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The Retriever lets you tow 5,000 pounds… with a Honda Goldwing

Filed under: Aftermarket, Etc., Motorcycle

The Retriever – Click above for high-res image gallery

We don’t know why you’d want to haul a car with a Honda Goldwing, but a Swedish company called Coming Through hasn’t constrained themselves to our tiny imaginations. That’s why they’ve created The Retriever, a stowable towing unit you can have installed on the back of a Goldwing 1800 that’s good for pulling up to 5,500 pounds. If you want a little more help doing a dirty job, you can get a winch added to the package. The only drawback: maximum speed while towing is 20 miles per hour. That wouldn’t stop us from wanting it, though, even though we never imagined… Hat tip to Alexis!

Gallery: The Retriever

[Source Coming Through]

The Retriever lets you tow 5,000 pounds… with a Honda Goldwing originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Honda confirms natural-gas GX trim for next-gen Civic

Filed under: Sedan, Hatchback, Honda

The natural gas-burning Honda Civic GX has been around since 1998, and even though the Environmental Protection Agency anointed it the cleanest internal combustion vehicle in history, sales have been less than brisk.

There are quite a few reasons the Civic doesn’t sell in high volume, including a hefty $25,000 price tag and the $4,600 required to install a home refueling station. But according to our comrades over at Translogic, that won’t stop the Japanese automaker from offering up a new GX for the 2012 model year.

The new GX will still likely cost quite a bit more than the standard Civic and it will still need a pricey home charging unit, but improvements will also be made. For example, Honda spokesperson Jessica Fini tells Translogic that consumer feedback complaining about the levels of available equipment on the last GX prompted the automaker to offer more “desirable options like a navigation system and upgraded stereo.”

We’re happy to hear that the GX will live on in 2012 and beyond. After all, it’s tough not to love an environmentally friendly Civic that can deliver about 30 miles per gallon at fuel prices that can be one third the price of regular gasoline. We’ll be looking out for details on the 2012 GX, along with the entire Civic lineup in the months ahead.

[Source: Aol Autos]

Report: Honda confirms natural-gas GX trim for next-gen Civic originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 11:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2011 Honda Odyssey

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Honda, First Drive

Honda doesn’t redefine the minivan, they strive to perfect it

2011 Honda Odyssey – Click above for high-res image gallery

Honda did something silly during the launch of its all-new 2011 Odyssey minivan. The automaker built a large autocross-type “track” in the parking lot of San Diego’s Qualcomm Stadium and invited journalists to take its latest eight-passenger family hauler for hot laps. It was an interesting “fish out of water” introduction to Honda’s fourth-generation people mover.

Designed, developed and manufactured in the United States, Honda considers the 2011 model an “American Odyssey.” The domestic development team, owners of 46 Odysseys between them, labored to deliver a minivan with distinctive style, greater interior versatility and improved fuel economy. Did Honda build itself a worthy successor and how did it fare on the autocross?

Gallery: 2011 Honda Odyssey: First Drive

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First Drive: 2011 Honda Odyssey originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 03:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2012 Honda Civic prototype holds on to two-tier dash

Filed under: Spy Photos, Budget, Sedan, Honda

2012 Honda Civic spy shots

2012 Honda Civic spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery

After seeing a handful of spy shots of the next-generation Euro-spec Honda Civic, the North American car is finally starting to show up out roaming the heat-soaked roads of Death Valley. When the new Civic arrives next year, it won’t be that much larger than the current car, and the overall shape looks to have stayed the same, though substantial changes to the front and rear fascias are definitely on deck.

2012 Honda Civic interior spy shot Our spies were able to get a peek inside the Civic’s cabin, showing that the two-tiered dash theme from the current car will likely be carried over to the new Civic. This means we can expect a digital speedometer on the top shelf with an analog tach below, and while we’ve never been big fans of this arrangement, it has its adherents among Civic fans.

We’re not expecting to see the Civic debut until sometime in 2011, possibly at the Detroit or New York auto shows. For now, check out Honda’s latest prototype from all angles in our gallery below.

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2012 Honda Civic

[Source: KGP Photography]

Spy Shots: 2012 Honda Civic prototype holds on to two-tier dash originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA Preview: Wraptivo Honda CR-Z Type-F

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Hybrid, Performance, Hatchback, Honda

Honda CR-Z Type-F

Honda CR-Z Type-F – Click above for high-res image

Nearly one year later, we’re still digging the idea behind Meguiar’s Wraptivo system. For under $2,000 you can design and have a professional installer wrap your car in vinyl, complete with custom graphics and textures. And to drum up more interest in the program after its debut at last year’s SEMA show, Meguiar’s has picked up a 2011 Honda CR-Z and enlisted the tuning talents of RJ De Vera and rendering artist Jon Sibal to show what it has planned for the 2010 show.

Naturally, the CR-Z Type-F Concept is focused on the matte black and “carbon fiber” wrap, but the real party pieces are underneath the vinyl.

A supercharger will be fitted to the anemic 1.5-liter four-pot, with a custom exhaust system and a Hondata ECU used to extract maximum power. Accessories from Honda’s performance line will join a Tein suspension, HKS components and some Volk TE37 wheels, while the inside will benefit from a pair of Recaro buckets, Alcantara trim and a new shift knob. And while it might be easy to dismiss the Type-F (which apparently stands for “Fun”) as a SEMA show queen, Meguiar’s plans to enter it in Source Interlink’s annual Super Lap Battle the week after the show. Get all the details in the press release after the jump and check out Sibal’s high-res rendering above.

[Sources: Jon Sibal, Motorworldhype]

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SEMA Preview: Wraptivo Honda CR-Z Type-F originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2011 Honda CR-Z

Filed under: Hybrid, Hatchback, Honda, Reviews

Take off your rose-colored glasses, CRX fans

2011 Honda CR-Z

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

Okay, so the 2011 Honda CR-Z isn’t exactly the modern-day CRX redux that we were all hoping for. Mildly upsetting, yes, but perhaps this disappointment tarnished our initial impression of this newest hybrid offering from Honda. We still have many questions about its form and function, but need to accept the fact that times have changed, Honda’s product strategies have been realigned to the times and the CRX shall remain a modern classic – especially the Si. Besides, this little two-seat hybrid isn’t really all that bad. Really.

What we have here is an inherently good vehicle that doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. It only has two seats and its EPA fuel economy numbers are underwhelming. A Ford Fiesta, for example, is more functional, less expensive and gets nearly the same combined fuel economy – at least compared to a manual-equipped CR-Z like our tester.

But don’t write off the CR-Z completely. It may be a tough sell when looked at from a big picture perspective, but on its own, it’s a pretty good little whip. Follow the jump to find out why.

Gallery: 2011 Honda CR-Z: Review

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Review: 2011 Honda CR-Z originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Widebody, mid-engine Honda CR-Z coming to SuperGT?

Filed under: Spy Photos, Performance, Hatchback, Honda, Racing

Honda CR-Z GT300

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

The GT Channel crew have snagged a handful of shots of a widebody Honda CR-Z being built for an unknown venue, and while it could just be an elaborate show car for this January’s Tokyo Auto Salon, it’s possible Honda is prepping the CR-Z for a run in Japan’s SuperGT touring car series.

With one of the Honda HSV-010 teams holding down second place in the GT500 class this season, HoMoCo could be looking to capitalize off its success – and the popularity of the hybrid hatch in Japan – by fielding a CR-Z is the GT300 class. The engine and chassis restrictions are less rigid compared to the top-tier SuperGT racers, so the mid-mounted V6 (or V8?) shown in the gallery below is a-okay with JAF (the regulating body behind SuperGT) – even with a set of turbos.

If the build is taking place now (check the carbon fiber doors coming out of the autoclave), Honda or one of its racing affiliates is likely to start testing the CR-Z racer this fall before the new season kicks off in March of 2011.

Gallery: Widebody Honda CR-Z Prototype

[Source: GT Channel]

Widebody, mid-engine Honda CR-Z coming to SuperGT? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 19:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Honda Canada discontinuing Insight and Civic hybrid

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Hatchback, Honda, Canada

2010 Honda Insight

It’s no secret that the revived 2010 Honda Insight has been a huge sales disappointment in North America. The once-robust sales of the Civic hybrid have also evaporated in the last two years. Apparently, things are far worse for Honda’s hybrids in Canada where higher fuel prices typically cause people to buy more efficient vehicles.

An unconfirmed report from a Canadian web site indicates that both the Civic hybrid and the Insight are being discontinued there. Checking the Canadian sales charts, the Civic as a whole is one of the top-selling cars in Canada with 31,604 units sold in 2010 through July.

While hybrid sales are not broken out by Honda Canada, we can do a little educated guessing. Since only 643 of those Civic sales were imports and the hybrids come from Japan, we can figure that those 643 were the hybrid models. Similarly, Canadians only bought 748 Insights in the same period. When it launched, Honda projected 10,000 annual sales in Canada. Evidently Canadians just aren’t taken with hybrids – even the mighty Prius has only found 2,272 Canadian buyers this year.

Honda hasn’t yet responded to a request for comment on the cancellation of these two models. Apparently, Honda Canada will still proceed with the launch of the CR-Z there, maybe leaving it as the company’s only hybrid. A tip of the hat to Mario!

Gallery: Review: 2010 Honda Insight EX

[Source: Monvolant]

Report: Honda Canada discontinuing Insight and Civic hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Emissions regs to kill Honda Civic Type-R in most of Europe at end of 2010

Filed under: Performance, Europe, Hatchback, Honda

Honda Civic Type-R – Click above for high-res image gallery

Honda Europe has announced that sales of the Civic Type-R throughout most of the Continent will cease by the end of 2010. The 2.0-liter, 198-horsepower hatch debuted as a production model in late 2006, and in its current form the engine doesn’t meet the new Euro-V emissions standards which apply throughout the European Union.

The Type-R is only produced at Honda’s Swindon factory in the UK and production will continue for other markets, including Japan, where it went on sale earlier this year after production of the Type-R sedan ended. If you’re in the market for that rapidly vanishing species known as the hot Honda, you’ll have to move fast.

Gallery: Honda Civic Type-R

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Emissions regs to kill Honda Civic Type-R in most of Europe at end of 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda recalling 383,000 vehicles over runaway risk

Filed under: Recalls, Safety, By the Numbers

Honda has announced plans to recall 383,000 Civics, Accords and Elements built in 2003 and 2004. Due to a fault with the ignition interlock system that normally prevents the key from being removed until the transmission lever is in Park, the affected Hondas could roll away on their own accord.

According to Honda, the interlock system can wear prematurely, allowing the key to be pulled regardless of the shifter position. If the parking pawl isn’t engaged, the vehicle can roll away if parked on a slope.

While this has nothing to do with the sort of problems that Toyota has experienced, there is an interesting parallel regarding the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s defect database. Toyota complained that there was insufficient detail in the database categories, resulting in the appearance that there were more incidents of unintended acceleration than there actually were. This Honda issue is purely a mechanical failure of the locking system and yet it is grouped under Electrical System:Ignition problems. This lack of detail makes it much more difficult and time consuming for engineers to sift through the data to find and prioritize issues to fix. As part of the follow-up to its recalls, Toyota has been talking to NHTSA about revising the database to make it easier to mine relevant information other automakers will likely be following suit.

[Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Honda]

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Honda recalling 383,000 vehicles over runaway risk originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Aug 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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