Lessen Air Pollution With Honda and Toyota Catalytic Converters

Japan-based Honda Motor Company was found in 1948 by Soichiro Honda. The company got its beginnings by making motorbikes. Today, Honda's lineup already includes fuel-sipping hybrids, spacious minivans, reliable family sedans, rugged SUV's and even a pickup. The manufacturer is a standard-bearer in many segments. Models like the Civic and the Accord are considered benchmarks in their respective classes.

Honda vehicles are known for their better-than-average fuel economy, attention to safety, concern for the environment and reliability. Every Honda vehicle has a Honda Catalytic Converter to perform its maximum performance without causing damage to the environment. Honda includes Honda catalytic converters in their emission systems to prevent the engine from polluting the environment with gases like hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. The Honda Catalytic Converter is installed in the exhaust line, between the exhaust manifold and the muffler.

Toyota is another Japan-based car company that is currently making headlines with its continuing effort to produce environment-friendly cars like the renowned Toyota Prius. Recently, Toyota adopted the 2010 Global Vision, a vision for meeting mobility needs in a way that respects our earth and all people. It is made of long-term policies centered on the basic theme of innovation into the future.

All Toyota vehicles are equipped with Toyota catalytic converters in order to ensure that the emissions coming out of the vehicles are safe from harmful substances. A Toyota catalytic converter is said to be damaged and is in need of replacement when it has a broken or rusted out converter body or end tubes and and there is the presence of bits of substrate in other sections of the exhaust system. Symptoms of a failing Toyota catalytic converter may include a failed emissions test, poor performance, increased engine temperature, increased fuel consumption, stalling and hesitation.

The government created clean-air laws, and many laws have already been enacted that restrict the amount of pollution that cars can produce. A damaged Toyota Catalytic Converter causes a car to fail state-required emissions tests and failing these tests have unfavorable consequences.
Aside from this, it will result to a decreased engine performance so it is important to replace a damaged Toyota Catalytic Converter as soon as possible.

About the Author
I'm Peter Alexander, 30 years of age. Currently working in a Marketing Firm. I usually spend my time accessorizing my car, reading car magazines, anything bout car will interest me.

Lime Lights NSX Super Cars

Last weekend's JapFest show at Castle Combe was made shining, shimmering, and splendid by the Honda NSX super cars, making it the largest gathering of such cars in Europe. Forty three of the amazing and iconic mid-engined sports cars were brought together for the event sponsored by one of United Kingdom's biggest NSX clubs. Each car looked fabulous and hip.

To create a gigantic display, the car owners from far and wide distance assembled at the Wiltshire venue. As a result, this caught the attention of the organizers of the show who awarded the club a trophy for its efforts and accomplishments. On the other hand, some of the courageous members ventured on the track in order to test the capabilities of their unsoiled cars.

From the online-based NSX Club Britain, James Taylor said that this was their maiden stand at a large event and it feels good that everyone was mesmerized by the huge number of cars that turned up. He was also glad that some of the participants traveled all the way from as far as Northern Ireland and Scotland to show off their running machines.

Honda United Kingdom contributed the exterior of NSXs with its own rare edition of the auto mobile.

Registered in 1990, the G-plate NSX is rumored to be the second NSX ever brought to the country. Despite its old features, the 1990 registered G-plate NSX is still in unsoiled condition. This was because of the rejuvenation work that was carried out and done by the Honda (UK) press workshop and the efficient 7,700 miles on the clock.

Its claim to fame was further boost due to the reports that it was once driven by Ayrton Senna on a visit to Honda United Kingdom.

About Honda NSX The Honda NSX is known as Acura NSX in North America and Hong Kong. It is a sports car manufactured from 1990 up to 2005 by Honda, the Japanese automaker. During that period, the car was a world's first for a production vehicle. Built with top of the line Honda oil filter, the NSX is a mid-engine, rear-wheel drive layout, an all-aluminum coated body and chassis, and a V6 Gasoline engine that features Honda's VTEC system.

It continuously developed its performance innovation with added displacement, a 6-speed manual transmission, enhanced aerodynamic performance, and different tire sizes. Also, it now has the NSX-T open-top model and the NSX-R pure sports model with assured better driving performance and comfort. It is also one of the best sports cars to comply with clean emissions policy. With this, it has truly reached the peak of the rank in blending excellent driving performance with the best environmental performance.

"NSX" for Honda is the acronym for "New Sports car eXperimental". Honda insiders say the "X" initially stood for "unknown" in the codename of the car while it was still being developed.
The Honda NSX reached total sales of over 18,000 units around the world during it 15 years in production and in the automobile market.

About Honda Motor Company Honda Motor Co., Ltd., or simply called Honda is a Japanese engine manufacturer and engineering corporation. It is most well known for its automobiles and motorcycles, placing Nissan as the 2nd among the largest sellers of cars in Japan. Each year, the company builds over 14 million internal combustion engines, making it the biggest maker of engines in the world.

Maker of quality (Honda oil filter, Honda is also a producer of other products like trucks, scooters, robots, jets and jet engines, ATV, water craft, electrical generators, marine engines, lawn and garden equipment, and aeronautical and other mobile technologies. And just recently, the company ventured into the arena of mountain bikes. In this connection, they produced the very first bike that uses an internal gear changing system in the Honda RN-01 G-cross.
Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Honda's shares are traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange, as well as trades in Osaka, Nagoya, Sapporo, Kyoto, Fukuoka, London, Paris and Switzerland. Located in Torrance, California is American Honda Motor Company headquarters.

About the Author
Ally Wahlberg is a Computer Information Systems specialist. Ally leads an active lifestyle and he is a fan of extreme sports. He is also a car enthusiast and writing about his interests is one of his passions.

Gathering of Honda NSX Supercars at the Castle Combe

Last weekend at JapFest show at the Castle Combe happened the largest ever gathering of Honda NSX supercars. Forty-three of the legendary mid-engined sports cars were gathered together to grace one of UK's biggest NSX clubs.

Owners from different places have assembled at the Wiltshire venue to create a huge display that catches the attention of show organizers, who awarded the club for the efforts they have given the event. There were also some members who tried on track to test the power of their pristine machines.

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 UK has also contributed to the pack of NSXs with its own rare version of the car. And speaking of rare NSX present at the event is the G-plate NSX which was registered in 1990 and considered to be the second NSX ever brought to the country. The G-plate is still in an amazing immaculate condition despite its age and this is attributed to the restoration work done by the Honda UK press workshop, and of course the meager 7,700 miles on the clock. According to some reports it is also the very same car that was driven by Ayrton Senna on its visit to Honda UK.

The Honda NSX has made its debut way back in 1990 and was introduced as a genuine mid-engine sports car with an all-aluminum monocoque body which was a first for a production vehicle at that time. Afterwards the Honda NSX continued to evolve. Its performance was improved through increased displacement, a 6-speed manual transmission, different tire size, and enhanced aerodynamic performance. Similarly, the addition of the NSX-T open-top model together with the NSX-R pure sports model has helped to further enhanced driving performance.

The Honda NSX is also the very first true sports car that adopts clean emission measures. It has successfully combined exhilarating driving performance with superior environmental performance. Such remarkable capabilities of the NSX have enabled it to achieve total worldwide sales of over 18,000 units for the 15 years that it was in production. The Honda NSX exemplifies Honda's remarkable auto making technology, high quality auto components and Honda accessories that can remain immaculate even through long years of usage.

About the Author
Ally Wahlberg is a Computer Information Systems specialist. Ally leads an active lifestyle and he is a fan of extreme sports. He is also a car enthusiast and writing about his interests is one of his passions.

Honda Dominates Which? Survey

Japanese car manufacturer Honda shows why it is one of the rising threats to other major carmakers. At this year's Which? car reliability survey, the Japanese automaker virtually swept all distinctions for different segments. The said car reliability survey was conducted in the United Kingdom and is considered as the biggest survey in the said region. This year, almost 100,000 respondents were polled.

The Honda Jazz, which is known as the Honda Fit in the United Sates, Japan, China, and the rest of North America and South America, topped all cars on the survey. An overwhelming 96 percent of the more than 1,300 Jazz/Fit owners said that the hatchback rarely lets them down. This made the Jazz/Fit the leading nameplate in its class in terms of reliability.

The Jazz/Fit is not the only vehicle made by Honda with a good reliability according to consumers in the United Kingdom. The Honda Accord with its Honda Accord catalytic converter was tied with the BMW 3 Series and the Toyota Avensis for the top honors on the large car category. All these three nameplates received favorable comments from 94 percent of the polled owners of the said nameplates.

