The GT Channel crew have snagged a handful of shots of a widebody Honda CR-Z being built for an unknown venue, and while it could just be an elaborate show car for this January’s Tokyo Auto Salon, it’s possible Honda is prepping the CR-Z for a run in Japan’s SuperGT touring car series.

With one of the Honda HSV-010 teams holding down second place in the GT500 class this season, HoMoCo could be looking to capitalize off its success – and the popularity of the hybrid hatch in Japan – by fielding a CR-Z is the GT300 class. The engine and chassis restrictions are less rigid compared to the top-tier SuperGT racers, so the mid-mounted V6 (or V8?) shown in the gallery below is a-okay with JAF (the regulating body behind SuperGT) – even with a set of turbos.

If the build is taking place now (check the carbon fiber doors coming out of the autoclave), Honda or one of its racing affiliates is likely to start testing the CR-Z racer this fall before the new season kicks off in March of 2011.

[Source:Autobog]

Remember the report from Quebec that suggested Honda Canada would be discontinuing the Insight and Civic hybrid for the 2011 model year due to poor sales? According to company spokesman Richard Jacobs, the two hybrids have not in fact been discontinued. Instead, Jacobs tells us that Canadian dealers currently have a six month supply of the Insight and Civic so it hasn’t ordered any new cars from the factories in Japan.

“Honda Canada will listen to the voice of our customers and will bring the products they want,” says Jacobs. Both hybrids will remain available and Honda will be monitoring inventories and customer demand to determine when to order more units. Perhaps the launch of the CR-Z will get customers to reconsider its siblings as well.

[Source:Autoblog]

Word coming from Japan’s Nikkei business daily (as reported by Reuters) indicates that Honda has finally decided to discontinue the slow selling Acura RL and its Japanese market counterpart, the Honda Legend.

Ostensibly the flagship of Acura’s brand here in North America, the RL has been a slow-seller for quite some time, upstaged in part by the company’s less-expensive, higher-volume TL sedan. For some years now, the TL has offered more space, similar tech and even more power (in the Type S model), making the RL a particularly tough sell for dealers. Through the first half of this year, only 872 RLs have been sold in the United States.

Another production change reported by the Nikke that would only affect the Japanese market is the discontinuation of conventional gasoline versions of the Civic. If accurate, that would mean that from now until at least until the next-generation Civic arrives in the Fall of 2011, Honda will only sell the Civic hybrid in its home market.

In addition, the JDM Elysion minivan is also apparently set to get the axe.

Autoblog reached out to Honda for comment on the Nikkei story, and spokesman Chuck Schifsky would only say that the automaker does not comment on future product plans, noting that no official announcement has been made about the fate of the RL/Legend, the JDM Civic or the Elysion. Top tip, Joaquin!

[Source:Autoblog]

Typically, most automakers stick to a relatively strict five-year product cycle for their highest-selling, most important products. The Honda Civic, for example, debuted in September of 2005, so realistically, a new model should be just around the corner, right? Not exactly.

In an interview with AutoWeek, American Honda executive vice president John Mendel said that changing market conditions and tougher fuel economy and emissions regulations have strongly affected the development of the next-generation Civic, meaning that the new model won’t come until sometime in 2011. AW also reports that the Civic’s redesign has been altered along the way – the new model was supposed to be larger than the current model, but now it has been redesigned to be closer in size to the current one (pictured above).

What’s more, with hot new products like the 2012 Ford Focus on deck, Honda will certainly have to up the ante on the Civic’s level of equipment, style and refinement. The Civic is still one of the world’s best-selling cars: about one million are moved each year. And with the U.S. accounting for approximately one-third of those sales, Honda would be wise to ensure that the next-generation Civic will be attractive enough to keep it in the top tier of high-selling vehicles in the States.

