Honda To Debut New VTEC Turbo Engine In Next-Gen StepWgn

Article file under http://www.livelifedrive.com/malaysia/news/view/197184/honda-to-debut-new-vtec-turbo-engine-in-next-gen-stepwgn

Last year, Honda announced that it has developed a new series of turbocharged direct injection petrol engines for small- and medium-sized vehicles. Dubbed VTEC Turbo, Honda's latest engine series will come in three sizes - 2-litre four cylinder, 1.5-litre four cylinder and 1.0-litre three cylinder.

The 2-litre VTEC Turbo is expected to make its global debut in the European market Civic Type-R in 2015, but there is no official announcement yet for the smaller displacement VTEC Turbo engines.

However a report by Japan's Nikkei says the 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo will make its debut in the Japanese market StepWgn.

No further details were mentioned, but considering that the current generation StepWgn (below) was launched in Japan in 2009, and the fact that previous generation StepWgn models have model life of around five years, the next generation model may arrive in late 2014 or early 2015.

The current generation StepWgn is powered by a 2.0-litre i-VTEC engine that produces 150 PS of power at 6,200 rpm and 193 Nm of torque at 4,200 rpm.

While Honda has revealed that the 2.0-litre VTEC Turbo engine will produce more than 280 hp (and still meets Euro 6 emission regulations), no power output figures are available for the smaller displacement VTEC Turbo engines. However it is safe to say that the succeeding 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo will have to match or exceed the current 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine's output. 

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Article file under http://www.hondatuningmagazine.com
By Rodrez

First Impresion: 2010 Acura TSX V6

When the Acura TSX first hit U.S. shores, it was immediately branded as Acura's entry-level sport sedan. As with any new car, reviews blanketed magazines and internet sites and the nit picking began. While most writers praised the new offering, citing its long list of positive attributes, the negative points seemed to echo one another. Many would complain of a lack of torque and what they refer to as "peaky" performance. There's no question that most of the Honda engines introduced over the last fifteen years have revolved around high revving screamers, and that's what makes them so unique. Nevertheless, there's a sea of potential buyers in America who are looking for the low-end grunt they probably grew up with. Add to that a growing number of sport sedan consumers who begin salivating at the very thought of more muscle under the hood and you can understand why the TSX received two more cylinders for its spec sheet.



The facelift

With the 2009 model came a complete redesign. A larger, bulkier, yet very sleek new body style made its way to dealer show rooms. As with many new offerings, Honda fans needed a moment to get used to the new look. At first glance, the silver front grill draws your attention away from the sharp sculptured lines of the exterior. The HID-equipped headlights, much like with the older model, carry an aggressive stare, and flow very well with the front bumper and fenders. The wheel arches and rear bumper take their time growing on you, but once they do, thoughts of aftermarket wheel combinations and a healthy drop aren't far behind.





Love at first seat

When I first arrived to pick up the TSX, it was parked right next to a 2010 Acura TL. The similarities in outward appearance as well as the cabin layout are obvious, as is the increased size of the flagship Acura in comparison to the smaller TSX. As I jumped inside our test car, the very first thing I noticed were the comfortable seats. A slightly sporty feel with the cushiest headrest I've ever leaned into. I can only imagine how comfortable these seats would be on a five hour cruise to Vegas. During the week of testing, I found myself answering emails from my blackberry while parked in the garage, subconsciously not wanting to leave my new leather-wrapped home.



Dimensionally, the interior is much larger than the previous generation. The TSX's dash layout and location of the major user controls are ergonomically superior to its predecessor. Navigation, satellite radio, and traffic updates are all controlled by a main dial and a few surrounding buttons. Under the navigation screen is a small digital strip that relays radio and temperature info to eliminate jumping back and forth between screens.



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MUGEN tunes the 2010 Honda Insight

Article file under http://www.rsportscars.com

An exciting piece of news for hybrid sports car fans: MUGEN, the experienced Japanese tuning firm responsible for years of Civics and Accords miles in front of their stock counterparts, has developed and released a tuning program for the as-yet-unreleased Honda Insight.





While the Insight is similar to the Prius in nearly every way, including styling and powertrain, the very idea of a TRD Prius sounds completely ridiculous. MUGEN's relationship with Honda is longstanding, think Ford and Roush here in the States, and you can bet that if a MUGEN-tuned Honda Insight is making such a loud entrance, it is fully sanctioned by the Insight's builder.





Specifics under the hood are nothing fancy by tuner car standards. A new performance intake is paired with an oil cooler to supposedly keep the gasoline and electric motors stoked and cooled, and larger, wider alloys should make a huge difference on the road.

If Honda's current product line is any indication, a factory Insight should prove more agile and spirited in driving than its Toyota hybrid counterpart. MUGEN would not be putting their name in front of the car without some degree of confidence that the Insight tuning package makes a tangilble performance difference.

The new MUGEN Honda Insight even features an aero kit MUGEN claimes significantly improves the Insight's already-stellar aerodynamics, complete with rear spoiler. What?

The MUGEN-tuned Honda Insight is not expected to be offered as a standalone model in the United States, but enterprising tuners will of course get their hands on the parts. A Ronn Scorpion, Tesla or Fisker is one thing, but a sub-$20,000 hybrid car with real tuner potential?

Depending on critical reception to the 2010 Honda Insight's driving dynamics, the MUGEN Insight may seem like one of the greatest business decisions in the entire energy efficient car industry, or a big joke.

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2010 Acura ZDX

Article file under http://www.rsportscars.com

All-New Acura ZDX Debuts: Provocative Four-Door Sports Coupe Goes On-Sale This Fall
Offical Press Release

A prototype of the provocative Acura ZDX luxury four-door sports coupe made its world debut at the New York International Auto Show today. The production version of the dramatically styled prototype goes on-sale in the fall of 2009. The segment bending ZDX features stunning coupe-like styling with the added benefit of a commanding presence and flexible utility.



"The ZDX is truly a luxury performance coupe - plus," said Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura sales. "The emotional coupe styling coupled with a luxurious and dramatic interior and surprising versatility, allows the ZDX to define its own segment and attract an entirely new customer."

The ZDX is designed to break new ground for Acura in the areas of provocative styling, contemporary luxury and meticulous refinement. With its sensuous curves, sharply raked roofline and bold fender flares, the ZDX blurs the distinction between coupe, sedan and sport utility vehicle. Clean, flowing lines start from the headlights and run the length of the car, accentuating the cars presence and grace. In keeping with the coupe-inspired styling, the rear door handles are cleverly concealed in the C-pillar. The all-glass tailgate opens wide to reveal a highly functional cargo space with integrated under-floor storage. The prototype is finished off with stylish dual chrome exhaust outlets and 9-spoke machined wheels fitted with 20-inch Michelin tires.



"From the very first sketch of the ZDX, I wanted to create an emotional vehicle that challenged conventional thinking of what a sports coupe should be," said Michelle Christensen, ZDX exterior designer. "My goal was to create a strikingly beautiful exterior, and use that attraction to help draw you into the rich interior."

Inside, the ZDX exudes modern luxury while focusing on pampering the front passengers. The cabin is enveloped in leather, which gives the interior a luxurious and inviting feel. The hand-stitched leather dash and instrument panel sweep down to form a dual cockpit layout, creating a personal and intimate experience for the front seat occupants. The premium leather seats are highly bolstered to support the passengers during sporty driving and at the same time provide comfort during a long getaway. A black monochromatic center stack leads to the textured metallic center console, which complements the black and pearl white leather trim. The thick leather wrapped steering wheel provides ample grip and is framed by racing-inspired paddle shifters for the ultimate in driver control. The cabin is enclosed by a panoramic glass roof which runs the entire length of the vehicle, providing occupants with a breathtaking view of the world around them.



The production ZDX will bring a new level of prestige and sophistication when it arrives at Acura dealerships in the fall, offering the latest advancements in performance, technology and safety. The ZDX will deliver sports sedan performance on the road with its powerful V-6 engine mated to an all-new, smooth shifting 6-speed automatic transmission. The potent powertrain will be coupled with Acura's exclusive Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD®) system, giving the ZDX outstanding handling and cornering capabilities in all-weather conditions.



In typical Acura fashion, the ZDX will be available with the latest in customer enhancing technologies and advanced safety features including an all-new blind spot information system, which will help drivers change lanes more confidently. A new multi-view rear camera makes parking even easier with the added enhancement of both a wide angle and top down view. Acura signature technologies like Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition™, AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic and Weather™, Acura/ELS Surround® premium audio system and Bluetooth® connectivity will also be available on the all-new model.

The ZDX represents the next step for Acura in its advancement to becoming one of the top luxury brands and makes a clear statement

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TOV's March 2009 Desktop Calendar features the S2000 GT Edition 100

Article file under http://www.vtec.net

For this month's desktop calendar, Neal commemorates Honda UK's special limited edition S2000 GT Edition 100. If you think this car looks exactly like the S2000 Ultimate Edition that was announced by Honda's European press arm, then we're with you. Here are some of the details of the S2000 GT Edition 100, as told by Honda's UK PR group:



CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD CALENDAR

Only 100 of the special edition roadsters will be sold in the UK, as the name, Edition 100, suggests. It will retain its highly acclaimed 2.0 litre 9000rpm VTEC engine and combines it with a Grand Prix White body and graphite effect alloy wheels. The new paint job evokes memories of Honda’s first F1 car from 1964 as well as many sporting models since. The exterior colour, dark metal alloy wheels and a unique black S2000 badge give the timeless roadster a fresh look.

2010 Honda Insight EX

File pictures under http://www.edmunds.com

2009 Honda City First Steer

Article file under http://www.caradvice.com.au





Hatches may rule in the light car market in Australia but now Honda has taken a leaf out of Toyota’s marketing book by launching a sedan version of its popular Jazz, called the City.





As well as tackling the Toyota Yaris head on the Honda City is also taking a tilt at sales currently going to the Holden Barina, the Hyundai Accent and the Nissan Tiida.





The City’s other major task, according to Honda Australia Senior Director Lindsay Smalley, is to take the brand down the age demographic, with the car being pitched very squarely at buyers in the 20 to 40 year-old age bracket.





Not shunning its traditional older buyers, Mr Smalley says the Honda City will also appeal to “empty-nesters” those married couple who have seen their children grow up and move out of home.

Under the attractive but angular bodywork, which we found a bit like a baby Accord Euro, the City is all Jazz, being built on the same platform, and utilising the same drive train and suspension.





The engine is Honda’s 88kW/146Nm, 1.5-litre, four-cylinder, I-VTEC unit that is already found in the latest Jazz and while it mimics the Jazz in many ways the City eschews the base model 1.3-litre engine, having instead just two models, the VTi and the VTi-L.

It comes with the same five-speed manual and five-speed automatic transmissions as found in the Jazz VTi and VTi-S.

More Article from http://www.caradvice.com.au/

2009 Honda S2000

Article file under http://www.rsportscars.com/honda/2009-honda-s2000/





For many drivers and sports car fanatics, the Honda S2000 epitomizes exactly what an open-top sports car should be. No where south of a Lotus Elise are buyers offered a car more pure a performance machine.





When Honda released the first-generation S2000 in 1999, automotive journalists everywhere gave it universal praise. Though it is much more expensive than the similar, though much less powerful, Mazda MX-5, the S2000 has evolved over the last several years though stayed true to form.



The only RWD car in Honda's current lineup, the 2009 S2000 carries over the DOHC VTEC 2.2 Liter motor and body style from the 2008 model. Changes are limited to paint and interior options, and a new vehicle stability control system (VSA), which is as sophisticated as cars costing double the S2000's $34k price point. Much to the delight of track racers everywhere, the S2000's VSA system can be defeated.

While it perhaps prices itself above the heads of many of its intended buyers, the 2009 Honda S2000 is as pure a driver's car as any of the major auto manufacturers offer. For those seeking even more, the track-prepped 2009 Honda S2000 CR, called the Type-S in Japan, will soon be available. Read on for all the official details, direct from Honda...

Technical Specification

Transmission : 6 Speed Manual
Final Drive Ratio : 4.100:1
Differential : Torque-Sensing Torsen Limited-Slip
Suspension : Independent In-Wheel Double Wishbone Suspension with Coil Springs
Layout : Front Engine, RWD

Engine

Displacement : 2.2 Liters
Engine Type : Naturally Aspirated 16V DOHC VTEC Inline 4
Redline : 8000 rpm
Horsepower : 237 hp @ 7800 rpm
Torque : 162 hp @ 6800 rpm
Bore X Stroke : 87.0 x 90.7
Compression : Ratio 11:1

2009 Honda Accord Coupe

Source under http://automobiles.honda.com/

















Accord Coupe offers three engines: a 2.4-liter i-VTEC® 4-cylinder, putting out 190 hp; and two versions of a 271-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 i-VTEC (automatic models) and the 6-speed manual transmission.

With VTEC engines, which come standard in all Accord Coupes (except V-6 6MT), add more power and efficiency at all engine speeds. And the V-6 features the latest generation of Honda’s Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM®) technology, which activates the engine’s cylinders as needed, providing both brisk acceleration and fuel savings.

Honda power meets razor-sharp handling, thanks to a low center of gravity and a multi-link rear suspension.In the 4-cylinder models, choose a quick-shifting 5-speed manual transmission or an available 5-speed automatic

New Honda Odyssey 2009

File picture under http://www.netcarshow.com

Honda Acura 2009 - Picture

Picture file under http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/car_shopping/
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