For the Multi Purpose Vehicle or MPV category, the Honda FR-V received 91 percent favorable votes from the polled owners. The MPV from the Japanese automaker is also the only minivan in the European auto market with a 3+3 seating configuration apart from the Fiat Multipla.
The previous generation of the compact sports utility vehicle CR-V also received favorable results as it topped the off-roader segment. The CR-V shared the honors with the Toyota RAV4 which is considered as its toughest competition in the market.

Aside from these winners, the car survey conducted by the subscription-only magazine and website includes Asian and European nameplates. For the luxury car segment, the most reliable car according to the respondents of the survey is the Audi A6 with a 91 percent approval rate. For the MINI-MPV segment, the Nissan Note topped its competition by registering 94 percent of approval rate from its users.

For sports cars, respondents of the survey singled out the Mazda MX-5 as the most reliable of the lot. The agile roadster from the Asian carmaker received a 94 percent approval rate from consumers.

Although Honda practically swept the survey, one disappointing result is that of the Honda Civic. The newest version of the Honda Civic only received an 82 percent approval rate from respondents owning the latest Civic. According to consumers, the newest Honda Civic has issues concerning its fuel system, steering and suspension as well.

According to Which?, the least reliable nameplate today is the Land Rover Discovery 3. The said nameplate only received 79 percent approval rate from respondents. The reliability or lack thereof of the Land Rover would surely hurt its stocks as Ford is now looking to auction off the British brand.

Aside from the Land Rover Discovery 3 and the Honda Civic, other nameplates which performed poorly in the reliability survey are the Volkswagen Passat, the Peugeot 307 and the Renault Megane. All of these received nod from only 82 percent of its respective owners.
According to Which?, these are the cars that they would recommend for their reliability: the Honda Jazz, Mazda 2, Toyota Yaris, BMW 1-Series, Mazda 3, Volkswagen Golf, BMW 3-Series, Honda Accord, Lexus IS, Toyota Prius, Audi A6, Jaguar XJ, Lexus GS, Nissan Note, Renault Modus, Ford S-Max, Honda FR-V, Toyota Verso, Mazda MX-5 and the Volkswagen Eos.

About the Author
Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Civic Hybrid Owner Sues Honda Over Mileage Claims

John True decided to stop driving his Mercedes-Benz E320 last year in favor of a Honda Civic Hybrid. The decision was an effort to cut gas expenses at the time when petrol is priced at $3 per gallon.

Impressed by the Honda Civic Hybrid's advertised mileage, which is 49 miles per gallon in the city and 51 mpg on the highway, True, an Ontario, Calif. professional jazz pianist, purchased the vehicle. But after 6,000 miles of driving, True said he averaged 32 mpg in mixed city and highway driving. So in March, he filed a class-action lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Riverside, Calif., challenging the mileage claim of the Japanese automaker. By far, the suit is the first legal challenge of hybrid mileage claims.

True's disappointment with the actual mileage of his hybrid versus the advertised figures reflects that of other purchasers, many of whom voice their grievances on online message boards. Additionally, Consumer Reports and other independent tests firms have backed the criticism with their own findings.

The lawsuit alleges American Honda Motor Co. has misled consumers in its advertisements and on its Web site. The suit stressed that while the Environmental Protection Agency and automobile window stickers say "mileage will vary," some Honda advertisements read "mileage may vary." That implies that it's possible to get the mileage advertised, said William H. Anderson, a Washington, D.C., attorney for True. The legal battle could not be put to a halt even by the efficient EBC rotors.

The June 4 court filing stated: "This case does seek relief for tens of thousands of consumers like Mr. True, who purchased the HCH expecting to benefit from its 'remarkable' fuel efficiency, and paid thousands of dollars extra for an HCH that looks identical and performs basically the same as the non-hybrid Honda Civic."

Honda noted that EPA tests have overstated average fuel economy for all vehicles. In 2006, the EPA announced it was revising its testing procedures to better reflect real world driving conditions, beginning with the 2008 model year.

"I can tell you that the 49/51 figures are EPA numbers, not Honda numbers," said Honda spokesman Sage Marie. "Some customers achieve the EPA mpg figures and some don't, as fuel economy performance is a function of conditions, traffic, driving style, load, etc."

He added the "vast majority of Civic Hybrid customers are satisfied with the performance since it delivers consistently and substantially higher numbers than comparable non-hybrid vehicles in the real world. It is possible to attain the EPA estimates, and customers do all the time." Last month, the automaker announced it would stop selling the hybrid version of the Accord later this year.

Anderson said True's legal team will now begin the process of discovery, in an effort to determine how many complaints Honda has received and what the automaker's internal mileage testing shows. "It's just dishonest to twist the numbers that they know people can't get," Anderson said. Just because the EPA conducts tests, it doesn't give Honda license to advertise fuel economy numbers that aren't achievable."

"Drivers don't realize that aggressive driving dramatically reduces fuel economy, especially in hybrids. The hybrids are much more sensitive to the way you drive than a conventional car," noted Andrew Frank, a mechanical engineering professor at the University of California-Davis.
In October 2005, Consumer Reports found that the Civic Hybrid averaged 26 mpg in city driving, 46 percent below the EPA estimate. Other hybrids also averaged below estimates. The new EPA tests will decrease city fuel economy for all vehicles by an average of 12 percent and eight percent for highways.

About the Author
Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Honda to Unleash Mugen Type RR in Japan

Japan is set to receive a special edition of the Civic sedan, the Mugen Type RR, which will have a retail sticker price of $39,000. Come September this year, Japanese car enthusiasts will be able to get their hands on the hottest Civic Type R yet - those who are quick and moneyed enough at least - for only a very limited 300 units will be available.

The beast, designed to be the ultimate front-engined/front-wheel-drive performance car gets 240 horsepower, a sport suspension and brakes, lowered ride height and Recaro seats.
But the heart of the Type RR is Honda's magnificent DOHC 2.0-liter i-VTEC four-cylinder. Mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, the engine delivers the whopping 240 horsepower and 161 pound-feet of torque.

The Type RR sits on Bridgestone Potenza RE070 performance tires (225/40R18 all around) and weighs a mere 2,734 pounds. Honda- maker of top of the line parts like Honda control arm - has also upgraded the vehicle's dual exhaust system and revised its air intake. The Mugen Type RR will come in Milan Red finish.

Honda's Type R models are special performance editions of their respective model families, with the design of Type R ("R" for "Racing") models originally focused on race conditions, emphasizing on minimizing weight, and maximizing performance potential (e.g. engine tuning, suspension set-up, etc).

Type R vehicles traditionally have a red Honda badge and Championship White paint as an option to relate to their first F1 winning car. Honda's racing and F1 cars often feature a red Honda badge.

The first Honda car to carry the nameplate was the NSX-R, a stripped-out version of Honda's NSX supercar. More affordable Type Rs followed, including the Integra Type R which debuted in the U.S. in 1997.

The Civic Type R has never been sold in the United States (including its latest model). In Europe, the Civic Type R is an alternative to age-old favorites, such as the VW Golf GTI.
Each Type R model is bound by a common philosophy -- to deliver a raw, edgy, race-derived driving experience. A high-revving, normally aspirated engine is a must, as was a quick-fire gearbox. The original Civic Type R delivered all of these things, but its harsh ride and poor refinement made long journeys extremely difficult. Today's models however, now offer a greater breadth of ability, whole maintaining the Type R philosophy.

Honda had earlier released the new Civic Type R in Japan March this year.

About the Author
Ally Wahlberg is a Computer Information Systems specialist. Ally leads an active lifestyle and he is a fan of extreme sports. He is also a car enthusiast and writing about his interests is one of his passions.

Honda To Roll Out Hydrogen Hybrid In 2008

The Honda Motor Co. Ltd. continues to develop fuel efficient product lines to bolster its lead as the 'greenest' automaker. Earlier, the Japanese automaker announced its plan to roll out a new hydrogen hybrid that will be released next year.

The upcoming fuel cell vehicle gets an equivalent of nearly 70 mpg. Japan's second largest automaker has been developing the FCX for nearly two decades and finally believes the car is ready for the tough streets and demands of the real world. Honda expects the 2008 FCX will get a fuel mileage of about 68 mpg in combined highway and city driving, with a range of 270 miles. The only emission that the FCX's electric engine produces is water vapor that is created when hydrogen and oxygen combine to produce electricity.

Contrary to the Honda Civic Nitrous Systems, the FCX "is not just some far out, pie-in-the-sky exercise in what may or may not come to fruition some day in the distant future," said Steve Ellis, the manager of fuel cell vehicle marketing for American Honda Motor Co. Inc. "We feel fuel cell electric vehicles are the best and ultimate solution to the twin environmental and societal challenges of global climate change and energy sustainability."

