Honda Cars : 2008 Honda Odyssey Mid Model Facelift Pics | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Minor changes at best, 'if it ain't broke....'.

Honda Cars : New Honda Hybrid in the Works to Properly Compete with the Toyota Prius | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

The Toyota Prius has pretty much dominated the Hybrid battle, at least as far as numbers are concerned. This is partly due to the fact that the Prius has alot of usable space, especially considering that it is a hatchback. In my neck of the woods, the Prius is the Taxi cab of choice (and who can blame them, great on gas with flexible storage space). The Honda Civic has its battery located between the trunk and rear seat, limiting the trunk space and getting rid of the rear folding seats (the only knock that I can think of on the car)!
Honda has now decided that it is time to give the Prius a little more competition. Honda has big plans for their next Hybrid. The new model will only be available with a hybrid system and is rumored to take its styling cues from the FCX fuel-cell vehicle set for production next year.
See my post on the FCX here;
http://bestscoops.blogspot.com/2007/10/2010-honda-fcx.html
My guess is the one up manship begins not only with style but a Clean-Diesel Hybrid Engine!

Honda Cars : How a 2006 to 2008 Civic Hybrid Works and other FAQ's | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

I get alot of questions about how the Civic Hybrid works. Hybrid vehicles are powered by a conventional internal combustion engine just like any other vehicle. The difference is that on a hybrid, that engine is supplemented with an electric motor. In Honda's case, the system is known as Integrated Motor Assist (IMA). Both the gas engine and the electric motor are used to propel the car. The electric motor on the Civic Hybrid is sandwiched between the engine and the transmission. The engine and electric motor are directly connected together and turn as a single unit; the Civic engine is always turning while the car is moving.

Whenever you step on the brake pedal of a hybrid, or even just let go of the gas, the computer switches the polarity of the electric motor turning it into a generator to recharge the battery. The brake pedal regulates how much current is sent back to the battery. The harder you step on the brake pedal, the more drag the generator places on the forward motion of the car thereby slowing the vehicle. If the vehicle is not slowing enough, the regular brake system takes over seamlessly to stop the car. When we are ready to go again, the computer will send battery voltage back to the electric motor to move the car. This amounts to free energy, so we need less power from the gasoline motor, hence less gasoline is needed. Since we do not need as much power from the gasoline engine, it can be made smaller and more fuel efficient.

Another way that the Civic Hybrid saves gas is by shutting the engine off whenever you come to a stop. As soon as you remove your foot from the brake pedal, the engine comes back to life without skipping a beat.

You never need to plug the car in to charge the battery, keep in mind that in climates that are cold (ie: Winnipeg, Canada - where I am from), it is wise to plug the car in via the block heater. The battery pack is self-sufficient and recharges itself automatically when decelerating through regenerative braking, as well as when cruising.

The Civic Hybrids run on just regular unleaded gasoline.

You cannot run on the electric motor only when you run out of gas.

The battery pack in designed to last 10years under normal driving conditions.

Honda Cars : A Funny one to get the week off right | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

This is a comic strip by Henry Payne. It's called CarTOONS.

Honda Cars : Honda's CR-Z Concept | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

This could be what some speculate the new CRX.

The Honda CR-Z is a lightweight, two-seater sportscar equipped with Honda’s petrol-electric hybrid IMA powertrain. Honda is looking at a way to create a lightweight sportscar that is fun to drive, but also good to the environment.

The CR-Z features the latest Honda hybrid IMA powertrain to deliver low emissions and impressive economy.

CRZ stands for Compact Renaissance - Zero.

Honda Cars : Car & Driver Magazine Honda Odyssey VS Toyota Sienna VS '08 Dodge Grand Caravan VS Nissan Quest VS Hyundai Entourage LTD | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Another comparison test for Car And Driver Magazine Online, another 1st place finish for Honda.

1st Place Finish: 2007 Honda Odyssey EX-L

Car & Driver Summary

Highs: The most confident steering, the best front seats, great instrument cluster, nifty second-row mother-in-law seat. Lows: Narrow passage to third row, fairly loud inside when cruising, body quivers more than most others on bumps. Verdict: Once golden in the class, now a golden oldie.

Here is the write up;

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/14142/2007-honda-odyssey-ex-l.html

2nd Place Finish: 2007 Toyota Sienna LE

Car and Driver Summary

Highs: Disciplined and quiet V-6, good passing power, creamy shifts, quiet interior, best second-row seats. Lows: High effort to fold second- and third-row seats, boring to look at even for a minivan. The Verdict: Rolling anonymity.

Write up;

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/14145/2007-toyota-sienna-le.html

3rd Place Finish; 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT

Car and Driver Summary

Highs: More stowage possibilities than your local mini-storage, strong V-6, quiet inside, pinpoint overhead reading lamps. Lows: Too much Jeep Commander in the shape, rickety center console, rather bleak interior materials. The Verdict: Can’t beat the clever packaging inside.

Write up;

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/14147/2008-dodge-grand-caravan-sxt.html

4th Place Finish: 2007 Nissan Quest SL

Car and Driver Summary

Highs: High-fashion shape, kneeling second row, low step into the coach cabin, wide passage to the third row. Lows: Third row not split, side-door windows don’t go down, long reach to radio and HVAC buttons, no footrest. The Verdict: Out of step and charming for it.

Write up;

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/14150/2007-nissan-quest-sl.html

5th Place Finish: 2007 Hyundai Entourage Limited

Car and Driver Summary

Highs: Lots of frills for your dough, center-stack controls up where you can see them, sweet-sounding engine. Lows: Wheel is Armor All slippery, torque steer in first gear, stiff-legged on rough roads, narrow entry to the third row. The Verdict: Another good deal from Hyundai.

Write up;

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/14151/2007-hyundai-entourage-limited.html

Here is the link to the whole article;

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/14141/07-entourage-v-07-quest-v-08-grand-caravan-v-07-sienna-v-07-odyssey.html

Honda Cars : Here's a Peek at the 2009 Toyota Corolla | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Here is my first post of a car that competes directly with the Honda Civic. Even though the Civic is a fast seller for us, I cannot wait until this car comes out; it just heats up the market that much more!

The 2009 Corolla will come in five trims: Standard, LE, XLE, the "sporty" S and even "sportier" XRS. The car is about the same size as the last model, but the A- and C-pillars have been pushed out to give the greenhouse a more rakish look. Meanwhile, S and XRS models get a body kit that includes a chin spoiler, fog lamps, rocker moldings, spoilers and even an underbody engine cover to improve airflow beneath the car.

Engines include the base 1.8L four-cylinder with dual-VVT-i producing 132 HP and 162 ft-lbs. of twist. The XRS alone gets a 2.4L producing 154 HP and 162 ft-lbs. of torque. S models also get 16-inch wheels that are unfortunately capped with wheel covers, while the XRS sports 17-inchers that are pure alloy.