Autoblog

LA 2009: Luna and Toby model the 2010 Honda Element Dog Friendly package

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:58:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, LA Auto Show, SUV, Wagon, Etc., Crossover, Honda, Specialty

Luna, left, and Toby, model the Honda Element Dog Friendly edition - Click above for high-res image gallery

Honda certainly can't be accused of running a dog and pony show here at the LA Auto Show, because there were no ponies. They did, however, have the adorable Luna and Toby on hand to demonstrate their clever Dog Friendly system on this Honda Element. It's essentially a collapsible ramp and pup tent (couldn't resist) with tethers that keeps dogs secure in back while protecting the interior of your vehicle from stains and pet hair.

We've shown you this Dog Friendly setup before, but couldn't resist snapping a few pics of the system in action, especially now that it's available. The Dog Friendly package is available on any 2010 Honda Element model for an extra $995. besides the nylon kennel and ramp, the system includes a cushioned bed, a spill-proof water dish, a small 12-volt ventilation fan, seat covers for the second row, and rubber floor mats with a bone motif. Seems like a reasonable price for keeping one's pets safe and secure, especially considering it's a custom fit package from the people who actually build the vehicle itself. There's a full press release after the jump and some more pics of Toby and Luna in our high-res gallery below.

Gallery: LA 2009: Dog Friendly Honda Element

Photos copyright (C)2009 Frank Filipponio/Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Honda]

Continue reading LA 2009: Luna and Toby model the 2010 Honda Element Dog Friendly package

LA 2009: Luna and Toby model the 2010 Honda Element Dog Friendly package originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

LA 2009: Honda P-NUT concept gets cracked open

Sebastian Blanco — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:21:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, LA Auto Show, Hybrid, Honda, Electric

Honda P-NUT - Click above for high-res image gallery

Turns out that the Honda P-NUT is not some sort of twist on the UX-3 unicycle thing we saw in Tokyo recently. Instead, the concept vehicle is a three-seat thing enclosed in lots of glass and angular lines. Honda says the P-NUT is ready for one of three possible powertrains: an efficient gas engine, a gas-electric hybrid, or a pure electric set up. There's not a whole lot of room for any of these powerplants up front because the driver's leg room extends almost all the way to the front of the concept. Good thing the power source is intended to be mounted in the rear.

Let's be clear, this is a pure concept car. There are no side mirrors (but there is a back-up camera). Bumpers? Bah, Honda barely put headlights on this thing. Still, the Honda 'Personal-Neo Urban Transport' could make for a pretty sweet ride through a city, with lots of sight lines for the three inhabitants (a driver in the front middle, two passengers arranged behind and to either side) to see out of. The P-NUT does succeed in Honda's stated goal to get the most space out of a small footprint, and we wouldn't mind some sort of production version BEV someday. Chances are, though, that this is the last we'll ever see of it.

Gallery: LA 2009: Honda P-NUT

Gallery: Honda P-NUT

Continue reading LA 2009: Honda P-NUT concept gets cracked open

LA 2009: Honda P-NUT concept gets cracked open originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

It Begins: First tuned Tata Nano spotted

Dan Roth — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 19:59:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Etc., Honda, Suzuki, Toyota, India, Tata, Design/Style

DC Designs customized Tata Nano - Click above for image gallery

It was bound to happen. Think back to when Volkswagen Beetles infested the roads of the globe; there was no shortage of customized Bugs. Tata aims to put the world on wheels with its low-priced Nano, offering mobility to India's massive population for what many Americans just dropped on Black Friday. To stave off an impending swarm of same-same vehicles, and cash in with buyers looking to stand out, New Delhi-based Carnation Auto (not to be confused with North America's Car Nation) has teamed up with Dilip Chhabria's DC Design to offer prefab-custom options for the Nano.

The endeavor has been given the tagline, "The Artist Meets the Enabler," and it began with tarted-up offerings for the Toyota Innova, creating a car called the Innov8. If the reworked MPV is any indication, we can expect the DC Design Nano to have an interior that apes a Gulfstream, while we can all plainly see what's been done to the exterior. The Nano kit is not yet available, but Carnation says it will be ready to join the already-available Innova, Honda City, and Suzuki Swift kits in 2010. We're sure opinions abound over this visually-charged Nano, so feel free to express yourselves in the comments. Press release posted after the jump.

Gallery: DC Designs Cars

[Source: CarnationDC.com via Indian Auto Talk]

Continue reading It Begins: First tuned Tata Nano spotted

It Begins: First tuned Tata Nano spotted originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 29 Nov 2009 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Return of Paperboy? Honda unveils Bicycle Simulator

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:29:00 EST

Filed under: Japan, Technology, Honda

You remember Nintendo's Paperboy, right? Back in Triassic era of videogames, you had to deliver the day's print to the right house while not getting run over by a car or taken out by a tire. Not exactly the most direct way to learn bicycle safety, but it was fun. A more efficient way to stay safe on a bicycle is Honda's new simulator, which aims to teach two-wheeled folks better on-the-road safety.

Traffic fatalities have fallen in Japan but bicycle fatalities have apparently risen, with teens and older riders the biggest victims. The majority of the problems apparently stem from breaking traffic rules, so the simulator allows riders to learn the ways of the asphalt without getting clobbered by a Daihatsu, and provides both learning and a "rider evaluation session" after the demo.

Honda is accepting pre-orders now, and the simulator will go on sale in Japan starting next February. For the full scoop, check out the press release after the jump.

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading Return of Paperboy? Honda unveils Bicycle Simulator

Return of Paperboy? Honda unveils Bicycle Simulator originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Edmunds data suggests Honda Crosstour buyers don't know what it competes against either

Dan Roth — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:01:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, SUV, Wagon, Crossover, Hatchback, Honda, Design/Style

2010 Honda Accord Crosstour - Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour hasn't won too many fans amongst the automotive press, and while we're sure it fills the Accord Wagon space in Honda's lineup, the way the Crosstour has a foot both in the wagon and CUV realms still has us scratching our heads. Taking a peek at what's being cross-shopped against Honda's latest offering proves potential customers are in the same boat.

Fitting every car into a neat categorical box is a fool's errand, but the Crosstour is apparently making everyone wonder just where it belongs. According to early Edmunds' data, buyers seem to think the Crosstour competes most closely with the Toyota Venza, with ToMoCo's wagon-on-stilts being cross-shopping against the Crosstour more than any other vehicle. Other Honda models are also heavily considered against the Crosstour, according to Edmunds Auto Observer, as are a panoply of other cars. Luxury rides like the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series wind up in the comparison column, as do more traditional crossovers like the Chevrolet Equinox and Toyota RAV-4.

While the Crosstour has been called lots of unflattering things, it's clear that figuring out whether it's neatly described as fish or fowl is more of a thorny chestnut. That said, none of this is exactly important if the car is generating showroom traffic and moving units.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour

Photos copyright (C)2009 Chris Paukert / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Edmunds Auto Observer]

Edmunds data suggests Honda Crosstour buyers don't know what it competes against either originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

VIDEO: The answer to how Honda will market the Accord Crosstour? Animated jazz

Chris Shunk — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Crossover, Hatchback, Honda

Click above to watch the video after the jump

We're not so sure about the Honda Accord Crosstour. It's definitely a Honda, so at least from a marketer's perspective, that''s a big plus, but the big crossover/hatchback//wagon/thing isn't exactly what we'd call pretty, and worse, it isn't even as functional as its competitors. We're not alone in our criticism of Honda's latest, as the Japanese automaker has heard more than its fair share of Crosstour complaints on the Internets. Like it or loathe it, though, the Crosstour is upon us, and Honda dealers need to sell it. We were curious as to how Honda might try to ply such an odd duck, and we have at least a preliminary answer waiting for you after the jump.

The commercial starts off with about 15 seconds of oddly animated polygon characters playing some smooth, Cosby Show-style jazz. Between 15 and 20 seconds we see the band's instruments fitting in the Crosstour's hatch (though oddly, they don't play up the car's chief storage trick, its hidden storage box). At the 20 second mark, we finally see the Crosstour in the flesh, and the spot wraps up with a few words from actor Kevin Spacey as always. We're far from convinced, but you'll want to hit the jump to judge the 30 second spot for yourself.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour

Photos copyright (C)2009 Chris Paukert / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Honda]

Continue reading VIDEO: The answer to how Honda will market the Accord Crosstour? Animated jazz

VIDEO: The answer to how Honda will market the Accord Crosstour? Animated jazz originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

New SuperGT contender from Honda in the works?

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Japan, Acura, Honda, Rumormill

Honda NSX Mule - Click above for high-res image gallery

When we sat down with a few Honda execs at SEMA, we were told to "watch out for something big" from the automaker's motorsports efforts in Japan early next year. It didn't take much to deduce what they were hinting at: Honda plans to fill the vacuum left by the recently departed NSX-R in SuperGT with an all-new vehicle for the 2010 season.

As you'd expect, the Japanese media has hopped all over the recent rumors, with BestCar putting out a rendering of the fabled GT500 class contender. Unfortunately, beyond a possible V10 powerplant, details on the vehicle are scarce and the demise of the production version leaves more questions than answers. According to 7Tune, Honda is campaigning SuperGT organizers to give the automaker a pass on its homologation requirements, allowing the front-engined coupe to enter the series without a road-going version available to the public. Considering SuperGT's stringent requirements, we're not sure how that's going to play out, and since we haven't seen development mules testing since June of last year, we're all the more skeptical about Honda's triumphant return to the GT500 ranks. We're hoping to know more before the end of the year, so stay tuned.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Acura NSX

[Source: BestCar via 7Tune]

New SuperGT contender from Honda in the works? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

STUDY: Cash for Clunkers helped Japanese way more than Detroit 3

Michael Harley — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Chrysler, Ford, GM, Honda, Nissan, Toyota

While there is no question that Obama's Cash-for-Clunkers program accelerated vehicle sales this summer, a new report by the University of Michigan's Transportation Research Institute shows the big winners were from Japan, not Detroit.

According to the study, nearly 85 percent of the trade-ins were from General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler, yet they only sold 39 percent of the new cars moved off the lots. On the other hand, 8 percent of the trade-ins came from Toyota, Honda, and Nissan, manufacturers who accounted for 41 percent of new car purchases.

While these numbers may be justified by the large quantity of inefficient domestic trucks and SUVs that were deemed clunkers, customer loyalty also seems to have taken a big shift. About 68 percent of owners who traded in Toyota, Honda, or Nissan vehicles replaced them with another from one of those Japanese brands, while only 43 percent of consumers who traded in Detroit steel purchased another General Motors, Ford, or Chrysler product. The program cost the U.S. taxpayers about $3 billion.

[Source: USA Today | Image: Justin Sullivan/Getty]

STUDY: Cash for Clunkers helped Japanese way more than Detroit 3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

REPORT: NHTSA probe opened into Honda airbag recall timing

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Acura, Honda

2001 Honda Accord - Click above for high-res image gallery

Over the last year, Honda has recalled roughly 444,000 vehicles to repair overpressurized airbag inflators in certain 2001-2002 Honda Accord, 2001 Civic and 2002-2003 Acura TL models. According to the automaker, there has been one death and multiple injuries stemming from the defect, which can send small metal fragments through the airbag and onto the vehicle's occupants.

For whatever reason, the total recall was announced in two separate increments that were eight months apart - and NHTSA wants to know why. Earlier, Honda had said that the problem was traced back to Takata Corp., which supplied the faulty inflators, and that the supplier had made "incorrect assumptions" about the numbers of parts it had sent to Honda. Says Honda spokesman Chris Martin:

The initial range of recalled vehicles was based on a relatively small sample of problematic airbag deployments...It took some further customer reports of airbag deployments for us to be able to look back and say, these vehicles are not in the lot we identified but have the same problem.

Honda denies any wrongdoing and promises to fully cooperate with the NHTSA investigation.

Gallery: 2001 Honda Accord

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req'd]

REPORT: NHTSA probe opened into Honda airbag recall timing originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

LA Auto Show Design Challenge reveals Youthmobile 2030 design entries

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:39:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Audi, GM, Honda, Mazda, Nissan, Toyota, Design/Style

Mazda Souga Concept from LA Design Challenge 2009 - Click above for high-res image gallery

This year's iteration of the annual Design Challenge at the LA Auto Show asks the question: How will a new generation of drivers age 16-23, raised with cell phones, web cams and online communities, emotionally connect to the automobile in 2030? We don't know the answer either, but at least six designers from some of the world's top automakers decided to give it a go with their own ideas.

First up are the eSpira and eOra from Audi, which are controlled by thought and by the minutest adjustments to the pilot's body. Next we have the General Motors Car Hero... yes, the name is borrowed from the popular Guitar Hero line of games and the car, as you might imagine, "turns driving into gaming." What happens when the inevitable "Game Over" comes at the end? Moving along, we come to the Honda Helix, a shape-shifting vehicle that borrows actual DNA from its owner. Yuck, we don't want to be a car, we want to drive a car.

Which brings us to the Mazda Souga, easily our favorite out of this crop of concepts. Mazda's vision for the future would have each owner design his own car for the low price of $2,000 while paying an additional monthly usage fee that also covers the price of electricity to power the Souga.

Nissan's vision for the future includes cars that get their power from an electrically-charged roadway called the GRID, and the vowel-challenged V2G UNLMTD is quickly hacked into an OFF-GRID transportation device by the next breed of young hackers. Lastly, we have the Toyota Link. According to Toyota, future college students will have nearly no income and will rely on mass transit vehicles like the Link that allow them to interact via their various social networks on their daily commutes. Sounds boring to us, but what do we know?

Be sure to check out all six designs in the gallery below and let us know your favorites in the comments.

Gallery: LA Design Challenge 2009 Competitors

[Source: LA Design Challenge]

Continue reading LA Auto Show Design Challenge reveals Youthmobile 2030 design entries

LA Auto Show Design Challenge reveals Youthmobile 2030 design entries originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

SCCA approves Honda Fit-based engine for Formula F

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Budget, Hatchback, Honda

Honda FF engine demonstrator - click above for high-res image

For 2010, Formula F is getting some fresh blood. The Sports Car Club of America's board of directors has given the thumbs up to Honda's proposal for a new engine in the class. Next year, competitors will be able to swap out their ancient Ford Kent engines for a new 1.5-liter four based on the Fit.

Honda Performance Development created the engine so that it was specifically able to bolt up to many contemporary Formula Ford chassis designs with minimal modification, all while providing comparable performance. The air restrictor and ECU calibrations can be adjusted by HPD to ensure performance parity with the series' existing engines.

The engine's electronically fuel injected engine promises significantly reduced service requirements compared to the Kent, along with better efficiency. The engines will be supplied complete with intake, exhaust and conversion kits. The kit for the Swift DB-1 including the engine and all necessary parts runs $11,750 with deliveries starting February.

Gallery: Honda Fit FF engine

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading SCCA approves Honda Fit-based engine for Formula F

SCCA approves Honda Fit-based engine for Formula F originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

SEMA 2009: Honda Accord Crosstour straps on some factory accessories

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:41:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Wagon, Crossover, Honda, Design/Style

2010 Honda Accord Crosstour factory accessories -- Click above for high-res image gallery

Honda's 2010 Accord Crosstour doesn't yet appear on the Japanese automaker's accessories site, but a few images of aftermarket bits have been shared with an Element owner's forum (viewable below), and we now have some live shots straight from the show floor at SEMA.

On top are a rack and window deflectors and down below is a set of skirting that completely encircles the car. The effect, especially from the side, imbues the car with the kind of chunky brawn we used to associate with Subaru, before Subaru decided to dip its design pen into the inkwell of elegance. From the stock shots, the mods might even help, but our man Lavrinc on the show floor who took these live shots seems to indicate otherwise. In any case, as our first drive reviewer asked, is it enough? Thanks for the tip, Jubby!

Gallery: Honda Crosstour Accessories

Gallery: SEMA 2009: Honda Accord Crosstour with Honda accessories

[Source: H&A Accessories via Element Owners Club]

SEMA 2009: Honda Accord Crosstour straps on some factory accessories originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

SEMA 2009: Mugen-fettled Accord, Fit aren't the big Honda story from SEMA

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:21:00 EST

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

Mugen Honda Fit and Accord - Click above for high-res image gallery

In addition to announcing its plans to reinvigorate its participation in grassroots racing, Honda revealed two Mugen-accessorized models -- a 2010 Accord Sedan and Fit -- each outfitted with a range of parts available at dealers, but not a standalone model, ala Mugen Civic. While the 18-inch chrome wheels, front grille, spoilers, floor mats and machined aluminum oil filler cap are attractive additions to Honda's growing HFP line, needless to say, they leave us a bit cold when it comes the automaker's commitment to the aftermarket and, more to the point, performance.

Uninspiring SEMA efforts aside, the real news came last night during a meeting with Honda execs, where we were able to glean a few more details about Honda's future performance plans, how the CR-Z -- and more to the point, hybrids -- fit in and something to look out for next year.

Honda PR man Chuck Schifsky, told us that the Big H plans to use hybrids as a performance booster in the future, saying, "The CR-Z isn't the last step. It's the beginning." Although the real start of Honda's performance-marketed hybrids began with the last generation Accord Hybrid, Schifsky admits that its introduction was "ahead of its time," one of many reasons the electric-assisted sedan never quite caught on with consumers.

More interestingly, several Honda heads told us to expect something big in the world of motorsports next year -- likely in Japan. What that means is open to interpretation, but with Honda pulling its NSX out of SuperGT for 2010 (due to the front-engine, rear-drive chassis requirements), something interesting could be on the way. NSX revival? Lexus LFA fighter? Consider our interest extremely piqued...

Gallery: SEMA 2009: Mugen Accessorized Honda Accord and Fit

SEMA 2009: Mugen-fettled Accord, Fit aren't the big Honda story from SEMA originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

SEMA 2009: Honda uses vintage iron to announce return to grassroots racing

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:20:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, SEMA Show, Classics, Performance, Honda

1974 "Tokyo Joe" Honda Civic 1200 Racecar - Click above for high-res image gallery

Honda is using SEMA to show off their 2010 vehicles and the accessories available for each. It's also using the show to signal its return to grassroots racing, displaying several vintage racers and production cars alongside their descendants. Although we're covering the entire Mugen-accessorized 2010 lineup elsewhere, we didn't want to miss a chance to talk about three little cars at the back of the booth that had us drooling.

A mint 1971 N600, with its original, yellowed window sticker shows how far we've all come. At $1,395 the N600 cost just about a-buck-a-pound and its 598 cc air-cooled two-cylinder put out just 36 hp, but that was enough to get it to 80 MPH and still return 40 MPG. The N600 was also the car that introduced Americans to Honda automobiles, and firmly established Honda's reputation for frugality and fun.

Next to the N600 sat "Tokyo Joe," the 1974 Bolus & Snopes Civic 1200 racecar that scored six SCCA GT5 championships between 1985 and 1990. It was campaigned by American Honda employee Bob Boileau and once held the title of "World's Fastest Civic" when it was clocked at 146.698 MPH on the Talladega Superspeedway back in 1976. It also looked like it might move the frugal/fun ratio for Hondas a little to the other side of the equation.

Balancing both nicely was the spotless 1984 Mugen CRX prototype. Using a host of parts developed by Mugen, the car showed the performance possibilities inherent in the CRX platform. The Mugen sported a body kit designed for high speed stability, engine mods, a thoroughly reworked suspension, and meatier (but still just) 13-inch tires. A real throwback to the early days of Honda road and racing machines.

Gallery: SEMA 2009: Vintage Honda Racers

Photos copyright (C)2009 Frank Filipponio/Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading SEMA 2009: Honda uses vintage iron to announce return to grassroots racing

SEMA 2009: Honda uses vintage iron to announce return to grassroots racing originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

First Drive: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour goes down the road nicely... but is that enough?

Chris Paukert — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:56:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Hatchback, Honda, First Drive, Design/Style

2010 Honda Accord Crosstour - Click above for high-res image gallery

We hadn't been parked but a minute or two when it happened. After about a half an hour wringing out our test subject on what few curvy stretches of road suburban Detroit had to offer, we opportunistically pulled into a roadside fruit stand to snap a few photos before our ride got any dirtier. It was at exactly this point that a Lincoln MKZ rolled up, a window whirred down, and two gray-tufted heads popped out. "What is it?" inquired the couple in boisterous unison. Silence. "It's the 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour," we eventually blurt out, my co-driver sounding suspiciously apologetic. "It's... it's gorgeous!" The late-sixty-something man isn't being facetious - in fact, he's gushing - taking his hands off the Lincoln's wheel and gesturing as if to reinforce his sincerity.

If we're lyin,' we're dyin.'

"It's absolutely beautiful."

More silence.

"Really? Would you like to take a closer look?" No sooner had we extended the offer than said window was rolled up and the MKZ hurriedly shepherded into a parking spot. Moments later, our curious seniors were all over Honda's latest like first-in-liners at an early bird all-you-can-eat buffet. They took in its daring fastback profile, sized up its cargo hold, fiddled with its power seat controllers and gooshed its soft-touch plastics. Not only were they clearly impressed, they loved the way it looked.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour

Continue reading First Drive: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour goes down the road nicely... but is that enough?

First Drive: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour goes down the road nicely... but is that enough? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

2010 Honda Accord Crosstour to start at $29,670

Dan Roth — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:27:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Videos, Honda

2010 Honda Accord Crosstour - Click above for high-res image gallery

UPDATE: Video of Accord Crosstour running footage added after the jump.

It's fair to say that the 2010 Accord Crosstour has caused Honda some heartburn in the U.S. already, but Japanese brand's new CUV has taken another step toward the showroom regardless. Honda has already given us some wheel time with the Crosstour, so keep your eyes peeled for our review at noon Eastern today. If that's not enough to keep you occupied, pricing for the 2010 Crosstour has just been released, and the new model starts just slightly under $30,000, running up to about $37,000. Honda has also released tons of new Accord Crosstour glamor shots (check 'em out in the gallery below).

EPA efficiency numbers are also included with the pricing, helping buyers understand what the care and feeding of an Accord Crosstour will do to their wallets. An EX-L loaded up with all-wheel drive ("4WD" in Hondaspeak), all the luxury goodies, and navigation earns an EPA estimated 20 mpg combined. Honda's 3.5-liter V6 with Variable Cylinder Management earns 25 mpg on the highway and 17 mpg city. Front-drive ("2WD) Crosstours muster 18/27, which are competitive figures for its class. Speaking of classes, don't forget to check out our First Drive at noon to see if the Crosstour is the Valedictorian or in need of remedial instruction.

Gallery: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour to start at $29,670

2010 Honda Accord Crosstour to start at $29,670 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

BREAKING: Acura confirms Euro Honda Accord Tourer coming as TSX sport wagon!

Chris Paukert — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:27:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Europe, Acura, Honda

2009 Honda Accord Tourer - Click above for high-res image gallery

When we polled you yesterday afternoon about whether Honda was right in choosing to build the insurrectionary 2010 Accord Crosstour instead of picking the Accord Touring from its overseas showrooms, we didn't know that Acura was going to announce that it was doing just that today. Honest. In fact, as far as we're concerned, you guys made it happen. Well, 47.7% of you (at last count), anyway, as bringing over the Accord Tourer was your number one suggestion for a Honda/Acura load-lugger.

In any case, in a (very) brief press release available after the jump, Acura has announced the addition of a TSX sport wagon to its 2011 lineup, and it will likely look suspiciously like the Euro-market Accord Touring model that many people have been clamoring for. Acura confirms that the model will be based on the TSX sedan, which is itself basically a Euro Accord. It is unclear which powertrains we'll get, or if styling will be tweaked from its European counterpart, but it is expected to arrive next fall. Color us excited.

Now, about that JDM Odyssey...

Gallery: Honda Accord Tourer

[Source: Acura]

Continue reading BREAKING: Acura confirms Euro Honda Accord Tourer coming as TSX sport wagon!

BREAKING: Acura confirms Euro Honda Accord Tourer coming as TSX sport wagon! originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Autoblog Podcast #150 - Tokyo Motor Show Edition

Dan Roth — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:20:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Buick, Honda, Kia, Mazda, Toyota, Tokyo Auto Salon

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

It's Episode #150 of the Autoblog Podcast, and we raided the crypt to give you your buck-and-a-half's worth. Former podcast staples John Neff and Chris Paukert have been unearthed and join Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid, and Dan Roth for this milestone occasion.

A review of the Tokyo Motor Show starts things off, and then we drill down to talk more specifically about both ends of Toyota's sports spectrum: the Lexus LFA and the Toyota FT-86 concepts. Other Tokyo standouts like the Honda CR-Z and Subaru Hybrid Tourer concept weave into the conversation before we turn to the next-generation Honda Civic, rumored to be lighter and smaller. From there, things devolve entirely before this week's big crew wraps it up.

We'll hit your questions again next time around, keep them rolling in to Podcast at Autoblog dot com. We appreciate you filling our survey with data, and remember, if you get lonely, there's always Joystiq and Engadget. Thanks for listening! You can also leave us a message at our new Google Voice number 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763). Who knows... we might even play it on the podcast!

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #150 - Tokyo Motor Show Edition

Autoblog Podcast #150 - Tokyo Motor Show Edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Accord Crosstour, JDM Odyssey, or JDM Accord Tourer - Which would have been your pick?

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Wagon, Japan, Marketing/Advertising, Crossover, Honda

While we were in Japan last week for the Tokyo Motor Show, at least two American Honda officials expressed interest in bringing the automaker's Fit-based Freed MPV to the U.S. market. However, as we strolled the streets of Tokyo's Ginza district, another thought occurred to us when a JDM Odyssey passed by. Back in the Nineties, the original Odyssey was sold in Japan and the U.S. as Honda's first crack at a minivan. For the second generation, the Nippon and U.S.-market cars diverged as Honda realized American buyers wanted something larger, so the original model continued to evolve in Japan, eventually resulting in an all-new model for 2008.

During the time since Honda's original Odyssey departed American showrooms, the North American market has also evolved, with the crossover segment emerging as an increasingly sizable piece of the pie. Enter the 2010 Accord Crosstour. While most people have only seen photos of the new Crosstour to date, the lion's share of the public's reaction has been charitably categorizable as "less than favorable." To be fair, however, we won't know if Honda made the right call until the model's sales results begin to come in.

Lest we forget, in addition to the JDM Odyssey, Honda also offers a more traditional Accord Tourer (read: "wagon") available overseas, and it's a model that many commenters on both this website and Honda's own Crosstour Facebook page have noted and expressed a preference for. In the case of the Odyssey, the JDM vehicle has arguably become more like a CUV than a minivan, what with its four traditionally-hinged doors and a lower roof than past iterations. The front end styling draws directly on the FCX Clarity, another car-based design cue.

Although it would be premature to judge the value of a model before consumers get the chance determine its success or failure, it sounds like many of you are already wondering whether Honda made the right decision. If you have some initial thoughts, drop your fellow commenter a line and be sure to take our poll after the jump - and we'll keep an eye on sale figures!

Continue reading Accord Crosstour, JDM Odyssey, or JDM Accord Tourer - Which would have been your pick?

Accord Crosstour, JDM Odyssey, or JDM Accord Tourer - Which would have been your pick? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

REPORT: Honda plans a return to larger hybrids

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Minivan/Van, Sedan, Honda

2009 Honda Skydeck Concept - Click above for hi-res image gallery

To put it mildly, sales of the Honda Accord Hybrid never quite set the world on fire. Regardless, Japan's second largest automaker is reportedly hard at work developing its proprietary Integrated Motor Assist hybrid platform so that it can once again be used to power larger vehicles like the Accord.

To make it all work out, Honda is adding an extra electric motor to the mix for a total of two, both of which will be more powerful than the single pancake motor used in the current Insight and Civic Hybrid. Also on the menu is a lithium ion battery pack to replace the current nickel metal hydride unit, with added capacity to allow for electric-only operation.

Word on the street (or at least the Nikkei daily newspaper in Japan) is that Honda might place this next-gen hybrid powertrain in a minivan sometime in 2011 or so. Before that, though, we can look forward to the launch of Honda's sporty CR-Z hybrid hatchback. It's important to have your priorities straight, right?

Gallery: 2009 Honda Skydeck Concept

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

REPORT: Honda plans a return to larger hybrids originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments