Honda Cars : Odyssey Concept Reveals Stylish, Dynamic Image for All-New Honda Minivan | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Finally!
The next-generation Odyssey adds sleek styling, new functionality and higher fuel economy to best-selling minivan

02/10/2010 - CHICAGO -
The Honda Odyssey Concept, on display at the Chicago Auto Show, introduces a sleek and distinctive exterior styling direction for the next generation of the industry's best-selling minivan, set to debut this fall, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today.

The Odyssey Concept dramatically departs from conventional minivan styling with its low and wide stance, highlighted by a "lightning-bolt" beltline that further distinguishes the vehicle's profile. Compared to the current Odyssey, the Concept's slightly lower roofline (-1.0 inch) and wider stance (+1.4 inch) contribute to a sleeker, stronger and more dynamic presence with improved aerodynamics that help increase fuel economy. Forthcoming improvements to the production Odyssey's interior are designed to further enhance the current model's accommodating space for people and cargo.

"The Odyssey established its reputation by providing families with what they most want in a minivan - great functionality, an emphasis on safety and good fuel economy," said Vicki Poponi, assistant vice president of American Honda product planning. "Odyssey then further delighted customers with its surprisingly engaging, fun-to-drive and dynamic nature. The next-generation Odyssey promises to take these strengths to a higher level while adding more style and personality."

The steeply raked front and rear roof pillars, unique side-glass profile, chamfered roof line, and tapered rear cabin shape combine to create a dynamic and distinctive appearance from any perspective. The lightning-bolt beltline dives toward the rear of the vehicle emphasizing the new Odyssey's sporty appearance while enhancing outward visibility for third-row passengers.

Aggressive body-to-wheel proportions reduce the perception of vertical height common to most minivan designs. Fender flares further accent the vehicle's securely planted and stylish persona. The concept vehicle's projector beam headlights, LED taillights and form-fit fog lights further heighten the sophisticated quality of the design.

Enhanced aerodynamics and advanced powertrain technologies will contribute to the next-generation Odyssey's increased fuel efficiency. The all-new 2011 Odyssey is expected to achieve an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating1 of 19 city/28 highway miles-per gallon on select models (preliminary estimate determined by Honda).

Currently in its third generation, the Odyssey's unique array of features, including its superior driving dynamics, 3rd-Row Magic Seat® and efficient i-VTEC™ V-6 engine with three-mode Variable Cylinder Management™ (available) all combine to offer a sophisticated environment with room for up to eight people (seven on Odyssey LX). The Odyssey has been America's best-selling minivan since 2008(2) and is produced exclusively in Alabama by Honda Manufacturing of Alabama (using domestic and globally sourced parts). Both the concept and production vehicles, along with all development activity for the 2011 Odyssey, are being designed at Honda R&D Americas in Torrance, California, and Raymond, Ohio.

The Odyssey has won numerous awards and critical acclaim. Recent accolades include the Edmunds.com 2010 "Top Recommended" minivan award, U.S. News and World Report 2010 "Best Minivan for the Money" award, Automotive Lease Guide 2010 "Best Minivan for the Money," the Kelley Blue Book award as one of the ten "Best New Family Vehicles of 2009" and "2009 Best Resale Value Award" in the van category, which recognizes vehicles that are expected to have segment-leading resale value after five years of ownership.

Odyssey Concept Basic Dimensions

Length (inches)
202.8

Width (inches)
78.5

Height (inches)
68.3

Wheelbase (inches)
118.1

1Preliminary EPA mileage estimates determined by Honda. Final EPA mileage estimates not available at the time of printing. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.

2Based on Odyssey calendar-year sales of 135,493 for 2008 and 100,133 for 2009.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.com/categories/1097/releases/5375

Honda Cars : Early CRZ Concept Drawing | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Found a early concept drawing of the 2011 Honda CR-Z Concept that I thought I'd pass on.

Honda Cars : First Ever Pre-Owned Vehicle Award Goes to Honda’s Reliable Mid-Size Sedan | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

2003-2007 Honda Accord Takes inaugural WheelsTV POV of the Year February 9, 2010

Acton, MA (PRWEB) February 9, 2010 -- WheelsTV today announced that the seventh generation of the Honda Accord, 2003-2007, has been named 2010 WheelsTV POV of the Year. This year marks the inaugural year for this first of its kind award; recognizing the most outstanding pre-owned vehicle on the road today.

"With pre-owned vehicles outselling new by as much as four to one, we at WheelsTV feel that it’s essential to recognize automotive excellence that extends beyond the new car showroom to where the rubber literally meets the road,” said Jim Barisano, CEO of WheelsTV. “Every new car ultimately has to prove its worth through thousands of miles of driving and years of service.

After careful consumer research, testing and deliberation, The WheelsTV panel of automotive writers and analysts are pleased to name the seventh generation Honda Accord The 2010 WheelsTV POV of the Year.”

Competition for the 2010 WheelsTV POV of the Year Award was fierce with European, Asian and Domestic makes narrowing the gaps in quality, safety and dependability. But, in the end, one pre-owned car came out on top. The 2003 to 2007 Accord with Honda’s three-liter V-6 engine has generated virtually no major consumer complaints while delivering peppy response and good fuel economy, hitting 30 miles per gallon on the highway.

The Accord’s ride is silky smooth. It’s also one of the safest mid-size sedans on the road with top ratings for frontal and side impact protection from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

WheelsTV’s writers and analysts test-drive hundreds of vehicles each year and conduct exhaustive consumer research which is used in video programs viewed by millions of consumers every day when shopping for cars and light trucks. This research is studied by the panel of judges when considering recipients of the 2010 WheelsTV POV of the Year Award.

The WheelsTV judging panel evaluates each vehicle using five key criteria:

Dependabililty: Perhaps the most important vehicle attribute for every pre-owned vehicle owner is reliability. Can I depend on my vehicle to always get me where I want to go? How well will the vehicle stand up under regular use and with proper care? Will the vehicle cause me worries or will my ownership experience be trouble-free?
Performance: How well does the engine, powertrain and suspension perform under all driving conditions? Does the vehicle have enough power to comfortably merge on to highways, cruise and pass comfortably?
Safety: How well does the vehicle standup in crash tests? Is it equipped with the latest airbags, restraints and braking technology?
Fuel Economy: How well does the vehicle perform in EPA mileage tests against vehicles of similar class, weight and engine size?
Overall Build Quality: Every vehicle comes from the factory in top shape, but how well does the vehicle hold up in day-to-day use? Do squeaks and rattles develop? What breaks? What wears-out over time?Contenders for the 2010 WheelsTV POV of the Year Award included a number of well-built models that offer good quality for the dollar. While Japanese automaker Honda took the award this year, domestic and European carmakers are constantly improving their products. Automakers with vehicles that can stand-up to years of wear and tear include entries from Ford, BMW, Nissan and Kia.

WheelsTV is the leader in providing video reports and reviews on new and pre-owned vehicles to web portals and cable VOD services.

With the inaugural 2010 WheelsTV POV of the Year Award, WheelsTV has focused its knowledge and behind-the-wheel experience to recognize and award vehicles that truly fulfill the promise of good, solid, reliable, safe and enjoyable motoring.

“The automobile is an essential element in the day-to-day lives of most Americans,” states Lehel Reeves, president of WheelsTV, “With Americans so reliant upon the automobile, we at WheelsTV are pleased to recognize the vehicle that our research and experience has shown provides the most dependable, enjoyable and trouble-free service. Our congratulations to American Honda for winning the 2010 WheelsTV POV of the Year Award with the 2003-2007 Honda Accord.”

ABOUT WheelsTVWheelsTV (www.WheelsTVnetwork.com) is the first multi-platform television network in the U.S. devoted exclusively to consumers’ interests in cars, trucks and motorcycles—serving both the general audience and the enthusiast with a wide spectrum of vehicle-based entertainment, information and news. Top 200 Test Drives, 1:00 on One Vehicle Profiles and POV Reviews are the standards of excellence for independent automotive video reports and reviews. Distribution partners include MSN, AOL, Yahoo, JDPower.com, Vehix, AutoTrader, Comcast, Cablevision and Time Warner Cable.

WheelsTV is a program service of Automotive Networks Corporation, headquartered in Acton, Massachusetts. The network is dedicated to celebrating the beauty, action, fun, and excitement of the world’s love affair with the automobile.

Source;
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/02/prweb3581994.htm

Honda Cars : Honda Warns Toyota Troubles Could Spread Through Industry | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Honda's top finance executive warns that Toyota's growing recall effort could have a ripple effect throughout the industry, as consumer lose faith in the world's automakers, The Wall Street Journal reports.

Honda Chief Financial Executive Yoichi Hojo tells the paper that "if customers start to harbor doubts about [quality and safety], that would be problem for the whole industry.

Hojo says Honda will be ratchetting up incentive programs in the United States to reduce inventory, but will not target them specifically at Toyota owners.

Honda's refusal to go after disaffected customers from its main rival offers a unique opportunity for other automakers, like General Motors and Ford, to pick up customers with the host of deals they are offering to current Toyota owners, including rebates of up to $1,000.

By contrast, Honda has said it will continue offering "orthodox" measures such as leasing services and the usual discounts to any kind of customers, not limited to Toyota owners. Toyota's troubles "won't necessarily be a positive," said Mr. Hojo.

Worse, Toyota's quality issues could cast a shadow over other auto makers. "I think we should see this Toyota problem from a broader viewpoint," he said. "If customers start to harbor doubts about [quality and safety], that would be problem for the whole industry."

Mr. Hojo's comments illustrate the difficulties that Toyota's quality woes present to the rest of the industry. The world's No. 1 auto maker by sales volume is a fierce competitor with a strong presence in fuel-efficient vehicles such as its gasoline-electric Prius hybrid. The company has recalled 8.1 million vehicles for sudden-acceleration problems and will likely start a separate effort this week in Japan to fix braking problems on some Prius models, weakening its competitive edge.

At the same time, Toyota's troubles have raised sensitive industrywide issues, including the role of U.S. safety regulators such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in probing Japanese-made cars after Washington-led bailouts of their U.S. rivals. Mr. Hojo played down those tensions. "I don't think that NHTSA is anti-Japanese," he said.

Mr. Hojo said that Honda, Japan's No. 2 auto maker, is set to increase incentives to car buyers in the U.S. to $1,400 per vehicle in the quarter ending March 31, up from $800 provided in the previous quarter.

"Competition remains tough. We have relatively low inventory levels. But for the Accord and the Civic, their inventory days came to around 70 days in January [compared with the company's average of 60 days]. So we'll spend incentives for these," he said.

Among the major car makers in the U.S., Honda offered the lowest incentive average of $1,281 last year, according to data by Edmunds.com.

Mr. Hojo said that industrywide U.S. auto sales grew to 11.2 million in December on a seasonally adjusted annualized selling rate basis, the second-best month of 2009 after August, which received a major boost from the "cash for clunkers" U.S. government-rebate program.

But he said the growth was driven mainly by fleet sales to rental and commercial operators, which are generally less profitable than retail sales to individual customers. "Demand from individuals hasn't yet recovered yet," he said.

Mr. Hojo said a full recovery in the U.S. market was necessary for its earnings to return to pre-financial crisis levels. "We sold 1.15 million vehicles in 2009 and plans to sell 1.23 million in 2010. But these numbers are 300,000 to 400,000 fewer than the past volume," he said. He added, "we don't see yet" a sign of when it will return to the past healthy volume of around 1.60 million vehicles, he added.

The car maker, which also makes jets, lawnmowers and water pumps, expects net profit to soar 93% to 265 billion yen ($2.96 billion) in this fiscal year, which ends March 31.

Mr. Hojo said that in India, sales of Honda's motorcycles "are growing explosively" with a 30% sale increase in the three months ended in December. The overall market will likely increase 35% to nine million motorcycles sold annually, he said.

Honda is also set to launch a newly developed low-cost car with a price of below 500,000 rupees (about $10,720) in 2011 to tap the booming market. Honda's auto sales in India jumped 43% from a year earlier in the October-December quarter to 15,800 vehicles. "The market will grow further," said Mr. Hojo.

Source;

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703630404575052844021894912.html?mod=rss_Today's_Most_Popular

Honda Cars : A Project by Honda: LIVE EVERY LITRE (The Honda CRZ) | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

What is this all about?
This summer we will proudly launch the CR-Z, the first sporty hybrid car. A car designed to capture the hearts and mind of a new generation - a generation that is interested in the world around them, who are independent, inquisitive, and not afraid to have an opinion.

To celebrate the launch of the CR-Z we want to do something we’ve never done before: we want to co-create and crowd-source a multilingual documentary film. A film about the extraordinary journeys real people go on in their lives. We’re interested in those journeys we say we’ll go on, but never do; the journeys that take us somewhere new, somewhere scary, somewhere fun, somewhere different.

That could mean re-tracing the journey your ancestors made, following a band, finding a lost relative, looking for love, fame or fortune, saying hello again, saying sorry.

Why are we doing it?
We’ve started this project because we are passionate about getting the most out of life. We are interested in the big stuff, the trivial stuff, the fun stuff, the stuff the breaks your heart - the stuff that makes life worth living.

How are we doing this exactly?
Anyone interested in being in the film, can apply to take part here on this website. You will be able to tell the world about yourself and the journey you would like to take via video, just text or photos. You can canvas for support across Facebook, Twitter or wherever you want. People can view all of these journeys here too and rate and comment on their favourites. The top rated, most popular journeys will make up the cast shortlist.

We have a fantastic, award-winning director on board, who together with a team of bloggers will pick the final cast from the shortlist and away we go.

There will be many stories shared and in turn we will share everything filmed online so you can unite the stories that were most important to you in your own way.

When?
You can apply to be in the film from the 4th February until 19th March. We’ll announce the selected journeys on the 5th April and we set out on the road filming on Saturday 1st May.

Link;
http://liveeverylitre.com/

Honda Cars : Honda CR-Z (2010): details of Euro version | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

More details emerged today on the European-spec Honda CR-Z hybrid coupé. It’s the big news on the Honda stand at the 2010 Geneva motor show – and they’ve now confirmed the all-important emissions and economy figures for this greener sports car.

The new CR-Z achieves 56.4mpg and pumps out 117g/km of CO2, says Honda. Like the Japanese market car, the Euro CR-Z can be ordered in 2+2 guise, although the rear seats are best left for more petite passengers.

What else is new on the European Honda CR-Z (2010)?
This hybrid coupé is based on the hardware of the Honda Insight petrol-electric saloon, so don’t get carried away with all this sports car chat. The two share the same 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine and IMA hybrid tech.

To import a degree of athleticism, Honda will equip European CR-Z cars with a three-mode drive system, to tailor the steering, throttle response and degree of electric boost. Drivers pick full performance mode, a dedicated eco setting or Normal.

One telltale giveaway on EU-spec cars is the day time running lights; eight LEDs bring the bottom blade of the headlamps to life 24/7.

When can I buy a new Honda CR-Z?

The CR-Z arrives in summer 2010; prices will be announced at Geneva.

Source;
http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/News/Search-Results/First-Official-Pictures/Honda-CR-Z-2010-more-details-of-Euro-version/

Honda Cars : truTV Super Bowl ad featuring Troy Polamalu Groundhog Day | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

For those of you that don't know, I'm a Steelers fan (been so since Bettis came over from the Rams), stumbled across this and thought I might share a laugh with you.