The car is the first hydrogen fuel cell car that has been certified for daily use by both the Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board. "Along with that, we've already done our own internal crash testing to ensure that it meets federal crash standards as well. So we consider this to be a production car," Honda spokesman Chris Naughton said.

Do not expect much change when the production model hits the road either, Naughton said. "We very much expect to carry over not only the sleek styling and very spacious interior, but also the performance characteristics. Any changes will mainly slight tweaks, like headlights, bumper height and a few other things to make it a true production car," Naughton added.

"It's important to get fuel cells on the road," said Paul Taylor, the chief economist of the Washington, D.C.-based National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA). "We've had fuel-cell buses running in Chicago for a while, but I don't know whether they can get through to Denver or not."

Local dealer Mile High Honda does not have any official confirmation from the Japanese automaker about the delivery of fuel-cell cars, said Tom Easaw, the dealership's Internet sales manager. "Honda has been developing FCX," Easaw said. "Filling up fuel-cell cars could be an issue unless you have hydrogen fueling stations. To my knowledge, there aren't any hydrogen fueling stations in Denver."

Approximately twelve states have hydrogen-fueling stations, and California accounts for most of them. Additionally, even at the higher mpg, getting hydrogen from fossil fuels is not worth the cost of the vehicles and energy loss of the conversion. This is why some critics are discouraging production of said vehicles at the present time.

About the Author
Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive.buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Honda FCX: Dare to be "Green"

It was only very recent that Honda Motor Co. has unveiled its next-generation hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. The automaker has also announced that it would start manufacturing a small number of vehicles next year for its Japan and US markets.

The new Honda FCX was made sleek and sportier than the current version that has a top speed of 100 mph. The FCX offer a longer range from 210 to 270 miles that is aside from its fuel cell power system that is 400 pounds lighter.

The FCX was the answer of Honda to the growing concern on global warming claimed to be caused by harmful emissions from vehicles. Hydrogen vehicles offer lower net carbon dioxide emissions aside from reducing pollution the hydrogen power can once and for all free US from its dependence on foreign oil. However there are problems with the implementation of hydrogen fuel cell and it's in terms of cost and the absence of hydrogen fueling stations around the country.

At the moment Honda is trying to look at an experimental home energy station that makes use of natural gas. The main advantage of hydrogen as a source of fuel is that there are so many sources from which it can be derived juts like methane or natural gas, bio-mass and renewable sources like solar and wind, said Ben Knight, Honda's Vice-President for research in the Americas.

Just to give customers the chance to experience the FCX, Honda has leased one unit to a family in California two years ago and last March another FCX was leased to a 17-year-old actress and environmental activist Q'orianka Kilcher. Honda has also allowed journalists to drive two of its FCX concept sedans in the parking lot of Washington's RFK Stadium, probably for additional promotion of the FCX. The automaker has also invited government officials including the top White House environmental adviser James Connaughton.

The FCX's fuel cell sounds more like a jet engine rather than a conventional gasoline engine especially when it is accelerating. The new FCX also has superior acceleration as compared to the current model that only has a tops speed of 100 mph. Honda has also assured that the production model will be similar to the concept car presented only that it would have upgraded bumpers and a revised interior.

Hydrogen vehicles are not exclusive for Honda; other automakers are also conducting research and spending billions on research. China is heavily investing in hydrogen and may become the first country to adapt hydrogen vehicles in large volumes.

General Motors Corp. has also expressed its willingness to take part in creating eco-friendly cars. As a matter of fact, GM has said that in September it would introduce the world's largest fleet of hydrogen vehicles later this year. GM will also be putting 100 consumers in hydrogen-powered Chevrolet Equinox SUVs through its "Project Driveway" program in New York, Washington, DC, and California.

GM also plan of taking journalists on a 300-mile drive from its labs in Honeoye Falls, N. Y. to Tarrytown, N.Y., to update them on the hydrogen research that the automaker is conducting. GM is hoping to have a 1,000-vehicle fleet between 2010 and 2012.

Ford Motor is also working on it HYSeries Edge which is a plug-in electric hydrogen-powered vehicle with a range of 225 miles. It also has a fleet of hydrogen powered E-450 shuttle buses which is just one of its hydrogen vehicles.

DaimlerChrysler AG despite its financial problems has also bowed to share more than 100 hydrogen fuel cells inclusive of the already 25 assigned in California. BMW has more than 100 Hydrogen 7 vehicles on the road and plans to start leasing them this year.

