Will the 2015 Honda Civic Type R Spawn the Next Generation Honda CRZ?

by  Viknesh Vijayenthiran of www.motorauthority.com

Honda is hard at work developing a new hot hatch with 276 horsepower derived from a turbocharged 2.0-liter four and directed to the front wheels only. The car is the latest version of the Civic Type R that the rest of the world enjoys, but as with the previous generation the new one will be skipping the U.S. market.

Part of the reason is due to our Civic being different to the one sold elsewhere. Furthermore, the Civic is seen as an econo car over here so Honda may be reluctant to launch a Civic-based model as its performance flagship locally.

But the U.S. is still Honda’s biggest market and the automaker will need some sportier models if it wants to rebuild its faded performance image and lure back buyers that may have opted for top models like the Ford Focus ST, Mazdaspeed 3, Volkswagen GTI and Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ twins.

That’s where a redesigned CR-Z, sharing a platform with the Civic Type R, fits in.

A source has revealed to Car Sales that Honda is keen to launch a redesigned CR-Z based on the bones of its 276-horsepower Civic Type R, should a second-generation CR-Z be approved for production. In fact, a prototype is alleged to have already been built.

The prototype version is said to feature a direct-injected and turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with the current CR-Z’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system. A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is also said to have replaced both the CVT and manual options of the current CR-Z. Peak output of this prototype is said to be around 221 horsepower, a significant leap over the current car’s paltry 130-horsepower rating.

Should production be approved, the car could be on sale within two years. Stay tuned for an update.

Source;
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1086960_will-the-2015-civic-type-r-spawn-the-next-cr-z

2015 Acura NSX Prototype Spied On a Real Racetrack

by  Evan McCausland of www.automobilemag.com

Until now, we’d only laid eyes on various 2015 Acura NSX concepts and prototypes on auto show stands or rolling in virtual reality. But, thanks to these photos, posted this morning to Acura’s social media channels, we have our first look at the 2015 NSX rolling on a road course.

According to Acura’s Twitter feed, this new NSX prototype will perform a public lap of the Mid-Ohio road course track on August 4th, just prior to the Honda Indy 200 IndyCar race.

We’re not sure yet if the 2015 NSX’s setting signifies its forthcoming manufacturing home in Ohio, or is somehow related to the NSX’s future in racing . The first point is officially on the record, and the second possibility is something of a poorly-kept secret. When the initial Acura NSX concept was unveiled at the 2012 Detroit auto show, Honda CEO Takanobu Ito openly suggested the 2015 NSX could spawn a racing variant.

In all likelihood, we suspect the 2015 NSX will be the basis for several racing variants. A release issued by Honda this March focused on the automaker’s partnership with Magnetti Marelli for IndyCar powertrain components, but suggested the relationship would also extend to a Honda entry in the FIA’s World Endurance Challenge — the same series that includes the 24 Hours of Le Mans – and the newly combined American Le Mans / Grand-Am series by 2014. Meanwhile, a user on motorsports forum www.ten-tenths.org posted photos yesterday of what it claims is an NSX racer designed for Japan’s Super GT series.

Both ideas seem to gel with what Steve Eriksen, vice president of Honda Performance Development, told Speed.com in 2012, fresh off the heels of the NSX concept’s debut in Detroit.


“We’re studying the various series and seeing what would make sense,” he said. “There’s certainly regional series that have been traditional NSX venues; Honda has raced in Super GT for years and in the past been NSX-based.

“In America, there’s only a couple of sports car options, but certainly, I think Le Mans is ultimately where it makes great sense to have a car to show its prowess. But I think it all depends on where the regulations go in the future.”

We’ve heard whispers that a formal announcement regarding the 2015 Acura NSX’s future in motorsports is due shortly, so stay tuned to Automobilemag.com for the latest NSX news.


Source;
http://rumors.automobilemag.com/2015-acura-nsx-spied-on-a-real-racetrack-236275.html#photos-hanger

2013 Acura TL Special Edition

The current-generation Acura TL sedan has been around longer than many of its competitors, so, for the 2013 model year, the automaker is introducing a new special-edition model. Simply called the 2013 Acura TL Special Edition, the car takes a couple features from higher-trim TLs, but at the comparatively lower price of $38,300 including destination.

The $38,300 Acura TL Special Edition is $1500 more than the base-model 2013 TL and $2230 less than the front-drive TL with the Technology package. Unlike the base-model TL and its 17-inch wheels, the special-edition Acura rolls on flashier 10-spoke 18-inch wheels that look similar to accessory wheels the automaker separately offers for $2260. The 2013 TL Special Edition also gets the Technology package’s decklid spoiler and hands-free keyless access. Acura’s version of the technology recognizes which of the two key fobs are being used, and adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel, side-view mirrors, climate control, and sound system to a profile the owner has pre-programmed.

The 2013 Acura TL Special Edition will be available in the four colors with a black leather interior: Bellanova White Pearl, Crystal Black Pearl, Graphite Luster Metallic, and Silver Moon Metallic. Power comes from a 280-hp 3.5-liter V-6 and the special-edition front-drive TL uses a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters. An all-wheel-drive model is powered by a 305-hp 3.7-liter V-6, which is mated to a six-speed automatic or manual transmission.

When we drove the refreshed 2012 TL in SH-AWD Advance trim, we said it “manages to blend impeccable comfort with enthusiastic performance” but noted the car wasn’t quite as athletic as the BMW 3 Series or Volvo S60.

Other standard equipment on the 2013 Acura TL Special Edition includes a 10-way driver’s seat, eight-way power passenger seat, eight-speaker sound system, and a high-resolution Multi-Information Display. The special-edition model makes the TL far more affordable to those who want the Technology package’s bigger wheels and hands-free keyless entry, but the navigation system and rear-view camera are only available on TLs with the Technology package and higher trims.

Acura TL sales through the first five months of this year are down 15.3 percent compared to the same period last year, and rumors suggest that in the 2015 model year, the TL and TSX lines may merge to form a new TLX model. For now, potential Acura TL customers who want bigger wheels and hands-free keyless access can consider the special-edition model, which is now on sale.


Source;
http://rumors.automobilemag.com/acura-introduces-2013-tl-special-edition-228835.html#axzz2VdQSL4WB

Road test: 2013 Honda Accord Coupe EX-L V6

By Nick Tragianis

It does not come as much of a surprise to see that most two-door coupes with mid-sized sedan platforms haven't stood the test of time. Trying to desperately infuse a dose of sportiness into an otherwise boring car, many are little more than less-practical versions of their four-door counterparts.

There is one survivor of this hard-fought battle: The Honda Accord Coupe. It's a rare breed, really. The Toyota Solara, which could cure sleep apnea merely by looking at it, is long gone, and 2013 marks the final year for Nissan's short-lived two-door Altima. In some regards, Honda has the front-wheel-drive two-door coupe market all to itself.

As heinous as the thought may be, we can't help but wonder why it still exists. With the penultimate decline of manual transmissions and a lack of interest for this type of configuration from the general public and enthusiasts alike, it's easy to question Honda’s logic in offering the Accord Coupe. I'm scared to imagine its sales figures compared to the sedan, let alone for the top-of-the-line model with a manual transmission.

It pumps out a healthy 278 horsepower and 252 pound-feet of torque from its 3.5-litre V6 engine. The problem is, it sends those horses and torques to the wrong axle compared to the likes of the rear-wheel-drive six-cylinder Hyundai Genesis Coupe, Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang, which all fall into our tester's price bracket. Contrary to what the coupe body style may have historically suggested, the two-door Accord doesn't exactly scream sporty at first.

Outside, it is much more refined than the lamented eighth-generation Accord. The chiseled edges have been softened while proportions are sleeker; the ninth-generation Accord is smaller than the outgoing model after all. The 18-inch wheels, sweeping roofline and C-pillar, along with the narrow headlights and taillights certainly make the car understated and decidedly mature. The amount of chrome may be polarizing to some, what with the grille and various trim pieces all around, but it adds to the car's understated appeal.

Still, it doesn't come across as sporty, but the interior helps a bit. The cabin feels tight and the low-slung seating position is surprisingly driver-oriented, something completely unexpected in the Accord Coupe. The seats themselves are comfortable and supportive, and the cabin is bright thanks to its two-tone leather seats, and piano black and silver trim pieces.

The layout has been thoroughly reworked for 2013 with top-notch materials all around. The dashboard is soft to the touch, and while there are some areas with hard plastic, they are solid and far from cheap. As with any two-door coupe, the doors are rather large, and in the same breath, some may find them to be heavy and cumbersome, especially with its low seating position.

Forward visibility is superb, yet the thick C-pillar creates a significant blind spot when looking back. Not to worry, though, as our particular tester is equipped with what Honda calls LaneWatch: a camera mounted on the passenger side mirror that does wonders for changing lanes or sharp right turns. When it is activated by the turn signal or a button on the stalk, it relays the information onto one of two screens on the centre stack. Yes, the Accord has two screens, which is terribly redundant considering they can both be set up to display the information.

So, with a sleek yet understated exterior, a refined interior and 278 horsepower sent to the front wheels, where is the Accord's inherent sportiness associated to two-door coupes? Better yet, why does this car still exist in Honda's lineup?

The answers to both questions lie within the bright red start button. Honda could have opted for a more sedate colour — black or grey, for instance — in keeping with the Accord Coupe's refined character. But it didn't. Press the button and the car comes to life, omitting a surprisingly menacing burble from the two chrome exhaust tips out back. Yes, an eyebrow-raising burble, like a beast awakening within the car.

Grip the S2000-inspired shift knob and things begin to materialize. Like it or not, until the NSX hits dealers in 2015, the Accord Coupe is the most enthusiast-oriented car up Honda's sleeve. The Accord's shifter clicks into each gear with long yet tight throws, and the slightly early clutch bite makes it easy to hoon about. Steering is well weighted — not too light yet not too heavy. Considering the power steering system is electronic rather than hydraulic, there is a decent amount of feedback from the front wheels to the driver. As the revs climb and the engine rumbles, it's clear the Accord Coupe has a split personality.

That is, until torque steer comes into play under spirited acceleration, a common occurrence with many front-drivers. It's less of a deterrent and more of a reminder that you're not in a tire-shredding Mustang GT or even Honda's former surgical knife known as the S2000. Rather, you're in a sharp, understated two-door coupe that sometimes likes to have fun, even if it does send power to the wrong axle. Maybe it doesn't make sense from a bean counter or a gear head perspective, but the Accord Coupe is the closest we can get to a Honda with muscle.

Type of vehicle: Front-wheel-drive two-door coupe
Engine: 3.5-litre SOHC six-cylinder with i-VTEC
Power: 278 hp @ 6,200 rpm; 252 lb-ft of torque @ 4,900 rpm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Brakes: Four-wheel disc with ABS and Electronic Brake Distribution
Tires: P235/45/R18
Base price/as tested: $35,445/$35,445
Destination charge: $1,640
Fuel economy L/100 km: 11.5 city, 7.1 highway

Standard features: Six-speed manual, ABS, stability control, traction control, EcoAssist, electric power steering, LaneWatch blind-spot monitor, back-up camera, forward-collision warning and lane-departure alert, LED headlights and daytime running lights, rear lip spoiler, 18-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, chrome door handles and exhaust tips, heated and power-adjustable mirrors with integrated turn signals, keyless entry with push-button start, power door locks and mirrors, AM/FM/CD/AUX premium audio system with seven speakers and 8-inch display, GPS navigation, Bluetooth and iPod connectivity, sunroof, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, power-adjustable and heated leather seats and more

Options: Six-speed automatic with paddle-shifters

Source;
http://www.driving.ca/research-car/roadtest/Road+test+2013+Honda+Accord+Coupe/8487957/story.html

Honda History: Car Buzz - Unearthed: 1991 Honda CRX Si

by Jay Traugott of www.carbuzz.com
 

A completely original example of one of the best models Honda has ever built is now up for sale. 

 

There was a time when Honda was considered a rebel in the automotive industry. It didn’t always play by the rules established by larger automakers. Those companies often felt that when it came to cars, bigger was always better. Instead, Honda designed small and medium-sized cars that were very reliable, had solid power outputs from smaller engines, and were a hoot to drive. Today it is claimed, and rightly so, that Honda has lost some of its former magic in its quest to go more mainstream.

While we hope Honda one day manages to rediscover its roots, there was a time when it built one of the best all-around small hatches on the market. It needs little to no introduction but the Honda CRX is unquestionably one of the Japanese marque's finest models. First launched in the US in 1983, the CRX was powered by a 1.3-liter inline-four with just 58 horsepower, which was soon upgraded to 1.5-liters with around 75 hp. But what was truly incredible was its fuel economy numbers. The US-spec CRX HF (High Fuel economy) returned 41 mpg city and 50 mpg highway – and this was more than a decade before the first hybrids began to appear.


On top of this, the CRX was still wicked fun to drive thanks to that peppy engine and five-speed manual gearbox. The second-gen model launched in 1988 and while its exterior design wasn’t all that dramatically different, Honda made some major changes under the skin. For starters, the CRX switched to a full independent wishbone suspension and fuel injection engines, which ranged from 1.5 to 1.6 liters. Outside of the US, however, Honda offered buyers an optional 1.6-liter VTEC inline-four that was good for 150 hp. The CRX was only the second Honda model to receive a VTEC engine; the Acura Integra came first.

The very fact Honda had the balls to put such an advanced and powerful engine in a small and unfriendly family car, even if it was overseas, says a lot about its rebelliousness. Try to picture an American automaker at that time, take Chevy for example, putting a state-of-the-art, fuel efficient high-output four-pot in the old Cavalier three-door hatchback: That car had a choice of two thirsty and uninspiring four-cylinders and a V6 option. US buyers could also opt for the CRX Si, which came with a 1.6-liter unit that eventually produced up to 108 horsepower and was mated to a five-speed manual.

A third-generation CRX came in 1992, but it was officially called the Civic del Sol. Silly name aside, it featured a targa top roof and wasn’t met with the same enthusiasm amongst fans as the first two gen models were. In 1997 however, the del Sol was discontinued, thereby ending the CRX lineage. Honda tried to pass off the current CRZ hybrid as the spiritual successor to the old CRX but that car simply failed to capture the spirit of the original, despite it being the first hybrid to offer a manual gearbox. Today, the CRX still has a loyal following with many owners driving their cars with minimal mechanical problems.

This 1991 CRX Si that’s currently up for sale on eBay has just 39,000 miles on the clock and is completely original with no modifications. Power comes from that wonderful naturally-aspirated 1.6-liter inline-four mated to a five-speed manual. The car’s second and current owner bought it from its original eighty-year-old owner around a year ago and has kept it in pristine shape. It comes with the original owner’s and service manuals as well as an unused jack, spare and toolkit. As of writing, the top bid was $12,100 so it’s clear that people are willing to pay a solid amount for an all-original CRX in top condition.

 

Source: cgi.ebay.com

 

Source;

http://www.carbuzz.com/news/2013/3/16/Unearthed-1991-Honda-CRX-Si-7713369/