New Honda CR-V revealed – New Honda CR-V revealed Official images of the European-spec Honda CR-V have been released ahead of the Geneva Show
First pictures have been revealed of the European-spec Honda CR-V, ahead of its debut at the Geneva Motor Show. Honda’s new compact SUV will go on sale in the UK in September.

As you can see from these pictures, the new car remains largely unchanged from the US version, revealed at the LA Motor Show late last year. However, it’s likely that the steering and suspension settings will be tweaked for the UK. 

The new CR-V gets a mildly revised body that’s shorter and lower than the car it replaces. Despite this, Honda claims there is more space inside, as the windscreen has been moved forward and the floor lowered.

Honda has shaved weight from the CR-V, and along with improved aerodynamics, more efficient electric power steering and taller gearing, the car is expected to be more economical and have lower emissions.

The new CR-V is expected to get updated versions of the current engine range. This includes a 2.0-litre i-VTEC petrol and 2.2-litre i-DTEC diesel, with the latter returning around 45mpg. There are currently no plans for a hybrid version.

Variable four-wheel drive is carried over from the current car. This is capable of sending up to 100 per cent of the power to the front or rear wheels, depending on which ones have the most grip. 

More details will be announced when the car is launched at the Geneva Motor Show.

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Honda Civic achieves five-star Euro NCAP – Honda Civic achieves five-star Euro NCAP New Honda Civic given a five-star safety rating in latest Euro NCAP tests
The new Honda Civic has scored a full five-star Euro NCAP rating. The new model Civic, which features Vehicle Stability Assist, driver and passenger airbags, curtain airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners and Honda’s Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), continues Honda’s strong record of Euro NCAP results.  

The Civic’s CMBS is a radar-based emergency braking system that works above 10mph. In the event of an imminent collision, the system offers a series of warnings before activating the seatbelt pre-tensioners and braking the car, bringing it to a complete stop.

The Civic also scored well thanks to its ‘Advanced Compatibility Engineering’ body structure, as well as pedestrian protection features, including an energy-absorbing front end and bonnet hinges to minimise harm to pedestrians in the event of a collision.

The Euro NCAP rating system was introduced in February 2009 and uses a weighted score. Adult safety (50 per cent), child (20 per cent) and pedestrian protection (20 per cent) are combined with the availability of safety assistance devices (10 per cent). The Civic’s result means that every Honda currently on sale in the UK has achieved a five-star rating.

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DC Design Avanti revealed – DC Design Avanti revealed First supercar to be designed and built in India makes its world debut at the Delhi Auto Expo
India’s first supercar has been revealed at the Delhi Auto Expo, in the form of the DC Design Avanti.

DC Design is better known for modifying everything from Tata Nanos to Rolls-Royce Phantoms, and the Avanti is the firm’s first new model to be built from scratch.

Exotic materials such as carbon-fibre or aluminium haven’t been used in the Avanti’s construction, but its compact size allows it to weigh in at 1,562kg – that’s identical to the Audi R8 V8.

Power comes from a Ford-sourced 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine producing 240bhp and 366Nm of torque. Buyers can also choose between a six-speed manual or a six-speed dual clutch Powershift gearbox, also acquired from Ford.

Performance for the four-cylinder model will be modest by supercar standards, with 0-62mph taking just under seven seconds, but a more powerful version is reported to be in the pipeline using a Honda-sourced V6 with more than 300bhp.

Costing 3 million rupees (£36,600) the Avanti is shaping up to be a performance car bargain. Initially, only 200 examples a year will be built, but DC Design is hoping to increase production significantly in the long term.

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DC Design Avanti First supercar to be designed and built in India makes world debut at the Delhi Auto Expo
India’s first supercar has been revealed at the Delhi Auto Expo, in the form of the DC Design Avanti.

DC Design is better known for modifying everything from Tata Nanos to Rolls-Royce Phantoms, and the Avanti is the firm’s first new model to be built from scratch.

Exotic materials such as carbon-fibre or aluminium haven’t been used in the Avanti’s construction, but its compact size allows it to weigh in at 1,562kg – that’s identical to the Audi R8 V8.

Power comes from a Ford-sourced 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine producing 240bhp and 366Nm of torque. Buyers can also choose between a six-speed manual or a six-speed dual clutch Powershift gearbox, also acquired from Ford.

Performance for the four-cylinder model will be modest by supercar standards, with 0-62mph taking just under seven seconds, but a more powerful version is reported to be in the pipeline using a Honda-sourced V6 with more than 300bhp.

Costing 3 million rupees (£36,600) the Avanti is shaping up to be a performance car bargain. Initially, only 200 examples a year will be built, but DC Design is hoping to increase production significantly in the long term.

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Honda Civic SUV on way – Honda Civic SUV on way Honda is planning a crossover to take on the big-selling Nissan Qashqai from 2013
Honda has set its sights on emulating the runaway success of the Nissan Qashqai – and our exclusive images reveal the car it will pin its hopes on.

The company is keen to boost its profitability in Europe, particularly in the UK, where sales have halved over the last three years. And a new crossover to sit between the Civic and the CR-V is seen as key to its chances of doing so.