[Source:Autoblog]

Honda scored a decent U.S. sales month in April, with overall results up by 13 percent. But what has company insiders excited isn’t strong Accord or Civic sales. Honda’s light trucks, the Pilot, Odyssey, CRV and Ridgeline, were up 33 percent compared to April of 2009. Those vehicles comprise many of the most expensive vehicles in the Honda lineup, and a healthy source of profits.

Automotive News reports that Honda VP John Mendel called light truck sales “spry,” adding that truck sales are up for several automakers, signaling that the U.S. sales downturn may be waning. Mendel also points to low inventory as a good sign for Honda, with light trucks sitting at a very low 42 day supply, down five days from March 1st levels. And while you’ve likely seen Honda’s recent ads touting unprecedented incentives, keep in mind that light trucks are still at low incentive levels.

That’s undoubtedly good news for Honda and its dealer body, yet Mendel reportedly cautions that dealers shouldn’t get too giddy over the numbers. In the short term, though, the Honda VP intimated that some dealers may need to add salespeople as the auto industry continues to improve.

[Source:Autoblog]

The Honda Civic Type R Euro has been a solid hit in Japan. The UK-built hatchback packs 201 horsepower, love-it-or-leave-it styling and a suspension that has been honed on the lunging tarmac of Europe. No, it may not be as fast as its predecessors, but that hasn’t stopped Japanese buyers from snapping them up in troves. Honda says that since the car went on sale in November, the company has sold 1,850 units on its home turf.

To celebrate, Honda is turning out a special edition version of the Civic Type R Euro three-door. Don’t expect anything too radical, though. The car is basically a styling update and not much else. The bodywork gets a slight redesign for the 2010 model year. If Honda’s planning anything spectacular, the company is keeping its secrets to itself.

For those of you still holding onto the hope that we may finally see a hatchback version of the Civic here in the States once again, keep dreaming. Hit the jump for the press release.

Honda to Release Limited Edition 3-Door 2010 Civic Type R Euro in Japan in Autumn 2010

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced it will begin sales of a limited edition of the Civic Type R Euro, in Japan this Autumn. It will feature an updated exterior design for the 2010 model year. Produced in Europe, the premium 3-door sports car will build on the original styling and refined performance of its well-received predecessors.

Thanks to its combination of sophisticated design, outstanding performance and practical utility, the 2009 Civic Type R Euro has been a hit, exceeding sales of 1,850 units*1 in Japan since its release in November of last year. The Civic Type R Euro has been especially well-received by buyers in their thirties to forties, who value a sports car as part of an upscale lifestyle.

Designed for fun and exciting driving, both on and off the track, the Civic Type R Euro offers vehicle dynamics tested in a wide variety of European environments. It will continue to be produced by Honda of the U.K. Manufacturing Ltd.*2 in Swindon, United Kingdom.

*1 As of March 31, 2010. Source: Japan Automobile Dealers Association.
*2 Established in Swindon, Wiltshire, U.K., in 1985.

[Source:Autoblog]

After only three years of production (in its current form), the Japanese market Honda Civic Type R will take its final bow at the end of August. Here in America, we’ve always lusted after Honda’s Type R products (though we’ve always been very pleased with our own market’s Civic Si), but we can’t help but feel saddened by the loss of a true performance icon.

What’s to love, you ask? For starters, the Civic Type R is fitted with a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, able to produce around 225 horsepower at a screaming 8,000 rpm, and when you consider that the whole package weighs less than 2,800 pounds, it’s makes for a relatively quick Civic. Couple that mill to one of the best six-speed manual gearboxes on the planet and you’ve got a recipe for success. What’s more, Civic Type Rs are fitted with 18-inch wheels on Bridgestone Potenza performance tires and four-piston Brembo brakes – the equipment you need for a serious track day pocket rocket.

There’s no word if another Civic Type R is in the works, especially with Honda’s larger focus on hybrid cars taking up most of the research and development money. Still, we are indeed mourning the loss of this mean machine and are hugging our Civic Sis here in the U.S. for comfort. Hit the jump for Honda’s official press release.

