Tag: honda

Video: Honda celebrates the life of Ayrton Senna the best way it knows how

Filed under: Motorsports, Japan, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Honda

Honda is returning to Formula One in 2015 with McLaren, and when that engine maker and that F1 constructor are mentioned together, two other words are never far behind: Ayrton Senna. There are engine suppliers, constructors and drivers that have bigger numbers, but those three form a triumvirate that came close to defining F1 in the eighties.

Honda Japan has produced a commercial called Sound of Honda that celebrates Senna at a race that turned out to be one of the most momentous of his career for good and bad reasons: the 1989 grand prix at Suzuka where he won, then was stripped of, the driver’s championship.

The commercial has a terrifically simple premise – there’s no CG, no old footage of Senna, no one says a word, it’s just sound. And it’s pretty damn good. Check it out below.

Continue reading Honda celebrates the life of Ayrton Senna the best way it knows how

Honda celebrates the life of Ayrton Senna the best way it knows how originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Jul 2013 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Honda engines and giant killing in the classic Mini Cooper

Filed under: Performance, Videos, Hatchback, Mini

Original Mini Cooper in green with white roof - video screencap

Electric Federal has taken a fresh look back at the enduring legacy of original Mini with a video interview with Heritage Garage’s Graham Reid, one of the foremost experts on classic Minis. As Electric Federal points out, it’s important to remember that the Mini did not start out as a performance car. It was built in response to the Suez Canal crisis of the mid-50s, which had a similar effect on British gas prices as OPEC did on American prices in the 1970s – rationing and rapid price jumps.

Through the years, Minis have grown from their budget roots to become seriously competent performance machines. As Reid says, a 150-horsepower Mini on the right track should have no problem outpacing a contemporary Porsche 911.

For some time now, classic Mini owners have been dropping Honda engines under the tiny hoods of their classics. With up to 250 horsepower pulling a car that tips the scales at barely 1,200 pounds, the upgraded Mini is “a real sleeper,” Reid says. Interestingly, Reid doesn’t mention another increasingly common swap in the Mini community – Suzuki Hayabusa-powered Coopers.

Modern Mini owners, you haven’t been entirely left out – we’re glad to see that Reid isn’t a Mini enthusiast that discounts the newer models launched under BMW. In the video, a Chili Red R53 Cooper S sits right alongside a classic model in a similar color. Check out all the fun in the video below.

Continue reading Honda engines and giant killing in the classic Mini Cooper

Honda engines and giant killing in the classic Mini Cooper originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Jul 2013 12:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda recalls select 2013 Accords over fuel tank neck

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Recalls, Safety, Honda

Honda and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have announced a recall for 1,659 model-year 2013 Honda Accord vehicles. The affected Accords are Low-Emission Vehicle II rated cars manufactured between January 15 and April 5 of 2013.

The recall is pursuant to a fuel tank neck that might be out of specification, and the variance could result in the fuel pump not properly sealing with the fuel tank. As you might guess, a bad seal here could result in a gasoline leak, posing a fire risk. As of this writing, there have been no reports of fires because of this problem.

Honda will reach out to owners of affected 2013 Accords, directing dealers to replace the cars’ fuel tank, nut and O-ring gasket. Expect the notifications when the recall begins in earnest on August 1. FInd the full NHTSA press release below.

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Honda recalls select 2013 Accords over fuel tank neck originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Jul 2013 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Honda Mean Mower hits 60 mph in 4 seconds, cuts to 130 mph [w/video] [UPDATE]

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Honda, UK, Specialty

Back in June, we reported that Top Gear was building what it hoped would become the world’s fastest lawn mower, and had solicited help from Honda and its British Touring Car Championship partner Team Dynamics. Well, they’ve finished the build and the resulting contraption is the Mean Mower. With a top speed estimated to be over 130 miles per hour, it should beat the 96.529-mph record set by Bobby Cleveland and his Snapper race mower at the Bonneville Salt Flats in September 2010, and take the cake as the fastest lawn mower ever.

Let’s start off with the specs: 109 horsepower, 309-pound curb weight and 0-60 mph in four seconds. Crazy numbers, but maybe you’ll be comforted that the lawn mower is a Honda HF2620 in name only, with a custom chassis made of 4130 chromoly, a 1,000cc engine from a VTR Firestorm, a paddle-shifted six-speed transmission, a bespoke suspension and wheels from an ATV. The body was sourced from the production mower, however.

Sure, it can cut grass – at 15 mph, double the top speed of a regular HF2620 – using two electric motors spinning 3mm steel-cutting cables at 4000 rpm, but the grass bag has been reengineered to house the fuel tank, a high-capacity oil cooler and a secondary radiator. So much for that clean cut.

Honda says that it has topped 100 mph on track, but there’s no video to verify this. (Please Honda!?) But there is a great teaser with reigning BTCC champion Gordon “Flash” Shedden mowing the lawn in a mean way, below.

UPDATE: A second video of the Mean Mower has been added below, this time featuring The Stig.

Continue reading Honda Mean Mower hits 60 mph in 4 seconds, cuts to 130 mph [w/video] [UPDATE]

Honda Mean Mower hits 60 mph in 4 seconds, cuts to 130 mph [w/video] [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Jul 2013 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Honda Factory Performance pack now available for Accord V6 Coupe

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Honda

2013 Honda Accord HFP - front three-quarter view, blue

When the Honda Factory Performance package debuted for the 2013 Honda Accord at SEMA last year, we were told it would come as optional fitment for both the four-cylinder and V6 Accords. Now that Honda has put it on sale, however, it’s only for the V6, at least for now.

The upgraded coupe will be limited to just 500 copies, and it will be known by its 15-millimeter-lower ride height thanks to a sport suspension, exclusive 19-inch wheels on summer tires, ground effects all around the car and HFP badging. Interior updates will be limited to red illumination and HFP floormats.

Honda says the package will cost $4,620 – a $30 drop from the price announced at SEMA – not including installation, and it come with a 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranty if you have it put on when buying the car new. The press release below can tell you more.

Continue reading Honda Factory Performance pack now available for Accord V6 Coupe

Honda Factory Performance pack now available for Accord V6 Coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Jul 2013 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Honda Ridgeline to take two-year dirt nap before resurrection

Filed under: Truck, Plants/Manufacturing, Honda

2012 Honda Ridgeline Sport

Three years ago, Honda said there would be no new-generation Honda Ridgeline coming in 2011. In late 2011, when there was still no word on a replacement for the little truck that’s been carrying on pretty much the same since 2006, within the space of a month both Honda’s US truck planner and the CEO of American Honda said the Ridgeline would continue and that it was an integral part of the lineup.

But that doesn’t mean it can’t take a two-year timeout. A report in Ward’s Auto says that the Lincoln, AL plant that builds the Ridgeline will cease its production in September, 2014 and a new one won’t arrive until 2016. That’s a walk-back from when the plan was to have the current truck run until a week before the next-generation truck went into production. Even so, Honda still says the Ridgeline isn’t going away forever, a company spokesman telling Ward’s, “Ridgeline continues to be an important part of our lineup.”

2016 is a long way away, though, and we all know how quickly a product line put into a coma can end up suffering fatal consequences. Even though we keep talking about the Ridgeline, perhaps what Honda is actually saying is that the small pickup market is important to them, and they’re working on a way to take better advantage of it than the Ridgeline was doing. We’ll find out one way or the other in three years.

Honda Ridgeline to take two-year dirt nap before resurrection originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 14 Jul 2013 17:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Honda takes us through 50 years of automobiles in 60 seconds

Filed under: Japan, Videos, Honda

Honda’s wonderfully simple, fun ads are not in short supply right now. We showed you Hands, the followup to 2003’s The Cog, last week. If you haven’t had a chance to look at those two great videos, we strongly encourage you to head over that way and give them a watch.

The latest minute-long commercial is a bit more dear, though. And while it may be in Japanese, it’s still a cool look back at Honda and its car-building history.

This is also a great video if you’re a fan of odd, vintage Japanese vehicles. Honda’s T360 and a few old Civics are featured heavily, although we can’t help but notice that a few very big names are missing. Where’s the NSX or the S2000? How about the original Insight, a car so revolutionary it still has a cult following today? Honda has made some great cars, we just wish it’d show off more of them. Check out the video below.

Continue reading Honda takes us through 50 years of automobiles in 60 seconds

Honda takes us through 50 years of automobiles in 60 seconds originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Jul 2013 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: 2014 Honda Odyssey revamp only costs an extra $150*

Filed under: Car Buying, Minivan/Van, Honda

Honda has released pricing on its 2014 Odyssey. Buyers can take home the revamped minivan for $28,825 (excluding an $830 destination fee). That price marks a $150 increase over the 2013 model, but that extra Benjamin and a half buys you a whole slate of updates. Those include a new six-speed automatic transmission in all trims, revised exterior styling and a few tweaks to the instrument cluster and dash controls. Honda’s familiar 3.5-liter V6 engine provides 248 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque, and the new gearbox helps the van return 19 miles per gallon city and 28 mpg highway.

Of course, those who opt for the top-shelf $44,450* Touring Elite trim will get to play with the new HondaVac vacuum cleaner system. The handheld vac is built into the van’s rear cargo area and recharges using the onboard 12-volt electrical system. The little vacuum features a removable debris canister as well as a replaceable filter bag and can run for eight minutes between charges. Check out the full press release below for more information.

Continue reading 2014 Honda Odyssey revamp only costs an extra $150*

2014 Honda Odyssey revamp only costs an extra $150* originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Jun 2013 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Honda Civic poised to get new Earth Dreams engines

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Honda

2013 Honda Civic - front three-quarter view with mountains

When Honda executed its emergency refresh of the Civic for 2013, it didn’t do any massive powertrain reworking. But that doesn’t mean new things aren’t already in the works for Honda’s compact. According to Automotive News, Honda has confirmed that it will offer the Civic with a new Earth Dreams powerplant sometime in the future, though details on timing and exactly what sort of engine are unclear as of this writing.

The confirmation comes from Honda’s executive vice president and regional director for North America, Tetsuo Iwamura, who says that the Earth Dreams engine will come when the Civic is re-engineered or redesigned, not during a refresh. There is also no mention of whether these changes will apply to just the standard Civic, or if the Si and Hybrid models will receive some Dreamy new tech, as well.

The entire Earth Dreams group of technologies encompasses more than just naturally aspirated engines with direct injection. A turbo-diesel engine is also part of this suite, as are new continuously variable transmissions and new gasoline-electric hybrid powerplants. Honda launched its 2.4-liter and 3.5-liter Earth Dreams engines in the redesigned 2013 Accord.

“The Civic has to evolve,” Iwamura told Automotive News. “But we have to consider what timing works best.” AN suggests that the Earth Dreams-powered Civic could arrive as early as the 2015 model year.

Honda Civic poised to get new Earth Dreams engines originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Jun 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2014 Honda Accord Hybrid will get 49 mpg city in US, starts at $37,260 in Japan

Filed under: Hybrid, Honda

2014 Honda Accord Hybrid - black - front three-quarter view

2014 Honda Accord Hybrid JDM - front three-quarter viewTwo bits of news about the upcoming 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid have been released, but still not enough to have a complete picture of the revamped gas-electric that will come to the US this October.

First, and this applies to the US model, the Accord Hybrid has been given an estimated 49-miles-per-gallon EPA city fuel economy rating along with 45 mpg highway and 47 mpg combined thanks to some high-tech wizardry – a.k.a. two-motor hybrid powertrain – that is similar to what’s already available in the 115 MPGe Accord Plug-In. The Accord will be Honda’s first hybrid to be assembled in Marysville, OH. You’ll find many more details in the press release below.

Over in Japan, where we already knew fuel economy estimates, the story is a little more complete. Namely, that pricing for the new Accord Hybrid will start at 3,650,000 yen (US $37,260). That’s a whopping 610,000 yen ($6,227) more than the competition is charging for the Toyota Camry Hybrid and also a lot more than the standard Accord in Japan, which starts at around $25,500. Analysts say this price premium is “a good strategy” for the extra fuel economy and should keep the Accord nipping at the Camry’s heels, saleswise.

The big question is: does this help us guess how much the Accord Hybrid will cost stateside? Not really. Honda’s Jessica Fini told AutoblogGreen, “We don’t have pricing on the US version yet. That information will be available closer to the on-sale in October. It would be challenging to compare the Japan pricing strategy to what will happen with the US model since the markets are pretty different.” For example, she added, “The Accord in Japan is a premium model – in the article they compare it to a Lexus in the US – so that should also provide some perspective on how they are pricing it here. Certainly the US Accord has a different position here in the market.”

In the US, the standard Accord starts at $21,680 while the 2014 Plug-In begins at $39,780, and we’re pretty certain the hybrid will slot between the two. Bold prediction, right?

Continue reading 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid will get 49 mpg city in US, starts at $37,260 in Japan

2014 Honda Accord Hybrid will get 49 mpg city in US, starts at $37,260 in Japan originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 21 Jun 2013 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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