Honda recalls 470K vehicles after Toyota, both used same supplier

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Sedan, Recalls, Safety, Acura, Honda

Honda has announced that it’s recalling a total of 470,000 vehicles in the U.S. due to the same failing master cylinder problem that caused Toyota to recall 1.66 million vehicles worldwide this week.

According to The Detroit News, the two automakers used the same supplier for the part, and when owners use a type of brake fluid other than what’s used at the factory, a seal within the master cylinder may fail, causing a leak that could eventually lead to loss of braking power altogether. Honda says that a warning light would illuminate before this happened, however.

The Honda recall covers 2005-2007 Acura RL models and 2005-2007 Honda Odyssey minivans, while the Toyota recall includes the 2005-2006 Avalon and 2004-2006 Highlander (non-hybrid only), and 2006 Lexus GS, IS and RX cars and crossovers.

Honda says that at this point, it doesn’t know how many of its vehicles have suffered a master cylinder failure nor how many have leaked. The company says it will replace the faulty seal and, if leaking has occurred, the brake booster will be replaced as well.
There’s no set schedule for fixing those vehicles that are impacted by the recall, but owners should expect to hear something soon.

[Source: The Detroit News | Image: Stan Honda/AFP/Getty]

Honda recalls 470K vehicles after Toyota, both used same supplier originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda keeps teasing V4 Adventure Concept

Filed under: Motorcycle

Honda V4 Adventure Concept

Honda V4 Adventure Concept Sketch – Click above for high-res image gallery

Honda has given the interwebs a quick look at what we can expect from the front of the company’s V4 Adventure Concept slated to be unveiled in Milan. Judging by the teaser, it looks like the bike will boast a narrower profile compared to its VFR cousin, helping keep the engine cool and things from going squirrely should the rider decide to visit the upper registers of the speedometer. Additionally, Asphalt and Rubber reports the bike may not pack the same behemoth 1200cc mill as the current VFR as initially believed. Instead, Honda may opt for a smaller engine to keep weight down – think something in the 800cc range.

The company has also indicated that the V4 Adventure Concept will carry floating gauges akin to what’s found in the sport bike crowd in order to help keep the rider’s eyes forward. That fits in line with word that Honda still intends this concept to me more of a soft roader and less of a true adventure warrior.

Gallery: Honda VFR Adventure Concept

[Source: Asphalt and Rubber]

Honda keeps teasing V4 Adventure Concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda VFR Adventure Concept: Big gets badder

Filed under: Europe, Motorcycle

Honda VFR Adventure Concept

Honda VFR Adventure Concept – Click above to enlarge

Honda is planning to debut an arsenal of eight bikes in Milan, and we may have our first inclination of what to expect from at least one of the machines. Behold the VFR Adventure Concept – a 1200cc behemoth designed to cater to those who like the style of dual-sport tourer but loathe the notion of actually heading off of the beaten path. Think more along the lines of the Ducati Multistrada than the KTM 990 Adventure.

As of right now, details are remarkably scarce about what to expect from the machine, though some seem to think that the bike will likely show up as a 2012 production model.

So what does the VFR Adventure bring to the table over the current VFR? From what we can see, it looks like riders can expect a slightly taller stance with more ground clearance and a skimpier fairing, but not much else. Honda has been pretty tricky about letting this one out of the bag, keeping news of the concept to its European press site. Does that mean that American buyers won’t be able to get their gloves on this one? Hard telling.

[Source: Hell for Leather]

Honda VFR Adventure Concept: Big gets badder originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Oct 2010 17:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda UK shows off 2011 Civic hatch with Type-R cues

Filed under: Hatchback, Honda, UK, Design/Style

2011 Honda Civic (UK)

2011 Honda Civic (UK) – Click above for high-res image gallery

Honda has just released details on what buyers in the UK can expect to see from the 2011 Civic. The company has kept the changes to its spacey-looking five-door largely cosmetic, including a new grille up front. The company says that piece borrows cues from the legendary Type R, and if you squint your eyes enough, you can almost see the resemblance. A new range of wheels is also available for next year ranging in size from 16 to 17 inches depending on engine and trim level. There’s also a new Ionized Bronze paint color available across the lineup.