Honda to Complete Production of 4-Door Civic Type R

TOKYO, Japan, April 19, 2010 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced it will discontinue production of the 4-door Civic Type R at the end of August, 2010. A purist’s sports car featuring precisely tuned vehicle dynamics, the Civic Type R creates a unity between car and driver for exceptional driving pleasure. The first-generation model launched in 1997 and was produced at Suzuka Factory. The second-generation model following in 2001, was produced at Honda of the U.K. Manufacturing Ltd.* For the current, third-generation Civic Type R that was released in 2007, the production has returned to Suzuka Factory.

Type R models are specially tuned to take full advantage of the potential of the base model and provide a racing car-like driving feel. First offered on the NSX in 1992, the Type R range was added to the Integra in 1995 and to the Civic in 1997.

* Established in 1985 in Swindon, Wiltshire, U.K.

[Source:Autoblog]

Ever since the debut of the second-generation Fit in late 2008, we’ve secretly been hoping that Honda would introduce a sportier Si-badged version of the good-to-do hatch, complete with sporty chassis upgrades and a slightly more powerful engine. So when we got the word that Europe would be getting an Si variant of the Jazz (what the Fit is called overseas), we started to get relatively jealous – until we read the fine print.

Yes, it’s called the Si, but Honda has not given the Jazz any additional power or suspension upgrades. Instead, the Si is set apart from the rest of the lineup by sharp new 16-inch alloys, a chrome sport front grille and a rear roof spoiler. Inside, there aren’t any sort of refinement upgrades, but Si badging has now been added to the floor mats and glove box.

In Europe, the Jazz is available with either a 1.2- or 1.4-liter gasoline engine. The Si package is available with both powerplants, commanding an additional £870 over comparable 1.2 SE and 1.4 ES models. We’re a fan of the minor cosmetic upgrades, but take note, Honda – if an Si-branded Fit ever hits the streets of America, we’ll be looking for a bit more than just a Bedazzled exterior. Hit the jump to read the official press release.

SPORTY-LOOK HIGH-SPEC JAZZ Si LAUNCHED

Honda (UK) is introducing a sporty Si grade of its popular British-built supermini - the Jazz. The Jazz Si’s enhanced looks and stylish extra features should appeal to younger drivers who want their car to stand out from the crowd.

The Si option will be available across the Jazz model range – which first went on sale in 2008. The Si grade tops the 1.2-litre range, with features over and above the SE specification. In 1.4-litre Jazz models, the Si sits mid range, with specification over and above ES models. The Si is only available with a manual transmission.

The Jazz Si wears 16-inch Chronos alloys which set it apart from standard models. A chrome sports front grille and rear spoiler add to the sporty look. Stylish embroidered carpet mats and Si branding on the boot lid and glove box highlight the car’s high specification.

Customer feedback showed that younger Jazz owners were keen to stand out from the large number of other Jazz cars on the road. They preferred bigger wheels and enjoyed the additional stylish touches of the first generation Jazz Sport.

The Si grade has been launched in response to this, and combines sporty good looks with the Jazz’s fuel-sipping engine, low running costs, low emissions, value for money specification and C-sector space and practicality.

The Jazz is one of the UK’s most celebrated models, winning around 30 industry awards for reliability and customer satisfaction. Now built in Britain, Honda Associates will be ensuring that the Jazz maintains this level and continues to delight customers.

The Si grade is priced at an additional £870 over the 1.2 SE and 1.4 ES models, but offers nearly £2,000 worth of extra equipment.

Jazz 1.2-litre Si £12,835 on-the-road
Jazz 1.4-litre Si £13,510 on-the-road

The Jazz Si goes on sale from 1 April, 2010 with a choice of really competitive finance offers for customers.

Both the 1.2 and 1.4 Si models launch with great PCP packages offering an APR of 5.9% over three years with a 25% deposit, or for 7.4% over three years with a 10 per cent deposit.

