Honda Crosstour EX-L 2012

Honda Crosstour EX-L 2012 with 2.4-Liter Four-Cylinder Engine – Latest reviews & photos of Honda Crosstour EX-L 2012: We were expecting Honda to drop a four-cylinder engine to its renamed Crosstour model (previously known as the Accord Crosstour) for a quite some time now, and today, the Japanese company finally made the move.

Scheduled to go on sale in the U.S.A. in the beginning of January 2012, the new base version of the Crosstour is fitted with Honda’s 2.4-liter i-VTEC inline four-cylinder engine that produces 192-horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 162 lb-ft. of torque at 4,400 rpm.

The four-cylinder Crosstour comes equipped with a standard 5-speed automatic transmission and will be available only with front-wheel drive. Honda says that EPA-estimated fuel economy on the four-cylinder Crosstour is 21 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. That’s compared to the 271-horsepower 2WD V6 model’s EPA estimated 18 mpg city and 27 mpg highway.

We’re still waiting for Honda to release pricing, but the Japanese company tells us that the four-cylinder Crosstour will be offered in two trim levels, including the EX and the leather-upholstered EX-L.

Standard features on the EX include 17-inch alloy wheels with P225/65 R17 all-season tires, auto-on/off headlights, Bluetooth HandsFreeLink, USB audio interface and rearview mirror back-up camera display, a moonroof, auto-up/down driver and front passenger side windows, air conditioning, and a 360-watt AM/FM 6-disc audio system with seven speakers.

The more expensive EX-L adds: leather-trimmed seating surfaces with heated front seats, a memory driver-side seat and memory-linked side mirrors with reverse gear tilt-down capability, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift knob, dual-zone automatic climate control, automatic dimming mirror and a premium audio system.

Photos Honda Crosstour 2012:

2012-Honda-CR-V

Honda CR-V 2012 Priced from $23,105 in the States – Latest photos ̃ reviews of Honda CR-V 2012: If the brand-new 2012 Honda CR-V is on your buying list, you’ll be happy to know that the Japanese carmaker has just announced pricing as the crossover model arrived in dealerships across the country today.

Prices for the 2012 CR-V range from $22,295 for the entry-level LX 2WD model to $29,795 for the range-topping EX-L AWD with a navigation package, not including a destination and handling charge of $810 per vehicle, which lifts prices to $23,105 and $30,605 respectively.

Honda says that while it has added between $400 and $1,000 worth of standard features and technologies to each trim compared to the previous model, prices have increased by an average of $181 only, while on model equipped with navigation, the price decreases by $300 over the 2011 CR-V.

All 2012 CR-V models are powered by a 2.4-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine delivering 185HP and 163 lb-ft. of torque linked to a standard 5-speed automatic transmission.

The newcomer has an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 23mpg city, 31mpg highway and 26mpg combined for the front-wheel drive models, and 22mpg city, 30mpg highway and 25mpg combined for the all-wheel drive variants.

Photos of  Honda CR-V 2012 in the States:

2012 Honda Ridgeline Sport

Honda Ridgeline Sports 2012 Pricing starts from $30,060 – Latest photos & details of Honda Ridgeline 2012 Autos: Despite seeing its sales drop by close to 50 percent in the first eight months of 2011 (from 11,320 units in Jan-Aug 2010, to 5,776 in the same period this year), the Honda Ridgeline is here to stay – at least for another year, that is.

For the 2012MY, Honda has made some mild changes to its unibody pickup truck that include visual tweaks, the introduction of a new Sport model and improved highway fuel economy.

Cosmetic upgrades on all trim models for 2012 include a different grille design and aerodynamic improvements.

The Ridgeline continues to be powered by a 3.5-liter VTEC V6 engine delivering 250HP and 247 lb-ft. of torque, but the Japanese company says that the aerodynamic improvements along with the friction reduction measures help improve the 2012 Ridgeline’s EPA fuel rating on the highway by 1mpg to 21mpg. City and combined figures remain the same at 15mpg and 17mpg respectively.

