Motor Authority - blog Category: Honda

Not so long ago the idea of a hybrid powertrain in a sports car was anathema to enthusiasts. But after this year's Formula 1 season, the debut of cars like the Tesla Roadster and Audi's all-electric R8 e-Tron at the recent 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show and the wider acceptance of hybrids in general by the buying public, it's not so unimaginable anymore.

Destined to be one of the first hybrid vehicles to be adopted by the mainstream performance community, the upcoming 2011 Honda CR-Z could also potentially be one of the first hybrid cars to be tuned by an automaker’s official performance arm.

In the case of the CR-Z, it would be Mugen...

Not so long ago the idea of a hybrid powertrain in a sports car was anathema to enthusiasts. But after this year's Formula 1 season, the debut of cars like the Tesla Roadster and Audi's all-electric R8 e-Tron at the recent 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show and the wider acceptance of hybrids in general by the buying public, it's not so unimaginable anymore. Destined to be one of the first hybrid vehicles to be adopted by the mainstream performance community, the upcoming 2011 Honda CR-Z could also potentially be one of the first hybrid cars to be tuned by an automaker’s official performance arm. In the case of the CR-Z, it would be Mugen working over the car. Speaking with reporters at last week’s 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, Mugen European vice president Hiroki Toyoda said the electric motor in a hybrid powertrain could act like a low-pressure turbo by boosting performance at low engine speeds. Toyoda also revealed that Mugen is looking at developing a range of handling upgrades for the CR-Z as well as other models like the Accord Euro, sold locally as the Acura TSX. [Autocar] Read More

Honda very publically announced last December that it would be dropping plans to launch a new V-10 sports car as a replacement for its Acura NSX but the company hasn’t completely given up on the performance concept. Next year Honda plans to launch the 2011 CR-Z but despite the car’s sporty styling at the end of the day it’s still just a pumped up hatchback.

If Honda were to launch a fully fledged sports car like the NSX again it would have to be very different to the current crop of high-end performance machines. CEO Takanobu Ito has revealed that Honda would consider launching a new sports car but only if it’s an...

Honda very publically announced last December that it would be dropping plans to launch a new V-10 sports car as a replacement for its Acura NSX but the company hasn’t completely given up on the performance concept. Next year Honda plans to launch the 2011 CR-Z but despite the car’s sporty styling at the end of the day it’s still just a pumped up hatchback. If Honda were to launch a fully fledged sports car like the NSX again it would have to be very different to the current crop of high-end performance machines. CEO Takanobu Ito has revealed that Honda would consider launching a new sports car but only if it’s an environmentally friendly one. "I would like to make a sports car," Ito said today on the sidelines of the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show. "Once we have that technology and once we have cash on hand, I would like to see Honda have a sports car that symbolizes our technology." He went on to reveal that “it would be environmentally friendly and have great performance." Speaking previously, Ito also expressed his belief that “the era of V-10 engines is gone," a direct swipe at rival Japanese automaker Toyota and it’s recently unveiled 2011 Lexus LFA supercar. Before you dismiss Ito as just a stuffy CEO with no performance blood in him, note that he was one of the key developers for the NSX. Furthermore, Ito is not alone in his beliefs. BMW is also focusing on ‘green’ performance. The German automaker plans to replace its high displacement engines with smaller forced-inductions ones and is even working on a sports car of its own based on its Vision EfficientDynamics concept. [Automotive News, sub req'd] Read More

As the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show approaches, the first trickle of concept cars and show highlights are starting to be revealed, the latest being from Honda. Today, the automaker debuted the much-anticipated CR-Z Concept 2009, the second concept version of the upcoming stylish and sporty hybrid coupe.

If you don’t recall, the CR-Z Concept was first revealed back at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show and previewed a new hybrid sports car that Honda plans to launch next year. The latest version of the concept picks up the 2009 tag and is almost certainly closer in look and feel to the production version due next year.

While the vehicle displayed at...

As the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show approaches, the first trickle of concept cars and show highlights are starting to be revealed, the latest being from Honda. Today, the automaker debuted the much-anticipated CR-Z Concept 2009, the second concept version of the upcoming stylish and sporty hybrid coupe. If you don’t recall, the CR-Z Concept was first revealed back at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show and previewed a new hybrid sports car that Honda plans to launch next year. The latest version of the concept picks up the 2009 tag and is almost certainly closer in look and feel to the production version due next year. While the vehicle displayed at this year's Tokyo event is still a concept, the production version that will be introduced to North America for sale in the second half of 2010 will be packaged as a sporty two-seater hybrid (the concept features a rear seat). If you're wondering, Honda has confirmed that the production CR-Z will make its world debut at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show next January. Designed as a spiritual successor to the original Honda CRX, the production version of the CR-Z is expected to be powered by a compact four-cylinder engine displacing less than 2.0-liters and matched to an electric motor. The combined output for the car should be close to 140-horsepower, with drive sent to the front wheels via a CVT. Read More

In several other markets around the world, the Acura TSX is sold as the Honda Accord Euro alongside the bigger but less expensive Accord. Back at March’s Geneva Motor Show, Honda unveiled a more powerful and sportier looking version of its diesel-powered Accord Euro that was called the ‘Type S’.

The Type S was based on the 2.2L i-DTEC diesel-powered Accord Euro but came with more power thanks to a revised turbocharger, cylinder head and larger intercooler. Final output stood at 180 horsepower – 30 horsepower more than the standard model. Peak torque also increased 22lb-ft to 280lb-ft.

Honda has now expanded the line... In several other markets around the world, the Acura TSX is sold as the Honda Accord Euro alongside the bigger but less expensive Accord. Back at March’s Geneva Motor Show, Honda unveiled a more powerful and sportier looking version of its diesel-powered Accord Euro that was called the ‘Type S’. The Type S was based on the 2.2L i-DTEC diesel-powered Accord Euro but came with more power thanks to a revised turbocharger, cylinder head and larger intercooler. Final output stood at 180 horsepower – 30 horsepower more than the standard model. Peak torque also increased 22lb-ft to 280lb-ft. Honda has now expanded the line with the addition of a gasoline variant. The car comes with the regular Accord’s 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, with peak output of 201 horsepower, up from 180 horsepower in the 2.2-liter Accord Euro. Either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic are available and customers can also pick from either the standard Sedan or Tourer wagon bodystyles. To set it apart from the standard fleet, the car will come with newly designed 18in alloy wheels, clear indicator covers, unique badging and two new exterior colors – White Pearl and Basque Red. Performance, pricing, fuel economy and emissions data will be available closer to the vehicle’s launch planned towards the end of the year.2010 Honda Accord Euro Type S Read More

Acura teased us back at February’s Chicago Auto Show with a new V6-powered version of its TSX sports sedan, and now the car is finally ready to go sale as part of the automaker’s updated 2010 lineup. The midsize sedan picks up Acura’s familiar 3.5L V6 from its TL and RL siblings, which in the TSX is rated at 280hp (209kW).

To handle the extra power, the car has also been updated with stiffer suspension and new control setting for Acura's Sequential SportShift 5-speed automatic transmission with F1-style paddle shifters. The V6 TSX also sports unique five-spoke 18in aluminum wheels shod with Michelin Pilot all-season tires.
... Acura teased us back at February’s Chicago Auto Show with a new V6-powered version of its TSX sports sedan, and now the car is finally ready to go sale as part of the automaker’s updated 2010 lineup. The midsize sedan picks up Acura’s familiar 3.5L V6 from its TL and RL siblings, which in the TSX is rated at 280hp (209kW). To handle the extra power, the car has also been updated with stiffer suspension and new control setting for Acura's Sequential SportShift 5-speed automatic transmission with F1-style paddle shifters. The V6 TSX also sports unique five-spoke 18in aluminum wheels shod with Michelin Pilot all-season tires. In addition to larger wheels, the V6 TSX is further distinguished from the four-cylinder variant with the use of a slightly revised front fascia and V6 badging. The 3.5L engine meets California's CARB LEV II ULEV emissions certification and delivers an EPA estimated city/highway fuel economy of 18/27mpg. Remaining on sale is the 2.4L four-cylinder version. Producing 201hp and 172lb-ft of torque, the four-cylinder engine comes standard with a 6-speed manual or optional 5-speed automatic. All 2010 TSX models feature a double wishbone front and multilink rear suspension system, while the new V6 model's independent front suspension receives firmer springs and revised calibration for the dual-mode suspension dampers. Like all Acura models, the new TSX features as standard a power moonroof, automatic climate control, a premium seven-speaker sound system with XM Satellite Radio, Bluetooth hands-free and USB and auxiliary ports. Optional goodies include Acura’s Technology Package, which adds satellite navigation, a reversing camera, and a premium sound system.2010 Acura TSX V6 Read More

Last year Honda - or more specifically, Acura - confirmed the NSX replacement would be on its way by 2010 as a 2011 model. Since then the global car market has fallen through the floor, and Honda had canceled the NSX replacement, but the car could still make its target debut date. A report emerging today says it may arrive with the name 'Super Hybrid Sports'.

Talk of canning the V10-powered NSX-replacement project may have been overblown, with Honda instead simply shifting gears to a greener approach, reports 7Tune. Instead of a 550hp, 5.5L V10, the new car could get a 3.5L V6 and the hybrid system from the next-generation Acura RL rated at... Last year Honda - or more specifically, Acura - confirmed the NSX replacement would be on its way by 2010 as a 2011 model. Since then the global car market has fallen through the floor, and Honda had canceled the NSX replacement, but the car could still make its target debut date. A report emerging today says it may arrive with the name 'Super Hybrid Sports'. Talk of canning the V10-powered NSX-replacement project may have been overblown, with Honda instead simply shifting gears to a greener approach, reports 7Tune. Instead of a 550hp, 5.5L V10, the new car could get a 3.5L V6 and the hybrid system from the next-generation Acura RL rated at about 450hp combined output. While this makes a lot of sense taken together with Honda's recent statements on Acura's lack of a need for V8s and RWD powertrains, it will also mean a lot of additional weight - as will fitting Acura's SH-AWD drive system. On the other hand, the image and reality of a hybrid sports car may be just what Honda needs to help maintain its solid position in American fuel economy standards as well as a strong competitive offering to counter the Toyota FT-HS hybrid Supra revival. How that will bear out the claims that the NSX would be faster than the Nissan GT-R, and compete directly with Ferrari on performance, however, is yet to be seen.Honda NSX prototype spied at Nurburgring Read More