Si family

The Si grade was introduced to the Civic 5 door range in September 2009, providing sportier looks for the futuristic family hatchback. Civic Si variants feature colour-coded bumpers, front fog lights, a Type R-style mesh front grille and dark chrome door handles and fuel cap. 1.4-litre models wear Graphite coloured 16-inch alloy wheels while the higher-powered 1.8-litre petrol and 2.2-litre diesel Si-grade Civics sit on 17-inch Graphite coloured alloy rims. Inside, Si models get half leather upholstery to continue the sports theme, plus a USB port for iPod connectivity.

The Civic 1.4-litre Si is priced at £16,495 on-the-road (OTR). The 1.8-litre petrol and 2.2-litre diesel are priced at £17,565 (OTR) and £19,070 (OTR), respectively.

[Source:Autoblog]

Lotus is officially returning to the IndyCar series in 2010 in partnership with engine builder Cosworth and KV Racing. Lotus, as you well know, has a long history with Indy-style open-wheel racing, dating back to the early 1960s. Its exploits include a victory by Jim Clark in 1965 and the all-wheel-drive, turbine-powered cars that arrived a few years later.

A few weeks ago, Lotus announced a revival of its cooperation with Cosworth for both road and race cars. The new collaboration with KV is described as being both technical and commercial. It’s not clear at this point what Cosworth will contribute from a technical perspective, since all the current IndyCars run Honda V8s. Perhaps KV will provide a platform upon which Cosworth can test and develop a new engine for the next-generation IndyCar regulations that are in the works.

The green and yellow Lotus/Cosworth-badged car will debut in two weeks at the St. Petersburg, Florida race with ex-Honda F1 pilot Takuma Sato at the controls.

Back in Indy!

Lotus and Cosworth have entered into a new technical and commercial partnership with established IndyCar competitors KV Racing Technology to run in the 2010 IndyCar Series.

The Lotus-Cosworth IndyCar will use the classic Racing Green and Yellow livery used on Lotus Racing cars in the 1950s and 1960s and this new livery will debut at the first USA round of the IndyCar Series.

Driving the Lotus-Cosworth IndyCar will be the former F1 driver Takuma Sato.

Lotus competed for a number of years in the IndyCar Series in the 1960s, winning the Indianapolis 500 race outright in 1965 with the pioneering Lotus Type 38, driven by Jim Clark, and narrowly missing victory to come second in 1963.

Dany Bahar, CEO of Group Lotus plc said, “Racing has always defined Lotus and on many occasions in motorsports history Lotus’ numerous innovations have re-defined racing. It’s only fitting that as the Lotus Racing name re-enters Formula 1, we will also race and innovate again in IndyCar. The Lotus name will, once again compete in the top two open-wheel racing series for the passion and enthusiasm of car fans around the globe.”

Kevin Kalkhoven and Jimmy Vasser, owners of KV Racing Technology said, “We are delighted to be part of Lotus and Cosworth’s return to the IndyCar Series, and with Takuma at the wheel of the classic racing green and yellow Lotus Cosworth race car, we expect to be formidable competitors this year.”

Takuma Sato said, “This is fantastic news for everyone. It is exiting for me to be a Lotus driver and I’m really looking forward to great success with this new project.”

The return to the IndyCar Series follows on from the recent announcement by Lotus and Cosworth are to become closely associated through a strategic partnership looking at the opportunity to develop high performance engines for Lotus cars.

The 2010 IndyCar Series starts with the Sao Paolo Indy 300, Brazil on the 14th of March 2010.

ENDS

About Lotus

The main operating subsidiary of Group Lotus plc is Lotus Cars Ltd, which has two operating divisions - Lotus Engineering and Lotus Cars. Lotus Engineering is an internationally recognized automotive engineering consultancy based in Norfolk, UK. Global facilities include those in Michigan (USA), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), China and offices in Germany and Japan, with rapid expansion in new territories such as South East Asia.

Lotus Engineering provides comprehensive and versatile consultancy services to many of the world’s OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, offering a full engineering service from initial concept and project design through development and integration of the complete vehicle to meet all worldwide markets and customers to full production. This includes third party ‘niche vehicle’ engineering and manufacture worldwide.

Lotus Cars builds world class, prestige, high performance sports cars for sale in 37 countries. These include the iconic Lotus Elise, the Exige, the 2-Eleven and Lotus’ latest model, the Lotus Evora. Lotus is a global high-tech company, expanding rapidly and committed to driving forward technology for both Lotus Cars and its Engineering clients, spearheading research into such areas as hybrids, electric vehicles and renewable fuels.

About Cosworth

The Cosworth Group provides high performance technologies to a diverse range of global industries including automotive, defence, clean energy generation and sports.

The Cosworth Group is headquartered in Northampton, UK and operates additional facilities in the UK, North America and India to leverage its unique combination of advanced technologies, mechanical and electronic engineering expertise and globally recognized brand to deliver performance solutions.

Cosworth has been at the forefront of international motorsport for over 50 years and is a brand synonymous with success. Cosworth high performance race technologies have delivered championships in every major series across the globe including Formula 1, IndyCar, NASCAR, World Rallying, World Touring Cars and MotoGP.

About KV Racing Technologies

KV Racing Technology was established in 2003. The Indianapolis-based team will contest its eighth open-wheel season and third in the IndyCar Series in 2010. KVRT is owned by successful venture capitalist Kevin Kalkhoven and 1996 Indy Car Series Champion, Jimmy Vasser. Veteran motorsports manager Mark Johnson is the team’s General Manager. KVRT has earned two victories, the first by Cristiano da Matta in Portland in 2005 and the second by Will Power in Long Beach in 2008. They have captured two poles, Tristan Gommendy at Mont Tremblant in 2007 and Vasser at Milwaukee in 2005 (Will Power captured the pole at the 2008 Surfers Paradise, Australia exhibition race).

About Takuma Sato

Sato, commonly known as “Taku”, a 33-year-old native of Tokyo, Japan, is a veteran of seven Formula 1 seasons and will be contesting his first IndyCar season. In 1996, he started karting and in 1997 won the Kanto region championship. In 1999, his first full year of car racing, Taku competed in Formula Opel Europe and British Formula 3 National Class B for Diamond Racing. He finished sixth in Formula Opel Europe scoring one victory. Taku joined Carlin Motorsport for the 2000 season to compete in British Formula 3 (Class A). He contested 12 races earning four wins, six poles, six podiums and placing third in championship. His 16 wins in the British Formula 3 Championship over two seasons is still a record. Having proven his talent in Formula 3 and impressed with his testing for BAR, Taku was signed by Jordan-Honda in October 2001 to contest the 2002 Formula 1 season. Taku had his best F1 season in 2004 driving full time for BAR-Honda where he placed eighth in the championship with 34 points. In 2006, Taku joined the new Super Aguri-Honda team established by Japanese racing legend Aguri Suzuki - the only Japanese driver prior to Sato to finish on the podium in a F1 race. Taku competed again for Super Aguri-Honda in 2007 earning two top-10 finishes.

[Source:Autoblog]

The last few years have been unkind to the Honda Ridgeline. Higher fuel prices have made trucks less appealing in general, but at five years old, the Ridgeline is also nearing the end of its lifecycle. Honda’s sales of its first-ever truck dipped more than 50 percent compared to 2008, and a revision will be necessary to boost sales over the next few years.

According to PickupTrucks.com, that new model could be coming soon – very soon. The second generation Ridgeline is scheduled to debut for the 2011 model year and will have a host of improvements, including better fuel economy, a more aerodynamic design and less weight. There’s no official word on when the 2011 Ridgeline will make its debut, but we shouldn’t have too long to wait.

[Source:Autoblog]