Honda Archives

McLaren and Honda end troubled F1 partnership

McLaren’s Formula 1 team and its engine supplier for the past two and half years, Honda, have decided to part ways after a dismal run of performance since the partnership was forged in 2015. Since switching from Mercedes-Benz powered engines to the Honda ones, McLaren hasn’t been the same.

The team have found themselves closer to the back of the grid, competing with teams that lacked the same technology funding, and driver talent than what the British based automaker had at its disposal. Despite having one of the most talented drivers of this era in Fernando Alonso, the team has failed to impress.

Plagued by constant reliability issues, the under powered Honda units have caused McLaren and Alonso, a great deal of grief. So much so that the Spaniard delivered an ultimatum to his team by stating, if things did not improve soon, he would leave in search of other opportunities.

After allowing all this to sink in, both teams have decided, in a complicated manner, to break-up and go their separate ways. As part of the deal, McLaren will receive Renault engines for the 2018 season, Toro Rosso will switch to Honda power and its driver, Carlos Sainz Jr., would be loaned to the Renault F1 team for the 2018 season.

It’s a complicated break up but it’s one that might allow McLaren to get back to its winning ways. This is especially sad considering that this same partnership allowed Mclaren a great deal of success in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Any hopes of both teams rekindling that same success of their glory days will never be realized in the near future.

How well these new partnerships pan out remains to be seen, but rumour has it that Honda might introduce a more powerful engine for the 2018 season. If proven true, McLaren might have jumped the gun by switching to Renault power and allowing Toro Rosso to benefit from its R&D with Honda.

Source: F1.com

Honda unveil new compact concept car at Frankfurt

Honda has unveiled a funky new EV concept car called the Urban EV concept at the Frankfurt Motorshow. The supermini sports a compact three-door design and retro looks reminiscent of the early Civics. Shorter than the current Jazz by atleast 100mm, it aims to offer sportiness and ‘manly’ practicality.

The squarish front grille is actually able to light up and display a number of different messages that include greetings and advice for other drivers while on the road as well as charging updates. The Honda emblem has a back-light that emits a blueish hue.

The concept was officially introduced by Honda Motor Co. President and CEO, Takahiro Hachigo, during his press conference speech. This is not some vision of the distant future, a production version of this car will be here in Europe in 2019.”

Visibility from inside the cabin is impressive, thanks to slim A-pillars and a wide windscreen that stretches the entire width of the vehicle. The car also features rear-hinged coach doors and a charging port that is housed on its bonnet.

Inside, the cabin incorporates innovative styling and design that allow for better use of space. Honda says that the Urban EV will be able to seat four adults comfortably across two bench seats. And unlike most cars, the Urban EV’s interior resembles that of a lounge.

Thanks to wood accents, elegantly designed seating positions and an elongated rectangular display on the dashboard, mean the vehicle can also double as a meeting area. The seat-belts for the rear bench are fixed in the middle of the seat, allowing the belt to retract out of the way before a passenger exits the car. Though not ideal, but it’s still a cool feature for a concept.

That said, the car’s main party piece is its Automated Network Assistant that assesses the driver’s past decisions and facial/emotional expressions that accompany them to apply what it has learnt to make new choices and recommendations on journeys.

But don’t get too excited though, concept vehicles such as these rarely ever make it onto showroom floors. Some elements of its design maybe incorporated into upcoming Honda models, but most, will probably be shelved till a later date.

Honda celebrates 25th anniversary of the Type-R

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Type R nameplate. Introduced in 1992 to signal a vehicle’s performance oriented heritage, it went to become a set of letters that is revered all over the world.

The first Honda vehicle that received the R in its model name was the NSX-R, which was fitted with Motorsport-inspired upgrades that improved the base car’s characteristics. The R version had a powerful and high revving engine and finely tuned suspension.

Within Honda, the NSX-R was known as the R-Type, which eventually reversed to form Type-R. It’s a name that went on to adorn a number of high performance Hondas that include the Integra DC2, Civic and Accord.

Honda’s Type-R vehicles were in high demand up until 2011 when the global financial recession hit markets around the world. But things eventually picked again as economies around the world began to recover.