The newly introduced Sport grade gets bespoke 18-inch alloy wheels finished in black, an exclusive black honeycomb grille with black surround, while the some dark shade is applied on the door handles and fog light and tail lamp housings.

Inside, the Sport model gains a leather wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, an auxiliary audio input jack, all weather floor mats and tinted rear windows.

And that about rounds up the upgrades for the 2012MY Ridgeline. Pricing starts from $30,060 including the destination charge.

Ridgeline Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Pricing [Not Including a $810 destination charge]:

Ridgeline RT: $29,250
Ridgeline Sport: $29,995
Ridgeline RTS: $31,995
Ridgeline RTL: $34,830
Ridgeline RTL with Navigation: $37,180

All photos of Honda Ridgeline Sports 2012:

Honda-CR-V-2012-Car

Honda CR-V 2012 First Photos and reviews of Production Model: Over the past few months we’ve brought you pictures of camouflaged prototypes, the loosely disguised concept and even the patent designs of the next 2012 Honda CR-V, but today, thanks to our tipster Andy Ye, we bring you the first official images of the final production model.

Not surprisingly, the styling changes over the concept CR-V we saw this summer are restricted to the matte finish of the plastic cladding on the body, the smaller wheels and the clear graphics on the headlamps and tail lamps.

Honda has previously said that its new SUV will be “more sophisticated and dynamic” than its predecessor while also offering improved interior space and versatility as well as a suit of new technologies.

The company has remained tight-lipped about the engines that will be available on the new CR-V, but it is believed that the North American model will reach U.S. showrooms at the end of November or early December with a more powerful yet at the same time more fuel efficient version of the current 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine.

On the other side of the Atlantic, Europeans should expect a choice of smaller displacement four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines when it arrives in the fall of 2012.

The 2012 Honda CR-V will make its world premiere at the Los Angeles Auto Show in mid-November with the JDM model to debut a couple of weeks later at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.

All photos Honda CR-V 2012:

Honda-Insight-hybrid-2012

Honda Insight hybrid 2012 model’s CO2 emissions drop below the 100 g/km mark, to 96 g/km – Latest reviews Honda Insight hybrid 2012 Cars: The upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show will see Honda revealing the 2012MY Insight hybrid alongside the European market 2012 Civic 5d hatchback. But for now, we get the first official photograph and initial information on the Japanese carmaker’s Prius rival.

The big news for the 2012 model year is that, for the first time, the Honda hybrid model’s CO2 emissions drop below the 100 g/km mark, to 96 g/km.

The automaker say this has been achieved thanks to a series of enhancements, which include reduced engine friction, changes to the CVT transmission and to the air conditioning that benefits from a new cold storage system, further aiding the reduction of fuel consumption.

Honda-Insight-hybrid-2012-1

The 2012 MY Insight also features some subtle exterior changes, with the most notable being the new front grille and the redesigned front bumper. A slimmer spoiler at the rear allows for a larger glass area, and, along with the smaller wiper, better rear visibility.

Honda’s engineers have also changed the suspension settings in order to improve both stability and ride comfort, while changes on the interior are limited to the use of higher quality materials.

Honda-CR-Z-2012

Honda CR-Z 2012 Black Label with Limited Edition – Latest priced & photos of Honda CR-Z 2012 Black Label: For some automakers such as Porsche and BMW, a black edition version of one of their cars means everything is finished in black, for others including Mazda and Holden, it’s more like a secondary trim color.

Honda’s CR-Z “α Black Label” (“Alpha Black Label”) can be classed in the second category as the Japanese market only edition of the hybrid sports coupe justifies its name only through the color choices inside and to a lesser extent, the darker shade of the alloy wheels.

Inside, Japanese buyers can opt for black fabric or leather seats with a light blue stitching.

Honda offers several colors for the exterior including black, white and red, but the most interesting option is a new yellow finish that will be available in limited numbers.

Sales of the CR-Z “α Black Label” edition will commence in Japan on August 8 with prices starting from 2,510,000 yen (approx. US$32,400 or €22,700).

Photos Honda CR-Z 2012 “Black Label” :

2012 Honda Civic Sedan

Honda Civic Sedan 2012 – Latest photos & details of Honda Civic Sedan 2012: Usually new or redesigned models fare better in car reviews than their predecessors. Technology moves on during the lifespan of a model, automakers learn from their mistakes and improve their production methods, while the competition gets better forcing everyone else to improve etc.

However, that’s not the case with the redesigned 2012 Honda Civic LX, or at least that’s what Consumer Reports states in its latest test of the Japanese model.

According to Consumer Reports (CR), the highest ranking small sedan for many years and a Top Pick in five of the last 10 years has in its latest iteration dropped too low to even earn a “Recommended” tag!

“While other models like the Hyundai Elantra have gotten better after being redesigned, the Civic has dropped so much that now it ranks near the bottom of its category,” wrote senior director of Consumer Reports Auto Test Center, David Champion.

The Civic LX’s score dropped from the previous model 78 to an abysmal 61, placing it in the second-to-last place just above the (also recently redesigned) VW Jetta, which finished last.

Consumer Reports’ testers found the new Honda Civic to feature a lower quality interior, high road noise, less agile handling, inferior brakes and a choppy ride compared to the car it replaced.

Decent space for rear passengers and second-best fuel economy in the category just weren’t enough to make up for its other shortcomings.

Here’s a snippet from CR’s test:

“The Civic has slid backward with its redesign. It feels insubstantial against recently-redesigned competition.. Vague steering weakens its agility and robs it of its fun-to-drive feel. Stopping distances are long, the ride is choppy, and road noise is pronounced.

The Honda Civic LX ($19,405 MSRP as tested), is powered by a 140-hp, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that provides adequate acceleration and gets an impressive 30 mpg overall in CR’s own fuel economy tests. The five-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly. The interior feels cheap, a letdown from previous Civics. CR is currently testing a Civic hybrid and will report on it next month. Cargo space is Good.”

Honda’s reaction was almost immediate as the Japanese company’s U.S. arm issued a statement saying it “disagrees” with CR’s findings. Honda’s reply follows below:
“In a broad sense, we disagree with Consumer Reports’ findings. Without question, the small sedan segment is more competitive than ever. In virtually every way, the completely redesigned 2012 Civic is a step forward.

The new Civic excels in areas that matter to small-car customers, including fuel efficiency, safety, and reliability. Among the Civic’s greatest competitive strengths, is a smooth and efficient powertrain that, in Consumer Reports testing returned, “… an impressive 30 mpg overall on regular fuel and 47 mpg on the highway.”

Also noted in Consumer Reports findings, the Civic excels in the area of safety, with a long list of important features standard on all trim levels, and a class-leading ‘Top Safety Pick’ rating from IIHS.

Lastly, the Civic has a stellar reliability history with Consumer Reports, and we are confident that the new Civic will be a reliability leader as well.”

Photos of  Honda Civic Sedan 2012 :

Honda-Fit-Shuttle-2011

Honda Fit Shuttle 2011 Launches New Price in Japan – Latest Photos & details of Honda Fit Shuttle 2011: After briefly postponing the presentation of its all-new Fit Shuttle due to a variety of problems that arose from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, Honda on Thursday officially launched its mini MPV.

While keeping the five-seat layout of the regular Fit (called Jazz in Europe), the Shuttle is longer and taller, with the extra space benefiting both the rear passengers and the cargo area.

The more practical version of the Fit is offered in two flavors, the base model powered by a conventional 1.5-liter i-VTEC four-cylinder gasoline engine and a hybrid variant combining a 1.3-liter gasoline unit to a 10 KW electric motor.

The hybrid model is available only with front-wheel drive and a CVT, while the regular Fit Shuttle can be ordered either with front-wheel drive and a CVT or with all-wheel drive and 5-speed automatic transmission.

Pricing of the Japan-only Fit Shuttle starts at ¥1,610,000 (~US$20,030), with the hybrid model commanding ¥1,810,000 (~US$22,500).

Look photos of  Honda Fit Shuttle 2011:

Honda-Brio-Car-2011

Honda Brio City Car 2011 Reveals Production in Thailand, Newest Honda Brio small car 2011: Honda today lifted the wraps off the Brio, a small city car designed for emerging Asian markets such as India, China and Thailand. Previewed last year by the Brio concept, Honda’s new model measures 3,610 meters long and 1,680 meters wide, making it 290mm shorter than the Jazz supermini and only 1 centimeter narrower.

The Brio uses a 1.2-liter i-VTEC engine sourced from the Jazz, which delivers 90 horsepower and an average fuel consumption of 5 liters/100 km (47 mpg US), while respecting the Euro 4 emission standards. The engine can be linked to a manual five-speed gearbox or a CVT transmission.

All models for Thailand feature two front airbags, disc brakes, ABS and EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution). India will get a slightly different version of the Brio, adapted for the market’s needs, which will be launched later this year. The automaker expects to sell around 40,000 units of the new Brio this year in Thailand, with a starting price of €9,400 ($13,180).

“The Brio will meet the driving and lifestyle needs of people who are looking for a stylish and compact, yet spacious and fuel-efficient car that carries a brand that they can trust for its advanced and safety technologies,” said Atsushi Fujimoto, Honda Thailand president.

Honda Brio City Car 2011 photos:

Honda-Civic-Ti-autos-2011

New Honda Civic Ti 2011 Special Spuced up with Touring Car-Inspired Kit: The new Civic Ti is based on the five-door 1.4-liter and 1.8-liter i-VTEC SE gasoline variants and according to Honda, it comes with £3,700 worth of extra equipment over and above the standard model.

Offered in an exclusive Premium White Pearl body paint, the Ti is fitted with unique, 17-inch ‘Pro Race’ wheels finished in matt black from Team Dynamics, Honda’s racing partner in the BTCC, and a Crystal Black GP body kit that includes front spoiler, rear spoiler (finished in white), side skirt inserts and rear body skirts.

Inside, Honda has added a standard Pioneer Navigation Multimedia System, which offers full-scale sat nav, entertainment and communication with a 3D graphic touch screen.

Honda plans to build 500 examples of the limited edition Civic Ti, which will go on sale in March with prices starting at £15,995 OTR for the 1.4 i-VTEC and £16,995 for the 1.8-liter variant.

Honda Civic Ti autos 2011 photos:

Honda CRZ Hybrid R 2011

Honda CR-Z Hybrid R and CR-Z Race at SEMA Show 2010: Next up on our Sema Show CR-Z menu after the production-ready Mugen version are two concept models created by Honda’s North American racing company, Honda Performance Development or HPD for short. The CR-Z Hybrid R and CR-Z Racer studies were developed to demonstrate the potential of both street and racing performance.

The two cars share the same performance enhancements including a turbocharger and upgraded IMA hybrid system, which result in an estimated combined output of 200 horsepower and 175 lb-ft. of torque. Both models also get a performance clutch, limited-slip differential, ‘circuit-tuned’ suspension, upgraded brakes and aerodynamic components.

From there on, the Hybrid R model was developed for street use benefiting from certain sport touches to the interior such as the red steering wheel rim and Recaro bucket seats.

The Racer was stripped of every part that was not needed to keep the vehicle’s weight down and fitted with an array of racing accessories including a Sparco bucket seat and roll cage. Honda said that it will campaign two HPD CR-Z Racers at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill endurance race in December to show off the car’s racing capability.

Honda-CRZ-Mugen-2011

Honda CR-Z Mugen Cars 2011 at SEMA Show 2010: We’ll soon bring you the full low-down on the customized and conceptual Honda CR-Z models from the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, but to whet your appetite, here’s a brand new Mugen-accessorized version that will enter production in the spring of 2011. Only 300 of these kits will go on sale in the U.S. with pricing details to be made available closer to the on-sale date.The package includes a full MUGEN body kit, a front grille, rear wing spoiler, 17-inch “XJ” aluminum wheels, sport mats, a unique black aluminum shift knob and a billet aluminum oil-filler cap. In addition, Honda said that after purchase, each owner will receive a unique serial-number plaque designating each kit as one of 300 available.