Read our first UK drive of the new Civic

The as-yet-unnamed car will be based on a tweaked version of the new Civic’s platform, and go on sale next year. And our illustrations show how it’s likely to look.

For the full story, check out this week’s Auto Express magazine.

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New 400bhp Honda NSX Honda supercar returns with a four-wheel-drive hybrid drivetrain, and the coupe version will debut at Detroi
The Honda NSX supercar is set to return as a 400bhp four-wheel-drive hybrid. Honda has already confirmed that a new NSX will be revealed at the Detroit Motor Show in January, and now we have more information on the Japanese Audi R8 rival.
 
We’ve already seen spy shots of a concept car on the set of the new Avengers movie, and we’ve since had confirmation that the Detroit show car will be heavily based on that model. Our images show a coupe, but the final production version will also be offered as a roadster.
 
The concept will be shown as an Acura – the firm’s luxury North American arm – but it will be badged as a Honda when it arrives in the UK, and retain its forebear’s NSX name. Power will come from a 3.5-litre V6 driving one axle and a pair of in-wheel electric motors to turn the other. This will give the NSX four-wheel-drive traction and 400bhp-plus. Performance will be impressive, with 0-62mph taking under five seconds.
 
For full details on the new NSX, including how the hybrid powertrain will be adapted to suit the project, check out this week’s Auto Express magazine.

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Honda reveals Tokyo Motor Show stars – Honda reveals Tokyo Motor Show stars Honda is planning to take its home show by storm with a trio new concepts – including an electric sports car

Honda has released early images and basic information on three brand new car concepts it will bring to the Tokyo Motor Show later this month.

Top of the list is the Small Sports EV Concept. Possibly previewing the next-generation S2000 sports car, this compact mid-engine two-seater has been branded a ‘next-generation compact EV sports model’ by Honda, suggesting it will inspire a production model in the near future.

The AC-X is the five-door family car of the future. Featuring a plug-in hybrid powertrain, with an ‘engine drive mode’ for enthusiastic driving, or an ‘automatic drive mode’ for more relaxed journeys, Honda is calling is a ‘vehicle offering a comfortable and enjoyable driving experience in urban and long distance motoring’.

Bringing up the rear is the Micro Commuter Concept – a tiny electric city car that bears a passing resemblance to the Nissan Pivo 3 concept, also set to make its debut in Tokyo. Slotted inside is a detachable two-wheel EV calleed the Motor Compo – which features a detachable battery that can used as a power source for other tasks in everyday life.

We’ll bring you full details of these, and every other new car revealed in Tokyo, live from the show floor on November 30.

 

Honda reveals Tokyo Motor Show stars Honda is planning to take its home show by storm with a trio new concepts – including an electric sports car

Honda has released early images and basic information on three brand new car concepts it will bring to the Tokyo Motor Show later this month.

Top of the list is the Small Sports EV Concept. Possibly previewing the next-generation S2000 sports car, this compact mid-engine two-seater has been branded a ‘next-generation compact EV sports model’ by Honda, suggesting it will inspire a production model in the near future.

The AC-X is the five-door family car of the future. Featuring a plug-in hybrid powertrain, with an ‘engine drive mode’ for enthusiastic driving, or an ‘automatic drive mode’ for more relaxed journeys, Honda is calling is a ‘vehicle offering a comfortable and enjoyable driving experience in urban and long distance motoring’.

Bringing up the rear is the Micro Commuter Concept – a tiny electric city car that bears a passing resemblance to the Nissan Pivo 3 concept, also set to make its debut in Tokyo. Slotted inside is a detachable two-wheel EV calleed the Motor Compo – which features a detachable battery that can used as a power source for other tasks in everyday life.

We’ll bring you full details of these, and every other new car revealed in Tokyo, live from the show floor on November 30.

 

Honda NSX returns Avengers movie car previews new supercar. It’ll get new V6 engine with twin electric motors
The legendary Honda NSX supercar is back. These spy shots, taken on the set of the new Avengers movie, show a new Acura-badged Audi R8-sized supercar that previews a successor to the NSX.

Acura is Honda’s US-only luxury brand and the sports car was spotted in Central Park, New York, with actor Robert Downey Jr at the wheel. Its appearance is hugely significant for fans keen to see Honda return to the supercar arena.

Honda CEO Takanobu Ito recently hinted at the NSX’s revival, when he revealed: “We’re making progress with plans for an exotic sports car.” And six months ago, Ito said Honda was keen to relaunch a high-performance sports car like the NSX.

A Honda source told us that the Dual Note 4WD hybrid concept from the 2001 Tokyo Motor Show was our first glimpse at the technology that will underpin the NSX. It used a 3.5-litre V6 to drive the rear wheels and in-wheel electric motors to turn the fronts, generating over 400bhp.

Ten years later, Honda is still perfecting the technology. A source said: “Honda wants to build a supercar that breaks the mould while creating a new technological package.”

Honda is working on a VTEC V6 engine of between 3.5 to 3.7 litres, while the twin electric motor set-up will be powered by lithium-ion batteries and employ a plug-in recharge system for a small electric-only range. The result will be huge amounts of torque, but also the high-revving character Hondas are famous for.

The car will also have a weight-saving aluminium body, and is set to go sale by 2014, priced at a Nissan GT-R-rivalling £65,000.