Leakage: Euro-spec 2009 Honda Insight

Euro-spec 2009 Honda Insight We're still six days away from the official unveiling of the 2009 Honda Insight at the Detroit Auto Show, but the crew at Carscoop just couldn't wait to release images of the European-spec hybrid ahead of its debut. The Euro model shown here won't differ too much from the U.S. version (we like our steering wheels on the right-hand side), but the stylistic differences between the production version and its conceptual predecessor are obvious at first glance. As we've seen before, the front fascia carries over largely unchanged, although the technorific LED headlamps, deeply recessed fog lamps/air intakes and gaudy brightwork are all left on the designer's desk. The side mirrors have grown in proportion to the door handles, and the C-pillar is noticeably thicker than the concept that bowed in Paris. The rear has also been smoothed over, with the Prius-esque (or is that CRX-inspired?) hatch losing a bit of glass, along with the contoured cut-out for the license plate, which is now mounted lower on the bumper, with a prominent "H" badge floating on a body-colored panel. Although the interior hasn't been revealed in full, we get a brief glimpse of the central-mounted tach, "eco" gauges and second tier speedo, which benefits from a backlight that transitions from green to blue when the driver mashes the accelerator and unleashes the full fury of the small-displacement engine through the CVT gearbox. Sales will begin in the U.S. and abroad this spring, with a starting price rumored to hover around $20,000. Gallery: 2009 Honda Insight (Euro) [Source: Carscoop]

 

eBay Find of the Day: World's fastest Honda Civic

Driving around the streets of Los Angeles, it is easy to spot a plethora of Honda Civics attempting to achieve the appearance of the world's fastest economy car. Huge shopping cart wings, monster tachometers and racing stripes often highlight the package. Legitimate world record speed isn't achieved on any city street, however, and not with any aerodynamic packages reminiscent of shopping. It is achieved on the Bonneville Salt Flats in northwestern Utah. The latest records indicate that there is only one car with the claim to the title of World's Fastest Honda Civic. That car happens to belong to automotive writer Richard Holdener and it is currently available for sale on eBay. Richard's Lucas Oil sponsored 1999 Honda Civic Si ran a top speed of 227.7 mph back in August of this year. Despite the Civic's ability to produce 728 hp at 29 psi of boost, the record was achieved with only 15.2 psi. Inherently weak stock Honda CV joints were apparently the hold-up in laying down the full power band. It certainly wasn't due to any failure of the engine components, since the parts list reads like a roll call of some of the best names in the American Honda tuning game. Any small-displacement four cylinder engine tuned to output in excess of 700 ponies has to be stocked to the gills with improvements. The cost to own this piece of history, and the potential to make some of your own, starts at $21,777.77. The car's located in Las Vegas, Nevada, so those must be some lucky 7's in the price. Thanks for the tip Srihari! Gallery: World's Fastest Civic [Source: eBay Motors]

 

The show ain’t over until Honda says it’s over: Honda NSX concept coming to Detroit?

It was recently reported by AutoExpress that Honda has shelved plans to build the Acura/Honda NSX supercar. Honda made no comment on the report that said Honda pulled the plug on the 600-hp supercar due to the economic slowdown. Well, Autotelegraaf is now saying that Honda will bring the final NSX concept to the 2009 Detroit Auto Show next month. The report says that the concept will be very close to the final production version which will make its debut at the end of 2009 in Tokyo and 2010 in Europe. The news comes a couple days after Toyota announced that it will still bring the Lexus LF-A to the market by 2011 despite the current economic situation.   Source: Autotelegraaf

 

Honda testing Accord-based crossover in U.S.

Honda may be in the process of developing a new crossover vehicle to cover a wider range of segments in its lineup. Spy shots of an undisguised test mule suggest that an Accord-based crossover may be in the works and that the North American market may be in line to receive this vehicle in lieu of the Honda Accord Euro 'Tourer' wagon sold in other markets. The spy shots show what appears to be an Accord Euro Tourer body with the American-spec Accord front bolted on. While this may initially suggest that a U.S.

 

Spy Shots: 2010 Honda Odyssey to get more corporate schnoz

The corporate grille that's been inflicted on all of Honda's recent cars and trucks continues to spread roughshod through the rest of the automaker's line and the 2010 Honda Odyssey minivan isn't immune. While it's hard to get excited about a vehicle that's sole purpose in life is to transport humans and their stuff from one place to another, the Odyssey has always been one of the best options available, and while we're anything but smitten with the new schnoz, it isn't going to change the driving dynamics, and you can't actually see that six-sided, angular beak from behind the wheel anyway. The new grille joins a front-end that looks a bit more aggressive and better integrated than before, with what appears to be a steeper slope towards the ground from the windshield. The rest of the van appears unchanged. [Source: BurlappCars]

 

Honda Jazz Review

The old Honda Jazz has been at the top of the tree since its launch in 2002 and the company is eager to reassure us that new Honda Jazz is the same only better. This was a car that appealed to a wide range of customers, from driving instructors to little old ladies and even at the end of its production, the Honda Jazz still held third place against its competitors. Such is its attraction that it has been at the top, or thereabouts, of the sales charts every year, selling over 2 million, worldwide and picking up over 30 awards along the way.   Although the new version went on sale in October 2008, there has been little or nothing in the way of advertising. This is not an oversight on the part of Honda but rather that it doesn't need to because historically, over half of the people who bought the previous model, signed up for more of the same and are expected to do so again. Moreover, they were not shy about spreading the word to friends and family. The front end has a vague hint of the Honda Civic about it with new, larger headlights and a honeycomb grille set into the deep font bumper. At the other end, the new LED taillights and black gloss trim that carries the Honda logo, serves to extend the angled, lower edge of the windscreen. The tailgate narrows near the rear bumper and appears to limit the load aperture. A new feature, available on the 1.4-engined models, is the 'Double Trunk'. It is a clever piece of kit that makes the most of the 337-litre boot space. It has four functions with under-floor storage and a base that is split between solid and a framed cargo net to stop things rolling about. © Source: carpages

 

Hydrogen-powered Honda FCX Clarity, giant ASIMO to lead Rose Parade

For the first time ever (yes, ever!), this year's Rose Parade in Pasadena, California will be headed up by a hydrogen-powered vehicle. Honda's fuel cell-equipped FCX Clarity will lead the 120th parade, and the pace car will be followed by the Super Cub motorcycle -- the first model sold in the United States. As fancy as these two are, it's the ASIMO that'll undoubtedly steal the show, and yes, we're talking about the 49-foot iteration we spotted a few days back. Catch Honda's trio riding high on January 1 at 8:00AM PST; after that, it's time to place your bets between USC and Penn State.