The Honda Fit EV Concept

Fit EV Concept
http://automobiles.honda.com/images/future-cars/fit-ev/fitconcept_02.jpg

Honda is proud to announce the world debut of the Fit EV Concept. This advanced electric vehicle is designed to meet the daily driving needs of an average commuter, utilizing the same 5-passenger layout found in the popular Fit hatchback. The Fit EV Concept is propelled by a high-density motor derived from the FCX Clarity fuel cell electric vehicle and features a 3-mode drive system adapted from the CR-Z sport hybrid. A pocket-friendly interactive remote can link to the vehicle without the need for an Internet connection or mobile phone signal. Through this remote, drivers will be able to remotely view the vehicle's state of charge, initiate charging and activate the air conditioning, even while connected to the grid, reducing the drain on battery at start-up. An application for smartphones and a website for personal computers offer the ability to set charging notifications and alerts to optimize utility rates and provide 24-hour roadside assistance along with a public charging locator. Battery recharging can be accomplished in less than 12 hours when using a conventional 120-volt outlet and less than six hours when employing a 240-volt outlet. The Fit EV will achieve an estimated 100 miles driving range per charge using the US EPA LA4 City cycle (70 miles when applying EPA's adjustment factor), well more than the average number of miles driven daily by most commuters. The Fit EV is scheduled to go on sale in the U.S. in 2012. Be sure to sign up for e-mail updates to receive all the latest news regarding this exciting vehicle. 

Ref. http://automobiles.honda.com/fit-ev/

The Honda Civic Si Concept

Civic Si Concept coupe

(http://automobiles.honda.com/images/future-cars/2012-civic/civic_01.jpg)

The Honda Civic Si Concept coupe and the Civic Concept sedan made their world debuts at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. The Concept vehicles offered an intriguing preview of the styling direction of the new, ninth-generation Civic. 

Civic Concept sedan
(http://automobiles.honda.com/images/future-cars/2012-civic/civic_07.jpg)

This spring, the all-new Civic model range will arrive with unprecedented diversity, including conventional sedan and coupe models, sporty "Si" performance versions, as well as hybrid and natural-gas variants. The new Civic hybrid will feature a lithium ion battery cell, the first ever for a Honda hybrid. In another first for Honda, the Eco-Assist™[1] system will be available in most upcoming Civic models. Additionally, Honda is expanding retail sales of the natural gas-powered Civic GX model. 

Altogether, the new Civic promises to continue its tradition of user-friendliness, sporty performance and excellent fuel economy, offering an unprecedented level of variety with the widest array of powertrain choices in its class. 

[1] Eco Assist is a trademark of Honda Motor Co., Ltd., and may not be used or reproduced without prior written approval. 

Ref. http://automobiles.honda.com/2012-civic/

Honda shows new minivan concept in Chicago

The Odyssey concept presages the 2011 production version coming out in the fall. (Credit: Honda)

Not prone to building outlandish or highly speculative concepts, Honda showed off a very mundane concept version of its upcoming new Odyssey minivan at the Chicago Auto Show. The real thing is coming out this fall, so the concept is fairly close to production trim.

Honda notes that the new Odyssey will be lower and wider than the current version, improving aerodynamics and fuel economy. Some versions of the car will get 19 mpg city and 28 mpg highway, according to Honda. But it sounds like the powerplant options will remain unchanged, as Honda says the current i-VTEC V-6, with cylinder deactivation technology, will still be available.

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http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-10450909-48.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=Crave

Honda to revive the Insight as a Prius-fighter

The Insight Concept represent's Honda's next attempt to dethrone the Toyota Prius.
(Credit: Honda)

• Honda introduced the first gas-electric hybrid for purchase with the Insight in 1999, then came Toyota's Prius and everyone forgot about Honda's little hybrid that could. We all knew that Honda was working on a larger Prius-fighting, dedicated hybrid vehicle, but Honda has denied that they'd be reviving the Insight moniker for this new vehicle. On Thursday, Honda released the first official information and images of their Prius-killer concept and it's called, you guessed it, the Insight.
• The Insight Concept carries over the styling cues of Honda's fuel cell vehicle, the FCX Clarity. It looks to us that Honda has been taking lessons from the "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" school of thought, as the five-door, five-passenger hatchback configuration of the Insight is the same as that of the Prius. Squint your eyes and you'll see that the proportions from the a-pillar back are decidedly Prius-like. It's almost as though someone slapped the nose of the FCX Clarity onto Toyota's hybrid and called it a day.
• Originally posted at The Car Tech blog

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2007 Frankfurt auto show: day one round-up

The Volkswagen up! debuted today in Frankfurt
(Credit: CNET Networks)

We've been trawling the floor on the first day of the Frankfurt auto show, and there have been plenty of new model launches and concept car unveilings to keep us busy. Mercedes Benz delivered on its promise to take the wraps off a fleet of new cars, including hybrid versions of its C300 wagon and its ML450 SUV, as well as its F700 research vehicle. Volkswagen and BMW also took advantage of being on their home turf, with the latter unveiling its partnership with Google for a local-search-enabled in-dash navigation system, and VW showing off its up! concept, an ultra-compact rear-engined mini-Golf with removable seats. Meanwhile, Fiat's own microcar, the 500, turned out not to be so micro in the flesh.


On the hybrid front, GM showed off its E-Flex-powered Opel Flextreme concept complete with built-in Segways, while Honda displayed a sport-tuned version of its Civic Hybrid that had earned its stripes racing in the 2007 Nurburgring race. Check out our continuing coverage of the show on the new CNET Car Tech blog, here. [...]

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Kevin Massy. CRAVE