2008 Honda Accord Sedan & Coupe Caught Undisguised

Our blog-pals over at Jalopnik managed to obtain a whole set of images from Brenda Priddy & Co who caught the 2008 Honda Accord Sedan and its Coupe sibling without a trace of camouflage during a photo shoot for a Canadian brochure. To be honest, I’m not at all impressed by the ’08 Accord’s unoriginal design -not that it will influence buyers in any way, but aren’t you tired of Honda's looking like Hyundai's which look like Toyota's? The coupe kinda looks better, though obviously less aggressively designed than the Detroit concept. Expect the ’08 Accord to be offered with a base 180Hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and a 270Hp 3.5-liter V6 unit. PS-The ’08 Accord viewed here shouldn’t be confused with the upcoming European model.

Via: Jalopnik

Honda Considering Making A New Mini In India

Why? Simply because India is an emerging market that will soon rival China in significance and small cars make up 75% of that market. More importantly, because India’s dominant carmaker, Suzuki enjoys a whopping 50 percent market share compared to Honda’s bashful 5,5 percent. Up until now, Honda’s line-up in India is limited to four “upper-scale” models like the Accord and Civic.

According to Honda execs, the mini that they’re considering developing will also appeal to buyers in other markets like Europe, China and Asia -excluding Japan as Honda has its own line-up of Kei-cars in its home market. Although information is limited for the time being, we’re guessing that the Japanese carmaker will develop a mini car smaller in size than the Jazz / Fit that could also help Honda compete against the Toyota - PSA trio Aygo, C1 & 107 in the European market.

Via: Bloomberg

Honda UK Presents New Accord Sport GT

Starting off from September, Honda UK will enhance its Accord range with the Sport GT 2.2 i-CTDi (140Hp). The Sport GT’s exterior appearance is enhanced by dark chrome door handles and front grille, 17-inch (Saloon) or 16-inch (Tourer) alloy wheels in dark graphite finish, a rear boot spoiler, smoked headlights and foglights. Additionally, the Japanese carmaker offers a premium white pearl paint option that’s exclusive to this model. Inside, Honda added a carbon-effect inlay fitted within the dashboard and centre console and red illuminated dials. The Sport GT will go on sale in the UK from 1 September, priced from: £20,767 ($41.000 or €30.800).

Along with the Sport GT Honda UK also announced a new entry-level edition of the Accord 2.2 i-CTDi dubbed “SE”. Priced at £18,600 ($36.700 or €27.500) the SE is equipped among others, with 16-inch alloys, stability assist, 6-speed gearbox and Bluetooth Hands Free Telephone. -Detailed press release after the jump

WHITE HOT GT JOINS ACCORD RANGE

High spec sporty model unveiled alongside ‘Price Fighter’ SE

Two new versions of the Accord will be launched in September to help Honda battle for honors in the competitive D-sector saloon market.

Sales of the Accord are on the increase in 2007, with fleet sales already up by 68 per cent – and the car continues to win industry awards for its refinement, handling and practicality. But customer feedback has urged Honda to launch two new grades of the model in the UK.

“The Accord always finishes near the top of owner surveys, which shows that its drivers love the car,” says Bernard Bradley, Head of Sales for Honda (UK). “But our dealers tell us new buyers – especially those from the corporate sector – want a version that combines the advanced technology offered by high-end models, with more of the sporting features from other Accords in the range.”

The result is the new Sport GT, an Accord that delivers sharp, nimble handling with performance car styling and high-grade equipment.

The new Accord Sport GT 2.2 i-CTDi features as standard:

• Dark Chrome door handles and front grille
• 17-inch (Saloon) or 16-inch (Tourer) alloy wheels in Dark Graphite finish
• Premium White Pearl paint option – exclusive to this model
• Sports suspension
• Rear boot spoiler, smoked headlights, and foglights
• Carbon-effect inlay fitted within the dashboard and centre console
• Red illuminated dials
• Voice-activated Satellite Navigation system
• Premium Audio system that includes a 6CD changer
• Cruise control
• Bluetooth Hands Free Telephone
• Tourer fitted with rear section privacy glass

The Sport GT is on sale from 1 September, priced from: £20,767 (OTR).

‘Price Fighter’ SE

The new diesel-engined Accord SE – powered by Honda’s much-lauded
2.2-litre i-CTDi engine – has been developed as an entry-level diesel Accord, specifically to act as a ‘Price Fighter’.

Bernard Bradley continues: “This new keenly-priced car continues the theme of Accord, which has always been to offer a high-spec saloon with the quality you’d expect from a Honda – but at an extremely competitive price, with low running costs. If you’re talking about value for money, the Accord SE beats most cars in the sector, even the new arrivals.”

The diesel SE may be priced at a highly competitive £18,600 (OTR), but it’s remarkably well-equipped – with 16-inch alloys, stability assist, 6-speed gearbox and Bluetooth Hands Free Telephone all fitted as standard.

Not only that, but with the cleaner, low-consumption 2.2-litre i-CTDi engine on board and the low list price, benefit in kind is reduced – meaning lower costs for company car users.

Honda NSX II Test-Mule Spotted In Nurburgring

Despite what you may think, what you’re looking at the above photo isn’t some sort of a long-wheel base S2000 but, according to the Swedish edition of AMS, a test mule for Honda’s second generation NSX supercar. Caught in action lapping the Nordschleife in Germany, the test car allegedly wears a front mounted V10 engine powering all four wheels -the first generation NSX had a mid-engine (V6), rear-wheel drive layout. As for looks, according to our information, Honda will present a near-to-production concept at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show in October heavily based on the 2007 NAIAS prototype, Acura “Advanced Sports Car Concept” (pics below). Via: AMS

Technorati: Honda, Honda+NSX, cars, autos, vehicles

Honda NSX: Europe’s Largest NSX Gathering At Castle Combe, UK

Saying largest, don’t go thinking any outrageous numbers; in all, 43 NSX’s were brought together at last weekend’s JapFest show at Castle Combe in the UK. James Taylor, from the online-based NSX Club Britain, said: "This was our first ever stand at a large event and everyone was blown away by the sheer number of cars that turned up. Some people had traveled all the way down from Scotland and Northern Ireland to be there."

Honda’s UK arm contributed to the pack of NSXs with its own, rare version of the car; a G-plate NSX, registered in 1990, which is thought to be the second NSX ever brought to the UK. However, the specific car’s most important claim is that it was once driven by the one and only, Ayrton Senna on a visit to Honda UK. -Continued: Click “Read More…” below

FAQs

The NSX made its debut in 1990 as a genuine mid-engine sports car with an all-aluminium monocoque body – a world’s first for a production vehicle at the time. The NSX continued to evolve, with performance improvements including increased displacement, a 6-speed manual transmission, enhanced aerodynamic performance, and different tyre sizes, along with the addition of the NSX-T open-top model and the NSX-R sports model with further enhanced driving performance. One of the first true sports cars to adopt clean emissions measures, the NSX succeeded in combining exhilarating driving performance with superior environmental performance. As a result, the NSX achieved total worldwide sales of over 18,000 units during the 15 years it was in production.

The History of the NSX

• Feb. 1989 NS-X mid-engine sports car prototype introduced at the Chicago Auto Show
• Oct. 1989 NS-X exhibited at the Tokyo Motor Show
• Aug. 1990 Acura NSX went on sale in the US
• Sept. 1990 NSX went on sale in Japan
• 1991 “Owners’ Meetings”, designed to enhance driving skills, inaugurated
• Jan. 1992 Custom order interior and body colour plan introduced; its range later expanded.
• Nov. 1992 Pure sports model Type-R added to the line-up
• Feb. 1993 Minor model change (addition of passenger-side SRS airbags, other enhanced equipment)
• 1993 “Refresh Plan” introduced as premium service for maturing vehicles
• Feb. 1994 Minor model change (16/17-inch aluminium wheels, reinforced brake pads)
• Mar. 1995 Minor model change (Drive-By-Wire electronic control, F-Matic manual-feel automatic transmission, open-top Type-T added to line-up)
• Feb. 1997 Minor model change (3.2-litre manual transmission model, 6-speed manual transmission, introduction of Type-S)
• Sept. 1999 Minor model change (reduced exhaust emissions, enhanced equipment)
• Dec. 2001 Minor model change (exterior design changes, 17-inch tyres front and back)
• May 2002 New NSX Type-R model introduced
• Oct. 2003 Minor model change (Immobiliser, new body colours)
• Sept. 2005 Production of European model ends

Technorati: Honda, Honda+NS-X, cars, Carscoop, blogs, automotive, vehicles

2007 Australian Annual Cost Of Vehicle Ownership Survey

An Australian survey concerning vehicle ownership cost? As strange as it may seem, not only do we like knowing that Lexus is Japanese and Land Rover is British (…), but we also find interesting totally useless stuff like how many bucks will an Aussie block pay to own his 6cylinder Commodore or Falcon. For the record, your average Mike will pay 233.40 & 229.13 AUD par week respectively that translates to €142.1 & 139.5 and $191.2 & 187.7 again, respectively.

The Royal Automobile Club of Victoria’s (RACV) conducted this particular survey and the calculations include the cost of financing the vehicle, depreciation (hence the high numbers we mentioned above), as well as operating costs including scheduled services, registration, insurance, fuel, tyres, etc. We don’t know why, but the Aussies only included Australian and Japanese carmakers along with a couple of Kia’s and Hyundai’s. Follow the jump (click "Read More...") to check out analytical ownership costs per vehicle category.