The automakers would also want to make it clear that even though these cars are eco-friendly it doesn't mean that they have to be boring. Just like the standard vehicles these green cars may also be customize using high quality aftermarket parts and accessories such as an AutoMeter which comes in different style and design to suit your preference and taste.

About the Author
Evander Klum is a Business Administration graduate who hails from Alabama. He enjoys extreme sports and he is also a car racing fanatic. At present, he works as a marketing manager at an advertising agency in Cleveland.

Honda's "Hondamentalism" Advertising Campaign

The new integrated advertising campaign of Honda manufacturer of best quality acura brakes has been released recently nationwide to support the launching of its best-selling hot hatch, the Civic Type R. The advertising campaign was created by Wieden & Kennedy and introduces the so-called concept of "Hondamentalism". This concept embodies the one-of-a-kind racing spirit and the endless pursuit for excellence which has been part of the company's goals from day one.
The 60-second spot opens up featuring a long road and at the far end are bright lights and seven engineers. Then a voice of Garrison Keillor will be heard at the background saying something like "an engineer once said that to build something great is like swimming through honey".

The voice continues by saying, "Our engineers set off on the long road towards the bright lights. As their journey progresses, a strong wind begin to blow - becoming more intense as they continue, knocking them over and spreading debris around. As they struggle ever closer to those lights they are seen helping each other, carrying each other, spurring each other on against the wind. They reach the lights (and with that appear the famous 'RedH' Honda badge. This brand is exclusive on racing cars and Type R production vehicles). By working together, by helping each other in the massive struggle and challenge to achieve the absolute fullest potential which only the RedH logo commands, they have reached their goal. That's Hondamentalism."

"Hondamentalism" is just the one part of the integrated campaign that Honda has in stored. There will also be a series of print advertisements that are scheduled to come out next week that will showcase the various "Hondamentalists" that would display the intensity of Honda's engineering and racing heritage. The ITV's Formula 1 sponsorship coverage which will be aired next weekend will also assist the campaign for the Civic Type R.

To round up the integrated campaign for the Type R is the campaign web site called hondamentalism.com which was launched just recently. The "Hondamentalism" web site is developed by Midas Collective and allows its users to take on the challenge to explore the site and to find out just how "Hondamentalist" are they. The site will also feature contents from redh.com.uk together with a new 360-degree color changer.

The "Hondamentalism" commercial was directed by Mark Romanek and produced by Jonathan Chads. The creative directors were Kim Papworth and Tony Davidson. The Copywriter was Stuart Harkness while the Art Director was Chris Groom.

About the Author
Evander Klum is a Business Administration graduate who hails from Alabama. He enjoys extreme sports and he is also a car racing fanatic. At present, he works as a marketing manager at an advertising agency in Cleveland.

Hybrid Honda CRX

Honda CRX will be hybrid in 2011 By ilovecar(ilovecar) Does this offend the CRX name? The car presented in the photos is the Honda Remix concept. It looks like the new CRX will be a mixture between the Remix and the Small Hybrid Sports Concept shown at the Geneva Salon.

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Honda RA107: Off with the "Elephant Ears"

In Barcelona, Spain last week Honda F1 team has tested its new aerodynamic design which was in the form of "elephant ears".

The Honda RA107 which was driven by Christian Klien with its protruding elephant ears on its front nose was following the heels on MacLaren's nose-straddling front wing. Unfortunately it seems like the elephant ears are not really meant for racing, the Honda F1 team has set the slowest time of the day. The team has finally decided not to push through with their new aerodynamic design since it has done nothing to enhance the performance of their car.

According to Jacky Eeckelaert, engineering director, "The main purpose of our test programme this week was to evaluate different aerodynamic configurations which have been developed in order to improve the braking stability of the car. The braking is definitely better now and the lap times have improved and become more consistent, but there is still a long way to go to bring the team back into contention."

Honda, second largest auto seller in Japan and maker of high quality accord body kit, has been working really hard to correct the problems of the new car since the start of the season especially in terms of the car's handling performance.

According to some reports the team is currently working round the clock to develop a new car which would be launch hopefully next month in time for the Canadian Grand Prix.

Although the test didn't go well for the Honda team it proceeded remarkably for some teams like for instance David Coulthard and Red Bull Racing has been able to grab some attention by posting a new track record with a time of 1:21.066. The quick lap happens during the qualifying simulation wherein the RB3 was running on a minimal amount of fuel just before it hit the circuit.

Pedro de la Rosa of the McLaren's was 2-10ths back as he tries to test the new front wing of the team's car which would make its debut at the Spanish Grand Prix in two weeks time. Felipe Massa of the Ferrari team was able to finish with the third fastest time despite a mechanical failure that has interrupted his drive in the morning. And as expected of Ferraris they have finished the week recording the fastest time, three out of the four testing days.

Giancarlo Fisichella, the driver for Renault was the fourth quickest with Robert Kubica completing the top five. The driver for Toyota, Ralf Schumacher finishes as the sixth fastest.
About Honda Honda Motor Co., Ltd. or Honda for short is a Japanese engineering and engine manufacturer corporation. It is renowned for its automobiles and motorcycles. It has also surpassed Nissan as the second largest distributor of autos in Japan.

Honda also manufactures other products that include trucks, robots, scooters, jet engines, and jets, ATV, electric generators, water craft, lawn and garden equipment, marine engines, as well as aeronautical and other various mobile technologies. The high-end line of cars of Honda is sold under the Acura brand for China and North America. And just recently the company has ventured into the domain of mountain bikes and they have produced the first-of-its-kind bike that makes use of an internal gear changing system in the Honda RN-01 G-cross.

In addition, Honda is also the world's largest producer of engines, building more than 14 million internal combustion engines each year. It was in the year 2004 when Honda started producing diesel motors that were very silent and does not required the addition of particulate filter to pass the emission standards.

Honda has its base in Tokyo. Its shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange, Tokyo Stock Exchange and exchanges in Osaka, Sapporo, Nagoya, Kyoto, London, Switzerland, Paris, and Fukuoka. Honda has subsidiaries in California and Canada plus it also forms a number of joint ventures around the world which include Honda Siel Cars India Ltd., Dongfeng Honda Automobile Company in China, Hero Honda Motorcycles India Ltd., and Honda Atlas Cars Pakistan.

About the Author
Evander Klum is a Business Administration graduate who hails from Alabama. He enjoys extreme sports and he is also a car racing fanatic. At present, he works as a marketing manager at an advertising agency in Cleveland.

Honda Civic Type-R to launch in Australia

The new Honda Civic Type-R is the automaker's ticket in bringing back the Type-R badge to local showrooms. According to Honda Australia's Senior Director Lindsay Smalley, "We believe buyers are starting to look beyond stripped-out boy racer specials and petrol-guzzling V8s, turning to cars more in tune with today's times. Buyers in this sector still want cars that are sporty and fun to drive yet are more refined, comfortable and practical. It's not just all about the power. It is the whole experience and grown-up buyers understand that."

The remarks of Smalley were likened to the comments that a manufacturer would make before the unveiling of a model that lacks in refinement, fun criteria, and performance. That was the case with the little Civic, Smalley has created an impression that the halo effect of the Type R will power up Honda's desire to reach that 8 percent market share by 2010. Moreover, it can also be noted that the Type-R is the first Civic to wear the Type-R badge in the eight generations stay of the brand in Australia and at the same time it is also the first British-built Honda ever introduced.

Staring from the day that the Type-R was unveiled as a concept at Geneva last march 2006, it has stayed at the top of Honda Australia's priority list. And now it has turned into a reality after some hard bargaining that happened behind the scenes of last years Paris Auto Show.

The pricing for the Honda Civic Type R is not yet finalized however the single specification model is expected to grace Australian showrooms by the end of June and will have a starting price of over $40,000. The Honda's prediction for the Civic Type-R is 100 for a month. Honda is pretty much confident with the Type-R since it has loaded it with plenty of standard kit just to lure in plenty of buyers.

The standard features of the Type-R will include 18-inch alloys with space-saver Alcantara-shaped sports seats, cruise control, stability control, trip computer, six airbags, ABS, electronic brake-force distribution and assist, fog lights, remote keyless entry, drilled aluminum pedals, reach-and rake-adjustable steering, multi-function wheel, 60:40 split rear seats which comes in colors red, silver or black. The interior trim is a combination of red/black which is guaranteed to look better than it sounds.

The wrap-around two-tier instrument display was also made easier to read. Anthony Davidson, the super Aguri F1 driver was also present at the launching of the Type-R. Davidson had only spent half hour in the Civic and on the track and already he was able to extract more than what most drivers can achieve in a month.

At the core of the Type-R philosophy is Honda's free-spinning iVTEC technology that revs up 8000 rpm of maximum power. According to Davidson, "Keep it smooth and keep the revs up and you will get the best out this engine. I love it because it wants you to keep revving it, it's like a baby race engine."

