After World War II, Soichiro Honda formed the Honda Research Institute Company Ltd in Japan. In 1947, Honda built the A-type engine, a 1-horsepower 50cc two-stroke that fastened to bicycles. Honda staff called it the “chimney” because of its tall cylinder. In September 1948, the Honda Motor Co. was formally established.

The first production automobile from Honda was the T360 mini pick-up truck which was powered by a small 356 cc straight-4 gasoline engine. The first production car from Honda was the S500 sports car. In 1961, the bigger Volvo model engines called the 122-S series B-18 engine were built. In 1965 Honda built a race car equipped with a 12-cylinder engine.

In 1973, The Ford Motor Company formed an agreement with The Honda Motor Company to obtain technical data on a new engine that would decrease air pollution. They created the first engine to meet the guidelines of the 1970 US Clean Air Act.

In 1991, Honda reported selling 7000 CRX-HF cars where the Honda engine used computers and sensors to control valve action and the air-fuel. The purpose was to increase the amount of air in the mixture to 20 parts per 1 part gasoline.

In May 1999, Honda announced that it would supply its new Formula 1 engines to British American Racing. The most important highlight of the announcement was that Honda’s engine engineers had developed an oil trap that fitted into the engine. Also in 1999, Hybrid Electric Honda launched the first commercial hybrid electric car that was sold in the US as the Honda Insight. The first-generation Insight was produced from 2000 to 2006. This was the most fuel-efficient mass-produced car at the time. In 2000, Honda began mass producing clean high-performance engines.

The Honda Civic GX is the only natural gas vehicle (NGV) available in certain US locations. In 2001, the Civic GX was rated the cleanest-burning internal combustion engine in the world by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency?.

In 2006, Honda announced it would build a $154-million engine plant near Alliston, Ontario, Canada. It would be the first engine plant in Canada. In late 2006, Honda’s Brazilian subsidiary launched flexible-fuel versions for the Honda Civic and Honda Fit. These models run on a mixture of hydrous ethanol (E100) and E20-E25 gasoline. Honda introduced the second-generation Insight in Japan in February 2009. It will be the cheapest hybrid available in the US.

Since 2002, Honda has been selling the Honda Civic Hybrid (2003 model) in the US. It was followed by the Honda Accord Hybrid, which was offered in 2005 to 2007 models. Honda is also planning to introduce a hybrid version of its Honda Fit, as well as another unique small hybrid vehicle based on the CR-Z sports car that was introduced at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show.

Honda has a remarkable history of building solid engines. It will be interesting to see what the future of the Honda engine will bring.

About the Author

Formula Honda in Toronto offers Honda new cars, used cars, trucks, SUV’s, minivans and commercial cars. Offering a large inventory of both Honda new and used as well as auto repair Toronto services.

Post from: Cars On The Blog

Where Did the Honda Engine Originate?

Post from: Cars On The Blog

Honda: All-new Honda Accord Crosstour to Arrive in Fall 2009

The Honda CR-V, the top-selling CUV in the U.S., and the Honda Ridgeline pickup ranked highest in their respective segments in the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Initial Quality Study℠ (IQS), American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today. Honda’s East Liberty, Ohio manufacturing facility, which assembles the Honda CR-V, also received a coveted Gold Plant award, ranking it as the top factory in the Americas.

IQS serves as the industry benchmark for new-vehicle quality measured at 90 days of ownership and captures problems experienced by owners in two distinct categories – quality of design and quality of production (defects and malfunctions). The study ranked nameplates and vehicles based on survey reports of Problems Per Hundred (PP100 studied).

Honda vehicles averaged only 99 PP100, an improvement of 11 PP100 over 2008. The Honda CR-V ranked highest in the Compact Multi Activity Vehicle segment for the third consecutive year, with an IQS rating of 93 PP100, and the Honda Ridgeline truck ranked highest in the Midsize Pickup segment, with an IQS rating of 81 PP100.

Source: Honda Automobiles

Post from: Cars On The Blog

Honda: J.D. Power and Associates Ranks Honda CR-V and Ridgeline Highest in Segments in Initial Quality Study

Insight targets entry segment as gateway to hybrid technology

The all-new 2010 Honda Insight goes on sale March 24 with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $19,800 for the Insight LX, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today.

