Autoblog

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 has released an electronic version of its popular customer rag, dream. The pretty pictures and interesting articles are still there, but the fun begins when one delves into the interactive sidebars, chock-full of formula one cars, British scientific expeditions to Antarctica, and even a special appearance by an ASIMO. Thanks to the online functionality of the magazine, interactive features, including movies, sound bytes and virtual tours, abound.

The pilot of the magazine went out in January 2007, and Honda reports that readership was high, and a whopping 25 percent of readers provided feedback.

Features of this edition include:

• Living at -80°C with the British Antarctic Survey and Honda's All Terrain Vehicles
• Jenson Button's test drive of the new Civic Type-R
• Review of the FR-V in Copenhagen
• Built to Move – getting from A to B with innovation in the 21st century.
  

360 degree photorealistic views of the Honda Family as it is available in the UK brightens up the standard vehicle lineup page, as well. Check out the full press release after the jump.

[Source: Honda]

As Audi's relentless quest to fill every conceivable automotive niche continues, the folks of the interlocking rings plan to unveil the Q5 at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show.

According to AutoExpress, the Q5 will share its underpinnings with the recently released A5 and will draw on the styling cues forged by its big brother, the Q7 and the Cross Coupe quattro unveiled in Shanghai. Naturally, the Q5 will get Audi's trademark goatee, along with LED headlamps, all-wheel-drive and a commanding stance. Inside, Audi's entrant into the highly competitive cute 'ute segment will come complete with seating for five and the multi-rail system, originally employed in the A6 Allroad, that prevents parcels from shifting under load.

Power is expected to come in both diesel and gas-powered flavors, possibly including the 4.2-liter FSI V8. Strap a few turbos onto that mill and we may even get a RSQ5. We doubt it, if for no other reason than that badge may be a bit awkward on the boot.

[Source: AutoExpress]

Well, $3,295 to be exact.

The base price of the new and greatly improved Vue will come in at $21,395 (with shipping), placing it squarely in the same pricing segment as the Honda CR-V ($21,195) and Toyota RAV4 ($21,595).

According to Robert Reuter, GM's chief engineer for compact and crossover vehicles, the price increase is justified, consider that the new model gets a larger, 169 HP 2.4-liter inline four and an automatic transmission, where before a manual used to reside. Additionally, 16-inch wheels are included, along with a bevy of standard safety equipment including ABS, collapsible pedals, side curtain airbags and stability control.

Since the new pricing puts the Vue up against some of the biggest players in the burgeoning crossover segment, it should be interesting to see how well Saturn's second highest selling model will fare when it's thrust into the marketplace.

[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]

Germany's own Autobild magazine printed the above rendering of what may be BMW's attempt at crashing the ever-competitive small SUV segment. Although Toyota and Honda have been the biggest players over the past several years, Volkswagen obviously saw a niche that needed to be filled with the upcoming Tiguan and it seems that BMW may follow suit with their own luxury SAV.

Predictably named the X1, the new soft-roader will stretch an estimated 170 inches, which compared to its larger sibling the X3, comes in about 10 inches shorter overall. Engine choices are open to speculation, but the smart money is on one of BMW's 3-liter inline sixes, with the possibility of upgrading to their new, turbocharged mill, found in the new 335i.

Whether a business case can be made for the new 'ute is a decision best left to the bean counters at BMW. We just hope that if the X1 finds its way into production, it can compete with the stalwarts of the genre.

Volkswagen's oddly named Tiguan (hey, the people have spoken), has broken cover on the current issue of Germany's Auto Bild magazine. Although clearly a computer-generated interpretation of VW's cute 'ute, the cover shot gives a more realistic rendering of what is to be Volkswagen's answer to the RAV4 and CR-V. Worthy items of note include the high and tidy belt-line, minimalist C-pillar and pseudo-spoiler, ala Touareg/Cayenne.

As a reminder, the Tiguan will be based off the current Golf platform and make it's debut at the Los Angeles auto show this coming November. Production is slated to begin in 2008.

[Source: The German Car Blog]

Honda Motor announced Wednesday a massive worldwide recall of 561,594 vehicles. The affected models are the Odyssey minivan, CR-V crossover and Step Wagon. Over 480,000 of the vehicles are in Japan, with the majority of overseas recalls covering Odyssey minivans sold in North America.

The recall will fix a faulty ignition switch that can cause the engine to shut down.

Honda's budget for the recall and repairs? A cool $23.7 million.

[Source: Reuters]

(Thanks to everyone for the tips)

Those rev-hungry Hondaheads over at the Temple of VTEC have persuaded spyshooter Brenda Priddy to part with a couple of images of the 2007 Honda CR-V, giving readers the best look yet at the popular crossover's pending replacement.

The glimpses show a vehicle remarkably similar to that of a rendering we showed you a few days ago. Even more car-like in execution than the outgoing CR-V, the mule in the photos does away with the rear-mounted spare, which will likely improve repair costs in rear-enders, but goes some way toward making the new model look exceedingly hatchback-esque.

[Source: VTEC.net]

(tip nods: A.K. Maloney, Karth Manthi)

Fish around in your pants for the Suzuki's fob, punch the unlock button, pull the handle, and clamber inside. Or, rather, you might've, were there actually a need to engage in a bit of pocket-lint spelunking. Not so with the new Grand Vitara. In an unusual move for its class, Suzuki has fitted their compact SUV with a type of keyless entry and start. Oh, there's a fob (a big, chunky one, at that), but you won't need to lay hands on it every time you want to get in or out of the vehicle... that's what those rubberized oval buttons on the two front doors and rear cargo access door are for. Approach the vehicle with the fob somewhere on your person, and the 'Zuki detects its presence, allowing you to open the door (one push on the handle button for your door, two nudges for everyone). It's a system that works well, particularly as keyring-resident box still works as normal. Hidden within is a key for valets and less-than-trustworthy types.

[Click through to the jump for further interior impressions and more than a dozen photos!)

Suffice it to say that Suzuki has never stunned North American consumers with beautiful automotive designs. In point of fact, reviewing their history reveals a certain manic quality, little of it pretty. Oddball propositions like the toy-like X-90 and character-free Esteem have given way to the likes of Suzuki's ill-proportioned Aerio and milquetoast non-statements on the order of the Verona and Forenza. But there are tangible signs that the automaker is finally finding the plot– the inexpensive Italdesign-penned Reno and the tweener SX4 crossover are both attractive propositions. But the offering most likely to become the company's poster child is the all-new-for 2006 Grand Vitara.

A direct replacement for its tired, boxy predecessor that reigned from 1999-2004, the new Grand Vitara is infinitely more compelling with even just a cursory glance. By comparison, yuppies ought to be clamoring for the reborn GV like it's next year's Ikea catalog. Simply put, it's a looker. The strong lines of its clamshell-style hood set the tone, creating a defining ridge across the top of the rectilinear grille, lending the clear-lensed headlamps a bit of edge. The former element is of the blacked-out cross-hatch variety, with a thin, u-shaped chrome lip adding definition and a bit of class. Even when viewed from the dead-on, the GV's meaty fender flares lend it a properly butch stance, particularly as they mold so nicely into the bumper, itself augmented by a pair of blisters housing auxiliary driving lamps. Complaints? Well, the chrome 'S' badge on the nose is a bit outsized, coming across like a Superman logo reinterpreted by an anime artist. But it's hard to blame Suzuki's designers for wanting to get the message out that they're finally in the business of making attractively styled vehicles.

(Click here for the full walk-around, along with more commentary)