Honda Civic Concept

Big claims are being made at the New York auto show about the new Honda Civic, previewed by the design study you see here. It’s going to be the most dynamic Civic the US has ever seen, as well as the most technologically advanced; it will ride on an all-new platform and feature turbocharging too.

The Civic Concept is as close to the production model as any of Honda’s recent efforts (the Civic Type-R, for instance), which means it will pretty much look like this but will be toned down; these rear lights probably won’t make it into production either.

We’re promised a fun car, which will be a little larger in size than its predecessor, and it was generally announced as a spiritual return to older and more fun Honda models than what we’ve been getting in recent years.

We’ll let you know more once the official information hits the web; until then check out the photos from the reveal event posted after the virtual jump!

Update: With press release information

Honda doesn’t go overboard with technical facts about the Civic, although their accompanying press release is more accurate than trying to remember what John Mendel said during the live reveal.

What the executive vice president of the American arm of Honda actually said was "the new Civic will be, flat out, the most dynamic, the most technologically advanced and the most refined and stylish Civic we've ever made. In every way, this will be an epic Civic."

His words are added to by Guy Melville-Brown, Chief Exterior designer of the Civic concept, who called the concept "charismatic, connected and athletic,” and explains their “goal was to create a design that is emotional and sporty yet with a sense of timelessness and simplicity.”

He concludes they “set out to create a vehicle that goes beyond the superficial and embraces the very philosophy of what a true Civic should be; it's a real game changer.”

It’s the 10th generation model, and this particular one was penned and engineered in the US. Design work was carried out by Honda’s Los Angeles design studio and actual development took place at their development center in Raymond, Ohio.

The production model previewed by this concept will feature a new compact platform and it will be offered with a short-shifting manual six-speed gearbox, or a CVT.

It will be packed full of the latest connected apps, gadgets and safety features. The debut is set for the fall of 2015.

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Honda S660 Roadster

Honda's journey for a Beat replacement that started with the all-electric 2011 EV-STER Concept and continued with the more realistic 2013 S660 study, is ending with the production S660.

As evidenced by these photos shot at a Japanese port, Honda is ready to ship the production 2015 S660 to dealers across the country. 

The sporty, pint-sized roadster is very close to the 2013 concept of the same name, with only a few modest exterior modifications such as the headlamp and tail light clusters, the grille, the smaller wheels, and if we're not mistaken, the less heavily sculpted door lines. 

Honda also toned down the interior design a few notches removing the futuristic steering wheel, seat designs and the smaller touchscreens. 

The 3.4-meter (134 in.) long S660 revives the spirit of the mid-engine Beat roadster, employing a 660cc (0.66-liter) three-cylinder turbocharged engine with around 63-horses positioned behind the driver, paired to either a CVT, or as you can see in the photos, a six-speed manual turning the rear wheels. 

There have been rumors floating around of an export version named S1000 fitted with a –you guessed it- 1,000cc or 1.0-liter turbocharged engines featuring a slightly wider body and bigger wheels and possibly around 100 or more horses, but we wouldn't get our hopes up for a North American landing any time soon. 

Pictures via Minkara, H/T to Ferd!

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2013 Honda CR-Z

 The CR-Z gains an all-new Lithium-Ion battery that improves performance, and at the same time, mpg ratings, along with styling upgrades to the exterior and interior.

Thanks to the new battery, assist from the electric motor has increased from 10 kW to 15 kW. As a result, the combined output from the 1.5-liter gasoline unit and the electric motor is 130hp at 6,000rpm and 140 lb-ft. of torque (127 lb-ft. on CVT-equipped models), a gain of 8hp and 12 lb-ft of torque (4 lb-ft for the CVT versions).

Other mechanical improvements include a larger clutch and a new lower final drive ratio for the manual transmission models.

Furthermore, Honda has introduced a new Plus Sport System on all 2013 CR-Zs, which can be used when the battery is charged more than 50 percent and the car is travelling over 19mph (31km/h). According to Honda, once the driver activates the "S+" button on the steering wheel, electric boost begins, delivering increased acceleration for up to five seconds.

Honda says the 2013 CR-Z offers a 1mpg improvement in city driving with a CVT (36mpg city, 39mpg highway and 37mpg combined), and 1mpg on the highway for the manual version (31/38/34 mpg).

Exterior revisions include a new front fascia with a mesh grille and a "floating" lower spoiler lip, chrome plating and a blue tint for the headlamp assemblies, a redesigned rear diffuser, a blue clearcoat treatment for the taillights, a darker finish for the 16-inch alloy wheels and two new colors named Passion Berry Pearl and Polished Metal Metallic.

The interior of the hybrid model gains new metallic trim on the door pulls and latches, center console, speaker grilles and lower steering wheel spokes, along with redesigned inner door panels and pads, while the the horizontal bar on the speaker housing has been eliminated.

Finally, Honda has improved the standard equipment of the base model with Expanded View Driver's Mirror, Bluetooth HandsFreeLink and rearview camera while also adding LED daytime running lights and Pandora Interface with SMS text message function to the options list.

The 2013 CR-Z is available in two trim levels, the base and the EX, with prices starting at $19,975, excluding a $790 destination charge.

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Honda CR-Z Concept

Developed by Honda Performance Division (HPD), the tricked-out CR-Z gains a supercharger along with a new sport exhaust system that boost output of the 1.5-liter petrol engine and IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) package from 122hp and 128 lb-ft to 185hp and 169 lb-ft respectively.

HPD also made enhancements to improve handling and stopping by adding a sport suspension, designing new alloy wheels shod in high performance tires and fitting the hybrid model with a beefier brake system.

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Formula 1: Indian Grand Prix

After 11 straight wins, it lost to Ferrari. It then continued its streak, claiming a startling 15 wins out of 16 starts but by a strange twist of fate, the one it lost was on Scuderia’s home ground and, at the same time, the first Italian GP after Enzo Ferrari’s death…

That was then and this is now. The latest Formula 1 race was the Indian Grand Prix and Sebastian Vettel took an easy win, his fourth in a row. It was an almost perfect race for the reigning world champion, who extended his lead in the drivers’ championship by seven points.

Fernando Alonso, who until the previous race at Korea was leading the standings, managed the best he could with a car that’s clearly inferior to that of his rival.

As always, he drove brilliantly to pass McLaren’s Jenson Button and, when his KERS failed, Red Bull’s Mark Webber. He then started closing in to Vettel, but eventually had to settle for second place.

After the race, Ferrari’s top driver admitted that “it’s not easy at the moment to fight Red Bull… we knew we were not fast enough but we lost the minimum points”. Alonso added that he and the team “will not give up” and that he hopes they will perform even better in the three remaining races of the season.

Vettel was asked what it is that has made him the favorite for the title: “There’s not one thing that stands out and makes a difference. I think it’s all of us working hand in hand together and I’m glad to be part of that and just enjoying the moment.”

The winner, who currently has an advantage to snag his third title in as many years at the tender age of 25, said that he was also very proud to be the first driver since the late Ayrton Senna to lead every single lap for three consecutive races.

As for the rest, McLaren had another not too impressive weekend, by its own high standards, claiming fourth and fifth positions with Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button respectively. The only silver lining was that it did much better than in Korea and Button recorded the fastest lap of the race. Small comfort for a team that’s used to being a title challenger...

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