Inside, Honda has moved to up the ante ever so slightly. SE and ES trims will now boast seats that are covered in half fabric and half Alcantara, while the Si guise now comes with heated front thrones. Otherwise, the vehicle stays much the way it was for 2010. Under the hood, buyers are still greeted with the familiar 1.4 and 1.8-liter powerplants, and the horsepower figures haven’t moved from last year’s numbers, either. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Gallery: 2011 Honda Civic (UK)

[Source: Honda]

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Honda UK shows off 2011 Civic hatch with Type-R cues originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Oct 2010 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2012 Honda Civic sedan spied almost naked

Filed under: Spy Photos, Budget, Honda, Middle East

2012 Honda CivicIt would appear that the timing for the 2012 Honda Civic’s unveiling has reached the “any day now” point. Car magazine’s Middle East outpost caught the latest version of the popular econo-sedan undergoing desert testing, basically devoid of camouflage. If you were waiting with bated breath for an extraordinarily new and different-looking Civic, stop reading. The 2010 car falls solidly into the “extensive refresh” category rather than a full redesign.

As you can see in the spy video, the front and rear fascias are updated; a new grille and bumper appear up front, while out back, all-new taillamps will be the most distinguishing visual element on the 2012 car. The overall profile of the Honda Civic sedan is clearly a carryover, however.

Likewise, the interior has been mildly tweaked with a new steering wheel and some updated trim panels, but it’s basically window dressing over the passenger cabin recent Civic owners are familiar with. (The bi-level instrumentation is there, and the radio, HVAC controls, and air vents are all in the same locations as the current car.)

What powertrain changes (if any) Honda has in store still remain a mystery. Follow the jump for a video of the new Civic out in the wild, and head to Car Middle East for a complete photo gallery of spy pics. Thanks to all who sent tips.

[Source Car Middle East]

Continue reading Spy Shots: 2012 Honda Civic sedan spied almost naked

Spy Shots: 2012 Honda Civic sedan spied almost naked originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 10 Oct 2010 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda prices 2011 Fit Hybrid at $19,310; cheapest gas-electric in Japan

Honda Jazz Hybrid

European 2011 Honda Jazz Hybrid – Click above for high-res image gallery

Despite the fact that Honda has no plans – at least not yet – to export its 2011 Honda Fit (Jazz) Hybrid to the U.S., we’ve still kept a close eye on the automaker’s subcompact gas-electric. From the rumors that swirled around back in 2006 to its on-stage debut at the Paris Motor Show, we’ve never lost sight of the Fit Hybrid and its overall importance in the gas-electric segment. Now, as the vehicle launches in Japan, we’re pleased to note that Reuters is reporting that Honda has kept its promise and priced the Fit Hybrid at a mere 1.59 million yen ($19,310 U.S. at current exchanges rate). This makes it the cheapest gas-electric car available in Japan.

Honda reports that pre-orders in Japan for the bargain-priced hybrid have reached nearly 10,000 units. Toppling the nation’s best-seller, the Toyota Prius, though, will require even more consumer interest than that. Under Japanese testing methods, the Fit Hybrid receives a 70.6 mile-per-gallon fuel economy rating, equal to that of the company’s Insight.

Gallery: European Honda Jazz Hybrid

[Source: Reuters]

Honda prices 2011 Fit Hybrid at $19,310; cheapest gas-electric in Japan originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 09 Oct 2010 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UCS: Honda remains Greenest Automaker, Chrysler named Most Polluting

Filed under: Etc., Chrysler, Honda

Honda Insight cutaway

In 2009, Business Car claimed that Toyota was still the world’s greenest automaker. That same year, the folks at Dow Jones named BMW the greenest automaker for the fifth time in a row. Apparently, an organization’s methodology has a lot to do with automakers winning titles like this over and over, since the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) has just bestowed the Greenest Automaker Award on Honda, again for the fifth time in a row (the last time the award was given was in 2007).

At least this time, the race was close: Toyota and Hyundai (which lays claim to the most fuel-efficient automaker in the U.S.) tied for second, and their rankings were just a single point behind Honda. The most polluting automaker? Chrysler, but both Ford and General Motors were contenders for the title – blame their heavy mix of body-on-frame trucks.

The UCS ranks automakers based on the scores of their “smog-forming and greenhouse gas emissions (primarily CO2) in its U.S. automobile fleet.” The 2010 award was based on model year 2008 data, the most recent information that was available for analysis. You can read a summary of the report here (PDF) or just get the whole thing (PDF).

[Sources: Union of Concerned Scientists, Honda]

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UCS: Honda remains Greenest Automaker, Chrysler named Most Polluting originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Oct 2010 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda becomes Rose Bowl Parade’s first-ever title sponsor

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Honda

Honda

The Rose Bowl Parade has been title-sponsor free for 121 straight years, bucking the trend that’s taken hold over the past couple decades. Well, that’s over. Honda has apparently backed up the truck for naming rights. This year, get ready for the 122nd Rose Parade Presented by Honda. While Honda is the event’s first title sponsor, the automaker and the famous parade have been linked through advertising for the past 50 years.

Nobody is talking at this point about how much Honda paid for the honor, but we’re fairly certain the bags of cash were heavy and plentiful. The biggest question now concerns the products Honda will choose to showcase during the parade. One option that comes to mind is a nationally-televised start to the 2012 Civic campaign. We have no idea whether Honda will be ready to tout the new Civic by next January, but it would make sense to take advantage of the national stage to do so.

[Source: USA Today]

Honda becomes Rose Bowl Parade’s first-ever title sponsor originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 03 Oct 2010 11:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2010: Honda CR-Z gets Euro-cessorized

Filed under: Hybrid, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Honda, Design/Style

2011 Honda CR-Z with Accessories

2011 Honda CR-Z with optional accessories – Click above for high-res image gallery

Honda’s big introduction at this year’s Paris Motor Show may have been the 2011 Jazz Hybrid, but that doesn’t mean the Japanese automaker didn’t bring some other automotive fodder for us to look at. Here, for example, is the new CR-Z hybrid hatch wearing some of Honda’s optional visual accessories.

Honda is really trying to emphasize that the CR-Z is a sport hybrid. By adding things like larger wheels, a mesh grille, unique blue-tinged headlights, carbon fiber trim and a rear spoiler, the little hybrid’s visual sportiness has indeed been improved without falling prey to the over-modded tuner look. This CR-Z may certainly look the part of a new-age hot hatch, but even the fanciest of body jewelry won’t help the not-entirely-sporty and not-so-efficient hybrid powertrain under the hood.

Click your way through our gallery of live images below to see and judge the added visual modifications for yourself.

Gallery: Paris 2010: 2011 Honda CR-Z w/ Accessories

2011 Honda CR-Z2011 Honda CR-Z2011 Honda CR-Z2011 Honda CR-Z2011 Honda CR-Z

Photos copyright (C)2010 Chris Paukert / AOL

Paris 2010: Honda CR-Z gets Euro-cessorized originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Honda mulling CR-Z convertible?

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Japan, Honda, Rumormill

2011 Honda CR-Z – Click above for high-res image gallery

According to Road & Track, Honda may have its heart set on cranking out a new droptop sports car to keep the brand alive in the hearts and minds of enthusiasts. Unfortunately, the new racer isn’t likely to be anything like the much-loved S2000. No, instead, R&T‘s sources point to a convertible version of the CR-Z. The recipe calls for the platform to retain its front-wheel-drive layout, though a more powerful drivetrain would likely be fitted to lug around the additional weight of bracing and a folding top.

We’ve heard worse ideas, but we can’t remember when.

If the car made it to production, it would theoretically go toe to toe with the long-reigning Mazda MX-5 in a battle that we can only assume would be over before either car got to the track. Should the CR-Z-based car prove successful, Honda would then look into building a more potent, rear-wheel drive hybrid sports car. You know, what the CR-Z should have been all along.

Road & Track has worked up a rendering, and the curious/stout of stomach can check it out over at their site.

Gallery: 2011 Honda CR-Z: Review

Photos Copyright (C)2010 Steven J. Ewing / AOL

[Source: Road & Track]

Report: Honda mulling CR-Z convertible? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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