Honda Cars : Autoblog: LA Auto Show 2009, 2010 Dog Friendly Honda Element | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Honda certainly can't be accused of running a dog and pony show here at the LA Auto Show, because there were no ponies. They did, however, have the adorable Luna and Toby on hand to demonstrate their clever Dog Friendly system on this Honda Element. It's essentially a collapsible ramp and pup tent (couldn't resist) with tethers that keeps dogs secure in back while protecting the interior of your vehicle from stains and pet hair.

We've shown you this Dog Friendly setup before, but couldn't resist snapping a few pics of the system in action, especially now that it's available. The Dog Friendly package is available on any 2010 Honda Element model for an extra $995. besides the nylon kennel and ramp, the system includes a cushioned bed, a spill-proof water dish, a small 12-volt ventilation fan, seat covers for the second row, and rubber floor mats with a bone motif. Seems like a reasonable price for keeping one's pets safe and secure, especially considering it's a custom fit package from the people who actually build the vehicle itself.

Source;
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/2010-honda-element-dog-friendly-los-angeles-2009/

Honda Cars : Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger behind the wheel of Vision Concept | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger gets behind the wheel of BMW’s futuristic hybrid concept car – the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept – during his press conference highlighting green cars at the Los Angeles International Auto Show on December 1, 2009.

Peter Miles, Executive Vice President of Operations for BMW of North America, (center, front) showed Governor Schwarzenegger the finer points of the sports car, which can travel 431 miles before it needs to be charged and re-fueled.The “green show” of the year starts tomorrow with the press days and opens to the public on Friday, December 4th.

The BMW Vision Concept will also make its U.S. debut tomorrow and it is considered to be one of the stars at this year’s auto show. As always, we’re going to report live and offer you an impressive gallery of photos.
....and here's Arnold in front of the Honda FCX Clarity....

Source;

http://www.bmwblog.com/2009/12/02/governor-arnold-schwarzenegger-behind-the-wheel-of-vision-concept/

Honda Cars : The First Look at the 2011 Toyota Sienna | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

More technology, comfort, and economy than ever before
Although many automakers have pulled the plug on their minivan programs, Toyota says the market for family haulers is primed for a rebound. To that end, Toyota released its third-generation 2011 Toyota Sienna at the Los Angeles Auto Show today that it expects to appeal to those who grew up with the vans either as children or as parents -- namely today's Gen-Xers and empty-nesters. Packing more technology, comfort, and economy than ever before, Toyota believes its new Sienna is well-positioned to become the minivan of choice in a segment with fewer choices than ever.

Designed in Southern California and engineered in Michigan, the very-American 2011 Sienna will offer a choice of two engines when it launches next year, the initial offering being the same 266-hp 3.5L V-6 as is available in the current Sienna. Later in the launch period, Toyota will also offer a 187-hp 2.7L I-4, the same engine that's currently available in the Toyota Venza (and is holding a 50% take-rate in that model, according to execs). Toyota expects EPA ratings to increase slightly for the four-cylinder-equipped models, rising from 18/24 mpg city/highway with the front-drive V-6, to 19/26 mpg city/highway with the four. Both engines will arrive with a six-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift mode. All-wheel drive -- a segment exclusive according to Toyota -- continues as an option for the new model, and towing capacity with the V-6 is an SUV-like 3500 lbs.

Toyota has made efforts to push the feel and layout of its minivan upmarket, and the effort shows in some of the Sienna's luxury and technological features. A Dual View Entertainment Center makes its debut on the 2011 Sienna, offering the choice of displaying a single source in 16.4-in. widescreen movie format, or two separate sources, each occupying half of the screen. Additionally, a Panorama Camera rear monitor gives two views behind the Sienna, allowing for a full 180-degree view as well as on-screen back-up guides.

Meanwhile, concessions are made to passenger comfort with additional storage bins, cupholders, and cargo spaces, all strategically placed for maximum benefit. Designers strived to maintain an open field of view throughout the cabin, giving a light, airy feeling to the interior, while improving visibility for all passengers. The cabin is configurable for seven-, or optionally, eight-person seating and in the former, the second-row captain's chairs allow for 23-in. of forward mobility, enhancing third-row legroom substantially. New to the top-flight Limited trim level is standard second-row Lounge Seating that includes leather seats with retractable built-in ottomans. Flagship Limited Sienna models also receive a power 60/40 split third-row folding seat, front and rear parking sonar, and a dual moonroof.

Toyota also catered to a special group of minivan buyers with the 2011 Sienna -- the ones that really wanted to buy a sports car, but needed the practicality of a van. For that market, Toyota created the Sienna SE. With a more aggressive looking front fascia, aerodynamic side skirts that also visually lower the vehicle, 19-in. alloy wheels (an SE exclusive), a sports-tuned suspension, and smoked tail lamps.

