Autoblog

REPORT: Honda goes back to drawing board for smaller, lighter next-gen Civic

Noah Joseph — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:26:00 EST

Filed under: Honda

2009 Honda Civic - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you introduced an '80s-era Honda Civic to its modern counterpart, it couldn't recognize what it's become. But after decades of growing dimensions, Honda's going back to the drawing board for the next-gen Civic.

The change in direction was reportedly ordered last year before the global economy took a nose-dive by product chief Tsuneo Tanai who observed a rise in oil and raw metal prices. Once the financial sector hit rock bottom, the Civic emerged as a strong player, out-selling the Ford F-Series pickup as the number one vehicle in the United States in May 2008. Not satisfied with sitting back and seeing how things shape up, though, Tanai ordered his engineers and designers to scrap their plans and redesign the next-gen Civic to be smaller, cheaper, lighter and more fuel efficient.

The move coincides with Honda's re-strategizing vis-a-vis hybrids and electric vehicles, not to mention the cancellation of its V8 and rear-drive programs. But despite having put more people on the job, the decision to restart the Civic's development halfway through the process is sure to be a major setback for the company's lifecycle schedule. And not just for the Civic itself, but also for vehicles that share its platform, including the CR-V crossover, the Element sport-utility-box, the JDM Stream and European-market FR-V minivans, to say nothing of the upcoming CR-Z, Acura RDX, and of course the all-important Canadian-market Acura CSX.

Gallery: 2009 Honda Civic

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

REPORT: Honda goes back to drawing board for smaller, lighter next-gen Civic originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Officially Official: 2010 Honda CR-V recieves modest tweakage

Chris Tutor — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:33:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, SUV, Honda, Design/Style

2010 Honda CR-V - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Casual observers will have a difficult time distinguishing between Honda's 2009 and 2010 CR-V. Small exterior tweaks and interior upgrades top the list of changes, while underhood, Honda's cute 'ute gets another 14 horses to play with while returning slightly better fuel economy.

The CR-V's grille gets re-worked with a single chrome bar instead of two, and flows into the headlights instead of being interrupted by body-color trim. The opening below shrinks and receives a honeycomb insert instead of the horizontal slats, and below that, the rugged-looking plastic fascia is totally re-worked with less black, more paint.

From the side, the two are virtually identical, except the rear bumper, where the side markers are a bit more visible. In back, changes to the lower fascia are more discernible, with the black plastic losing some height in exchange for body-color paneling. EX and L models get upgraded to standard ten-spoke wheels instead of 2009's seven-spoke, while inside, Honda has made a few aesthetic and functionality changes including a wider center armrest, new door handle design and new fabric choices. For all the details, make the jump for Honda's press release.

Gallery: 2010 Honda CR-V

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading Officially Official: 2010 Honda CR-V recieves modest tweakage

Officially Official: 2010 Honda CR-V recieves modest tweakage originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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P.S.A. - Facelifted 2010 Honda CR-V coming Sept. 17

Dan Roth — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Japan, Crossover, Honda

You're excused if you look at these images and see little more than the Honda CR-V that we already know and love. According to a corner of its home-market website, the Japanese automaker is debuting what it calls the "new CR-V" on September 17th, possibly at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Already a hot perennial seller, Honda is understandably cautious to mess too much with success, though calling this updating anything other than a mid-cycle refresh is a bit of a stretch.

Subtle grille and fascia changes are about the extent of what we can make out from the limited images, leaving the CR-V a good looking sales workhorse in Honda's stable. We'll all have to hold our breath until mid-September when the whole enchilada will be revealed and we'll find out if there are changes under the skin worth talking about.

[Source: Honda Japan via Carscoop]

P.S.A. - Facelifted 2010 Honda CR-V coming Sept. 17 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The all-wheel drive Mini has arrived... sorta [w/VIDEO]

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Videos, Hatchback, Honda, Mini, Specialty

The Mini Tec AWD Mini - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you want a chunky Mini CUV, you don't need to wait for the Mini Countryman - you can have this Frankenstein'd love child of a vintage Mini and a Honda engine and all-wheel drive powertrain instead. The folks at Mini Tec have bolted a Honda B20 engine up front, and then they went and built a custom subframe to house all-wheel-drive gubbins blagged from a CR-V.

The result is a stripped-out, widened Mini that rockets off the line and can even do tricks in the snow on Yokohama slicks. If you're interested in buying one, you need to provide the Honda guts and Miata parts - and the Mini. The rest - the custom fabricated subframe, body panels and A-arm suspension will run you $2,695. Check out the high-res gallery below and a video after the jump.

Gallery: Mini Tec AWD Mini

[Source: Super Fast Minis via Speedhunters]

Continue reading The all-wheel drive Mini has arrived... sorta [w/VIDEO]

The all-wheel drive Mini has arrived... sorta [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2010 Honda CR-V spotted?

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 30 May 2009 15:28:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Crossover, Honda

A forum user named "Puttz" at the Temple of VTEC took a picture of a manufacturer-plated CR-V in Dublin, Ohio near Honda's Marysville plant. In addition to a set of wheels that Puttz said were reminiscent of those on an RDX sketch, the grille is bigger and wearing a lot more chrome work. On the left is the spy shot, on the right is the 2009 CR-V. As another forum user noted, the 2-piece center section is somewhat of a return to the previous generation CR-V.

Beyond that, the bumper gets reshaped with a different profile leading into the lower front fascia, and the fog light housings look to be more integrated. If this is the 2010 CR-V, it appears Honda is only making minor changes to its popular cute-ute. Hat tip to Edison

[Source: Temple of VTEC]

Spy Shots: 2010 Honda CR-V spotted? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 30 May 2009 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda ramping up CR-V production in Mexico

Chris Shunk — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 08:57:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Honda

The small utility vehicle market is booming right now, and there may be none better in the non-luxury space than the fuel-sipping Honda CR-V. Honda has to be thrilled with their little 'ute, mostly because customers are snatching up the vehicle with little or no incentives, and it's far and away the best-selling CUV in the US. The CR-V has been so successful that Honda has increased production in Mexico by 20,000 units annually to expand sales into Brazil and Argentina. Honda is hiring an additional 600 employees to its El Salto plant in Mexico to account for growing production. The move is part of Honda's plan to double North American production of the CR-V.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Honda ramping up CR-V production in Mexico originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Nov 2007 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda to double North American production of the CR-V

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 17:05:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Honda

Recently, Honda has had issues with keeping supply and demand in check with its newest products. Waiting lists for everything from the Civic Si to the Honda Fit have become bones of contention with consumers, and the recently redesigned Honda CR-V was among them earlier this year. Sales of Honda's cute 'ute have been on an upwards trajectory during 2007, with over 167,000 units sold thus far -- a 44-percent jump over the previous year. Analysts contend that buyers who used to flock to the Ford Explorer are now looking at smaller, more fuel-efficient offerings, bolstering sales of the CR-V along with Toyota's RAV4.

Honda is constantly trying to keep a balance between imported and domestically made products, so it's considering doubling the North American production of the CR-V. The move would come at a perfect time, as CR-V sales have officially eclipsed sales of the Explorer, the U.S.'s best selling SUV for 14 years.

[Source: Detroit News]

Honda to double North American production of the CR-V originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Oct 2007 17:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chicago Auto Show: MotorWeek Drivers Choice Awards

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Chevrolet, GMC, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jaguar, Kia, Lexus, Porsche, Saturn, Toyota

We must admit that we were a bit surprised that MotorWeek's award for "Best Car of the Year" went to the Honda Fit. But, we suppose that it, uh, fits. We know, that was way too easy - feel free to mock us in the comments, we can take it. Here is the complete list of winners:

Best of the Year: Honda Fit
Best Small Car: wait for it... Honda Fit
Best Family Sedan: Saturn Aura
Best Minivan: Hyundai Entourage/Kia Sedona
Best Convertible: Volkswagen Eos
Best Luxury Sedan: Lexus LS
Best Sports Sedan: Infiniti G35
Best Performance Car: Ford Shelby GT500
Best Small Utility: Honda CR-V
Best Large Utility: Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon
Best Crossover Utility: GMC Acadia/Saturn Outlook
Best Pickup Truck: Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra
Best Eco-Friendly: Toyota Motor Corporation
Best Dream Machine: Jaguar XKR, Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, Porsche 911 Turbo

We can't say that we agree with many of these choices, but we didn't choose them, MotorWeek's editors did. We just typed them for your benefit, 'cause we're cool like that.

Chicago Auto Show: MotorWeek Drivers Choice Awards originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Feb 2007 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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