2014 BTCC Honda copies 90's Volvo by having an Estate as their new car

Honda Yuasa Racing will be back in the 2014 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) with the same championship-winning team and driver line-up, but this time with an eye-catching all new Honda.

Next March will see the track debut of the new Civic Tourer race car – the only estate car on the BTCC grid - with Honda Yuasa Racing drivers Matt Neal and Gordon ‘Flash’ Shedden in the hunt for yet more titles. The team have their sights set firmly on a clean sweep of titles after the Honda Civics secured both the teams’ and manufacturers’ crowns for the fourth year in a row with Matt and Flash narrowly missing out on the drivers’ crown in the 2013 season.

Gordon Shedden said: “2013 was an incredibly competitive season in the BTCC with the championship battle going right down to the wire! Of course it was disappointing not to retain the drivers title but we’re looking forward to what I’m sure will be a strong year for the team in 2014 - and more excitingly, with a new car. It might be a Tourer, but it’s still a Civic, the car that has won every championship in BTCC for the last three seasons. I’m really looking forward to the challenge of next season, and to seeing what the Tourer can do on race day.”

Matt Neal added: “We’re all confident that the car can continue the long-standing success of the Civic in the championship and very much looking forward to putting it through its paces. Although we’re racing a new model, the inherent advantages of the Civic hatchback from the past two years remain so there’s no reason why this car can’t be a winner straight out of the box! We’ll be testing the car early in the new year and I can’t wait to see it on track.”

Peter Crolla, Team Manager commented: “Racing with the Civic Tourer means no compromise over the Civic hatchback. The weight, wheelbase, layout and suspension remain the same, but naturally, the length of the car is extended due to the larger tailgate. After two competitive seasons in the BTCC with the hatchback, it will be an interesting challenge to ensure the Tourer keeps Matt, Flash and the team at the head of the championships throughout next season. We’ve worked hard over the past few months to develop the first car which will be completed as we head towards the new year, with the first run scheduled for early January.”

Phil Crossman, Managing Director, Honda (UK) concluded: “We wanted to add a new challenge to the mix and really show what Honda and the team can do. By racing the new Tourer after several years with the Civic hatchback we can really showcase our growing range and demonstrate that the versatility and practicality of a Tourer doesn’t compromise dynamic performance. We are only four months away from the start of the 2014 season and I can’t wait to see the cars out on the track. They’re going to look great and there’s no doubt in my mind that they will win races.”

Testing of the new model commences in January ahead of its race debut at Brands Hatch for the first round of the 2014 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship on 29/30 March.

You can follow the Honda Yuasa Racing Team’s exploits on Facebook and Twitter www.facebook.com/HondaYuasaRacing and www.twitter.com/hondaracingbtcc.

Designed and developed in Europe, the British-built Civic Tourer delivers distinctive styling, class-leading utility, advanced technology and an impressive balance between fuel economy and performance. Available to order from the beginning of December and arriving in dealerships in February 2014, prices start at £20,265 OTR for the entry level 1.8 i-VTEC S model.

Latest Civic Tourer débuts with impressive versatility and magic seats.

• Available to order from the beginning of December and arriving in dealerships in February 2013
• Built at Honda’s state of the art manufacturing facility in Swindon
• Impressive versatility with 624 litres of boot space and Honda’s unique Magic Seats
• Available with two engines – 1.8 i-VTEC petrol and 1.6 i-DTEC diesel
• Earth Dreams Technology 1.6 i-DTEC diesel engine offers low running costs with 74.3mpg and from 99 g/km of CO2 emissions 
• Rear Adaptive Damper System - a world first technology
• New suite of innovative safety technologies 
• Prices start at £20,265 OTR for the entry level 1.8 i-VTEC S model

Designed and developed in Europe, the British built Civic Tourer delivers distinctive styling, class-leading utility, advanced technology and an impressive balance between fuel economy and performance. With the new model available to order from beginning of December 2013 and arriving in dealerships in February 2014, Honda has announced prices will start from £20,265 OTR for the entry level 1.8 i-VTEC S model.

The Civic Tourer is available with the choice of two engines; the 1.8 i-VTEC petrol and the new Earth Dreams Technology 1.6 i-DTEC diesel and four generously equipped trim levels. The entry level S grade includes features such as Bluetooth Hands Free Telephone (HFT), DAB Radio, USB connectivity and 16 inch allow wheels. In addition to these goodies, the SE Plus, the next level up, has rear parking sensors and 17 inch alloys, whilst SR customers will benefit from the new world first rear Adaptive Damper System (ADS), front heated seats, HDD Navi and privacy glass. Those who opt for the top EX grade will receive headlight washer, smart entry and start capability, sunglasses holder, interior blue ambient lighting and Bi-HID headlights with auto levelling.

Efficient engines
The new 1.6 i-DTEC diesel engine delivers exceptional fuel economy to help keep running costs low without compromising power and performance. The light weight engine provides a punchy 120 PS and 300 Nm of torque with an acceleration time of 0–60mph in 10.1 seconds, while achieving 74.3mpg on the combined cycle. A range of 817 miles on one tank of fuel means less trips to the fuel pumps and CO2 emissions from just 99g/km keeps the car exempt from annual vehicle excise duty.

Honda’s proven and reliable 1.8 i-VTEC petrol engine will be available in both manual and automatic transmission and provides 142 PS and 174 Nm of torque, delivering 45.56mpg on the combined cycle and from 149 g/km of CO2 emissions.

Versatile
The space inside the Tourer defies its dimensions. Despite being the lowest and most compact estate in the segment and being just 235mm longer than the Civic hatchback, the new Tourer offers a class-leading 624 litres of boot space (up to the tonneau cover with rear seats up). Utilising Honda’s unique Magic Seat system, the rear seats can be pulled down to create a completely flat load area with 1668 litres of capacity up to the roof lining,

World First Technology
The significant luggage space is cleverly supported by the Tourer’s newly developed rear Adaptive Damper System (ADS), a world first. The clever system automatically adjusts the rear suspension damping force designed to enhance stability and comfort under the varying load and driving conditions.

New Safety Technology
Another first is the option to add Honda’s new suite of safety technologies to a C-segment car. Based on the philosophy of ‘Safety for Everyone’, this new suite of sensor based active safety systems uses a combination of cameras, short range lidar (laser radar) and radar, to deliver a high standard of safety in all conditions, giving drivers and passengers complete peace of mind. The new Driver Assistance Safety Pack is available as a factory fit option from SE models upwards for £780 and consists of the following:

- City-Brake Active System, specifically designed to help avoid or mitigate low speed accidents
- Forward Collision Warning, which detects the risk of collision by recognising the vehicle directly in front
- High Beam Support System
- Lane Departure Warning 
- Traffic Sign Recognition System.
- Blind Spot Information
- Cross Traffic Monitor

Safety Pack Two is only available on EX models and for an additional £2,500 benefits from all the features in Safety Pack One as well as Automatic Cruise Control and Collision Mitigation Braking System, in place of the City Brake Active System.

Latest Type-R undergoes testing.

Ahead of the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show, Honda has showcased the latest Civic Type R development car at its in-house test track in Tochigi, Japan. The currently camouflaged car is being put through its paces as part of an extensive testing process taking place in Europe and Japan, ahead of its much anticipated launch in 2015.

The Civic Type R will be the first model in Europe to have one of Honda’s all-new VTEC TURBO engines from Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology range. This 2 litre, direct injection, 4-cyclinder turbo engine is expected to have class-leading output in excess of 280PS and will be EURO 6 compliant.

Speaking during recent testing at the Nurburgring, Germany, Honda’s WTCC driver Gabriele Tarquini, gave his first driving impressions ‘The car and the characteristics of the car were fantastic. I was really impressed by the power and the torque of the engine but also by the set-up they achieved…The car is very pointed on the front and very fast to change direction’. ‘This car is very close to my racing car and you can feel very well the DNA of Type R.’

To hear Gabriele Tarquini’s comments in full, please go to the following link - www.myjourneys.com/typer

USA - Honda has record October sales.

Acura Posts over 17-Percent Increase on Record Sales of Truck of the Year Candidate MDX

• CR-V boasts record October sales
• Civic sales up 32.1 percent over October 2012
• Acura light trucks post record October sales on strength of all-new MDX and RDX

American Honda Motor Co., Inc. today reported October 2013 U.S. total sales of 114,538 units, an increase of 7.1 percent compared with October 2012 (up 3.1 percent based on the Daily Selling Rate, or DSR*). Year-to-date sales reached 1,273,550, an increase of 8.5 percent. Honda Division October sales reached 100,242, an increase of 5.7 percent compared to last October. Acura Division posted sales of 14,296, an increase of 17.5 percent compared to October 2012.

Honda

• CR-V surpasses the previous October record set in 2006, with sales of 22,554 up 11.6 percent from October 2012
• Civic sales for October were the best since 2001 and up substantially over the previous year with an impressive 32.1 percent rise, posting sales of 27,328
• Accord posted October sales of 25,162, with America's best-selling retail model handily passing the 300,000-unit mark for year-to-date, up 11.2 percent versus 2012

"Despite consumer uneasiness early in the month, real demand remains strong across the Honda brand and we remain on track to achieve number one retail sales this year for our core models: Civic, Accord, CR-V and Odyssey," said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales at American Honda. "With the all-new Accord Hybrid arriving at dealerships this week and a significantly updated Civic coming later in the year, we anticipate sales will continue to be hot even as the weather cools down heading into winter."

Acura

• Acura posted October sales of 14,296, an increase of 17.5 percent compared to last October with Acura light trucks recording their best October since 2007
• MDX sales set an October monthly record with 5,608 units, up 48.7 percent compared to last October
• RDX also set an October record with sales of 3,333, up 25.3 percent compared to last year
• RLX posted its best sales month since its release in March

"The poise and power of Acura's line of light trucks continues to win over an ever-increasing number of discerning SUV customers," said Jeff Conrad, vice president and general manager of Acura sales. "With MDX recording its best October since 2004 and RDX continuing to set sales records month over month, Acura has the strongest one two punch in the industry."

*The daily selling rate (DSR) is calculated with 27 days for October 2013 and 26 days for October 2012. Year-to-date, the DSR is calculated with 256 days for 2013 and 255 days for 2012. All other percentages in release are unadjusted; see table for adjusted DSR figures.

FRANKFURT - Honda

The 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show provides the setting for Honda to publicly reveal the new Civic Tourer. Developed and designed in Europe, the new Civic Tourer offers class-leading trunk volume of 624 litres (rear seats up, measured up to the tonneau cover), advanced technology and distinctive styling.

The Civic Tourer will be offered with Honda’s 1.6 i-DTEC engine which combines competitive power (120 PS) and 300 Nm of torque with CO² emissions of just 99g/km*, offering an impressive balance of fuel economy and driving performance.

The refreshed Civic hatchback will also be shown for the first time. The car will benefit from exterior and interior refinements that give the Civic an even more distinctive, sportier appearance. The Civic and the Civic Tourer will be built at Honda’s UK manufacturing facility in Swindon and will be launched in early 2014.

Both cars will benefit from a new suite of advanced active safety systems that Honda will introduce for the first time on these models under the Advanced Driving Assist Systems name. These sensor based active safety systems use a combination of cameras and short range lidar (laser radar), and radar technologies to help avoid or mitigate accidents, delivering a high standard of safety for the driver, passengers, pedestrians and other road users in line with Honda’s philosophy of ‘Safety for Everyone’.

Also on display is the CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC unveiled at Geneva earlier this year. The CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC available in two-wheel drive with manual transmission, offers both performance (300Nm of torque and 120 PS) and low CO2 emissions (119 g/km).

Racing is in Honda’s DNA and the coming years herald a return to the brand’s sporty heritage with the introduction of exciting new models and Honda’s return to Formula One (in a joint project with McLaren). In celebration of this and Honda’s current successes in Motorsport across the World, including Moto GP, WTCC, BTCC and Dakar Rally, Honda will showcase a collection of modern and historic racing machines alongside its ultimate supercar, the NSX Concept II first shown in Europe at the Geneva Motor Show earlier in the year. As part of this display, Honda will show the McLaren Honda MP4/4 Heritage F1 Car, the Castrol Honda 2013 WTCC car, the RC213V Race Motorcycle ridden by Stefan Bradl that is currently running in the Moto GP and the 2013 Honda CRF450X Dakar Rally model.

Furthermore, Honda will have on display some if its recently launched motorcycles including the Gold Wing F6B and the NC700X equipped with Honda’s dual clutch transmission.

*Honda internal figures

Honda Civic Tourer
Developed and designed in Europe, allowing Honda’s European R&D team to lead the creative and technical design process, the new Civic Tourer features a sleek and sophisticated exterior profile that does not compromise the car’s practicality. The Civic Tourer delivers exceptional versatility and functionality with class leading interior space of 624 litres (boot volume with the rear seats up, measured up to the tonneau cover).

The Civic Tourer will be offered with the new 1.6 i-DTEC diesel engine from Honda’s Earth Dream’s Technology series. The engine is the lightest in its class, delivering 300 Nm of torque and CO² emissions from just 99g/km*. The Civic Tourer will also be offered with Honda’s 1.8 i-VTEC engine in manual or automatic transmission producing from only 148g* of CO² per km.

A brand new Adaptive Damper System will help to enhance the stability and comfort of the Civic Tourer under varying load and driving conditions and new advanced Active Safety features to deliver a high standard of safety.

Functionality & Form: No compromise on design or space
“I am very proud of the Civic Tourer’s sporty, sleek and dynamic proportions, which somewhat hide the car’s true functionality and versatility. To achieve true utility on a compact car, you have to consider how to make the most of the space in the cabin, which generally also affects the design. Due to the clever platform of the Civic, we had freedom to optimise the package. The end result is a car that has almost a sports-car silhouette. For me, the strength of the car is the synergy of functionality, versatility, and dynamic expression.” Adrian Killham, Large Project Leader, Civic Tourer.

The exterior design of the Civic Tourer is sophisticated and sporty, its style is defined by a bold line that runs continuously from the front A-pillar to the D-pillar creating the impression of a floating roof line.

The development team for the Civic Tourer concentrated on new ways to interpret this section of the car to deliver a premium feeling and character. The glass of the rear quarter window has been extended to cover the body work of the D-pillar and the rear door sash has been raised by 17mm compared to the Civic hatchback to enable this bold styling line and creating an elegant look.

“At first glance it is clear that the Civic Tourer does not look like other Wagons. Recently-launched cars have tended to follow a similar style. The Civic Tourer has a different balance and appeal.” Adrian Killham, Large Project Leader, Civic Tourer.

Behind this sophisticated and sporty design is a hidden versatility that leads to clever functionality and unrivalled practicality.

The Civic Tourer benefits from the same unique centre fuel tank layout used in the Civic hatchback. The fuel tank is located under the front seats allowing the Civic Tourer to offer unparalleled interior space and Honda’s magic seat configuration.

The Civic Tourer offers class leading trunk space across both the C and D segments. The cargo area will accommodate 3 large-sized Samsonite cases with the tonneau cover pulled over to conceal the cases.

624 litres* boot volume (rear seats up, up to window)
1668 litres* boot volume (rear seats down, up to roof lining)
There is a clever, hidden compartment suitable for storing the tonneau cover so that it can be detached and stored out the way when it is not needed.

Furthermore, there is additional under floor storage in the boot which makes carrying tall objects in the boot easy and the height of the loading lip has been reduced by 137mm* compared to the Civic hatchback to facilitate easier loading.

Honda’s unique Magic Seats deliver further practicality and space within the Civic Tourer, enabling a range of seating configurations for maximum versatility.The rear seats assembly folds down in one easy movement, and the interior trunk floor of the Civic Tourer has been raised compared to the hatchback to create a completely flat area when the seats are folded down. The rear seat cushions can also be flipped up to reveal ample floor space for carrying tall objects. A 60:40 split in the seat base offers even more options for carrying both people and cargo and provides an alternative load area if access via the tailgate is limited.

Driving Performance: Advanced and Efficient Technology
The Civic Tourer will be offered with the new 1.6 i-DTEC diesel engine from Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology series, with a six speedmanual transmission. This engine is the first from the Earth Dreams Technology series to be introduced in Europe. The 1.6 i-DTEC engine is also offered in the CR-V and Civic and is the lightest in its class, delivering 300 Nm of torque and in the Civic Tourer, CO² emissions from just 99g/km*.
The philosophy behind Earth Dreams Technology is to deliver an impressive balance between fuel economy and driving performance and this is certainly the case in the Civic Tourer. This new model also delivers low running costs for customers, with only 99 g/km of CO2, the Civic Tourer is VED exempt and 74.3 mpg means it’s longer between fill ups

The 1.6 i-DTEC engine is comprised of an aluminium cylinder head joined to an open deck aluminium block and is the lightest diesel engine in its class. The mechanical friction has been reduced to the level equivalent of a petrol engine. All the rotating parts have been carefully optimised to reduce their friction, helping to provide excellent fuel economy whilst making sure the new Civic Tourer is fun to drive.