The distinctively styled, five-passenger, five-door dedicated hybrid vehicle is powered by an Integrated Motor Assist^TM (IMA^TM) system comprised of a 1.3-liter i-VTEC® gasoline engine and a 10-kilowatt electric motor that together contribute to an EPA-estimated city/highway fuel economy rating of 40/43 miles per gallon. The Insight features the Ecological Drive Assist System (Eco Assist^TM), an innovation that can further enhance efficient vehicle operation while providing feedback related to individual driving styles.

“The all-new Honda Insight brings the cost of entry for hybrid technology within closer reach of an entirely new car-shopping audience,” said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda. “In addition to making good environmental sense, hybrid technology is now entering a new era where it can also make financial sense for a broader range of customers.”

A sleek exterior blends design elements from the original 2000 Insight’s highly aerodynamic side profile with a front-end design similar to the hydrogen-powered FCX Clarity, a marquee environmental product for Honda. The interior offers a roomy passenger environment with a configurable rear seating and cargo area that benefits from 60/40 split fold-down seats.

Major features standard to the Insight LX include front, front-side and side-curtain airbags; an anti-lock braking system; a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT); Eco Assist; automatic climate control; tilt and telescope steering column; manual driver’s seat height adjustment; power windows; a four-speaker AM/FM audio system with CD player and auxiliary audio input for external digital music players; and much more.

A more premium version of the Insight is also available. The Insight EX, with a MSRP1 of $21,300, adds to the Insight LX features with Vehicle Stability Assist^TM (VSA®); alloy wheels; cruise control; steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters; an upgraded audio system with six speakers; USB audio interface; a center console with armrest and storage compartment; heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals; and much more. Exclusively available on the Insight EX, the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System (6.5-inch screen) with voice recognition provides routing and guidance to individual addresses and more than 7 million points of interest within the continental United States. Models equipped with the navigation system also include Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® for hands-free operation of compatible mobile telephones, along with related steering wheel-mounted controls for voice activation of the navigation and hands-free telephone systems.

A 4-cylinder engine with intelligent variable valve timing and a DC brushless electric motor forms the foundation of the IMA hybrid system. The electric motor, positioned in-line between the engine and the transmission, adds power during acceleration and in certain cruising situations, and recaptures energy from the vehicle’s forward momentum during braking (regenerative braking).

The Insight’s IMA system has the capability to operate exclusively on electric power in certain low- to mid-speed cruising conditions. It can also provide cylinder deactivation during deceleration and an idle-stop feature when the vehicle is stationary. With a 10.6-gallon fuel tank, the Insight delivers an estimated maximum driving range exceeding 400 miles. Models for sale in California and states that have adopted the California Air Resources Board (CARB) ZEV standards receive an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) emissions rating.

The Insight introduces Eco Assist to help drivers achieve improved real-world fuel economy. Eco Assist is a feature designed to help drivers optimize fuel efficiency for their given set of driving conditions. Pressing the ECON button can further enhance the efficiency of multiple vehicle systems: throttle control, CVT operation, idle-stop duration, air conditioning and cruise-control operation (EX only). Eco Assist also provides feedback about driving style via a 3D-appearing background within the speedometer. The background changes colors from green to blue to reflect how efficiently or inefficiently the driver is accelerating or braking (green = efficient). The driver’s results are continuously tracked as fuel-economy ratings are shown per drive cycle and on a lifetime basis in the form of plant-leaf graphics that appear in the Multi-Information Display (MID). Up to five leaves can be ‘earned’ as the driver demonstrates a fuel-efficient driving style. A real-time score is shown in the Eco Guide MID screen.

Standard safety features on all Insights include dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags; front-side airbags with a passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); side-curtain airbag system; anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution (EBD); driver’s and front-passenger’s active head restraints and a front body designed to mitigate pedestrian injuries. All new Insights also feature Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering^TM (ACE^TM) body structure, which provides improved frontal-crash compatibility between vehicles of different size and ride height.

Honda is a leader in developing cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicle technologies, including the original Honda Insight, introduced as America’s first mass-produced hybrid car in December 1999. Honda is also a leader in the development of advanced alternatives to gasoline, including the zero-emission, hydrogen-powered FCX Clarity fuel-cell car, the world’s most advanced production fuel-cell automobile.

2010 Honda Insight Pricing and EPA Data

MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, $670.00 destination charge and options. Dealer prices may vary.

Based on 2010 EPA mileage estimates, reflecting new EPA fuel-economy methods beginning with 2008 models. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.

The USB Audio Interface is used for direct connection to and control of some current digital audio players and other USB devices that contain MP3, WMA® or AAC music files. Some USB devices with security software and digital rights-protected files may not work. Please see your dealer for details on compatibility.

Insight EX with navigation MSRP $23,100. The Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System^TM is available on Insight EX models in the United States, except Alaska. See your Honda dealer for details.

Post from: Cars On The Blog

Honda: The Honda -Insight- Becomes Most Affordable New Hybrid Available in the U.S.

“The production of 20 million cars and light trucks in North America was achieved through the ultimate in teamwork by our suppliers, business partners and dealers working together with Honda associates to create joy for our customers,” said Tsuneo Tanai, president & CEO of Honda of America Mfg., Inc. and head of Honda’s production operations in North America, covering the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

In a letter thanking the more than 34,000 associates working in the company’s manufacturing, sales, marketing and R&D operations in North America, Tanai said: “Most importantly, we owe our deepest appreciation to our customers, as none of our accomplishments would be possible without the loyalty they have shown to their Honda and Acura products.”

Consistent with Honda’s commitment to produce products close to the customer, more than 77% of all Honda and Acura vehicles sold in the U.S. in 2008, were produced in North America- a total of 1,421,427 units. Further, 11 different models are produced exclusively in North America- the Honda Accord Coupe, Civic Coupe and Si, Civic GX natural gas vehicle, Odyssey, Pilot, Element and Ridgeline and the Acura TL, MDX, RDX and CSX (Canadian exclusive model).

Honda has four U.S. automobile plants in Marysville and East Liberty, Ohio; Lincoln, Alabama; and Greensburg, Indiana; two plants in Alliston, Ontario, Canada; and a plant in Jalisco, El Salto, Mexico.

In addition to the 20 million cars and light trucks, Honda’s cumulative North American production of automobile engines exceeds 18.4 million units, mostly in Ohio and Alabama, with automatic transmission production now exceeding 13 million units at plants in Ohio and Georgia.

Honda currently partners with more than 620 North American suppliers, including 545 in the U.S., and purchased more than $19.5 billion in parts and materials from its North American suppliers in 2008.

Honda also continues to grow its automobile export program, including both finished vehicles and component parts sets, such as Honda’s U.S.-made engines and components sourced from U.S. suppliers. From the start-up of automobile exports in 1987 through 2008, Honda exported 922,668 vehicles made in North America to world markets.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment in 1959 of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Honda’s first overseas subsidiary. Honda began U.S. motorcycle production in Ohio in 1979, and U.S. automobile production in 1982. The company has invested more than $10.6 billion in its North America operations, including 16 major manufacturing facilities employing more than 34,000 associates, to produce Honda and Acura automobiles, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, personal watercraft, lawn mowers, general-purpose engines, and other power equipment products.

For further information on Honda’s manufacturing operations in North America, please visit our multimedia newsroom online: http://www.hondanews.com/categories/1165/releases/4040

* using domestic and globally sourced parts

Source: Honda.com

Post from: Cars On The Blog

Honda Produces 20 Millionth Automobile in North America

The 2009 Honda S2000 will be the final model year produced of the award-winning roadster, Honda announced today. First introduced in 1999 for the 2000 model year, the S2000 helped define its segment with class-leading handling, engine technology and value. Originally envisioned as a limited-edition tribute to Honda’s 50th anniversary, S2000 production was extended in response to customer demand and critical acclaim.

“The S2000 is a sports car designed by enthusiasts for enthusiasts,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “It raised the bar for all future roadsters, and it’s already considered a classic by many Honda fans.”

