2012 Honda Civic Si Wows At SEMA Show

Limited-edition Honda Factory Performance kit unveiled and Honda Performance Development reveals new grassroots racing program for the Civic Si

Seven modified 2012 Civic Si Coupes and Sedans are featured prominently in the Honda booth at the 2011 SEMA Show, which opens today. The all-new 2012 Civic Si Coupe and Civic Si Sedan emphasize the performance potential of the Civic lineup and represent great platforms for vehicle personalization. Several significant vehicles are being unveiled at the show, including a 2012 Civic Si Coupe equipped with a limited-edition Honda Factory Performance™ (HFP™) package, the Honda Performance Development, Inc. (HPD) Compass360 Racing HPD 2012 Civic Si Coupe Racecar, the Accord Coupe HFP Concept and several vehicles equipped with Honda Genuine Accessories.

"The Honda Civic was instrumental in the first import-tuner movement in the U.S. during the ‘80s," said Bruce Smith, vice president of Service and Technical Operations for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "The all-new Civic Si builds on that proud history by offering inspiring performance, improved fuel economy and a great platform for personalization."

Show-goers will get the first look at the 2012 Civic Si Coupe fitted with a limited-edition HFP package. Limited to only 500 complete kits and on sale today at Honda dealers in the U.S., the package includes: high-performance springs, reducing ride height by 15 mm; high-performance dampers tuned for enhanced road handling and decreased body roll; 18x7 inch HFP Alloy Wheels; full HFP aerodynamic body kit; HFP carpet floor mats; red ambient interior illumination; and, HFP emblems. All of the painted parts will come color-matched to each of the seven available Civic Si Coupe colors.

After unveiling the Compass360 Racing HPD 2012 Civic Si Coupe Racecar, HPD provided details about its new racing performance parts program for the all-new Civic Coupe. Earlier this year, HPD began sales of Civic bodies-in-white, also on display. For builders of racecars, starting their build with a body-in-white represents significant cost and labor savings when compared to the purchase and conversion of a fully-equipped production car. Sales of the body-in-white began in July, and HPD has delivered a number to licensed race teams thus far, priced at $3,500 each. Additionally, HPD will soon offer HPD-designed parts and branded racing components for the new Civic through the Honda Racing Line. These racing parts are tailored for use in the SCCA World Challenge and Grand Am's Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge. They will be available early in 2012, and full details and pricing will be available at that time.

Combining the expertise of HPD and the styling and performance history of HFP, the Accord Coupe V6 HFP Concept features a full suite of currently-available HFP components. HPD guided the creation of the "concept," which includes a supercharger and performance air intake and exhaust systems. Building upon a stock 3.5-liter V6 engine, the supercharged engine is estimated to produce 335 hp and 285 ft. lbs of torque (up 64 hp and 34 ft. lbs vs. stock car). This vehicle was modified to demonstrate the performance potential of the Accord V6 coupe and to gauge consumer interest. Honda has no current production plans for the concept.

Sporting available Honda Genuine Accessories, the 2012 Civic Si Sedan shows that performance and style can come with four doors. It features 18x7 inch HFP alloy wheels, all-season floor mats, trunk tray, cargo net, cargo hook and splash guards. All Honda Genuine Accessories, including HFP components, offer a 3-year/36,000 mile warranty like the Civic itself, if they are purchased and installed at the time of new vehicle purchase, and are engineered to be fully compatible with each Honda vehicle.

Nestled amongst two previously-seen Honda-modified CR-Z sport hybrids, the HPD CR-Z Hybrid R Concept and the CR-Z with MUGEN accessories, is a stand-alone HPD CR-Z engine concept equipped with a supercharger. This 1.5-liter engine concept builds upon HPD 's experience with the turbocharged HPD CR-Z Racer that competed at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill last year and represents HPD 's continued exploration of the performance potential of the CR-Z.

Reaching out to the import community, Honda invited three independent vehicle tuners to build and display their Civic Si concepts at the SEMA Show. Tuners were asked to push the limits of performance and style with their builds, and the vehicles on display demonstrate the personalized potential of the Si Coupe and Sedan. Following last year 's amazing CR-Z build, Bisimoto Engineering delivered a 1004 hp version of the Civic Si Coupe. Having previously built two generations of Fit project vehicles, Tjin Edition brings its own take on the Civic Si Sedan, showing that style and performance can coexist with kids and a family. And making its Honda SEMA Show debut, Fox Marketing pulled out all of the stops to create a wide-body, turbo-charged version of the Civic Si Coupe

Honda Solar Technology Now Helping Power Honda's U.S. Motorsports Engineering Operations

Birthplace of Cutting-Edge Honda Motorsports Technology Now Home to First Large-Scale Honda Solar Cell Installation in U.S.

American Honda Motor Co., Inc., today announced the installation of its largest commercial solar-cell demonstration project in the United States, at Honda Performance Development (HPD), Inc., the company's advanced motorsports engineering facility in Santa Clarita, CA. The 100-kilowatt, 800-cell array of thin-film CIGS solar panels, manufactured by Honda Soltec Co., Ltd., are installed on the roof, carport, and loading dock canopy at the headquarters of HPD, where the company develops engine technology for the IZOD IndyCar series, the American Le Mans Series, the Le Mans Series in Europe, and other racing programs. [Click here to watch a video about Honda's solar technology].

The Honda solar array complements other unique environmental technologies installed at the facility, as well as HPD's plans for "green racing" motorsports programs. Honda

Soltec is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Honda based in Kumamoto, Japan.
The solar demonstration project is one of Honda's largest to date, providing power to several areas of the HPD research-and-development campus, while reducing energy loads and CO2 emissions. Energy produced by the solar array is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 64 metric tons annually, according to Honda estimates.

The system features a solar tracking system that allows some panels to follow the path of the sun and is designed to power an electric vehicle charger, demonstrating Honda's vision for a sustainable energy management system that incorporates Honda solar cell and electric vehicle technologies. Energy output will be monitored in real-time through an internet-based monitoring system.

"The installation of Honda Soltec solar panels along with an electric vehicle charging station at one of our most advanced Honda facilities in the United States represents a big step for us in our solar product development," said Mike Hodge, manager of Honda Home Energy for the Power Equipment Division of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "What we learn from this new project at HPD will provide real-world data and feedback on the use of Honda solar cells in a typical commercial application."

Using a thin-film compound of copper, indium, gallium and selenium (CIGS), Honda's next-generation solar cell requires less raw material and 40 percent less energy, and related CO2 emissions, to manufacture compared to conventional crystal silicon solar cells.  Earlier this year, Honda Soltec introduced a new CIGS cell with a smaller solar panel design, adding to more efficient installation in limited spaces on a wide range of roof shapes. The conversion efficiency of the new solar cell module is expected to exceed 13 percent, ranking it among the world's most efficient CIGS-based thin-film solar cells.

In Japan, where Honda first began selling its CIGS solar cells in October 2008,  Honda is utilizing Honda Soltec solar cells in 15 facilities, including most of its factories and major R&D facilities, with a total output of 2.5 megawatts.

HPD is American Honda's North American racing development and sales organization, operating out of a 123,000-square-foot building in Santa Clarita, CA. The two-story structure houses comprehensive motorsports research and development operations, including design, development engineering, prototype and production parts manufacturing, race-engine preparation and rebuilding areas, and a material analysis laboratory.  Recently, HPD has undertaken a number of "green racing" motorsports initiatives, including developing and campaigning hybrid and alternative-fuel Honda race vehicles.

In the area of green-building technology, HPD already utilizes a thermal energy storage system that employs chillers to produce ice during off-peak evening hours, as well as using energy-efficient lighting fixtures with motion sensing capability, and a drip-type landscape irrigation system.

Installation of GE WattStation™
Also debuting at HPD is the award-winning GE WattStation* electric vehicle charger that can be used to charge the Honda Fit EV battery electric vehicle, set to be introduced to customers in the U.S. and Japan in 2012.  The Fit EV is designed to meet the daily driving needs of the average metropolitan commuter and incorporates the same five-passenger layout found in the popular Fit hatchback.

The GE WattStation is an easy-to-use electric vehicle (EV) charger designed to help accelerate the adoption of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) by significantly decreasing time needed for vehicle charging. The WattStation can charge an electric vehicle in as little as four to eight hours.  Its smart grid-enabled technology also can help utility companies manage the impact of EVs on the local and regional grids.

Honda Environmental Vision
Striving to achieve the Honda Environmental Vision of realizing "the joy and freedom of mobility and a sustainable society where people can enjoy life," in 2011 Honda established voluntary CO2 emissions reduction targets to address the critical issues of climate change and energy sustainability. At the same time, Honda introduced a global environmental image – 'Blue Skies for Our Children' – that draws directly from Honda's environmental heritage.

In 2006, Honda became the first automaker to announce a voluntary goal to reduce global CO2 emissions from the use of its motorcycles, automobiles and power equipment products by 10 percent by the end of 2010 (as compared to year 2000 levels). In 2010, the goal was attained for all products. Honda has now set a new target, to be achieved by the end of 2020, to reduce CO2 emissions from the in-use stage of its automobile, motorcycle and power equipment product lines by 30 percent, as compared to year 2000 levels.

About Honda

Honda is a leader in the development of pioneering environmental technologies to improve fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions, including vehicles powered by advanced gasoline- and natural gas-powered engines, as well as gasoline-electric hybrid, battery-electric, plug-in hybrid and hydrogen fuel cell-electric vehicles. In 2010, Honda was named America's "Greenest Automaker" for the fifth consecutive time by the Union of Concerned Scientists.  In addition to fuel efficient vehicles, Honda's environmentally-responsible product portfolio encompasses energy production and distribution technologies, including Honda CIGS solar cells and an experimental, solar-powered hydrogen refueling station in operation at the company's North American headquarters in Torrance, CA.

About HPD
HPD is a subsidiary of American Honda and is the organization's racing company within North America. Founded in 1993, and located in Santa Clarita, CA. HPD is the technical operations center for American Honda's high-performance racing cars and engines. In addition to its commercial motorsports business, HPD is the single engine supplier to the IndyCar Series and spearheaded Acura's championship-winning efforts in the 2009-2010 American Le Mans Series.

About Honda Soltec
Established on December 1, 2006, Honda Soltec, Ltd., is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Honda Motor Co., Ltd., responsible for the development, manufacture and sales of Honda-developed solar cells.  Honda Soltec began sales of Honda CIGS thin-film solar cells to residential customers in Japan in October 2007, and extended sales to commercial users in Japan in October 2008.  Honda Soltec operates a production plant in Kumamoto, Japan, with the capacity of 27.5 megawatts, in operation since October 2007.   Honda does not market its solar cell technology to customers in the United States at the present time.

Honda's Alabama factory rolls out 262,000 vehicles in 2011

By The Birmingham News The Birmingham News

 

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Honda's Alabama factory produced 262,047 vehicles this year, a figure that was slightly lower than the previous year, the company said today.

Preliminary production results show that the Honda plant in Lincoln turned out 130,442 Odyssey minivans; 118,405 Pilot SUVs; and 13,200 Ridgeline pickups in 2011. The plant has ceased production for the year, so the figures represent a total for 2011.

The 3.5 million-square-foot facility in Talladega County produced about 10,000 more vehicles in 2010. Production at all of Honda's North American factories were reduced in mid-2011 after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan, disrupting the automaker's supply operations. Later in the year, production was slowed because of flooding in Thailand, which also caused disruptions.

"Honda experienced unprecedented challenges in 2011from natural disasters both in Japan and here in Alabama," Tom Shoupe, Honda's Alabama president, said in a statement. "But through all the difficulties, our associates embodied Honda's challenging spirit in working as one team to build high quality products for our customers."

This year, Honda's Alabama operation announced investments totaling $275 million to support the addition of the Acura MDX luxury sport utility vehicle to its production lineup in 2013.

The investments also will support an increase in annual production capacity to 340,000 vehicles and engines by 2013. The company also announced plans to hire at least 140 production workers, adding to its total of 4,000.

 

 

Honda AC-X Concept: Tokyo Motor Show Live Photos

By John Voelker  December 22, 2011

Honda released some details of its Tokyo Motor Show concept cars three weeks ago, and now we can see what they look like in person.

For U.S. buyers in particular, the most important of them is the Honda Advanced Cruiser-X (AC-X) Concept, a mid-size sedan that resembles nothing so much as a freshened version of Honda's low-production FCX Clarity hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle.

Among all of Honda's concepts--and this being the Tokyo show, there were plenty of wacky ones to go round from almost every maker--the AC-X stands out because its technology previews a plug-in hybrid model of the next Honda Accord sedan.

To be launched as a 2013 or 2014 model, the new Accord will offer a new full hybrid system using a pair of motor-generators that let it run entirely on electricity at low speeds.

That's in contrast to the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system used in all Honda hybrids to date, including the new 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid compact sedan, the CR-Z two-seat hybrid sport coupe, and the freshened 2012 Honda Insight subcompact hatchback.

The AC-X Concept shows off a version of the new hybrid with a larger battery pack that can be plugged into wall current to recharge it, similar to the 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid that'll arrive at dealers next spring--one of the pair of new Priuses that won our Best Car To Buy 2012 Award.

2011 Honda AC-X Plug-In Hybrid Concept

According to Honda, drivers can select an "engine drive mode" with more performance, which uses the engine more, or an "automatic drive mode" which maximizes electric propulsion and more relaxed driving--most likely meaning slower acceleration.

The engine is a 1.6-liter four-cylinder unit, paired to Honda's new hybrid drive system, which has been developed for larger and heavier vehicles. That means not only mid-size sedans like the Accord, but also heavier crossovers and minivans.

Honda expects to introduce a production car using its new hybrid system next year. Meanwhile, here's what the AC-X Concept looked like in Tokyo.

For all our coverage of cars and concepts, check out our Tokyo Motor Show summary page.

2013 Honda Accord Coupe Concept to debut at Detroit Auto Show

14 December, 2011, 09:15 IST by Cartradeindia Editorial Team

The Japan-based automobile company, Honda Motor recently announced its plans for the upcoming Detroit International Motor Show. Honda has decided to introduce its 2013 Accord Coupe Concept, joining other new car concepts that are lined for the North American Auto Show to be held during January next year.

The company as expected chose not to reveal details about its new Honda Accord Coupe Concept; however, it has been confirmed that the new model will be a two-door coupe. Moreover, the car maker also said that the next generation Honda Accord Coupe Concept is slated to go on sale by fall next year.

The 2013 Honda Accord Coupe Concept will be the ninth generation model under its best-selling Accord brand. Although details about the new coupe concept have been kept under wraps, the 2013 Honda Accord Coupe Concept is predicted to be the first among many new Honda Accords expected in the future.

Since its inception during 1976, when the first generation Honda Accord was introduced, the model has pioneered in terms of performance, styling, comfort and safety. Till date, Accord is valued as one of the best-selling cars in the United States of America. Moreover, the 2012 edition of Honda Accord was awarded with the highest initial quality in its segment in the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 Initial Quality Study (IQS).

The company has confirmed that the ninth generation Honda Accord will also be available in plug-in hybrid option, which will serve as a convenient alternative for short trips and routine driving of around 15 miles in a single charge. The two-motor system in the 2013 Honda Accord will work on three different modes, gasoline-electric, electric-only and a unique engine direct-drive mode.

Along with being the ninth edition of Accord, the 2013 Accord Coupe Concept will mark completion of 30 years of the model's production at the company's American production plant in Marysville, Ohio. The 2013 Honda Accord Coupe Concept is expected to carry further the successful standing established over the years

2012 Buick Regal GS

October 10, 2011 / By: Amy Skogstrom, Ben Timmins, David Zenlea, Evan McCausland, Jennifer Misaros, Joe DeMatio, Kelly Ryan Murphy / Photos by Matt Tierney

General Motors now has a truly global product development organization, but it still seems somewhat flustered when it comes to marketing "foreign" cars in the United States. The Buick Regal GS is the latest vehicle -- the Saturn Astra, the Pontiac GTO and G8, and the Cadillac Catera also come to mind -- to land haphazardly on our shores without a well-defined mission.

To recap briefly, the Opel Insignia, which debuted in Europe to rave reviews in 2008, was supposed to come to the United States as part of a broad alliance between Opel and Saturn. Alas, Saturn went belly up and GM ran away from the idea of an "Opel USA," though the company's latest products, including the Chevrolet Cruze and the upcoming Malibu, ride on platforms developed largely in Europe. Cast about in this shuffle, the Insignia, by now a three-year-old car, arrived to fight in a bitterly competitive segment wearing an old muscle-car nameplate for a brand looking to steal Lexus buyers. As if that weren't enough to swallow, the official launch party for the GS, which I attended, was at a Buick-sponsored Plain White Tees concert in Miami Beach. Can you say, "Huh?" Compare this confusion with the focused campaign that accompanied the Ford Fiesta's U.S. launch, and you'll see the issue.

I bring all this up because I worry the marketing will sabotage a very good product. The GS treatment polishes over our complaints about the Regal 2.0T. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder seems to breathe more freely in this high-output configuration and suffers less from turbo lag, though the moment's hesitation off the line and a faint whistling keep it from quite matching the Audi A4's excellent four-cylinder. The GS has some of the sharpest steering I've experienced in a front-wheel-drive car, and despite the extra power, doesn't suffer from much torque steer. It dives into corners with almost unsettling quickness and exhibits very little body roll, especially when the dampers are in "GS" mode. The firm ride, progressive brake pedal, and slick manual shifter all further the impression that the Regal is a well thought out European sedan. And unlike the imported Holdens and Opels of yore, the Regal doesn't have a bland exterior or a confounding interior. The latter does suffer from having too many center-console buttons but this, again, reflects the car's age more than its origin. Some will continue to question the decision to forgo the Insignia OPC's turbo V-6 and all-wheel drive. I actually drove that car and find this setup much lighter and more responsive feeling.

David Zenlea, Assistant Editor

---

Most of my life I've associated Buick with my grandmother. It's all she has ever owned. Then my brother bought one, but it did not change my mind; he always buys old-lady cars. Then Buick showed up at the magazine's offices with the Regal GS, and I went outside with the staff for the walkaround of the car with the chief engineer and the PR guy. My first impression was, wow, this is a Buick? It looked so nice, with its carbon metallic paint glistening in the sun. When I drove it, it seemed like a menagerie of features from competitors. Some of the interior controls reminded me of Audi. The information toggle mouse is like the ones Mercedes uses, and the powertrain, right down to the whistle in the turbo, is pure Saab. Interior styling reflects Hyundai. All in all, the car is far better to drive than any other Buick I've ever been in. I'd probably buy it before its Asian competitors, but it's a hard sell against the European lineup.

Honda Accord and Fit Receive Car and Driver Magazine's "10Best Cars" Awards

Accord honored 26 times in 30 years; Fit wins for sixth straight year

12/06/2011 - TORRANCE, Calif.

Car and Driver magazine has named the 2012 Honda Accord 4-cylinder and the 2012 Honda Fit as two winners of its prestigious and highly competitive, annual "10Best Cars" award. Now in its eighth generation, the Accord has achieved "10Best Cars" status 26 times in the 30 years that Car and Driver editors have been conducting the competition, more than any other vehicle in the award's history. The Honda Fit has been honored with "10Best Cars" status in each of the six years that it has been on sale in the United States.

"The Car and Driver '10Best Cars' awards document a proud history of great cars in America over the last 30 years," said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "Honda is honored to again have two of our vehicles included among the best of the best."

The Fit has been sold in the U.S. since the 2007 model year and is manufactured in Sayama, Japan. The Accord has been sold in the U.S. since the 1976 model year and has been manufactured in Marysville, Ohio since 1982.

Honda Car and Driver "10Best Cars" Award History

Honda Model	"10Best Cars" Award Model Year
Accord	2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1995, 1994,1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983
Civic	1996, 1991,1990, 1989, 1988
CRX	1988, 1985
Fit	2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007
Prelude	1998, 1997, 1996, 1995,1994,1993, 1992, 1986, 1985, 1984
S2000	2004, 2002, 2001, 2000