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Friday, 31 October 2008

Lexus RX (2009) Revealed in Brochure Blunder


Lexus has let slip pictures of its new RX after a Japanese brochure was seemingly leaked ahead of the car’s launch. We weren’t supposed to see the 4x4 until the November 2008 LA auto show, but we’ve tracked down the photos of the new Lexus RX early.


Are these Lexus RX pictures the real thing?
They certainly look it and insiders at Lexus GB suggest they are genuine. If so, the new RX is hardly a radical departure from the current model. As is the trend for 4x4s, the new RX appears to be longer and wider, possibly to accommodate a third row of seats.

Also expect a development of Lexus’s advanced front lighting system, the pictures revealing multiple ‘pockets’, or light clusters, within the headlamps.

The new RX’s interior is notably different, with a cockpit showing strong sweeping lines and big information displays.

New Lexus RX: the launch timetable
The brochure pictures show two models: the RX350, a V6 petrol and the RX450h – the 'h' denoting this is the petrol-electric hybrid car. Expect the new model to hit UK showrooms in summer of 2009 and this time the Brit importer will axe all petrol versions. It’s hybrid only for the UK.

The 450h will feature Toyota’s latest generation petrol-electric tech, so expect improvements in CO2 figures, making it greener than the current model's 192 g/km.

Lexus’s timing couldn’t be better. Demand for, and second-hand values of, big petrol SUVs is collapsing.

Source

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Future of Toyota Prius: Separate brand, 3 different models


The rumor mill has been churning non-stop about the possibility of Toyota spinning-off the Prius nameplate into a separate brand. You can now file this one under “confirmed” as Toyota’s new green brand has been given the green light. The main goal of the Prius brand will be to bring down the price of hybrids. Toyota is said to be aiming to cut the cost of hybrid technology so much that it would only add $500-$1000 in vehicle cost on the retail end.


The original
Anchoring the brand will be the Prius sedan we’ve known for some years now. The 2010 model year will bring a totally redesigned Prius that is set to debut at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. Along with new sheet metal, the Prius sedan will get a slightly larger motor, moving from a 1.5L to a 1.8L motor. A significant bump in the fuel economy rating is also expected. Whispers of a highway rating anywhere between 60 and 80 mpg have been heard.

With Lithium-ion battery technology still not ready for prime time, the Prius will solider on with a nickel metal hydride battery pack for now.

Big Brother
The first all-new Prius brand vehicle we’ll see will come in the 2012 model year. Based on Toyota’s MC chassis, this vehicle would be larger than current Prius sedan. While design planning is still under way, it’s been said this larger-than-Prius vehicle would come to fruition in a 5-door body style. Possibly something along the lines of Toyota’s foreign market Mark X Zio.

Power is set to come from a new 2.5 liter, four-cylinder, ZR-series motor mated to a next generation version of their Hybrid Synergy Drive. Whether lithium-ion batteries would be ready in time for this car remains to be seen. Pricing for this up-market hybrid should start in the $28,000-$30,000 range.

Little Brother
Toyota will wait until the Yaris is due for a total redesign to launch a smaller-than-Prius vehicle in the 2013 model year. While this new hybrid will share the Yaris chassis, the Prius-brand vehicle is slated to have completely different sheet metal. A 4-door sedan seems to be the format that Toyota will choose for the baby Prius. A vehicle undoubtedly aimed at the Honda Fit Hybrid due in the 2011 model year.

Power will most likely come from a hybridized version of Toyota’s 1.5 liter, four-cylinder. With Toyota aiming for a price point in the upper teens, this model will skip the more expensive lithium-ion batteries in favor of the cheaper, tried and tested, nickel metal hydride battery pack.

Whether any of these vehicles will be plug-in capable remains a question mark. Look for Toyota to officially announce the Prius brand, and possibly show a concept or two, during the upcoming auto show season.

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Thursday, 30 October 2008

First Official Photos of New Nissan 370Z


Well, it is not a Honda and definitely not a hybrid, but it will certainly be one of the best sports cars in its class and of course Japanese! I just couldn’t resist posting the first official photos of it, which were released yesterday. Stay tuned for updates in the near future.

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Wednesday, 29 October 2008

Honda Begins Rail Exports from Swindon Factory


Honda’s car factory in Swindon has begun exporting cars by rail to allow faster transportation of vehicles and reduce the associated environmental impact.

Almost 3,000 trucks a year will be taken off the road following the re-opening of an existing rail head next to the Honda of the UK Manufacturing site at Swindon. Replacing trucks with trains will halve the annual CO2 emissions for one of the key deliveries into Europe.*

The rail head was officially opened earlier today by Rail Minister, Under-Secretary of State, Lord Andrew Adonis.

Up to two trains a week will run from the rail head, with each service transporting over 200 Swindon-built cars to Honda’s European Vehicle Logistics Operations in Gent, Belgium. It’s estimated around 23,000 cars will be exported this way over the course of a year.

“We export Civics and CR-Vs built in Swindon to 60 countries across Europe,” says Simon Stacy, Manager – Logistics Operations at Honda Motor Europe.

“The new rail head and the service it allows will not only deliver Honda cars into Europe faster, but will minimise the amount of trucks travelling in and out of the factory.”
The new rail freight terminal links directly to the Honda facility, and has been developed by Kilbride Group. Vehicle logistics company STVA operates the movement service for Honda.

“This new rail option achieves operational improvements combined with quality service delivery,” says Ian Brown, Managing Director of STVA. “It demonstrates that rail can meet a transport logistics challenge while simultaneously minimising environmental impact.” “We are delighted to have provided the infrastructure to enable Honda to move cars by rail through the Channel Tunnel to mainland Europe. The Kilbride Swindon Terminal represents another investment in rail freight infrastructure on behalf of a major industrial customer by the Kilbride Group, following on from the Jaguar Castle Bromwich facility,” said Colin Banyard, Chairman, Kilbride Group.

“Kilbride has carried out both these projects with Legal and General, which are the first two within the £150m Sustainable Development fund set up with Legal and General in April 2007.”


Notes:
• *According to STVA figures

• Honda (UK) already transports cars to Newcastle and Scotland by rail (via Bristol).
• Trains leaving the new rail head in Swindon will carry mostly 5-door and 3-door hatchback Civic models on double-decks
• Up to 243 cars can be transported with each train service
• One road truck can transport eight cars
• One train service could effectively take 30 trucks off the road
• Each train leaves Swindon at approximately 4pm and arrives at Gent, Belgium at 7am the next morning
Source: Honda UK

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Sunday, 26 October 2008

Honda R&D Develops Racing Version of Civic Hybrid!


Honda R&D has developed a racing version of Civic Hybrid with 162 ps!!!

Click here to watch the video

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Monday, 20 October 2008

Honda OSM concept: Honda's Civic face



Honda's low-emission sportscar study model, revealed at the British International Motor Show, provides an indication of next gen Honda Civic's face according to Car Design News, but unfortunately I don't have access to the full story...The new Honda Civic is expected to hit the markets in 2010 or early 2011.

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Friday, 17 October 2008

Honda says no plans to change its earnings guidance


TOKYO, Oct 16 - Honda Motor Co, Japan's second-largest automaker, has no plans to change its earnings guidance despite the yen's renewed strength and worries about a further slowdown in the global economy, its top executive said on Thursday.

The comment came after Toyota Motor Corp President Katsuaki Watanabe said on Wednesday the business environment has deteriorated beyond earlier expectations and predicted the key North American car market would remain sluggish through next year.

Honda president Takeo Fukui told reporters on Thursday: "We will give an update at the announcement of fiscal half results at the end of this month, but at this point we have no plan to revise our full-year earnings estimates."

Honda is basically on track to achieve global sales volume targets and has kept sales promotion costs under control in the United States, the world's largest car market, by adjusting the levels of production and inventory, he said.

Honda expects an operating profit of 630 billion yen ($6.29 billion) for the year to March 2009, below a consensus of a 668.4 billion yen profit in a poll of 19 analysts by Reuters Estimates.

Fukui said the automaker did not see any need to change its business strategy even if the dollar falls slightly below 100 yen.

Honda has assumed the dollar will average 101 yen in the financial year, while Honda vice president Koichi Kondo told reporters on Thursday that the dollar averaged about 108 yen for the company in the April-September first half.

A Toyota company source told Reuters last week that the world's largest automaker was considering what would be a rare downward revision of its earnings outlook because of sluggish global demand and a firmer yen.

In the United States, where car demand is falling amid a deepening credit crisis, Fukui said "at least at this stage, we are not expecting a major drop in our sales" because of shifting demand in favour of fuel-efficient cars, the type of cars Honda focuses on.

Among emerging markets, Honda's car sales are growing in China despite falling demand industry-wide, while the company's motorcycle sales are on track with a plan in India, Fukui said.

On growing signs of an industry realignment, the Honda president said the global car industry is going through a tough time because of soaring fuel and raw materials costs, coupled with cooling consumer sentiment, but that Honda will likely benefit from the demand shift to smaller cars.

"U.S. carmakers, such as General Motors and Ford, reacted too slowly to shifting demand. The age of pickup trucks has ended, and we are not playing in that segment," Fukui said.

He said he would not object to U.S. government-sponsored financial assistance to these rivals, as such a move would also help those parts suppliers which Honda also uses.


Elsewhere in the industry, Ford Motor Co has asked Toyota-affiliated auto parts supplier Denso Corp to buy part of its stake in Mazda Motor Corp, the Nikkei business daily reported earlier on Thursday.

Honda shares closed down 10.2 percent to 2,115 yen. The benchmark Nikkei average fell 11.4 percent to 8,458.45. ($1=100.12 yen).

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Thursday, 16 October 2008

Live Photos of New Honda Odyssey (JDM) - Part 3




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Live Photos of New Honda Odyssey (JDM) - Part 2





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Live Photos of New Honda Odyssey (JDM) - Part 1






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New Honda Odyssey Absolute (JDM) Officially Revealed - Part 2



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New Honda Odyssey Absolute (JDM) Officially Revealed - Part 1





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New Honda Odyssey (JDM) Officially Revealed - Part 2





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New Honda Odyssey (JDM) Officially Revealed - Part 1






The new Honda Odyssey was officially revealed today in Japan. Enjoy!

October 16, 2008-Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced that sales in Japan of the all-new Odyssey will begin tomorrow, October 17. The fully remodeled Odyssey features a low-floor and low center-of-gravity package that enables a low profile roofline and performance beyond ordinary minivans together with a spacious cabin. The new Odyssey is also equipped with advanced safety technologies, including the new Multi-view Camera System. A special mobility-assistive version equipped with a lift-up front passenger seat will go on sale November 13, 2008.

Designed around the concept of emotive quality that will move all who experience it, the new fourth generation Odyssey provides an advanced fusion of the human/machine interface, a liberated feeling for all occupants, and a distinctive presence. So, the all-new Odyssey was developed with the goal of generating strong feelings in every circumstance: riding in it, driving it, and looking at it.


To fulfill customer expectations for excellent fuel economy related to growing awareness of environmental issues, the all-new Odyssey is equipped with a 2.4L DOHC i-VTEC engine and torque converter-equipped CVT*1, a combination that enables the vehicle to achieve both superior performance and class leading*2 fuel economy of 13.2km/L*3. Moreover, the all-new Odyssey features DBW (drive-by-wire) control and an ECON mode which improves fuel economy by applying collaborative control of the CVT and air conditioner to reduce engine load.


*1 M, L, and Li FWD vehicles
*2 2.4L (gasoline engine) minivan class
*3 M, L, and Li FWD vehicles. Fuel economy when driven in 10-15 mode (Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism figures)

<Human/machine interface>

* New 2.4-liter DOHC i-VTEC engine delivers nimble, lively performance
* Low center-of-gravity and advanced chassis balancing ensures luxurious ride comfort and handling that complies with the driver's intentions
* Also available is the Odyssey Absolute, a sporty model with further refined performance characteristics

<Liberated feeling for all occupants>

* More slender front pillars secure a wide, clear field of view for the driver, for a greater sense of security
* Spacious and well-lighted interior achieves liberated feeling with two-layer instrument panel design
* Advanced instrument panel design offers instant recognition and intuitive operation that enhances driving pleasure
* The three rows of seats are positioned in a V-shaped layout to allow all occupants to enjoy the forward view

<Distinctive presence>

* Distinctive one-motion form is lower and sleeker, providing a sensation of speed and functional beauty
* Resolute expression and contoured front styling emphasize power and vitality

Monthly sales targets (Japan): 4,000 units


Key Features of the New Odyssey

Exterior design

* The exterior is designed around a concept of sensual dynamism, with richly contoured surfaces to express both dynamism and solidity for conveying elegance and power.
* The front view features sharp graphics, with headlights flowing out from the chromed bumper center portion and a sculpted V-line extending up over the hood from the front grill to impart a sense of speed and power. The narrow headlights add an intrepid feel.
* The side view features a fluid silhouette with a one-motion line from front nose to roof end. This combines with the strongly contoured surface in an expression of sleekness and power.
* For the rear view, the cabin has been strongly tapered and the rear window rounded to impart a compact feel for the cabin. Horizontally oriented rear combination lights add a feeling of breadth.
* The voluptuous body contours are further highlighted with a super platinum coating.
* Six color variations are available, including two new colors.

Interior design

* The interior is designed to achieve an advanced feel in a refined and comfortable space.
* The double-layered, gently sculpted instrument panel imparts a feeling of comfort and spaciousness.
* The 3D self-illuminating gauges and indicator lamps are laid out around the centrally positioned speedometer in a 3D arrangement and grouped into functional zones for instantaneous recognition.
* The audio, climate control, and navigation controls are positioned for easy operation in a highly intuitive center panel.
* The front seat cushions employ low-resistance urethane for low fatigue and an outstanding hold.
* A telescopic & tilt steering mechanism helps maintain the optimum driving position.

Power train

* The 2.4-liter DOHC i-VTEC engine combines outstanding fuel economy with powerful performance, featuring class-topping 13.2km/L and strong, torquey response at all speed ranges.
* The torque converter-equipped CVT combines outstanding fuel economy with smooth and seamless acceleration, for a more comfortable driving feel in a wide range of situations.
* Efficiency improvements and weight reduction in the engine and transmission have helped boost fuel economy, while ECON mode supports even more economical operation.

Packaging

* The spacious interior comfortably accommodates seven occupants, while the low overall height of 1,545mm*5 is compact enough to access most standard, multi-level parking facilities.
* Innovative construction beneath the second-row seats provides an extra 40mm*6 of legroom for third-row passengers. Additionally, thanks to changes in the shape of the second-row seats, an additional 20mm*6 of knee space for third-row passengers improves comfort significantly.
* The upper portion of the rear door opening has been expanded for easier access to third-row seating.
* The front pillars employ high-strength materials and high-precision manufacturing methods to achieve an approximately 30%*6 reduction in width along with extra reinforcement. This results in improved visibility during cornering while opening up a more refreshing, panoramic field of view.
* The seating positions of the left and right second-row passengers have each been moved 25mm*6 toward the center of the vehicle, creating a V-shaped layout for the first- to third-row seating positions. This allows all occupants to enjoy a clear forward view.

*5 FWD vehicle
*6 Honda calculations compared to the previous Odyssey

Utility

* The second-row seats feature a three-way split back that allows the left, right, and center seatbacks to be independently folded down, allowing a variety of seating arrangements with a single action.
* The third-row seats employ an under-floor storage mechanism to create a flat, easy to use luggage space.
* The tailgate has been made thinner and shaped to secure more luggage space than the previous model. The luggage space is even easier to use, with a flat floor and a flexible luggage board that extends all the way to the backs of the second-row seats when the third-row seats are stowed.

Body

* Improved joint efficiency at the upper and lower front pillar ends and other innovations result in a frame construction with outstanding rigidity. Optimized front/rear rigidity balance and stronger joints throughout also contribute greater dynamic rigidity.
* Strong, lightweight, high-tensile steel has been effectively deployed along with a larger cross-sectional area to allow the use of thinner materials while ensuring efficient strengthening.
* Road and wind noise have been kept to an absolute minimum by reducing sources of noise and vibration while making the body and chassis more rigid throughout to effectively prevent the vibrations caused by engine and road noise from reaching the cabin. Damping and absorption materials are also strategically located to block out unwanted noise.

Chassis

* The low center-of-gravity chassis combines nimble handling with a comfortable ride for all occupants.
* In the front, a double-wishbone suspension delivers outstanding straight-line stability and ride comfort.
* In the rear, the reactive-link, double-wishbone suspension achieves a compact design that significantly contributes to the low-floor platform.
* A more compact powertrain and innovative body design secure ample tire turning angle to achieve an outstanding, class-leading*7 minimum turning radius of 5.4m.

*7 Japanese "3-number" minivan category

Driver support functions

* Active Cruise Control (ACC) and the Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) help alleviate the burden on the driver during highway driving. Availability varies depending on the type*8.
* All types come equipped standard with Motion Adaptive EPS, which works in concert with Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) to provide steering assistance for more stable vehicle control.
* Camera images are displayed on the navigation screen to reduce blind spots around the vehicle and facilitate smoother parallel and garage parking, as well as enhancing feelings of safety and security when driving along narrow roads or approaching 3-way intersections where visibility is poor. The Multi-view Camera System is available as a factory option on all types.

*8 Standard equipment on the Li

Safety

* The vehicle's Advanced Compatibility Engineering body provides a higher level of protection to vehicle occupants while also helping to mitigate impact on the other vehicle in a collision.
* The vehicle is also designed to mitigate pedestrian injury in the event of a collision, particularly to the head and legs, thanks to the use of impact-absorbing structures.
* The Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS) with E-Pretensioners (driver and front passenger seats) helps anticipate collisions and mitigate injuries and vehicle damage should an accident occur. Availability varies depending on the type*9.
* A side-curtain airbag system helps mitigate head injuries due to a side collision in all three rows. Availability varies depending on the type*9.
* ISO FIX-compatible child seat anchoring bars and tether anchors (left and right second-row seats) are standard on all types.

*9 Standard equipment on the Li

Environmental performance

* All models are certified by the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as having emissions levels 75% lower than what is required by 2005 standards.
* The M, L, and Li FWD types exceed Japanese government fuel economy standards for 2010 by 25%; the M, L, and Li 4WD types by 10%; and the Absolute by 5%.

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First photos of new Prius leaked





The first photos of the upcoming photos were posted today on PriusChat. Although there were questions regarding the authenticity of them, it was finally confirmed by Toyota Open Road Blog that the car shown in those photos is indeed the new Prius.

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