The 1.6 i-DTEC engine was designed specifically for the European Market and is built at Honda’s UK Manufacturing plant (where the Civic Tourer will also be built). The Civic Tourer will also be offered with Honda’s proven 1.8 i-VTEC engine in manual or automatic transmission producing from only 148g* of CO² per km.

Adaptive Damper System
The Civic Tourer will feature an innovative rear Adaptive Damper System, a first for a production car. The system has three settings - comfort, normal and dynamic - all of which have been developed to enhance stability and comfort under varying load and driving conditions. This allows the Civic Tourer to remain comfortable during motorway cruising, yet firm and agile when high-performance handling is required.

“By introducing the technology in this format, we expect many customers will be able to experience the benefits of this advanced system.” Adrian Killham, Large Project Leader.

Safety
As with all Honda cars, safety was at the forefront of the development team’s mind when designing the Civic Tourer, particularly the integration of active safety systems known as Advanced Driving Assist Systems.

Honda has introduced a new suite of sensor based active safety systems that use a combination of cameras, short range lidar (Laser Radar) and radar technologies. The Civic Tourer and the refreshed Civic hatchback will both utilise these technologies and many other advanced safety features to deliver a high standard of safety for the driver, passengers, pedestrians and other road users in line with Honda’s philosophy of ‘Safety for Everyone’.

For details of Advanced Driving Assist Systems fitted to the Civic Tourer please see “Safety for Everyone” section below.

Refreshed and Refined 2014 Honda Civic
Honda will show the refreshed 2014 Civic for the first time at Frankfurt Motor Show. The car will benefit from exterior and interior refinements that give the Civic a more distinctive, sportier appearance. The updated exterior styling focuses on the rear of the car with the introduction of privacy glass to the windows . In addition, smoke coloured rear combination lights have also been introduced. A smart black border now surrounds the license plate, tailgate and a new lower bumper. The Civic also features a new front bumper frame, a darker wheel arch finish and new 17” Aluminum silver and black wheels.

Subtle changes to the interior further emphasise the interior quality of the refreshed Civic. These styling changes include new white stitching detail that has been applied to the steering wheel, seat and knee pad and black buttons on the audio panel and steering wheel switches.

The Civic has also undergone small adjustments to the front and rear suspension and steering in order to optimise linearity, stability and the ride comfort particularly at high speeds. More information will be provided at the European Media Test drive later this year.

The Civic will feature the same suite of new sensor based active safety systems that use a combination of cameras and short range lidar technologies that are being introduced on the Civic Tourer. For details of Advanced Driver Assist Systems fitted to the Civic Tourer please see “Safety for Everyone” section below.

The refreshed Civic will be built at Honda’s UK manufacturing facility in Swindon and will be launched in early 2014.

Safety for Everyone
Honda’s commitment to safety is embodied by the term ‘Safety for Everyone’; safety for drivers, but also safety for passengers, pedestrians and occupants of all vehicles. Honda’s car-to-car crash test facility at the Tochigi R&D plant analyses impacts between models of different sizes and weights and develops solutions to mitigate injuries for both passengers and pedestrians.

As with all Honda cars, safety was at the forefront of the development team’s mind when designing the refreshed Civic and the Civic Tourer. Particularly important was the integration of advanced active safety systems known as Advanced Driver Assist Systems. This suite of sensor based active safety systems will be using a combination of cameras and short range lidar and radar technologies:

Advanced Driver Assist Systems available on the Civic and Civic Tourer will include*;

Lane Departure Warning
Lane Departure Warning detects road markings and if the car deviates from your current lane without indicating, Lane Departure Warning alerts you with audible and visual warnings.

Traffic Sign Recognition
Traffic Sign Recognition has the ability to automatically recognise road signs and display them via the intelligent Multi Information Display. Two road signs can be displayed at any one time.

Blind Spot Information
Blind Spot Information is a Honda-first radar technology which can automatically detect vehicles in the driver’s blind spot and warns of potential dangers.

Forward Collision Warning
Forward Collision Warning detects risk of collision by recognising the vehicle directly infront using a camera. The system operates when the car is at a speed of 9 mph and above. The system offers visible and audible warnings.

High-beam Support System
This system detects oncoming vehicles, bicycles and environmental brightness and automatically applies the High beam on/off when necessary. This system can be switched on or off by the driver.

Cross Traffic Monitor
Honda’s Cross Traffic Monitor system warns the driver when reversing of approaching vehicles using rear side radar sensors that are located in the rear bumper of the car. The direction of an approaching vehicle is shown either on the rear camera screen or displayed using arrows showing the direction of the travelling vehicle on the i-Mid display.

City-Brake Active System**
Specifically designed to help avoid or mitigate low speed accidents. City-Brake Active is a laser radar system that scans the road ahead, automatically applying the brakes if an imminent risk of collision is detected. The system operates at low speeds (19 mph and below).

Adaptive Cruise Control
This system allows you to choose both your speed and distance from the vehicle ahead. If this falls below the set level, the system instantly decelerates the vehicle. Where quicker deceleration is required ACC will alert the driver to apply the brakes.

Collision Mitigation Braking System**
This system monitors the following distance and closing rate between your vehicle and the car directly in front of it, warning the driver when a collision is likely and helping reduce impact speed when a collision becomes unavoidable.

*Available on selected Grades
** City-Brake Active System and Collision Mitigation Braking System/Adaptive Cruise Control are not available in conjunction with each other

NSX Concept II
The Honda NSX Concept II showcases the evolution of the next generation supercar’s styling and design and was first shown in Europe at the Geneva Motor show earlier this year.

The exterior design stays remarkably true to the original concept, maintaining its low and wide stance with the dynamic proportions that are highlighted by clean, modern and simple surfacing, and edgy details that communicate supercar attitude and a high-tech feel.

The NSX Concept offers a glimpse at a potential direction for the next-generation NSX’s interior design. The interior package boasts outstanding visibility, a strong driving position, and an intuitive “Simple Sports Interface” that minimises interior clutter, allowing the driver to focus on the driving experience. Consistent with the spirit of the original NSX, Honda’s designers have strived to deliver synergy between man and machine.

With the aim of delivering a new sports car experience that combines supercar dynamic capabilities with advanced environmental performance, the NSX will be powered by a mid-mounted, direct-injected V-6 engine mated to Honda’s Sport Hybrid SH-AWD (Super Handling All-Wheel Drive) system which is part of Earth Dreams Technology series and maximises the overall drive train efficiency, reaffirming Honda’s commitment to reducing CO2 emissions.

As previously announced, the new NSX is being developed by a global R&D team led by designers and engineers at Honda R&D Americas, Inc. located in Los Angeles, California, and Raymond, Ohio headed by Chief Engineer, Ted Klaus. The new NSX will be manufactured at a new production facility in central Ohio.

In August this year, the Honda NSX prototype made its first public appearance at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, showcasing the steady progress being made toward the planned 2015 launch.

NSX Concept

• Length, mm - 4,330
• Width, mm - 1,895
• Height, mm - 1,160
• Wheelbase, mm - 2,575
• Wheel size - 19x9 (front) 20x10 (rear)
• Tyre size - 255/35R19 (front) 275/30R20 (rear)

McLaren Honda MP4/4 Heritage F1 Car
Powered by a 1500cc V6 twin-turbo engine, this iconic machine dominated the 1988 F1 series, winning 15 of 16 GPs. It set the record for the number of GP wins in a season and won both the Constructor's and Driver's championships. Honda will return to F1 in 2015 under a joint project with McLaren.

Castrol Honda WTCC Car
Honda is competing in the 2013 FIA World Touring Car Championship with drivers Gabriele Tarquini and Tiago Monteiro and Honda will be displaying the 2013 car at Frankfurt 2013. The Civic WTCC car utilises the HR412E engine, a completely bespoke 1.6 litre 4 cylinder direct injection turbo-charged petrol engine, fully conforming to FIA regulations for the WTCC.

LCR Honda MotoGP, Stefan Bradl
Honda will also display the RC213V Race Motorcycle ridden by Stefan Bradl that is currently running in the Moto GP for the LCR Honda MotoGP team, further demonstrating Honda’s passion and pedigree in the world of Motorsport.

2014 Honda Model Changes and Updates - Future Models

Honda Division is entering a somewhat fallow period for new products, since its four big-volume vehicles -- the Civic, Accord, CR-V and Odyssey -- have recently been redesigned.

But there will be plenty of changes to other models, especially light trucks, as well as variants to those four nameplates. And the Fit subcompact platform will become much more prominent in Honda's North American growth plans.

As vehicle redesigns occur, Honda will install its new-generation Earth Dreams engines, which have direct injection and double-overhead cams. Compared to Honda's current four-cylinder engines, the new design will bring at least a 10 percent fuel economy advantage.

Also, Honda is going big with continuously variable transmissions. Performance models and off-road vehicles will retain geared transmissions, but mainstream street-going cars will feature CVTs. A plant opening in Mexico will add up to 700,000 units of CVT capacity by 2017.

Here is a look at Honda's future product plans:

Fit: The redesigned subcompact coming in the summer of 2014 will be built at Honda's new plant in Celaya, Mexico. Honda will install the Earth Dreams 1.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine with 127 hp and 111 pounds-feet of torque, as well as a CVT. Although built locally, expect the new Fit to stick to the global platform.

Fit EV: The next Fit will have a different suspension module for hybrid and EV versions. It likely won't arrive until spring 2016.

Fit crossover: A concept crossover based on the Fit platform, called the Urban SUV, was unveiled at the 2013 Detroit auto show. It is 169.3 inches long, about 9 inches shorter than the Honda CR-V compact crossover. The production version, coming in the summer of 2014, will have the same Earth Dreams engine as the Fit, but could get an added turbocharger for upmarket models. Limited cargo capacity will be counteracted with Fit's fold-flat "Magic Seats" and by stashing the fuel tank under the front seats rather than behind the rear suspension.

Insight: Honda Motor CEO Takanobu Ito is noncommittal about whether Honda will produce a next-generation Insight to go head-to-head with the Toyota Prius. But Honda recently unveiled its next-generation single-motor IMA hybrid system with a lithium ion battery. It is connected to an Atkinson-cycle engine and combined with a new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. More may be revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show in November.

Civic: Contrary to press reports, the Civic will not receive an Earth Dreams engine until its redesign in spring 2016.

Civic Hybrid: When the Civic is redesigned, the hybrid version will move from its one-motor IMA system to a two-motor system that allows extensive electric-only driving. One motor powers the wheels; the other recharges the batteries. It will be a cheaper version of the same system that is in the Accord Hybrid.

CR-Z: The possibility of a gasoline-powered version of the hybrid coupe is being studied for the next generation arriving in summer 2015.

Accord: After being redesigned last fall, a two-motor hybrid version arrives this summer. The hybrid will team a 124-kilowatt electric motor with a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle engine for a projected 49 mpg. Expect the next redesign in the second half of 2017.

Crosstour: Balky styling has hindered customer acceptance. Designers are looking at something more akin to an Audi Allroad for the next generation, arriving in spring 2015.

FCX Clarity: Honda's hydrogen fuel cell vehicle will be redesigned in mid-2015. The vehicle likely will be shown at the Tokyo Motor Show in November. Honda recently signed a technology-sharing deal with General Motors to develop the next-generation fuel cell for 2020, but insisted that there will be no badge engineering.

CR-V: Redesigned for the 2013 model year; the next one is expected in the first half of 2017.

Element: There will be no new Element. The CR-V and Fit-based crossover will fill that space.

Pilot: The wheelbase for the recently redesigned Acura MDX, which was increased by 3 inches, will be carried over to the redesigned Pilot when it arrives this fall. But because the MDX has an expensive suspension system, expect some minor cost-shaving changes to suspension components to hit the Pilot's price point. Sheet metal should move away from the "angry robot" look. It likely will get a 3.5-liter Earth Dreams V-6 that generates around 310 hp and 265 pounds-feet of torque.

Odyssey: A freshened version, with an optional built-in vacuum cleaner, goes on sale this summer.

The next generation arrives in fall 2016 on the Acura MDX platform, although expect a lower-cost suspension -- possibly an air-spring setup -- to hit a lower price point. When redesigned, the Odyssey will receive the 3.5-liter Earth Dreams V-6.

Ridgeline: Honda sources insist the company needs to keep a unibody pickup offering, but its styling, fuel economy and sticker price are arguments against it. The current platform runs until fall 2014, but there are no signs of a replacement.

You can reach Mark Rechtin at mrechtin@crain.com. | Read more: at Autonews