets as a somewhat sporty offering, the noise is acceptable.

The ride is on the sporty side of comfortable, with generally high levels of compliance and control. Acura's new belt-driven electric power steering is light and somewhat lacking in on-center feel, though it feels precise when carving through curvier roads -- a benefit in our testing environment that made for an entertaining drive. At the track, the Acura proved surprisingly fun to drive for a front-drive sedan, lacking heavy understeer in eight-tenths driving and giving generally neutral behavior. The brakes felt strong without being overassisted and grabby, but even in Sport mode the manual shifts via paddle were a little slow -- both up and down -- for track work. We predict fewer than 1 percent of RLXs built will ever set tire to track, and found the shift times adequate for road use for the other 99 percent of RLX drivers. A hybrid all-wheel-drive RLX is under development, with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, 370 hp, and a goal of at least 30 mpg combined. After a brief drive in a prototype, we're able to say it'll be worth the wait. Sales for the FWD RLX start in March for impatient folks.


Source;
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/1304_2014_acura_rlx_first_drive/