Autoblog

Honda unveils new diesel for overseas Civic... will it come here?

George Kennedy — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 10:46:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Technology, Honda, Autoline on Autoblog, Diesel

Honda has indeed been promoting its new Earth Dreams family of fuel efficient engines, and with good reason. The next generation of the Japanese automaker's powerplants are said to deliver more power with less consumption. You can't go wrong there.

So it has greatly piqued our interest that Honda has taken the wraps off the first diesel member of the Earth Dreams family. This 1.6-liter i-DTEC inline-four will be launched in the European version of the Honda Civic starting in the beginning of next year. The engine makes 118 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. It is made up of aluminum block and cylinder heads, and according to Honda, is the lightest diesel engine in its class.

Part of this new engine design is a fourth-generation Garret turbocharger, which features a variable-nozzle design. The speed of the turbo is also electronically controlled to optimize fuel efficiency and minimize turbo lag. The engine is designed specifically with the European market in mind, and will be produced in Honda's Swindon, UK manufacturing facility. Honda is capable of making 500 of these new diesel engines per day, which equates to one new engine every 138 seconds. Not bad for productivity.

So will this diesel mill come to the US market? Right now, it seems unlikely, but with diesel variants of other vehicles popping up in North America (there's that new C-segment Cruze Diesel on its way), it's not unthinkable that Honda would bring this engine over. Until then, we'll just have to keep our fingers crossed. To pass the time, you can also check out the press release below and gallery above, featuring detailed engine photos.

Continue reading Honda unveils new diesel for overseas Civic... will it come here?

Honda unveils new diesel for overseas Civic... will it come here? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Nov 2012 10:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Honda yanks sheet off 2013 Crosstour, adds lower base price [w/video]

George Kennedy — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Wagon, Videos, Crossover, Honda

The Honda Crosstour has been something of an automotive whatcha-ma-call-it. Buyers have found it hard to identify what the high-riding wagon is all about, and so have we. Honda even started out by calling it the Accord Crosstour, and then changed its name to help give it more of its own identity. But with other popular crossovers already in Honda's stables, trying to carve out a niche for the Crosstour has been no easy task.

To help strengthen the identity of the crossover-wagon, Honda has updated the Crosstour with more "refined styling," a number of content improvements and a lower base price. The first thing you will notice is the more utilitarian, "rugged" styling, with a pronounced front clip, fender flares and side skirts.

Under the hood lies one of Honda's new Earth Dreams family of engines. The base 2.4-liter inline-four makes 192 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, while returning 22 miles per gallon city and 31 miles per gallon highway. The available 3.5-liter V6 produces 278 horsepower, up seven from the outgoing V6, making it the most powerful engine in the Earth Dreams family. The V6 returns 20/29 for front-wheel-drive models, and 18/28 for V6 models equipped with Real Time 4WD.

The Crosstour is also available with a suite of safety technologies, including a backup camera, forward collision warning and lane departure warning. A set of less-technical safety improvements have been applied as well, including reshaped headrests for improved visibility and an expanded view driver's mirror.

The 2013 Honda Crosstour comes with a $27,230 base price - $525 less than the outgoing model - and goes on sale November 30, 2012. Only time will tell if these changes are effective enough to sway more buyers, but if you may be interested, check out the press release and video below.

Continue reading Honda yanks sheet off 2013 Crosstour, adds lower base price [w/video]

Honda yanks sheet off 2013 Crosstour, adds lower base price [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Nov 2012 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Honda previews trio of hybrid systems for different driving characteristics

Jeffrey N. Ross — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Technology, Honda

Looking to make up some much-needed ground to Toyota and Ford in the world of hybrid vehicles, Honda is introducing a new and more advanced gas-electric architecture called Honda Sport Hybrid. The system may arrive as a direct replacement to the aging Integrated Motor Assist series, and it's actually comprised of three different systems: Intelligent Dual Clutch Drive, Intelligent Multi Mode Drive/Plug-In and Super Handling - All Wheel Drive. Why three different systems? Because their capability, complexity and cost will vary depending on the size of the vehicle and its intended purpose.

We have already tested the Sport Hybrid Intelligent Multi Mode Drive/Plug-In on the 2014 Honda Accord PHEV. This system features a hybrid-specific engine and an electronic CVT with two built-in electric motors, and it sounds like this setup will be offered with and without plug-in capabilities. With this system, drivers will be able to use three different drive modes (EV, Engine and Hybrid) depending on the conditions and the desired dynamic. EV Drive mode maximizes use of electricity to propel the car, Hybrid Drive uses the engine to generate electricity for the motors and Engine Drive is for higher speeds where EV and Hybrid modes wouldn't be as efficient.

Debuting on the forthcoming Acura RLX flagship sedan, the Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system uses three electric motors to deliver optimal performance. It also features a direct-injected 3.5-liter V6 paired with a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. Those are combined with an integrated motor used to power the front wheels and one motor at each rear wheel. The rear motors work independently of one another for better handling and torque distribution. Honda says this system will deliver V8-like performance with the fuel economy of a four cylinder. If all of that sounds familiar, that's because we drove a prototype of the architecture in a Honda Accord mule back in December of 2011.

Finally, the Sport Hybrid Intelligent Dual Clutch Drive uses the same seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox as the SH-AWD system, but this application will focus on improving the efficiency of small cars rather than worrying about performance. This transmission will be mated to a 1.5-liter Atkinson-cycle engine, and Honda claims combination will be 30-percent more efficient than current one-motor hybrid systems. We don't know just yet which car this system will debut in, but the diagram released by Honda shows it being use on what looks like a hatchback (like the Fit) or small crossover. This is also a likely candidate for use in cars like the CR-Z, Insight and Civic.