Fans of the brand are commemorating this milestone with a celebration event in Rockingham this week. Apart from that, Honda UK also gave a select group of people the opportunity to experience the best that Type-R vehicles have to offer including the Civic, Accord and Integra models.

Honda will unveil EV at Frankfurt Motorshow

Honda will be using the upcoming 2017 Frankfurt Motorshow as a platform to showcase its electrification plans for its European car range. Part of that plan is the introduction of the Urban EV Concept, which will provide the general public with a glimpse into the direction Honda will take for future EVs.

Unlike Nissan, Honda and Toyota don’t have their own versions of EV contenders, choosing instead to rely solely on hybrid propulsion system for its electrification product portfolio. This is why its Frankfurt announcement will play a major role in gauging the automaker’s seriousness to take on EV competitors like Tesla and more recently, Volvo and VW.

Apart from the new vehicle, Honda will also be unveiling a hybrid version of the CR-V in prototype form. The move is meant as a precursor to the launch of the all-new CR-V SUV which should take place soon. The public will get to witness first hand, the best that Honda has to offer.

Flanking this new vehicle are the facelifted Jazz supermini as well as the new diesel-powered variant of the current (10th) generation Civic hatchback. Honda Motor CEO, Takahiro Hachigo will unveil the Honda Urban EV Concept at the Honda Press Conference on Tuesday 12 September.

The diesel powered vehicle will probably utilizes the new and improved engine from the previous generation car. A detailed article regarding that particular powerplant has been covered in a previous article, click here to read it.

This is great news for Honda fans, because like a number of other mainstream automakers, it too will be going ‘all in’ on the EV revolution.

New Honda CR-V wins Best New Car for Teens award

Honda has picked up another accolade in the US and this time, its for winning U.S. News & World Report’s 2017 Best New Car for Teens award in the SUV and Crossover category. The all new CR-V is a marked improvement over its predecessor sporting rugged good looks an better offroading abilities.

The vehicle comes with some of the latest suite of safety tech known as Honda Sensing, which is leaps and bounds better than what was used in previous generation vehicles that bore the nameplate.

The list of aids include Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) with Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) and Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) with Lane Departure Warning (LDW), and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low Speed Follow.

These features used to be reserved for high-end German luxury cars, but now are available with a plethora of more affordable models. And they are a Godsend because when activated, a vehicle that is equipped with this, could save you from embarrassing and costly fender benders throughout your ownership experience.

No stranger to snapping up awards, Honda has been on a bit of winning streak as of late, winning several awards from various different competitions. And in case you were wondering, this new CR-V has already been made available here in Malaysia. Click here to learn more.

Honda’s new diesel engine should be to the liking of EU regulatory bodies

Amid the controversy surrounding the diesel engine, Honda has revised its 1.6-litre i-DTEC oil burner to produce a new one that will perform well within the regulatory specifications. This engine will join the Civic range in Europe beginning from March 2018.

It also happens to be one of the first engines to be tested under the new Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) fuel consumption and emissions cycle, which should replaced the NEDC cycle as the standard fuel consumption test platform.

Unlike the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) test, which uses a theoretical driving profile to determine a vehicle’s fuel consumption, the WLTP utilizes actual driving data. As such, it should be able to provide more realistic figures that are closer to that of real world driving conditions.

Besides this, it will also be one of the first inline to be tested with the Real Driving Emission (RDE) procedure, to validate NOx and particulate emission levels. There’s a new NOx Storage Converter (NSC) system with larger catalysts and a higher content of noble metals (silver, platinum and neodymium) that store nitrogen oxide gas until the regeneration cycle.

There’s also a soot sensor that is said to accurately detect when the regeneration cycle is required, which should help to extend exhaust components’ durability. Honda is hoping that with the new tech, it’s brand new powerplant will be as reliable and efficient as possible.

Despite inheriting quite a bit from its predecessor, Honda claims that the new engine is the product of heavy revision of the original powerplant. As such, it features a number of improvements that allow it to outperform the engine that it is based on.

They include reduction in cylinder friction, due to the fact that the pistons made from highly durable chromium-molybdebnum steel alloy, as well as ‘super plateau honing’ of the bores to enable smoother piston movement.

Honda has fitted additional cast ribs to the engine’s cylinder block to increase structural rigidity. This in turn will aid the improvement of the management of noise, vibration and harshness.

As it stands, the 1.6 i-DTEC engine produces close to 120bhp and 300Nm of torque, which allows the Civic to sprint from 0-100km/h in about 10.4 seconds. There will be an option to have this engine mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission, which should help strengthen the model’s appeal.

Honda will be manufacturing the engine in its Swindon, UK plant and will make it available with the four-door and five-door versions of the 10th generation Civic.

Honda’s highly advanced jet is in high demand

Honda doesn’t just produce vehicles for road use, it is involved with designing and manufacturing light aircraft as well. And its latest project, the HondaJet, is said to be the ‘fastest, highest-flying, quietest, most fuel-efficient, and most comfortable business jet in its class’.

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association has announced that the HondaJet ranks as the most delivered jet in its category for the first half of 2017. Apparently, its a sought after aircraft in western markets with 24 of them already delivered to customers in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and certain countries in Europe.

“Our customers are extremely pleased with the performance, comfort and superior fit and finish of the HondaJet. The HondaJet is a very high tech, sporty aircraft and it is like a flying, high precision sports car,” said Honda Aircraft President and CEO Michimasa Fujino.

He added, “We want to create new value in business aviation and I hope to see many more HondaJets flying all over the world.”

According to Honda, this new jet is the most advanced light aircraft thanks to a slew of technical innovations including the unique Over-The-Wing Engine Mount (OTWEM) configuration.

Compared to the conventional one, OTWEM offers improved performance and fuel efficiency by reducing aerodynamic drag. It also aids in the reduction in cabin sound, minimizes ground-detected noise, and allows for for maximization of space.

As such the HondaJet offers the roomiest cabin in its class, the largest baggage capacity, and a fully serviceable private lavatory. The aircraft can even be ordered with a sophisticated glass flight deck and a customized Garmin® G3000 navigation system.

Due to the surge in demand, Honda is steadily ramping up production to meet customer needs. Currently, the HondaJet is being manufactured at a rate of about four per month at its world headquarters in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Honda Civic and NSX shortlisted for Build Magazine awards

Honda’s Civic and NSX have been shortlisted for this year’s 42nd Golden Steering Wheel awards. It’s ana awards ceremony that is organised by Germany’s Build magazine that recognizes the best new cars of the year.

The vehicles that progress beyond the shortlisted stage are chosen based on public votes but the finalists are judged by a panel of European experts to determine the winner of each category and overall winner. This year, there are a total of 40 contenders for the general public to choose from and vote for their favourite.

This 2017 awards will see the Civic and NSX being shortlisted for the Small Car and Sports Car category respectively. Already an award winner globally, the 2017 Civic has bagged the Canadian Car of the Year Awards, and won Kelley Blue Book’s coveted Best Buy of the Year award.

It’s performance oriented brethren, the Type-R, has also laid claim to What Car? magazine’s Most Anticipated Car Launch of the year and Auto Express’s Best Hot Hatch of the Year awards.

Not to be outdone by its family oriented sibling, the NSX has picked up multiple awards too, including the 2017 International Engine of the Year New Engine of the Year, Road & Track’s Performance Car of the Year, and Business Insider’s Overall Car of the Year.

David Hodgetts, managing director of Honda UK, said, “The two contenders have already made a big impact in their relative sectors by winning multiple awards, a win for Honda would be a fantastic achievement at the Golden Steering Awards.”

Honda has outdone itself this past few years with the introduction of some of the most advanced Japanese cars we have ever seen. The NSX, may not be the fastest car in the world, but it is loaded with technology that will shame more expensive European sports cars.

Honda to offer racecar for road use

Ever wanted to own a racing car that could also double as your daily driver? Well, wonder no more because Acura, Honda’s performance arm in the US will be offering the race spec NSX GT3 for sale globally. The race-winning car is certified for professional competition and has been through extensive on-track development.

“We are extremely pleased with the progress and success of the NSX GT3 in our inaugural season,” said Art St. Cyr, President of HPD. “Winning at Detroit and Watkins Glen, two very different circuits, in this highly competitive class illustrates the breadth of capabilities of the NSX GT3. We look forward to seeing the car in Victory Circle at tracks around the world in 2018 and beyond.”

The carbon-fibre paneled car will be offered to customers with the full aero kit including front splitter, rear diffuser and GT wing. In fact, its chassis consists of a mutli-material body structure and TIG-welded chrome-moly roll cage. This NSX GT3 will be built along side the regular production car in Honda’s NSX exclusive manufacturing facility in Ohio, USA.

It’s engine will come from the same place that supplies the standard NSX with its powerplants. Technically the one in the NSX GT3 shares the same specs as the 3.5-litre turbo V6 in the standard car. They have the same block, heads, valve train, crankshaft, pistons and dry-sump lubrication system.

Power is sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed, sequential-shift racing gearbox and unlike the regular car, this race-ready car is only rear wheel drive. Final assembly takes place in Italy where everything is put together and tested to ensure that it adhere’s to Honda’s stringent standards of quality and safety.

On top of that, the Japanese automaker will also be offering customer support for those who purchase the car, which includes parts, servicing, training and engineering services. The car carries a price tag of €465,000 or (RM2,338,682) and will be available to order from Acura’s specialized dealer network that include HPD for North America, JAS Motorsports (Europe, Middle-East, Asia) and Mugen for sales in Japan.

Though the relatively steep asking price won’t be to everybody’s liking, the NXS GT3 is an exceptionally capable racer that is worth the money. It has already won a number of races in its inaugural season of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship competition. And those wanting something a little more visceral than that offered by the standard NSX, won’t be disappointed with this race-ready car.

Honda releases heartwarming video of its efforts to improve mobility of young patients

Honda has released a new video that chronicles the struggles of Brynn Fraser, an 8-year-old boy who suffers from serious birth defects. This touching short story portrays Honda’s goals in the health sector, especially when it comes to mobility.

Technology that it has developed will be able to improve the quality of living of young people like Brynn as well as empower them to overcome their disabilities. The automaker’s Asimo robot also stars in the clip and can be seen performing varies activities much to the amazement of the young patients who suffer similar disabilities as young Brynn.

We recently covered a story where Honda announced that it had invested heavily in Nationwide Children’s hospital in Ohio for the construction of a new facility that will focus on Gait Analysis and Mobility Enhancement.

And this latest video is to serve as a tool to raise awareness and bring in more funds for the project. Honda has been posted it on several of its social media sites including Youtube and Twitter, and is asking fans to head on over to throw their support behind this programme.

“We hope everyone who sees this video will be inspired by the passion and determination of the doctors and staff at Nationwide Children’s Hospital,” said Jeffrey Smith, vice president of Corporate Communications for Honda North America.

He later added, “When we saw these young patients’ positive reaction to Honda’s ASIMO, we wanted to create an opportunity for others to join us in supporting this new effort to help children with mobility issues.”

For very “Like” or “Share” of this video, Honda will donate $1 to this facility that helps young patients overcome their disabilities that is a result of birth defects, disease or injury. The new center will also conduct spine motion analysis, sports performance programs and injury prevention programs.

In addition to that, it will also be conducting extensive R&D in prosthetic and wheelchair development, which will aid the improvement of these young kids’ mobility problems. Check out the video and let us know what you think of Honda’s new initiative and whether other automakers should be doing the same.

Piston.my

Honda

McLaren and Honda end troubled F1 partnership

Honda unveil new compact concept car at Frankfurt

Honda celebrates 25th anniversary of the Type-R

Honda will unveil EV at Frankfurt Motorshow

New Honda CR-V wins Best New Car for Teens award

Honda’s new diesel engine should be to the liking of EU regulatory bodies

Honda’s highly advanced jet is in high demand

Honda Civic and NSX shortlisted for Build Magazine awards

Honda to offer racecar for road use

Honda releases heartwarming video of its efforts to improve mobility of young patients

McLaren and Honda end troubled F1 partnership

Honda unveil new compact concept car at Frankfurt

Honda celebrates 25th anniversary of the Type-R

Honda will unveil EV at Frankfurt Motorshow

New Honda CR-V wins Best New Car for Teens award

Honda’s new diesel engine should be to the liking of EU regulatory bodies

Honda’s highly advanced jet is in high demand

Honda Civic and NSX shortlisted for Build Magazine awards

Honda to offer racecar for road use

Honda releases heartwarming video of its efforts to improve mobility of young patients

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