Autoblog

SEMA 2009: Mugen-fettled Accord, Fit aren't the big Honda story from SEMA

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:21:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Sedan, Performance, Hatchback, Honda

Mugen Honda Fit and Accord - Click above for high-res image gallery

In addition to announcing its plans to reinvigorate its participation in grassroots racing, Honda revealed two Mugen-accessorized models -- a 2010 Accord Sedan and Fit -- each outfitted with a range of parts available at dealers, but not a standalone model, ala Mugen Civic. While the 18-inch chrome wheels, front grille, spoilers, floor mats and machined aluminum oil filler cap are attractive additions to Honda's growing HFP line, needless to say, they leave us a bit cold when it comes the automaker's commitment to the aftermarket and, more to the point, performance.

Uninspiring SEMA efforts aside, the real news came last night during a meeting with Honda execs, where we were able to glean a few more details about Honda's future performance plans, how the CR-Z -- and more to the point, hybrids -- fit in and something to look out for next year.

Honda PR man Chuck Schifsky, told us that the Big H plans to use hybrids as a performance booster in the future, saying, "The CR-Z isn't the last step. It's the beginning." Although the real start of Honda's performance-marketed hybrids began with the last generation Accord Hybrid, Schifsky admits that its introduction was "ahead of its time," one of many reasons the electric-assisted sedan never quite caught on with consumers.

More interestingly, several Honda heads told us to expect something big in the world of motorsports next year -- likely in Japan. What that means is open to interpretation, but with Honda pulling its NSX out of SuperGT for 2010 (due to the front-engine, rear-drive chassis requirements), something interesting could be on the way. NSX revival? Lexus LFA fighter? Consider our interest extremely piqued...

Gallery: SEMA 2009: Mugen Accessorized Honda Accord and Fit

SEMA 2009: Mugen-fettled Accord, Fit aren't the big Honda story from SEMA originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour goes down the road nicely... but is that enough?

Chris Paukert — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:56:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Hatchback, Honda, First Drive, Design/Style

2010 Honda Accord Crosstour - Click above for high-res image gallery

We hadn't been parked but a minute or two when it happened. After about a half an hour wringing out our test subject on what few curvy stretches of road suburban Detroit had to offer, we opportunistically pulled into a roadside fruit stand to snap a few photos before our ride got any dirtier. It was at exactly this point that a Lincoln MKZ rolled up, a window whirred down, and two gray-tufted heads popped out. "What is it?" inquired the couple in boisterous unison. Silence. "It's the 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour," we eventually blurt out, my co-driver sounding suspiciously apologetic. "It's... it's gorgeous!" The late-sixty-something man isn't being facetious - in fact, he's gushing - taking his hands off the Lincoln's wheel and gesturing as if to reinforce his sincerity.

If we're lyin,' we're dyin.'

"It's absolutely beautiful."

More silence.

"Really? Would you like to take a closer look?" No sooner had we extended the offer than said window was rolled up and the MKZ hurriedly shepherded into a parking spot. Moments later, our curious seniors were all over Honda's latest like first-in-liners at an early bird all-you-can-eat buffet. They took in its daring fastback profile, sized up its cargo hold, fiddled with its power seat controllers and gooshed its soft-touch plastics. Not only were they clearly impressed, they loved the way it looked.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour

Continue reading First Drive: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour goes down the road nicely... but is that enough?

First Drive: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour goes down the road nicely... but is that enough? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Honda Accord Crosstour to start at $29,670

Dan Roth — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:27:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Videos, Honda

2010 Honda Accord Crosstour - Click above for high-res image gallery

UPDATE: Video of Accord Crosstour running footage added after the jump.

It's fair to say that the 2010 Accord Crosstour has caused Honda some heartburn in the U.S. already, but Japanese brand's new CUV has taken another step toward the showroom regardless. Honda has already given us some wheel time with the Crosstour, so keep your eyes peeled for our review at noon Eastern today. If that's not enough to keep you occupied, pricing for the 2010 Crosstour has just been released, and the new model starts just slightly under $30,000, running up to about $37,000. Honda has also released tons of new Accord Crosstour glamor shots (check 'em out in the gallery below).

EPA efficiency numbers are also included with the pricing, helping buyers understand what the care and feeding of an Accord Crosstour will do to their wallets. An EX-L loaded up with all-wheel drive ("4WD" in Hondaspeak), all the luxury goodies, and navigation earns an EPA estimated 20 mpg combined. Honda's 3.5-liter V6 with Variable Cylinder Management earns 25 mpg on the highway and 17 mpg city. Front-drive ("2WD) Crosstours muster 18/27, which are competitive figures for its class. Speaking of classes, don't forget to check out our First Drive at noon to see if the Crosstour is the Valedictorian or in need of remedial instruction.

Gallery: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour to start at $29,670

2010 Honda Accord Crosstour to start at $29,670 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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U.S. Acura TSX Sport Wagon not motivated by Honda Crosstour feedback

Chris Paukert — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:26:00 EST

2009 European Honda Accord Tourer - click above image for hi-res gallery

If you've been following the dust-up surrounding Honda's 2010 Accord Crosstour, you might therefore assume that Wednesday's announcement that the company plans to bring over its European-market Accord Tourer may have been motivated in part by early online reaction to the forthcoming five-door crossover. But as we suspected, t'aint necessarily so.

The Accord Tourer will hit U.S. shores later next year branded as the Acura TSX Sport Wagon, and as just about anyone in automotive product planning will tell you, new models aren't conceived that quickly - even if the vehicle in question is just a simple porting-over job from another market. There are emissions and crash-test certification hoops to jump through, suppliers that need to be contracted, dealers that need to be trained and marketing strategies that need to be built.

As spokesman Chuck Schifsky tells Autoblog, "Honda, as you know, is about as fast a reacting a product planning company as there is, but we don't react that quickly!... If our past is any indication, then us announcing the TSX wagon at this point shouldn't have been a surprise - we're notoriously known for bringing out a car and having it arrive in showrooms not long afterwards." Indeed, Schifsky is right - vehicles like the third-generation CR-V were seemingly in dealers within weeks of the public announcement and press launch. That said, Schifsky did admit that the timing of the announcement was moved up slightly for "strategic reasons," but he also said that those reasons had nothing to do with the Crosstour.

We asked Schifsky what the TSX Sport Wagon will look like when it arrives, and he told us that the car will not simply be the same as the European car. He admits he hasn't seen the finished product for himself yet, but he acknowledges that changes will be made to bring the design in-line with Acura's current styling language (read: it will receive a variation of the love/loath shield grille), and equipment levels will change to meet U.S. expectations. Given how much effort and money has been expended developing Acura's new corporate face, he believes it would be "foolish" to bring the Accord Tourer as-is, simply swapping the Honda badge for its Acura counterpart. Says Schifsky, "I would look to the U.S. TSX as an indicator as to what kind of equipment the car will have." Further, he advised us to examine the differences between the European-market Accord sedan and the Tourer bodystyle to look for indicators of what sort of changes the American market wagon will likely receive.

It's too early for Honda to reveal pricing for the 2011 model, but as the current TSX sedan starts at $29,310 and the 2010 Crosstour's price figures to be above a Accord V6 sedan (base price: $26,805), it's likely that there will be significant pricing overlap between the two models. Will there be any cannibalization? The Crosstour should lay claim to superior space and foul-weather capability thanks to its all-wheel drive model, but if the TSX sedan is anything to go on, the Acura will have superior driving dynamics, closer-to mainstream looks and a more desirable badge.

Either way, this one will be fun to watch play out...

Gallery: Honda Accord Tourer

Gallery: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour

U.S. Acura TSX Sport Wagon not motivated by Honda Crosstour feedback originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Honda Crosstour interior images released, V6 power to be standard [w/VIDEO]

Chris Paukert — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Videos, Crossover, Hatchback, Honda, Design/Style

2010 Honda Crosstour interior - Click above for high-res image gallery

There's been no shortage of digital egg-throwing and epithet uttering when it comes to Honda's 2010 Crosstour - this, despite the fact that essentially nobody has seen it in the metal. Thankfully, judging by these first interior shots furnished by Honda, the cabin's design will likely prove to be much less divisive.

Packing an instrument panel that looks like a straight port over from the Accord (albeit one with a different steering wheel), the Crosstour appears to inherit the sedan's lilting dashboard graphic, simple analog gauges, and available navigation system. From where we sit, for such an unconventional vehicle, the interior seems oddly anticlimactic, but at least it figures to be easy-to-use.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the interior that we can see here is the Crosstour's cargo hold, which has a substantial-looking removable sub-floor storage box. We note that there seems to be a significant amount of wheel well intrusion into the cargo area, although we'll have to wait until EPA volume figures are released to see how this has impacted the Crosstour's utility.

In other news, the Crosstour will come standard with Honda's 3.5-liter V6 - no four-cylinder version will be available when the car rolls into dealerships. For reference, the six-cylinder in the Accord sedan nets 268 horsepower (@ 6200 RPM) and 248 pound-feet of torque (@ 5000 RPM) and routes its power through a five-speed automatic transmission. Honda has declined to give official word on power figures for the Crosstour thus far, however. As expected, all-wheel drive will be optional.

Be sure to check out the high-res gallery below and the video and press release after the jump, then leave your fellow readers a comment.

Gallery: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour interior

Gallery: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading 2010 Honda Crosstour interior images released, V6 power to be standard [w/VIDEO]

2010 Honda Crosstour interior images released, V6 power to be standard [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Reader Spy: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour caught out again

Alex Nunez — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Wagon, Crossover, Hatchback, Honda

2010 Honda Accord Crosstour spy photos - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Reader Jackson De Oliviera dropped us a line this weekend to let us know he caught the highly-controversial Honda Accord Crosstour out in the wild and had posted the shots he took on his blog, DriveToEscape.com. Jackson was kind enough to allow us to reprint those photos in our gallery below. In short, Jackson's pics probably aren't about to change any minds regarding the Crosstour's looks.

In its coverage of the ongoing Crosstour Facebook debacle, Automotive News (posting to CNET's CarTech blog) notes the open revulsion the car has been met with on Honda's dedicated Facebook page, as well as in the comment sections of blogs like the one you're reading right now. AN also repeats the hastily-assembled Honda PR narrative that the negative reaction of "enthusiasts" is to be expected, and that market research indicates that the Crosstour will fare well with the "crossover intenders" that Honda views as the image buyers for the car.

This may well turn out to be true, but it wasn't so long ago that Honda's styling once had an inherent, universal appeal - to enthusiasts and casual observers alike. That, however, has given way to a stream of increasingly polarizing designs culminating with the Accord Crosstour. Polarizing can sell; just ask BMW. But judging by the peanut gallery's comments and many of our staffers murmurings over here, we'll take Honda's old-style elegance and understatement over seemingly forced weirdness any day. Designing the Crosstour specifically for "crossover intenders" may deliver a vehicle that niche buyer will happily pay for, but it all remains to be seen.

Gallery: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour Spy Photos

Photos Copyright (C)2009 Jackson De Oliviera/DriveTo Escape.com. Used with permission.
[Source: CNET.com | Images: Drive To Escape]

Reader Spy: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour caught out again originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda releases more pics of Accord Crosstour in red. Does it help? [w/POLL]

Alex Nunez — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Marketing/Advertising, Crossover, Honda, Design/Style

2010 Honda Accord Crosstour - Click above for image gallery

Honda is now in full-on damage control mode over the Accord Crosstour Facebook fiasco, a PR catastrophe that will likely be discussed in college marketing courses for years to come. As you probably know by now, the 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour quickly became a bubble-butted piñata after its global unveiling via Facebook, where social media users get to vent their spleens have their say, and what they had to say, in a nutshell, was "Ugly!"

The situation became more embarrassing when Honda got snagged deleting select comments from the stream, including one from a pro-Crosstour individual who wound up actually being a Honda product planner. Unfortunately, he neglected to identify himself as such before posting. Honda finally saw fit to respond to the awkwardness with several paragraphs of PR boilerplate that included, among other things, an explanation that the car's really not all that ugly, you see. It simply doesn't look good in the pictures that were posted initially, and new shots would be forthcoming to "clear things up" on the matter of the car's apparently regrettable styling.

Well, those new Honda Accord Crosstour shots are up on Facebook now. Do they help? Frankly, we don't think so. Sure, the car's more red, but it's no less the homely hatchwagon. We've added a new poll after the jump, so let us know if your minds have changed as a result of the new images.

Gallery: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour

[Source: Facebook]

Continue reading Honda releases more pics of Accord Crosstour in red. Does it help? [w/POLL]

Honda releases more pics of Accord Crosstour in red. Does it help? [w/POLL] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 05 Sep 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Officially Official: This is your 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:05:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Crossover, Honda

2010 Honda Accord Crosstour -- Click above for high-res image gallery

Honda has released two highly brushed up photos of the Accord Crosstour, and we can finally see its snout in full view. As the test car spy shots have migrated from altered Accord wagon to final Crosstour, the car has gotten ever funkier. This picture, though, is the funkiest of all.

We have a feeling it is down to the excess effects, but the Crosstour looks a tad bit ungainly. It's almost as if the front and rear of the car are in a different scale - the grille and front wheel look exceedingly large compared to the tail. Since we've already seen the car in the flesh, except for its nose, we're pretty sure it'll be another mellow piece of Honda kit when it's revealed in 35 days. Until then, feel free to check out the official shots we have in the high-res gallery below. Hat tip to Sean!

Gallery: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour

[Source: Honda]

Officially Official: This is your 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda teases new Crosstour on Facebook

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:20:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Crossover, Hatchback, Honda

2010 Honda Accord Crosstour -- Click above for image gallery

The Honda Accord Crosstour has been essentially seen in several spy shots, but its front end remains something of a mystery. Honda has dispelled a bit of that with the release of two frontal pics, and it looks like the front could match the back for curves versus its Accord sedan stablemate.

The grille takes an Accord shape, albeit with a different application pattern for the chrome trim. Although having a slightly different layout, the headlights look to have the sleekness of the Accord Coupe's lamps matched to a more stylized version of the Accord sedan's fog lamps. If you want more of the piecemeal reveal routine, you could always join Honda's Facebook page... or you could just wait for the full reveal, happening in a couple of days.

The Accord Crosstour goes on sale later this year as a 2010 model.

Gallery: Honda Crosstour teaser crops

[Source: Honda]

Honda teases new Crosstour on Facebook originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda adds 440,000 more cars to airbag fragment recall

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 08:01:00 EST

Filed under: Recalls, Safety, Acura, Honda

2001 Honda Accord - click above for high-res gallery

Honda began a recall campaign last November to repair overpressurized airbag inflators in 2001 Honda Civics and Accords. The excessive pressurization could cause the metal inflator casing to explode on the driver's side, potentially resulting in fragments that would pierce the airbag material and injure drivers.

That recall has now been expanded with the addition of 440,000 cars that include the 2002-2003 Acura TL. Honda says affected owners will receive a recall notice in the mail, or you can check your car's recall status on Honda and Acura's sites. Barring that, you can get all of the information in the press release after the jump or check out our galleries of the 2001 Accord and Civic models below.

Gallery: 2001 Honda Accord

Gallery: 2001 Honda Civic

Continue reading Honda adds 440,000 more cars to airbag fragment recall

Honda adds 440,000 more cars to airbag fragment recall originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Aug 2009 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Inside Line pits Ford Taurus against Honda Accord. Who wins?

Chris Shunk — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Ford, Honda

When Honda decided to grow its bread-and-butter Accord sedan in every dimension, it entered into the large car segment. The press has been pretty well split on whether or not that was a good idea, but the car buying public continues to vote favorably with its pocket books.

Ford has had a large car entry since the 2005 model year when it unleashed the Five Hundred to the surprise and delight of just of... well... someone, presumably. After lackluster sales, Ford changed the name of its full-sized sedan to Taurus for 2008, but the end result remained the apathy of car buyers. Ford appears to have finally stepped up its game with the 2010 Taurus, however, as the Blue Oval has decided to take its super sized sedan upmarket, with an elegant interior and an exterior that people will actually notice.

Our friends over at Inside Line have brought the Accord and Taurus together in an epic battle of the big rigs. The Accord has a quality pedigree and the love of the car-buying public, while Ford counters with an upstart Taurus that has become the flagship of a vastly improved lineup. The battle was close, but only one large sedan could end up on top of this comparison. Hit the link below to head over to Inside Line to read the comparison for yourself.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford Taurus

Gallery: First Drive: 2008 Honda Accord

Photos copyright (C)2008 Jonathon Ramsey/ Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Inside Line | Image: Scott Jacobs]

Inside Line pits Ford Taurus against Honda Accord. Who wins? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda Accord Crosstour officially confirmed for Fall 2009 as 2010 model

Chris Paukert — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:29:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Crossover, Hatchback, Honda

Honda Accord Crosstour spy shots - Click above for image gallery

In what is doubtlessly the briefest press release we'll read today, Honda has finally officially confirmed what we've known for some time now - the Japanese automaker will gain a new genre-crossing model called Accord Crosstour, with sales earmarked to begin this fall as a 2010 model.

Presumably, by calling it an "Accord Crosstour," Honda will also be able to neatly fold in the rakish new crossover/wagon/hatchback model's sales figures into that of the Accord upon which it is based - all the better to take on Toyota's Camry at the top of the sales charts. Check out Honda's official press release after the jump.

[Source: Honda | Images: M. Balisky]

Continue reading Honda Accord Crosstour officially confirmed for Fall 2009 as 2010 model

Honda Accord Crosstour officially confirmed for Fall 2009 as 2010 model originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda Crosstour to arrive in late October?

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 28 May 2009 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Crossover, Honda, Rumormill

There has been all manner of speculation leading to this point, but the Temple of VTEC says it has heard from a source who claims the Honda Crosstour will be arrive in the U.S. in late October.

Mules of the Toyota Venza competitor from Honda have been seen testing in the U.S. on an jerry-rigged European Accord Tourer setup, an in fact, it's not likely to vary a great deal from it visually.

Since a different rear differential has been spotted on some prototypes, all-wheel drive is reportedly on the menu. Temple of VTEC's source says it will be based on the Accord platform, tow 3,500 pounds, be 2.5 inches taller than the Accord and stretch a ginormous 7 inches further than the Venza, which would seem to make third row seating a fait accompli, but as far as we know, the Accord Tourer is strictly a two-row deal.

Based on the fact that dealers have reportedly received their accessory pre-order packs, Honda protocol indicates appearances on dealer lots six months later. And if they keep the finished product sharp and edgy like the Euro Tourer, there's a good chance we'll like it when it comes. Hat tip to Edison!

[Source: Temple of VTEC]

Honda Crosstour to arrive in late October? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 May 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda cuts production and pay in North America

Chris Shunk — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Honda

The struggles of GM and Chrysler have been making headlines, but the entire industry has been hit with a near catastrophic decline in new car sales. That includes the once indefatigable Honda, with 2009 sales so far down more than 30% versus the first two months of 2008. In the wake of those sobering sales statistics, Honda is looking to cut pay and production in North America.

Automotive News is reporting that Honda will cut production by 62,000 units during the company's fiscal first quarter. The reductions will be achieved by shuttering plants for 13 days starting in May. Honda has traditionally paid its hourly workers even when plants were down, but this time workers won't be compensated for six of the days.

Honda will also cut salary and hourly pay in 2009, and reduce or eliminate bonuses. Honda also took the extraordinary step of offering buyouts to many of its 32,400 workers in the US and Canada. The auto industry is officially in the tank when Honda starts cutting production and pay, while simultaneously offering buyouts to most of its workforce.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Honda cuts production and pay in North America originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda unveils 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon lineup

Alex Nunez — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Japan, Honda, Tokyo Auto Salon

Click above for a hi-res gallery of the Sports Modulo S2000 Concept and friends

Detroit's not the only auto show kicking off on January 11. The annual Tokyo Auto Salon (think "Japanese SEMA") also kicks off this Sunday, and Honda has announced the vehicle lineup it'll display at Makuhari Messe. The two headliners are the Sports Modulo S2000 and Fit concepts. The former is a somewhat ghastly take on Honda's two-seat sports car, with a face that belongs in an aquarium and side cladding straight from a '90s Pontiac stylist's wildest fantasies. Inside, the Sports Modulo S2000 Concept is actually very nice, with swanky brown leather adorning a variety of surfaces. It still doesn't atone for that clock-stoppingly ugly body kit, though. Read on for some brief commentary on a pair of other concepts headed to the show, and check out the gallery below for the complete model rundown.

Gallery: Honda at Tokyo Auto Salon 2009

Continue reading Honda unveils 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon lineup

Honda unveils 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon lineup originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2008: Honda reveals the 2009 Euro-Accord sedan, wagon

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Wagon, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Honda

Click above for a gallery of high-res shots of the Euro-spec Honda Accord.

Our European brethren have enjoyed the Accord in a variety of forms over the years, and the soon-to-be-unveiled Acura TSX gave us a few hints as to what the Euro-spec Accord would look like prior to its unveiling. The profile is similar to the outgoing model, but the smoothed swage lines and slightly blistered fenders give it a more staid appearance. The front fascia does an admirable job of striking a balance between the outgoing model's angularity and the U.S. Accord's aggressive (ungainly even?) snout. Thankfully, the front end is devoid of the Acura-specific shield that's infecting the rest of the luxury marque's lineup.

Three engine choices are available abroad, including a 2.0-liter i-VTEC four producing 154 hp, a 2.4-liter four dolling out 200 hp and a i-DTEC diesel that meets Euro 5 emission standards while outputting 148 hp and 258 lb.-ft. of torque. Naturally, both a ~~sedan~~ saloon and ~~wagon~~ estate will be available when the Accord goes on sale in Europe later this year.

All the details are available in Honda's press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2009 Honda Accord - Euro spec

Continue reading Geneva 2008: Honda reveals the 2009 Euro-Accord sedan, wagon

Geneva 2008: Honda reveals the 2009 Euro-Accord sedan, wagon originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Mar 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Our friends abroad won't be getting a Honda Accord Type-R

Michael Harley — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 13:35:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Acura, Honda, UK

Click image for a gallery of the new Euro Accord

With the all-new European Honda Accord set to debut next month in Geneva, word is that buyers will be disappointed to hear there are apparently no plans to launch a high-performance Type-R version of the new chassis. Honda does not feel the all-new model fits the Type-R brand, adding that the new European Accord is designed to propel the company into competing with the likes of BMW and Audi. Honda does have plans to release Accords with modified suspension and body kits, but with standard engines, much like Audi does with its S-line models.

The United States will see the all-new Euro Accord re-badged as the 2009 Acura TSX, first arriving at the New York Auto Show next month.

Gallery: 2009 Honda Accord - Euro spec

[Source: Autocar]

Our friends abroad won't be getting a Honda Accord Type-R originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 24 Feb 2008 13:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: New Euro Honda Accord spotted on transporter

Alex Nunez — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 17:02:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Geneva Motor Show, Honda

Click image to enlarge

While we're all awaiting the Euro-market Honda Accord's debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month, Honda appears to have already begun shipping examples of its new machine. At least that's the impression we get thanks to readers Zane and Bojan P., who sent the accompanying shots of the new Accord on a Japanese transporter. While the taillamps are mostly obscured on the white car, the dark one in front of it leaves nothing to the imagination, and overall, you get a pretty good sense of what to expect when we see this car unveiled as the new Acura TSX (probably in New York). In any case, we don't have much longer to wait. Thanks to Bojan and Zane for the tips!

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2008 Honda Accord (Euro)

Gallery: European Honda Accord - teaser images

Spy Shots: New Euro Honda Accord spotted on transporter originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Feb 2008 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Acura TSX

Dan Roth — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 07:54:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Acura

It's handy to work next door to Honda's US Headquarters if your goal is to snag pictures of future models. A user from the Temple of VTEC forums named Tyson grabbed a couple shots of what's believed to be the 2009 Acura TSX. He'd been seeing the silver sedan for a few days, and was finally able to think quickly and grab the camera phone. What we know as the Acura TSX is the rest of the world's Honda Accord. Being their bread and butter sedan, Honda's not gone out on a limb here, but what we can make out is a pleasing evolution from the current TSX/Euro Accord. Having experienced the cavernous new Accord, we find the TSX a bit more "right-sized" when you think in terms of sports sedans. Hopefully, sporty moves will be delivered by Honda's SH-AWD hardware, with the RDX's turbo-fed mill providing the twist -- at least that's what we're praying for. Production is expected to start later this year.

[Source: VTEC.net]

Spy Shots: Acura TSX originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Feb 2008 07:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Consumer Reports names Nissan Altima top mid-size sedan

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 14:31:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Dodge, Ford, Honda, Kia, Nissan, Subaru

click above for more images of the 2008 Nissan Altima

The Nissan Altima narrowly beat out the Honda Accord for the coveted Consumer Reports Top-Ranked, Mid-priced Sedan, which is revealed in the February 2008 issue. The V6 Accord lost to the V6-powered Altima by a scant one-point, followed by the Toyota Camry and Volkswagen Passat.

Consumer Reports tested a number of family sedans for its February issue, ranging from the base four-cylinder models and up to the range-topping V6s. The selected vehicles, which also included the Ford Taurus, Dodge Avenger, Kia Amanti and Subaru Legacy, were broken down into three categories: "Affordable," "Mid-priced" and "Large" family sedans.

The four-cylinder Altima took the top spot in the "Affordable" category, leading by six points over the Accord, with the Kia Optima EX and Passat 2.0T coming in third and fourth, respectively.

Consumer Reports is quick to point out that the Accord, which has won the publications Top Pick for five years, outperformed the majority of the players, but in the end, the Altima proved to be the best value overall.

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Gallery: 2008 Nissan Altima Sedan

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