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Honda Motor Co., Ltd. and Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd. have announced the establishment of a joint venture company that will develop and manufacture electric motors for vehicles. The company will use Hitachi Automotive Systems’ premises in Hitachinaka-shi, Ibaraki Prefecture.

Prior to the establishment of the company, both companies were engaged in various discussions based on a Memorandum of Understanding that was signed February 3rd. It will receive a financial grant from Ibaraki Prefecture as it has been recognized as a relevant project that “promotes the establishment of corporate head office functions” within the prefecture.

This joint venture will allow Honda better access to electric motor technology as well as give the company a head start at being a mass producer of EV motors. The advent of practical electric vehicles such as the Nissan Leaf and Tesla Model S has managed to convince many that EV vehicles can be a practical mode of transportation.

Unlike the old days, newer ones are able to travel longer before needing to be recharged and are fitted with batteries that last over time. Automakers have also increased the warranty period on these batteries as well as initiated programmes that make it easier for owners to have their tired batteries replaced at a fraction of the actual costs.

Mass production of electrical components such as battery packs and motors, should drive down costs of buying and owning an EV, which in turn will reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. Honda should benefit from this quiet a bit, especially if it manages to convince large automakers to buy Honda motors rather than build their own from scratch.

Honda Malaysia has announced that the newly launched Jazz Petrol has been well received in our country. Apparently, the automaker has received over 1,300 bookings for the car since its launch two weeks ago, which is a 100 units more than the monthly sales target.

The E variant received 40% of the total bookings that were made, while the V variant got 32% and the S variant 28%. The highest number of bookings were in the Klang Valley region, making up 42% of the total bookings. Southern and northern regions made up about 21% and 18% of overall bookings respectively. The remaining 13% and 6% of the bookings were from the East Coast and East Malaysia. Most of these cars have been ordered in Modern Steel Metallic followed by Lunar Silver Metallic.

Launched simultaneously with the regular Jazz, was the hybrid version. Malaysia is the first country outside Japan to receive the new car. Its the only hybrid model in the country that is priced below RM90,000.00. For more about the car and the petrol version, click here.

The Honda Jazz is one of the most popular models that the Japanese automaker sells in our country, and has contributed somewhat in the surge of sales bookings. For more information about this, visit Honda’s local website or visit your nearest authorized Honda dealership.

Honda has announced that it will be giving the Nationwide Children’s hospital in the USA, a $ 1 million (RM 4,288,650) gift package to establish the Honda Center for Gait Analysis and Mobility Enhancement, which is designed to enhance pediatric mobility. It’s the first of its kind and will provide spine motion analysis, sports performance programs and injury prevention in addition the comprehensive gait analysis.

The state-of the-art facility will feature instrumentation, including advanced video recording techniques and 3D motion analysis cameras, force platforms and electromyography. This will make the automaker a leader in prosthetic and wheelchair development, allowing it to complete its mission of improving the mobility of all children.

Honda’s center will aid in seeking and promoting innovative ways to manage patients with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, spinal cord injury and neuromuscular disease, congenital anomalies and amputations, and any condition which may limit mobility.

Cerebral palsy is the most common motor disability in children, accounting for nearly 10,000 new cases annually. Another 1,500 babies are born with spina bifida each year and 1,500 children are admitted to hospitals with spinal cord injuries. Apart from this, nearly 3 million cases related to sports injuries are reported by pediatric emergency departments in hospitals around the US.

“At Honda, we consider ourselves a mobility company, and we want our products and our philanthropy to focus on the joy and freedom people have when they have mobility,” said Tom Shoupe, senior vice president of Honda of America, Mfg. “Whether motorcycles, automobiles, marine engines, aircraft, or assistive robotics, we have a long tradition of providing mobility products and so it was a natural fit to work with Nationwide Children’s on a center that would work to expand physical mobility for patients.”

Through the use of the facility, more opportunities will be made available for research within pediatric sports medicine, injury prevention and surgical rehabilitation. As additional opportunities are identified, it broadens Nationwide Children’s approach to multidisciplinary research and care.

Honda and the Nationwide Children’s Hospital have had a longstanding partnership dating back more than 30 years. And just recently, the Japanese automaker pledged $750,000 (RM 3,216,488) for the construction of “Determination Way” Nationwide Children’s custom-designed simulated community. This will provide a real-world environment where rehabilitation patients can learn how to manage daily living activities.

Honda has released a concept sketch of its upcoming 10th generation Accord. Based on what we can see, the new car should have a more muscular and sporty stance compared to the previous generation, which is a very good thing. Though the overall design language doesn’t detract much from that of its predecessor, the changes provide the silhouette more depth and the curvature of the front-end give the car a menacing look.

The all new 2018 Honda Accord will make its global debut in Detroit on July 14 and the Japanese automaker boasts that it will be the most ‘fun-to-drive, premium looking and dramatically styled Accord ever made’. Earlier in the month, it was revealed that Honda would be offering the car with two new direct-injection turbo engines that would be paired with either the new Honda-developed 10-speed automatic transmission, CVT or a 6-speed manual transmission. The hybrid variant should feature the company’s next generation two-motor hybrid powertain technology.

Honda says that it will reveal full details regarding the performance of these powertrains as well as the new design and technology at the launch event, state side. North America is an important market for the Japanese company because for the past four years, it has seen the Accord top the sales charts in the midsize sedan segment. And in the first five months of 2017, it has held the title of segment leader in sales and is the best-selling passenger car overall after the new Honda Civic.

Expect more details regarding the car very soon as Honda prepares to reveal the highly anticipated 10th generation Honda Accord for the global market next month.

The advent of crossover SUV vehicles has led to the decline in demand for full-size off-roaders. The allure of more compact dimensions, fuel sipping engines, lower maintenance costs and cheaper price tags seem too good to pass up. Vehicles like the Honda HRV, Ford EcoSport and Mitsubishi ASX have made buyers realise that a commanding driving position, wide track, mild off road capabilities and excellent cargo carrying capacity are attributes that are no longer reserved for massive 4×4 trucks.

Crossover vehicles like these can be classified as The Jack Of All Trades. They are able to behave like a city car due to their conventional suspension setup and relatively small dimensions, but when the need arises, be able to take on tougher terrain thanks to higher ground clearances and beefy tyres. Basically, its an SUV in a hatchback-like body or Connor McGregor in a tux.

Fully loaded, these vehicles come with a plethora of safety and tech kits that rival that offered in some luxury cars. Ride quality too, seems very car-like albeit things could be a whole lot better for a lot less money. If this really is the case and that crossovers are able to offer us the best of both worlds, why do we still need SUVs? And to a much larger extent, has Honda lost its marbles to place the HRV so close to its stalwart CR-V?

All this has led some to ask, is the CR-V still relevant when the BR-V and HR-V offer similar allure but at a considerably cheaper price point? Well, I decided to find out for myself, which is why i took the best equipped CR-V that Honda makes, on a road trip to find out if it’s still capable of being the staple of soccer moms and thrill-seeking dads.

This 4th generation CR-V comes from a long line of trusted Honda workhorses hearkening back to 1997 with the introduction of the first generation CR-V to grass our shores. It’s been a mainstay on our roads ever since, thanks to its ability to offer utilitarian-like versatility in a handsome body as well as with plush leather seats and infotainment amenities that millennials can’t do without.

Right off the bat, you will notice that the CR-V is as docile as a Toyota Corolla. Its keyless entry system negates the need to have to pull out the remote every time you need to unlock the doors. It senses your proximity to the door, and unlocks it – it’s that simple. The door handles require little effort to operate, the doors themselves weigh about the same as those on a regular car, the seats offer a snug fit and the controls are very car-like despite having a 4WD drivetrain.

There’s even a little green button adorned with a leaf-like logo, that when pushed, gives the vehicle a more sedate, fuel sipping characteristics and that also acts as your eco adviser, informing you of how frugal you are while prodding the throttle pedal.

Tech wise, this CR-V is a bit long in the tooth and is due for a much needed upgrade. It falls behind in terms of usability and convenience in comparison to the more modern touchscreen setups offered by a number of competitors. But that should soon change when the new generation CR-V is launched in the coming months, but I digress.

Up till this point, there’s very little that will have you believe that you are in fact, seated in a rather large vehicle that is 4,590mm long, 1,820mm wide and weighs nearly 1.6 tons. Everything seems conventional, commonplace and ordinary – it feels like a slightly wider Honda City, by comparison.

Its capacious cabin is very accommodating to taller occupants offering decent head and legroom for four adults to sit comfortably and without an incessant need to make constant positional adjustments in the name of comfort. Another plus point of having a large vehicle like the CR-V is the carnivorous luggage space that is able take in 586 litres of cargo with the back seats up, and 1146 litres with them folded down.

See, after taking all of this in, conventional wisdom will have you believe that the sheer heft of this Honda should put its handling at skittish predisposition. But it doesn’t and that is what baffles most first time drivers. It is a vehicle that can be likened to a Labrador Retriever – ever willing to please its master. You need only put in a smigen of effort and it will try its best to do the rest.

The car we had, was the full spec 2.4-litre variant that had the performance gusto to match its brawny apprearence. Now, Honda does offer the CR-V with a smaller and less powerful 2.0-litre engine and 2WD setup, which should prove to be more economical in the city, but its bigger brother is the one you want. That’s because its more powerful engine, fills in a lot of the glaring gaps in torque of the 2.0-litre powerplant, which robs it of quite a bit of driving enjoyment.

Coupled with the rather smooth shifting 5-speed automatic transmission, our CR-V makes sudden bursts of acceleration an enjoyable affair. Pulling away from traffic stops is a breeze to say the least and stopping power is just as commendable thanks to the powerful 4-wheel-disc brake setup.

These characteristics provide the vehicle with the much needed performance especially when meandering past B-roads or lugging the entire family up steep inclines. It’s almost car-like in performance which relegates its dimensions to the back of your mind while you enjoy flicking it into tight turns with blatant disregard for your passengers impending digestion issues.

Reigning in such behaviour is the job of the vehicle stability assist system, which is very effective at keeping in-check the vehicle’s pitch and traction – ensuring that it is kept out of harm’s way.

Despite my overwhelming adoration for this particular Honda, I do have one major gripe with it. And that pertains to the suspension setup. There’s the MacPherson strut setup upfront and a double wishbone arrangement at the rear – typical of a vehicle of this nature. But the ride quality that this combination offers, is one that leaves a lot to be desired.

It’s pliant at city speeds and on level roads but the moment you come across noticeable undulations at higher speeds, that changes, making the ride irritatingly willowy, which lends a sense of vagueness to its perceived capabilities and its ability to do what you ask of it.

And while the steering is almost effortless to operate, its electrically assisted motorised setup robs much of the feel and confidence that a hydraulic one would offer. Had there been a little more weight to it, the steering would deliver an experience that can be considered the best of both worlds.

Apart from this, there’s very little that I can fault the CR-V for, its a decent vehicle, and while there isn’t much you can do to alter its 4WD power distribution, as is the case for more serious off-roaders, it’s good enough – which brings me back to the point of this article.

Yes, the CR-V is every bit relevant today as it was in 1997, its a dependable all-rounder that can handle long distance road trips without breaking a sweat as well as functioning as the daily runabout of the average home maker. It’s just as at home ferrying the kids to school and tackling the weekly grocery shopping to the more heavy duty offroad stuff.

This isn’t something that can be said of the HR-V or BR-V though. While they can accomplish a number of daunting tasks meant for bigger vehicles, they can’t accomplish it with the poise and confidence offered by the CR-V. This then, lends credence to the notion that the CR-V is the most capable of the lot, and should you find yourself wanting a vehicle that can do it all yet offer worry-free motoring – this is the vehicle for you.

Piston Review Rating: 7/10
Honda CR-V Specifications
Engine: 2.4L 4WD i-VTEC
Transmission: 5-Speed Automatic
Horsepower: 188bhp
Torque: 222Nm

The new Honda Accord which will be launched in the US, according to Honda, will be all-new, redesigned and re-engineered to ensure that the nameplate remains as the best-selling mide size sedan state side.

Compared to the outgoing car, the new one will have dramatically lower and wider appearance, will provide the car with a more athletic and aggressive stance.

The car will be offered with a number of powertrain options. The 1.5-litre direct-injection turbocharged engine that will be mated to a CVT or 6-speed manual transmission, the 2.0-litre direct-injected DOHC Turbo i-VTEC one, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission (an industry first for a front-wheel-drive vehicle) or a 6-speed manual one. The hybrid version of the Accord will be powered by a next-generation innovative two-motor hybrid system, which is able to operate without the use of a convetional automatic transmission.

“With these three advanced new powertrains, the tenth-generation Accord will be the most fun-to-drive, refined and fuel-efficient Accord yet,”said Jeff Conrad, senior vice president and general manager of America Honda Motor Co., Inc. “Just as the new Honda Civic injected new energy into the compact car segment, we expect this all-new 2018 Accord will make people rethink the midsize sedan.”

Since its launch in 1976, more than 13 million Americans have purchased the Honda Accord and it was the first Japanese vehicle to be made in the US. It has been assembled in Honda’s Maryville plant in Ohio since 1982. Honda says that it will divulge more details about the latest iteration of its mid-size family sedan in the coming weeks. So, stay tuned and we will bring you more about the car as soon as we find out.

A first for Honda, the new generation Civic Type R will be the first of its nameplate to be sold in the US. And the very first car with (VIN) 01, made for the market, will be auctioned online (Bring A Trailer) beginning June 7th, with all proceeds benefiting the Pediatric Brain Tumor foundation.

It is is the world’s largest nonprofit solely dedicated to fighting the deadliest childhood cancer. Since 1991, the PBTF has funded more than USD 29 million (RM124 million) in research to improve quality of life, increase survivor ship and ultimately eliminate pediatric brain tumors. The nonprofit also offers families free educational resources about brain tumors, a toolkit for newly diagnosed patients, college scholarships for survivors, emergency financial aid and other support.

The Honda Civic Type R has always eluded the grubby hands of eager American fanboys since its introduction. The Japanese never really saw North America as a viable market to sell its performance oriented C-segment car. Now however, it seems as though that has changed and we are sure that that many car enthusiasts over there, thank them for it. This new car features a turbocharged 2.0-litre 16-valve DOHC engine that produces 306 bhp. Touted as the most powerful powerplant fitted to a Honda production vehicle, it is mated to a short-shifting six-speed manual transmission to offer the most analog experience one could have.

Drivers can adjust the vehicle’s characteristics by toggling through the Comfort, Sport and +R drive modes. The change in drive mode affects the vehicle’s fully independent suspension which comprises of dual-axis strut front strut and adaptive dampers. Other outstanding features include the use of cross-drilled front brake discs, 4-pot Brembo brake calipers and an extensive aerodynamic package that is said to offer high-speed stability and low drag.

Thanks to its performance figures, the Type R holds the lap record in the Nurburgring for the fastest front-wheel-drive car to lap the circuit in 7 minutes 43.80 seconds, which is 3 seconds faster than the previous record.

Despite Honda having a factory in the US, the Civic Type R that is destined to be sold there, will be built in the automaker’s UK plant in Swindon. The car’s engine whoever, will be be produced in Ohio, USA at Honda’s largest automobile engine plant in the world.

Honda has finally launched the facelifted version of its every popular city car, the Jazz. No drastic changes have been made for the updated car, which features subtle styling changes that include a new chrome front grille and a rear bumper. But this time around, Honda has made the Mugen pack, worth RM5,670 available as an optional extra. The package consists of front, sides, rear lip spoiler and tailgate spoiler that are of a sporty design.

That said, the Mugen pack will only be made available to order in October of this year but if you purchase the new car now, you can opt for the Urban (RM1,580) and Utility (RM820) packages to add a unique touch to the cheerful Jazz.

Two versions of the Jazz were launched simultaneously. There’s the standard petrol powered car and the halo one, the Jazz Hybrid, which is touted as the only such car in its class. The petrol car uses a 1.5-litre i-VTEC mill and CVT transmission found in its predecessor but its electrified brethren comes with a more sophisticated powertrain.

Under the hood is a brand new 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC engine that is mated to a (Shift by Wire) seven-speed dual clutch transmission and its integrated electric motor. This combination, according to Honda, will offer respectible power delivery and sporty character that is relatively unheard of in this category. Juice for the electric motor is supplied by a new Lithium-ion battery pack that can store more electrical energy than the one in the previous generation car but with half the size.

When pushed to the limit, with both the petrol and electric motor being active, the Jazz Hybrid is able to deliver a total output of 137bhp and 160Nm of torque which is similar to what a 1.8 or 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine is able to offer. All this power will be made available by the Sport Hybrid i-DCD unit once the S button is pressed, making power delivery a bit more peppy than its petrol powered equivalent. But, when driven frugally, the car is said to be able to offer a fuel consumption figure of 4.0-litre/100km.

The regular petrol powered Jazz comes in three different variants, S,E and V, which isn’t the case with the hybrid one (only one version is available). The E and V variants get DRLs, touch panel auto air-conditioning, reverse camera and 6.8-inch infotainment system. The top spec V car gets a bit more stuff such as dual-tone color alloy wheels, paddle shifters, cruise control and half leather seats.

The Jazz Hybrid however, gets a 3D Speed Meter design information display that shows Energy Flow, Sport Meter, Fuel Economy, Drive Info, Customization and Eco Display, as well as the same preimum stuff found in the base Jazz.

Safety tech for the cars include standard Brake Assist (BA), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), four airbags (6 airbags for V variant), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) and Hill Start Assist (HSA).

As for body colour options, the Jazz comes in Modern Steel Metallic, Lunar Silver Metallic, Carnival Red, Taffeta White and Crystal Black Pearl whereas the New Jazz Hybrid will be available in Lunar Silver Metallic, Modern Steel Metallic and White Orchid Pearl.

The regular base car is priced at RM74,800 for S variant, RM81,000 for E variant, RM88,400 for V variant and the Jazz Hybrid is priced at RM87,500 (on the road with GST). All variants come with a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty but the Hybrid gets gets an additional 8-years warranty for its battery pack.

If you would like to know more, visit the automaker’s local website and make an informed decision on whether the Jazz is the right car for you.

Honda will be launching the 5th generation CR-V very soon and that should have many Malaysians excited. It is a complete redesign, both inside and out with the vehicle featuring muscular styling and a plethora of driver aids that are more common place in expensive German luxury cars.

For the new CR-V, Honda’s designers incorporated more angular styling compared to that used by its predecessor. The LED projector headlights are elongated and blend with the contours of the front fascia. The grille is wider and more prominent at the front, giving the vehicle a more rugged look. The signature chrome bar that stretches across the grille features a two piece design with the thin upper section stretching across the entire front end.

The side profile is not that far off from the 4th gen vehicle but the lower roof line and wider side countours are more sporty attributes that will make it a more appealing SUV. At the rear, Honda chose a simple yet elegant design with the two piece rear lights arrangement that are integrated with the metal chrome trim panel, which stretches from one side of the boot to the other.

Despite not growing much in size, the new CR-V is still bigger compared to the vehicle it replaces. It’s 4,584mm long, 1,855mm wide and 1,679mm high but that increases 10mm for the 4WD model. It has a wheelbase of 2,660mm and offers decent ground clearance of 198mm for the 2WD one and 208mm for the 4WD variant. Honda says that cabin space is best in class and will be quite accommodating to taller passengers. Cargo space is good too, with about 1,084 litres with the rear seats fare folded flat to the floor.

This is all well and good but the features that deserve the most praise are the driver aids. Unlike previous generation CR-V vehicles, the new one, has cutting-edge tech that should boost any driver’s confidence while on the road. Called Sensing, the system makes use of a monocular camera on the top of the windshield and milimeter wave radar in the grille to detect obstacles, impending collisions and other safety related risks.

This Sensing safety suite consists of seven features, which are Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Low-Speed Follow (LSF), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), and Lane Departure Warning (LDW).

The ACC and LSF features allow the driver to set a desired cruising speed and take both feet of the pedals, which will then allow the vehicle to maintain said speed, apply brakes and when necessary accelerate to maintain a safe distance to the vehicle in front. It even works in stop and go traffic situations, which should be a major benefit to those who face traffic jams on a regular basis.

Forward Collision Warning and Collision Mitigation Braking work together to act as the driver’s third eye. When the FCW detects a risk of a collision with the vehicle in front, it triggers visual warning audible alerts to the driver. CMB on the other hand, scans traffic conditions in front of the vehicle and if it detects a potential collision, it will automatically apply the brakes to slow the vehicle down and reduce the severity of a collision.

Besides front collision, impacts from the sides are also a major concern especially when crossing intersections. Here too, Honda’s new CR-V has your back covered. Through the use of Lane Keeping Assist, the system uses the vehicle’s camera to monitor lane markings and adjust steering input to ensure that the vehicle stays in its lane.

Road Departure Mitigation is a warning system that alerts the driver (when speeds are within 72km/h to 180km/h) when he or she veers off into another driver’s lane or too close to the edge of the road. The steering wheel will vibrate to alert the driver, and when necessary, steering and braking input will be made automatically to keep the CR-V out of harm’s way.

Lastly, there’s Lane Departure Warning which is integrated with the Road Departure Mitigation system. It will remind drivers to use the appropriate signal lights if it detects that the vehicle crosses into another lane without the proper use of the turn signals.

Honda will be conducting five roadshows this month across the country to allow Malaysians to have a closer look at the new CR-V before it’s official launch for our market. If you are interested in the vehicle, the following are the respective locations where Honda will conduct the aforementioned roadshows.

4 June 2017 Gurney Paragon, Penang 10:00 am – 10:00 pm

7 – 11 June 2017 Mid Valley, Kuala Lumpur 10:00 am – 10:00 pm

11 June 2017 Imago Mall, Kota Kinabalu 10:00 am – 10:00 pm

16 – 18 June 2017 AEON Tebrau City, Johor Bahru 10:00 am – 10:00 pm

18 June 2017 Plaza Merdeka, Kuching 10:00 am – 10:00 pm

If you wish to buy the CR-V, you can pre-book the SUV at any of the 91 authorised Honda dealerships nationwide right now and be one of the first to drive it home when it is offically launched. For more information, visit the automaker’s local website at www.honda.com.my.

During the recent race weekend, Prince Albert II of Monaco chose to drive a Honda Clarity Fuel Cell for the lap of honour for the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix, which served as the official opening of the prestigious race.

Prince Albert II, accompanied by Princess Charlene and a representative from the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), piloted the Clarity Fuel Cell around the 3.337km circuit.

It’s no surprise that this particular car was chosen for the opening ceremony. Prince Albert II has been an advocate for the environment and its sustainability. One of the key aims of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation is to limit the effects of climate change and promote renewable energies.

Though not popular in Asia, the Clarity Fuel Cell is a technological marvel. It features state of the art fuel cell technology that allow it to generate electricity to drive its motor, by combining hydrogen and oxygen. Unlike the harmful gases that are produced during combustion in a petrol engine, the only byproduct of a Fuel Cell reaction is water. In the Clarity Fuel Cell, the 103kW fuel cell stack is placed in the engine/motor bay instead of under the passenger seats like conventional electric cars. This allows for better cabin space and legroom for occupants.

The car looks and feels like any conventional Honda despite being anything but that. It is a Fuel Cell sedan that can seat five comfortably, and when fully filled with hydrogen, can cover a distance of 650km without needing to stop for a refill.

In the long term, cars like this will be a common sight in Honda dealerships because the automaker plans on offering some form of electrified powertrains in two thirds of its cars sold in Europe by 2025.

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