As a true sports car that can serve as a practical and fun daily driver yet feel equally at home on a racetrack, this concept further evolved with a club racer-inspired S2000 CR trim, first offered in the 2008 model year. The S2000 has been honored with multiple awards through the years, including four appearances on Car and Driver Magazine’s coveted “10-Best” list.

The S2000 is sold in 64 countries around the world with cumulative world-wide sales of over 110,000 since its introduction in 1999. Over 65,000 S2000s have been sold in the United States since 1999.

For more information or downloadable high-resolution images of Honda vehicles, please visit www.hondanews.com. Consumer information about the Honda products is available at www.honda.com

Post from: Cars On The Blog

2009 Will Be Final Model Year of Production for Honda S2000

The Fury opens the door to the most extreme level of custom looks. But once you’re rolling, the Fury experience is all about that special bond between rider and machine: the unmistakable big V-twin pulse, the characteristic Vee engine note and the no-nonsense riding stance bring you back to the core elements of riding.

Destined to become a milestone machine, the Fury captures the pure, undiluted chopper essence, places it within easy reach of nearly every rider and then backs it up with the same quality and reliability built into every Honda. It’s a radical concept in a unique package, a combination never before offered- until today.

For more information and images of the 2010 Fury, go to Furyisunleashed.com and Powersports.honda.com.

Fury Key Features:

• Full-on chopper styling
• Longest wheelbase ever in a production Honda motorcycle
• Muscular V-twin power, sound and feel
• Clean looks, superior attention to detail
• Spacious riding position
• Low seat height
• Single-shock rear suspension features “hard tail” look
• Extra-wide 200-series rear tire
• Slim-look 21-inch front tire
• Legendary Honda fit, finish and reliability
• Unrivaled value

Fury Specifications:

About Honda

American Honda Motor Co., Inc. is the sole distributor of Honda motorcycles, scooters, ATVs and personal watercraft in the U.S. American Honda’s Motorcycle Division conducts the sales, marketing, and operational activities for these products through authorized Honda dealers. For more information on Honda products, go to www.powersports.honda.com.

Post from: Cars On The Blog

Honda Fury Makes World Debut at New York International Motorcycle Show

A test on the 2008 Honda Accord powered with 3.5 L V-6 engine revealed that the vehicle is sustained with decent power, reasonable gas mileage and excellently low emissions rating. The engine produces 268 horsepower and 248 lb.-ft. of torque. The vehicle also gets an EPA-rated 19 mpg in city and 29 mpg in highway driving. And, California Air Resources Board gave the new Accord a partial zero emission vehicle (PZEV) rating.

As expected, the 2008 Accord features loads of standard safety equipments. Road-holding electronics in the model has included traction and stability control, antilock brakes, and tire-pressure monitoring. The vehicle also comes with curtain airbags on both sides of the cabin along with front and side airbags in the front seats. To show Honda’s dedication to put safety as primary feature in the Accord, they made the side door beams and day-time running lights all standard.

Inside, the Accord also gained the same level of upgrade as with its exterior. Honda will be selling out Accords with trim levels from LX to the top-of-the-line EX-L, with or without navigation and Honda floor mats. The vehicle will be provided with big multifunction knob, which has been previously seen in the Acura models. There will also be a center stack literally covered in buttons. Compared with the previous model year Accord that is found with a touch-screen LCD set on top of the stack, the new model gets an LCD that has lost the touch-screen capabilities. The LCD, now, has been set deep into the dash to configure it and protect it from glare.

In the unfortunate side of adapting the Acura concept, the new Accord got too many buttons on the stack. The 2008 Accord will be equipped with Bluetooth cell phone integration, which has been an option previously reserved for the more upscale Acura vehicles. Same with Acura models, however, the new Accord lacks in integration, though the Bluetooth system considerably works well enough. The Bluetooth can be accessed with the use of voice command, through a set of buttons found on the steering wheel. There is also a separate voice command system that works to control the navigation, the stereo and the other car functions. This other voice command system has its own set of buttons that are placed alongside the other buttons in the steering wheel.

The navigation system has been slightly innovated from the previous model years. Now, it has several impressive features, including a complete points-of-interest database.

The stereo in the Accord EX-L has not obtained too much upgrade from previous iterations. For 2008, the six-disc changer plays MP3 CDs. It can also now tune in XM satellite radio. And, there is an auxiliary jack mounted in the console.

Honda will be selling out the LX trimmed Accord powered with a 2.4 L engine, manual transmission, and without navigation, at $20,360. On the other hand, the EX-L powered with 3.5 L V-6 engine, without other options and with a $635 destination charge, will be sold out at $30,895.

Post from: Cars On The Blog

The Honda Accord for 2008

The rear doors open to a full 90 degrees that makes access to the back seats easier. In the rear, the side opening tailgate was not included in this year’s model instead a more convenient overhead unit was built.

And since the third generation Honda CR-V targets the women market, it was given a softer and more tasteful look which was accomplished with smoother shapes and a sloping rear end that is complimented by body colored trim, 17-inch alloy wheels and privacy glass equipped on the top-of-the-line 4WD EX-L model.

The interior is also loaded with useful and practical features such as the foldable, removable shelf in the 35.7 cubic foot cargo hull, fold-flat second-row seating, a conversation or toddler check mirror, a folding center tray and lots of storage compartments and cup holders for the driver and the little occupants. The look and feel of the materials as well as the controls is unique and sophisticated.

Other features include a NAV system with a rearview camera, leather trimmed seats and steering wheel, a crisp sounding stereo with pretty stout sub woofer, MP3 jack and satellite radio, heated seats, multiple power outlets, tilt and cruise and an outside temperature gauge.

The third generation Honda CR-V lacks the V6 but its 2.4 liter 4 cylinder engine gain additional power that reach 166 horsepower with 161lb-ft of torque which is controlled by a responsive 5-speed automatic transmission with grade logic control which can be further enhance by the addition of a performance Honda part.

The limited power is traded off for EPA mileage estimates of 22 mpg for city and 28 mpg for highway.

In addition, the EX-L 4WD has power that flows through all four wheels especially to the front but reroutes to the rear once loss of traction occurs. The strut-based front and multi-link rear suspension increase the responsiveness and driving handling while the four wheel disc brakes with electronic brake distribution together with the variable assist rack and pinion steering, a drive by wire throttle and front and rear stabilizer bars support the starts and stops.

The third-generation Honda CR-V is also loaded with standard safety features such as ABS, a tire-pressure monitoring system, brake assist, front side and curtain airbags, active head restraints, side impact door beams, front and rear crumple zones and remote entry with a theft deterrent system that is aside from its strong warranty schedule.

Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_244609_31.html

Post from: Cars On The Blog

Third Generation Honda: Performance and Practicality Combined

The Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™, or SH-AWD™, is the first control system that allows independent torque-distribution. Independent torque distribution means that the wheels of your Acura car have a better grip on the road. The system is used to help increase turning precision and also to improve passenger safety. Acura is the first car builder in North America to use such a system on their models. The Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control, or VTEC®, is a cleverly designed system that helps the Acura engine with fuel efficiency at lower velocities and ads to the output of the engine at higher velocities. This fuel efficiency system was another innovation that was introduced to the North American car market by Acura.

One of the most important safety improvements added to cars today is Acura’s ACE™ (Advanced Compatibility Engineering™), a system that incorporates crash protection into the frame of your vehicle. The Vehicle Stability Assist, or VSA®, is a four channel system that adjusts the engine power and the pressure on your brakes to ensure added control in any driving conditions. The air bag system on an Acura car includes side curtain air bags, dual-threshold air bags and front side air bags, and the car’s safety system also includes LATCH and OPDS. The Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS) is designed to protect the passenger side of the cabin in case that an accident can not be avoided. The unique child seat mounting system called LATCH ensures the safety of your child passengers.

For their innovative performance and security systems several Acura models have been awarded the maximum of five stars possible after a series of tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Acura RL was awarded five stars in rollover, side and frontal tests, the Acura MDX received its stars for passenger and driver safety and the SUV earned its five stars in the side impact test.

Visit the author’s website to learn more about:
Download 2008 Acura wallpapers
Hyundai photos and reviews
Car wallpapers and tuning resources

Post from: Cars On The Blog

2008 Acura – Reputation Meets Innovation