Key to the tables

Standing costs include those incurred on a periodical basis, such as depreciation in the value of the vehicle, interest on the loan, registration, driver’s license and RACV roadside assistance membership.

Running costs include those that result primarily from usage of the vehicle, such as fuel, tyre replacement, service and repairs.

Total Costs combine both Standing and Running costs. They are calculated as an average, based on costs incurred over the first five years of ownership and 15,000 km annual travel distance.

Via: RACV

Honda Attacks Canadian Government Over Low Consumption Rebate Policy

For those of you how have might missed the story, the Canadian Government issued earlier this year an eco-rebate system that provides a refund of up to $2,000 for cars that have an avg, consumption of less than 6.5-liters per 100km, but nothing to those above that line. Honda’s Fit (Jazz in Europe) boasts an avg. consumption of 6.6-litres per 100km while Toyota’s Yaris achieves a 6.4-liters figure, thus, qualifying for a $1.000 CND rebate which helped its sales climb 15% in April (vs Fit’s 1% decline).

One plus one makes two and Honda Canada didn’t stick around with its thumb up its fuel pump. Starting off from Saturday, March 19, 2007, Honda is publishing an open letter on all Canadian newspapers criticizing the government's rebate program. According to Honda, consumers shouldn’t have to choose between an ecoAuto rebate and vehicles that offer the right balance of safety and environmental responsibility. Simply put, Honda’s saying our car has slightly higher avg. consumption over the Yaris cause its safer -U.S. regulators gave the Fit five-star crash worthiness, compared with a four-star rating for the Yaris.

We could give them a point there, but then again, let’s say the Canadian Government changed its decision announcing eco-rebates for all cars with an avg. consumption of less than 7.0-litres per 100 km. How many car manufactures would pop-up the next day repeating Honda’s accusations? Via:Autoblog.com , Source: theglobeandmail

Honda Civic Type-R Heading to Australia this June

Not exactly “new” news as despite the fact that we just read about Honda Australia’s decision to import the 2008 Civic Type R hatch on Just-Auto’s website today, a quick search on Honda’s down-under website revealed that the announcement was made about…2 months ago. Nevertheless, since we missed it –yes shame on us but at least give us credit for being honest, its “redness” will find its way for the first time out of the Europe this June when the UK built Civic Type-R hatch sets sail for Australia. We remind you that the 3door / 5door versions of the 2008 Civic have been confined up to now to their European quarters, but apart from Australia, Russia will also get a taste of the Civic hatch later this year. Via: Just Auto & Honda Australia

Technorati: Honda+Civic+Type+R, Australia, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs, 2007

Honda Bar-Stool Racer - Don't Drink And Sit...

Before you start scratching your head just like we did when we first saw this strange looking “creature” let us explain what it is in a simple way; it’s a… bar stool on a square chassis fitted with a 600cc Honda engine underneath it –something like a drunk man’s kart. Apparently, the hip 4wheeler is not one of a kind as we even found a racing site devoted to these weird looking boy-toy. This one in particular is for sale on ebay with the seller setting the starting price at 13.900 USD / 10.200 EUR. -More Pictures after the jump

Technorati: Honda, Bar+Stool+Racer, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop, blogs, 2007, images, pictures

Do it like dad: Honda Type R Child Seat

We feel kinda stupid for admitting it but we’re suckers when it comes to gadgets like this JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) only, Type R child-seat that Honda launched as part of the accessory list for its recently released, 225Hp Civic Type R Sedan. Available for all you lucky Japanese folks at Honda dealerships for 44.100 YEN - about 371 USD or 273 EUR.

Technorati: Honda+Civic+Type+R, child+seats, ISOFIX, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs, 2007

Honda Civic Type R-R 260Hp – True or False?

We have to admit that we were caught unguarded when we first saw Autoexpress’ article on the first drive of the 260Hp Honda Civic Type R-R this morning. We had heard rumours but to see a magazine driving a car that hasn’t even been seen on spy-pics let alone on a press-kit, was to say at least, strange. -Continued: Click “Read More…” below

A thorough check on all Honda websites and a few PR phone-calls later we were still left in the black. And then we remembered: the JAS Motorsport developed, FIA Group N and Group A homologated Civic Type R (our pics). A closer look at Autoexpress' images reveals interesting details like the roof air-intake and the bonnet clips. So unless the Brit mag got the “scoop” of the year or they got their hands on a still unreleased, UK Honda developed special version, I’d say they just drove JAS Motorsport’s race edition and just “forgot” to mention it... Check out Autoexpress' article here and tell us your opinion. Pics Via: JAS Motorsport

Technorati: Honda, Honda+Civic_Type+R-R, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop, blogs, 2007, images, pictures

2008 Honda Accord Coupe Scooped

Honda’s upcoming 2008 Accord Coupe has been caught on camera performing test-runs somewhere in the States by a reader at Howardforums. Actually, the reader managed to capture two test-cars with his phone-camera giving us a pretty good idea of what to expect later on the year when Honda introduces the car to the American market. In comparison with the Detroit Auto Show concept, seems like Honda remained relatively faithful to the prototype. -Click “Read More…” below for more images


Source: Howardforums , Via: Leblogauto

Technorati: Honda+Accord+Coupe, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop, blogs, 2007, images, pictures

Video: 2008 Honda S2000CR

Just seeing Honda’s lightweight S2000CR makes me want to grab a pair of gloves and a helmet and head straight to the closest race-track… In case you missed our latest post on the S2000CR click here -press release and high-res image gallery included.

Technorati: Honda+S2000CR, New+York+International+Auto+Show, NYAIS, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop, blogs, 2007, images, pictures

Honda S2000CR: New York debut for lightweight, race-inspired version

Honda USA’s vice president says it all about the S2000CR;"The S2000 CR is the closest thing you can get to a Honda-built racecar with license plate holders and a horn”. We might not be too fond about the full-body aerodynamic package but according to Honda, it helps reduce lift. Even more importantly the race-spec CR feautures aggressive suspension settings, increased body and chassis rigidity and weight reduction through the replacement of the soft-top with an aluminium hardtop (-90 pounds or 41kg)as well as the removal of etxra’s like A/C & the stereo system.

Although we’re not so sure about the A/C we don’t give a rat’s merde about the Stereo; we’ll do fine with the rpm-crazy 237Hp 2.2 VTEC that remains untouched. The S2000 CR will be available as an entirely new S2000 trim level when it goes on sale in the fall of 2007.-Click “Read More…” below to see a high-res image gallery & the press release

PRESS RELEASE: Coming to a Track Near You: Club Racer-Inspired 2008 Honda S2000 CR

Prototype Makes World Debut at the New York International Auto Show

04/04/2007 - NEW YORK - The club racer-inspired 2008 Honda S2000 CR Prototype making its world debut at the New York International Auto Show introduces a higher level of track-worthy performance and style to the S2000 roadster, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today.

The S2000 CR will be available as an entirely new S2000 trim level when it goes on sale in the fall of 2007. The lighter, stiffer and more aggressive overall design is engineered to maximize the S2000's potential on a racetrack with the goal of substantially-improving track times, chassis balance and feel. The factory-tuned roadster provides highly-aggressive suspension settings, increased body and chassis rigidity, overall weight reduction and an aerodynamic body kit dialed-in for reduced lift. An aluminum hardtop replaces the convertible soft top as standard equipment.

"The S2000 CR is the closest thing you can get to a Honda-built racecar with license plate holders and a horn," said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "Its features and equipment are designed to appeal to weekend club racing enthusiasts."

The full-body aerodynamic package reduces lift through large and highly-tuned front and rear spoilers. Exclusive chassis features include a quicker steering ratio, Bridgestone Potenza RE070 tires, a wider rear tire size, firmer springs and dampers, larger stabilizer bars and a new wheel design in a dark gray color.

Substantial structural bracing has been added to the storage area previously occupied by the soft top, resulting in additional rigidity. The aluminum hard top replaces the soft top of the conventional S2000, resulting in an overall weight savings of approximately 90 pounds when removed (relative to the current S2000).

The exclusive interior is highlighted by unique cloth seating surfaces with yellow stitching, a unique spherical aluminum shifter and carbon fiber-style trim panels. Air conditioning and an AM/FM Stereo with CD player are optional equipment. Standard features for the S2000 include 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels, ABS and Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA). While VSA serves to effectively enhance driver control during acceleration, braking, and cornering, the system can be disabled with the touch of a button when conditions warrant it.

Widely considered the quintessential roadster-style sports car, the S2000 is the performance icon for the Honda brand and combines uncompromising racetrack-ready performance with everyday usability. The S2000 rewards driving enthusiasts with a potent 2.2-liter, 16-valve DOHC VTEC® 4-cylinder engine and a precise, short throw 6-speed manual transmission, along with tenacious handling and a perfect 50/50 weight balance.

The renowned high-revving engine delivers 237 horsepower at 7,800 rpm and 162 lb-ft. of torque at 6,800 rpm. Perfectly complimenting the engine's output characteristics is a compact, longitudinally-mounted, close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission that features a direct linkage for precise shifting and quick throws. Combined with a front and rear double wishbone suspension, precise electric power steering, and a torque-sensing limited slip differential, the end result is a complete, no compromise, performance package for the enthusiast driver.

Technorati: Honda+S2000CR, New+York+International+Auto+Show, NYAIS, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop, blogs, 2007, images, pictures