Three other trim levels are available including Sienna grade and LE -- the two bottom-most trims -- and XLE, which slots in beneath Limited. If you want the four-cylinder engine, however, you'll have to opt for the first two trim levels -- the SE, XLE, and Limited are available with the V-6 only.

The Sienna is set to hit U.S. Toyota showrooms in February 2010, with pricing to be announced closer to the on-sale date.

Source;
http://www.trucktrend.com/roadtests/van/163_0912_2011_toyota_sienna_first_look/index.html

Honda Cars : Honda 'Personal-Neo Urban Transport' Concept Demonstrates Potential for Ultra-compact City-focused Vehicle | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Small car maximizes style and amenities
LOS ANGELES, U.S.A., December 2, 2009 - The Honda Personal-Neo Urban Transport (P-NUT) design study model demonstrates a futuristic concept for an ultra-compact and sophisticated city coupe, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Conceived around a small "footprint" for maximum convenience in tight urban settings, the packaging concept integrates a center driving position configuration and a rear powertrain layout. The exterior styling leverages crisp angles with dynamic flowing lines that originate from the front of the vehicle and span outward toward the rear. The end result is a sleek and aggressive exterior that also allows for a spacious and open interior with excellent visibility.

"A new generation is discovering the benefits of living in urban centers that provide convenient access to business, entertainment and social opportunities," said Dave Marek, director of advanced design for Honda R&D Americas, Inc. "The Personal-Neo Urban Transport concept explores the packaging and design potential for a vehicle conceived exclusively around the city lifestyle."

The exterior styling is intended to capture a future direction for premium sophistication while balancing the need for maximum interior space and an aerodynamic appearance. The interior layout, in conjunction with the rear powertrain design, contributes prominently to the exterior's overall shape.

The layout of the interior space, with its center driving position flanked by two rear seats, provides generous legroom for all occupants, roughly the equivalent of a mid-sized sedan in a vehicle that has an exterior footprint similar to a micro car. Interior functionality is increased by rear seating areas that fold up and out of the way to increase storage capacity. The windshield serves as a heads-up display for the navigation system and the back-up camera.

The modular rear engine bay, depicted on the exterior by blue composite material, is designed to accommodate a wide variety of potential propulsion technologies including a conventional small displacement internal combustion engine, a hybrid gasoline-electric powertrain, or a battery-electric powertrain.

"The objective of the exterior and interior designers was to explore the potential for a new type of small-segment-category vehicle that overcomes many of the objections for existing micro-car designs," said Marek. "While the Honda P-NUT concept introduces function-oriented concepts, it also shows that small cars don't have to compromise on style or amenities."

The Advanced Design Studio of Honda R&D Americas, Inc. in Los Angeles developed the P-NUT design study model. Honda R&D Americas began its operations in California in 1975 with local market research activities and has steadily grown its capabilities over the past 33 years to include all aspects of new vehicle research, design and development. Recent Honda-brand efforts include trend-setting products such as the Pilot, Ridgeline, Element, Civic Coupe and Civic Si Coupe.

Specifications
Size class: Ultra-compact
Layout: Rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Passengers: 3
Length: 3,400 mm
Width: 1,750 mm
Height: 1,439 mm
Powertrain: Internal-combustion engine, hybrid-electric or battery-electric

Source;
http://world.honda.com/news/2009/4091202Los-Angeles-Auto-Show/

Honda Cars : 2011 Toyota Sienna Pictures | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Well, here are some pic's of the 2011 Toyota Sienna, looks nicer than the existing van.

Source;
www.burlappcars.com/2009/12/2011-toyota-sienna.html

Honda Cars : ALG: Automotive Depreciation Rankings for 2009 Vehicles | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Alot of people wonder how brands stack up against eachother with regards to re-sale value. Here is a chart that compares just that, not just comparing brands but also comparing the individual vehicles. 5-stars are the best and 1-star is the worst.

5 Stars (above), these vehicles hold their value the best and depreciate the least.
4 stars (above), still hold their value exceptionally well, but obviously not as well as the 5's.
3 stars (above) these vehicles would be classed as 'average' resale, not too bad, not too great.

2 stars (above), below average, these cars do not hold their value very well at all.
1 star, terrible. Just plain terrible. Drop a stone off a bridge....

Source;

https://www.alg.com/DepreciationRatings

Honda Cars : Huh? JDM Honda Odyssey Tricked Out as a BMW | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Ah yes, the things people do....
Needless to say, this Japanese domestic market Honda Odyssey isn't your typical soccer-mom's minivan. Besides the insane negative camber all around and the fact that in parking position, the Odyssey sits only about an inch or two away from the road, what makes this custom creation stand out from the crowd is that the designer managed to incorporate the front-end of an E92 BMW 3-Series Coupe. Oddly enough, the bimmer nose seems to work nice...

Source (with more pics);
http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2009/11/huh-jdm-honda-odyssey-tricked-out-as.html