The Type-R's naturally aspirated 2.0 liter inline four provides peak power of 148 kW at 7800 rpm and 193 Nm of torque at 5600 rpm. The Type-R is also capable of 0 to 100 km/h sprint in just 6.6 seconds and reaches top speed of 235 km/h. With the launching of the Type-R its is expected that it will help boost sales of other Honda products especially when it comes to performance and aftermarket department in which the acura aftermarket parts are included.

About the Author
Evander Klum is a Business Administration graduate who hails from Alabama. He enjoys extreme sports and he is also a car racing fanatic. At present, he works as a marketing manager at an advertising agency in Cleveland.

Honda unveiled its Honda FCX

Honda Motor Co. has finally unveiled its next-generation hydrogen fuel cell vehicle last Thursday with the announcement that it would begin producing a small number of vehicles that will be marketed in Japan and United States.

The new Honda FCX is made more sporty and sleeker as compared to the current version that has a top speed of 100 mph. It also has a longer range from 210 miles to 270 miles and of course a fuel cell power system that is 400 pounds lighter. Its auto parts such as air induction and others were also modified to function on hydrogen fuel.

The introduction of the FCX was right on timing since there is a growing concern for the greenhouse gas emissions not to mention the calls in Congress to dramatically raise fuel economy standards to minimize exhaust emissions.

Hydrogen vehicles provide lower net carbon dioxide emissions. Plus it can help end US dependency on foreign oil. Sadly this is easier said than done. The expenses that comes with building hydrogen fuel cells not to mention the absence of hydrogen fueling stations around the country creates a major obstruction for the fulfillment of this goal.

But thanks to companies like Honda which is at present is looking at an experimental home energy station that is making use of natural gas supplied to most homes to produce hydrogen fuel, hot water, heat, and electricity. According to Ben Knight, Honda's vice president for research in the Americas, the best thing about hydrogen is that it can be extracted from a broad range of sources that includes methane or natural gas, bio-mass and renewable sources like solar or wind.

He further added that the next generation FCX is a "quantum leap forward". The FCX will also be given a much higher price tag at least $500 more totaling to only a fraction of the approximate $1.5 million production cost of each Hydrogen fuel celled Honda.

Honda has already sold 30 units of their eco-friendly car worldwide. Mr. Knight also said that the production of the FCX model would eventually surpass the current fleet. Just to give customers a taste of what the FCX has to offer Honda has leased one to a family in California two years ago and last March another FCX was leased to a 17-year-old actress and environmental activist Q'orianka Kilcher. Honda has also allowed journalists to test drive two of its FCX. In addition government officials including top White House environmental adviser James COnnaughton were also invited to test drive Honda's FCX.

The FCX when accelerating gives off a sound similar to a jet engine rather than a conventional gasoline engine. It is also has superior acceleration as compared to the current model that has a top speed of only 100 mph. Honda has also assured that the production vehicle will be similar to the concept showed last Thursday complete with the upgraded bumpers and revised interior.
Honda is not the only automaker that is conducting research on hydrogen vehicles; most major carmakers have spent billions on research alone. China is also investing heavily in hydrogen and if everything goes well for them they may even become the first country to adopt hydrogen vehicles in large volume.

It can be remembered that General Motors has said that it would introduce the world's largest fleet of hydrogen-powered Chevrolte Equinox SUVs by means of its "Project Driveway" program in New York, Washington, DC, and California. And next week GM has scheduled a tour to take journalists on a 300-mile drive from its labs in Honeoye Falls, N.Y. to Tarrytown, N.Y., to update them on the progress of its hydrogen research. GM is hoping to build a 1000 vehicle fleet between 2010 and 2012.

Ford Motor Co. is also working on its plug-in electric hydrogen-powered vehicle with a range of 225 miles which will be called HySEries Edge. In addition Ford will have a fleet of hydrogen powered E-450 shuttle buses aside from hydrogen vehicles. DaimlerChrysler for its part will also be producing 100 hydrogen fuel cells to be distributed worldwide and that includes the 25 units destined for California. BMW will also be producing its own 100 Hydrogen 7 vehicles and plans to be leasing them next year.

About the Author
Evander Klum is a Business Administration graduate who hails from Alabama. He enjoys extreme sports and he is also a car racing fanatic. At present, he works as a marketing manager at an advertising agency in Cleveland.