Honda Cars : Scoop! Honda Siel could be readying another facelift for the Accord | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

While we are going to be getting a fully refreshed 2013 Honda Accord in North America, looks like in other parts of the world they will be getting another Minor Model Change....

Honda Siel is said to be working on a final facelift for the current Accord before the new one arrives in 2013.

Image of the current, eighth generation Accord used for representation.

Not having a diesel engine in the entire line-up has definitely taken a toll on Honda’s fortunes in India. Add to it the constant blows from existing and newly launched models and variants like the 2012 Hyundai Sonata and the economical Skoda Superb Ambition and you’ll know how difficult it is getting for Honda to sell their aging Accord. It is still a worthy contender, no doubt, but it could be getting ready for its last facelift now – before the all-new model arrives 2013.

If the word floating in the air is to be believed, then Honda Siel is working towards adding a little more bling to the existing Accord. We are told that the taillights are getting a minor redesign by way of re-arranged detailing. There will be a generous dose of chrome garnish as well – on the taillights as well as on the rear bumper. At the front too, the grille and the bumper will get additional chrome lining for a more premium stance.

Honda Siel had given the Accord a mid-life facelift back in 2011 and had also added a few new features to breathe fresh air into the model. The upcoming facelift, if true, will probably be the last update that the eighth generation model will receive. The all-new ninth generation Accord will arrive in 2013 and is expected to have a diesel engine option too. Stay tuned for more!

Source;
http://www.oncars.in/Car-News-Detail/Exclusive-Honda-Siel-could-be-readying-another-facelift-for-the-Accord/2374

Honda Cars : Ford Ecosport Revealed for New Delhi | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Looks like this is one for India only. Not sure what to think about this one....

Ford has released the new EcoSport prior to its public unveiling at the New Delhi Auto Expo tomorrow. Initially targeted to emerging markets, the EcoSport will eventually launch globally.

The Ford EcoSport looks substantial despite its compact dimensions. It features high ground clearance and integrated lower body cladding for that rugged look. The EcoSport is defined as being targeted to consumers who want a sporty and casual car that stands out, but in an intelligent and sustainable way.

The compact SUV features a turbocharged 1.0-liter Ecoboost engine with 120 PS (118 hp / 88 kW) and 170 Nm (125 lb-ft) available from 1,300-4,500 rpm. The direct injection engine is mated to a five-speed manual transmission. Ultimately, 1.0-liter Ecoboost engine will be made available in Ford models in China, Europe, North America and other regions.

The new EcoSport was developed in Ford's Development Center in Camaçari, Brazil. Previously, the EcoSport name was used on a crossover SUV version of the European derived Ford Fusion MPV in Latin America since 2003 and served as the first affordable SUV in the region. It went on to sell 700,000 vehicles in nine years.

This new Fiesta based B-platform SUV, which is the second of ten new models to be spawned from this platform by mid-decade, will eventually be sold in 100 markets worldwide. Ford projects the new B-platform family of vehicles will represent more than 2 million units of annual production as compact cars continue to drive global growth.

The EcoSport will be produced at plants in Brazil, India, and other markets to be announced at a later time.

Source;
http://www.worldcarfans.com/112010439431/ford-ecosport-compact-suv-revealed---debut-in-new-delhi

Honda Cars : India Auto News: Honda CR-V and Mitsubishi Outlander facing tough times- Here is why | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

I always find it interesting how different parts of the world have such different market demands and sometimes seeing what is available elsewhere leaves me wanting (diesel CRV!)....
The next big launch of the year will the 2012 Honda CR-V. The SUV that will also debut in India and is what most Honda fans in the country will be waiting with bated breath. Honda has already revealed the car although, just a single picture has been released by the auto maker, most of the exterior details a clearly visible. It is still not clear though if the car would seat seven or five. Anyway, the hot news of the day came in the form of engine specifications that were leaked ahead of the SUVs official unveiling.

Mitsubishi Outlander and Honda CR-V

The new Honda CR-V will get next generation engines which Honda term as K24 and K25. The K24 engine is a 2.4 litre 16 valve DOHC petrol that puts out 175 bhp of maximum power and 170 lb-ft of torque. That leaves us with the K25 which most of you might have guessed is a 2.5 litre 16 valve DOHC with 201 bhp @ 6000 rpm and 177 lb-ft pr torque. Both engines will be coupled to a 5-speed automatic gearbox.

That is all about the technical tit-bits. Of course, the Indian version of the 2012 Honda CR-V is expected to get a diesel engine. There is also a buzz going about the toys that will be offered inside the new car. The new SUV could get a rear seat entertainment package along with a DVD player. Now, what all would make it into the Indian version isn’t actually clear. One thing that the new Honda CR-V could benefit with apart from a diesel engine is seating for seven.

The Honda CR-V will rival the likes of the Toyota Fortuner, Chevrolet Captiva and the recently launched Renault Koleos among others. A seven seat configuration will give it an advantage over its rivals. A diesel engine was always missed on the CR-V and now we could get one given the popularity of oil burners among Indians. Until now, apart from the popular Honda, the two other SUVs that came with a petrol engine were the Mitsubishi Outlander and the BMW X1.

Now, sales of petrol cars has slumped in recent times. In fact, neither Mitsubishi nor Honda is clocking descent volumes of the their products. Mitsubishi sold just 32 units of the Outlander last month while Honda sold just 26 units. Compare these figures with their diesel powered rivals and the picture becomes clear. The biggest player in this segment, Toyota has been doing extremely well with the Fortuner. The company sold close to 900 units of the Fortuner in the month of August.

The only factor to blame for the dismal sales of the CR-V and the Outlander is the absence of a diesel engine. This might change with the 2012 Honda CR-V coming by. A 2.2 litre i-CTDI engine seems to be the most probable. The 4-cylinder diesel engine puts out 140 bhp and 251 lb-ft of torque. With Honda introducing a diesel CR-V, Mitsubishi will have get its act together quickly before the CR-V runs away with its market share.

At present, a 2.4 litre 170 bhp petrol engine powers the Mitsubishi Outlander. A petrol SUV, in the current scenario isn’t viable even for those who can afford to own one. 80 percent of the sales of the more expensive BMW X1 consists of the diesel sDrive20d version. This shows that even the people who can afford a premium crossover like the BMW X1 are feeling the pinch of the petrol price hike.

Coming back to the 2012 Honda CR-V, some reports suggest that the new SUV might get seven seats given the larger proportions of the car. If this is true then, the CR-V does stand a fair chance to take on the might of the Toyota Fortuner which has been selling like hot cakes. The new CR-V is expected to make its international debut at the Los Angeles motor in December.

Source;
http://www.indiancarsbikes.in/cars/2012-honda-crv-engine-specifications-leaked-49035/#more-49035