Scroll down to read the official press release from Honda.

Continue reading Honda previews trio of hybrid systems for different driving characteristics

Honda previews trio of hybrid systems for different driving characteristics originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Nov 2012 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Autoblog Podcast #296

Dan Roth — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 17:45:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

2013 Range Rover, Bentley to drop 6.75-liter V8, Honda Earth Dreams

Episode #296 of the Autoblog Podcast is here, and this week Dan Roth, Alex Nunez and George Kennedy talk about the coming wave of Bentley diesels and hybrids now that the 6.75-liter V8 is being wound down, along with talk of Honda's Earth Dreams powertrains and the new 2013 Land Rover Range Rover. Your questions and comments power the end of the 'cast, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. Keep reading for our Q&A module for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #296:

Topics:

In the Autoblog Garage:
2013 Dodge Challenger
2013 Mazda CX-5
2013 Chrysler 300

Hosts: Dan Roth, Alex Nunez, George Kennedy

Runtime: 01:20:42

Get the podcast
[UStream] Listen live on Mondays at 10PM Eastern at UStream
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
[MP3] Download the MP3 directly

Feedback
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com

Review the show in iTunes

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #296

Autoblog Podcast #296 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Aug 2012 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

2013 Honda Accord production fires up with Earth Dreams power

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 16:02:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Honda

Production of the "Earth Dreams" powertrains that will slot into the 2013 Honda Accord got underway at the Japanese automaker's Anna Engine and Honda Transmission Mfg. plants last week, and both facilities have begun feeding engines and gearboxes to the Marysville, Ohio, assembly lines where the 2013 Accord has started rolling off the lines. A ceremony marking the start of the new generation's assembly today also served to celebrate Honda's 30 years of production in the States.

As one would expect with car as important to Honda as the ninth-generation Accord, the company has made a huge investment in the North American debut of its new direct-injected, 2.4-liter four-cylinder, a new CVT transmission and a 3.5-liter V6 and its optional six-speed automatic. Honda has spent $220 million on expansions, casting operations and automated lines for its associates, and the plant is now able to make 1.8 million Earth Dreams engines annually.

The new engines are said to be good for a 10-percent improvement in fuel economy compared to current offerings, and the powerplants will eventually migrate to other models in Honda's lineup. Check out the press releases below for more information.

Continue reading 2013 Honda Accord production fires up with Earth Dreams power

2013 Honda Accord production fires up with Earth Dreams power originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Aug 2012 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Honda Accord, Fit and Pilot to receive Dreamy new engines, CVTs

George Kennedy — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 14:15:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Minivan/Van, Sedan, Crossover, Hatchback, Honda, Electric

Honda is set to unveil its new "Earth Dreams" family of engines, and while the lineup will make its debut in the all-new Accord, the more efficient powertrains are poised to spread throughout the lineup.

According to an Automotive News report, the direct-injected, dual overhead cam powerplant range is said to be good for a 10-percent increase in fuel economy over the current lineup.

Also mentioned in the story is the possibility of getting a 1.6-liter diesel with 220 pound feet of torque here in the States, and possibly a large-car hybrid setup. Will Honda renew the short-lived Accord Hybrid?

The report is not limited to engine technology, as Automotive News says Honda will move to Continuously Variable Transmissions in a much larger way. We've known for some time that the Japanese automaker is poised to go the belt and pulley route, but it hasn't been clear what vehicles will receive the transmission. Not every vehicle will get a CVT, as the report states that "performance models and off-road vehicles will retain geared transmissions."

AN also provided a breakdown of future product plans, which include a redesigned Fit in summer of 2014, with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder paired with a CVT. Europe will get a hybrid Fit, but American plans for the hybrid version have reportedly been nixed. Honda's smallest offering, may also spawn a compact crossover, slotted below the CR-V, but it's not expected until Spring, 2015.

In other portfolio news, the aging Pilot three-row crossover will receive a new 3.5-liter Earth Dreams V6 when the model is redesigned for 2014. Power is expected to be on the order of 310 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque, and a CVT is also part of the program, but only on front-drive models. Also included is additional confirmation that the Civic will get an emergency refresh, a mere 18 months after its launch triggered a lackluster response from critics.

Finally, the AN report also dangles the possibility of reviving the S2000 to compete with the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ, but then dashes hopes by saying that its not a priority for the Japanese automaker.

Honda Accord, Fit and Pilot to receive Dreamy new engines, CVTs originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Aug 2012 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Honda plan calls for best fuel economy in every segment within three years

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:13:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Technology, Acura, Honda, Electric, Diesel

Regardless of what we may think of Honda's current styling direction or the excitement level of its latest models, we have the utmost respect for the automaker's engineering talent. So, when Honda sets itself a goal to achieve "top-of-industry fuel efficiency in every vehicle class within three years", it catches our attention.

Honda's so-called Earth Dreams Technology will encompass everything from gasoline and diesel engines to transmissions (including a CVT that will supposedly be both fun to drive and highly fuel efficient) and, of course, hybrids and fully electric vehicles.

Acura will get knee-deep in the efficiency game as well, as parent company Honda is also promising a hybrid SH-AWD system that will feature two 20kW electric motors that will independently drive their own wheels along with a 30kW electric motor to assist the 3.5-liter V6 engine and seven-speed gearbox (more on this soon).

Of course, Honda will have some stiff competition in hitting top efficiency scores in every category, as both Hyundai and Ford have made similar overtures over the last few years. That said, all it takes is one look at the comprehensively outlined plan in the press release after the break to realize the seriousness with which Honda is making this pledge.

Continue reading Honda plan calls for best fuel economy in every segment within three years

Honda plan calls for best fuel economy in every segment within three years originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments