Honda wants to make sure that we don't forget about their innovative concept – the V4 – which is expected to make a debut in 2010 so they launch an animated video of the bike in which the most notorious features such as the V4 engine and the outrageous bodywork as well as wheel design can be spotted. Video after the jump
Earlier this month we got word that Honda canceled the S2000's replacement. From that we knew the days were numbered for the aging high-revving roadster. Now Honda has officially announced that 2009 will be the last year for the S2000. First premiering in 1999, the S2000 had a quick-shifting transmission, striking looks, and 9,000 RPM redline that made it exceptionally great. Although there inernal pieces of the car were reworked in 2004, the car remained relatively untouched for a (...)
More than 16 Honda project, concept, and accessorized production vehicles are on display at the 2008 Specialty Equipment Market Association's (SEMA) show in Las Vegas, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today.
Honda today revealed a “concept” version of its 2010 Insight hybrid. Prototypes of the Prius-fighter were spied multiple times over the summer undergoing testing, so this thinly-veiled concept can best be thought of as a production preview. The car will be on display at the Paris International Auto Show next month..
“The original Honda Insight pioneered hybrid technology in the U.S. and remains a symbol of Honda’s commitment to innovative technology and fuel efficiency,” said Takeo Fukui, Honda CEO. “This new Insight will break new ground as an affordable hybrid within the reach of customers who want great fuel economy and great value.”
Priced below the Honda Civic, this Japanese-built hybrid will carry over much of the hatchback styling from the FCX.
In addition to recycling the Insight name, Honda will equip the new hybrid with the same 1.3-liter Integrated Motor Assist system found in the current-generation Honda Civic Hybrid. However, further development of the system will cut the IMA’s cost by about 50 percent in the new hybrid.
Although the new Insight will be loosely based on the Fit, it will measure in at 3 inches longer and 1 inch wider than the Fit.
One Honda insider told Edmunds the Insight’s fuel economy would be “insane,” with some Japanese sources predicting mileage as high as 71 mpg. Actual mileage will likely be lower when it hits our shores, but should still be impressive.
And if those lofty fuel-economy numbers weren’t enough to cause an instant waiting list for the new hybrid, the next-generation Insight will list from under $18,500 – undercutting the Toyota Prius by thousands of dollars.
The new Insight is expected to debut at the Paris Motor Show, but Honda could also wait until November’s Los Angeles Auto Show. Whatever the case, the new five-door hybrid will hit U.S. Honda dealers next April.
Honda hopes to build 200,000 units annually, with half of that production to be sold in the United States.
The second iteration of the MotoMorphic JaFM#1 is on its way...
Pics: MotoMorphic
We first wrote about the MotoMorphic JaFM#1 back in June this year. Well, Jim Davis (MotoMorphic founder) and his team are hard at work and the bike is now being further developed. The MotoMorphic JaFM#2 seems to be on its way…
Based on an Aprilia Falco, the MotoMorphic JaFM#1 features a custom-built chassis (made of 6061-T6 tubing and CNC machined billet 6061) which also serves as the fuel tank, custom-made swingarm, Ohlins fork, Penske monoshock and Brembo brakes.
The bike’s 990cc, DOHC, 8-valve, liquid-cooled Rotax v-twin, mated to a six-speed gearbox, makes 108bhp and 91Nm of torque, and the bike runs humungous rubber – a 250-section front tyre and a 300-section rear.
The JaFM#1 has now been tested for about 1,000km and #2 may not be very far away. In the meanwhile, you can visit the MotoMorphic website here for more details and updates.
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Carmakers are scrambling to slash costs, and the first things to usually go are unnecessary sponsorships as well as motorsport commitments, as Honda demonstrated with its recent withdrawal from F1. Now, Land Rover has confirmed that it will cancel its G4 Challenge in order to focus more on product launches next year.
The program was originally going to take competitors from 18 different countries, who would then compete in challenges with off-road driving at their core, as well as adventure sports and extreme initiative challenges for an "ultimate test of team spirit and physical fitness". The entire Land Rover fleet was supposed to be involved, with the Range Rover Sport, Freelander 2 and Discovery 3 all earmarked for duty.
Discussing why the program was being abandoned, the managing director of Land Rover stated that "given the severity of the global economic downturn and trading conditions, we need to make some tough decisions and that means prioritizing our budgets on new product launches. We are disappointed for the competitors who have shown so much commitment and put tremendous effort into succeeding as representatives of their nation. We have and will continue to take swift and decisive actions for the benefit of the business; unfortunately that means the Land Rover G4 Challenge has to come to an early close."
A key part of the Land Rover G4 Challenge was its commitment to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The Challenge was utilized as a fund generating activity for the charity, with the aim of generating £1 million ($1.49 million) over the course of the next two programs. Despite canceling the Challenge, Land Rover claims that it remains committed to this partnership, although how it will fund charity events remains unclear.
Jorge Lorenzo won the Japanese MotoGP at Motegi, followed by Rossi in second, Pedrosa in third and Stoner in fourth place
2009 MotoGP: Race results from the Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi
1. Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team 43min 47.238 sec
2. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team 43min 48.542 sec
3. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team 43min 51.001 sec
4. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team 43min 52.929 sec
5. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Repsol Honda Team 43min 56.445 sec
6. Marco Melandri ITA Hayate Racing Team 44min 17.793 sec
7. Loris Capirossi ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 44min 19.994 sec
8. Mika Kallio FIN Pramac Racing 44min 26.654 sec
9. James Toseland GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 44min 30.344 sec
10. Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 44min 30.483 sec
11. Randy de Puniet FRA LCR Honda MotoGP 44min 32.072 sec
12. Colin Edwards USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 44min 33.778 sec
13. Alex de Angelis RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini 44min 40.763 sec
14. Niccolo Canepa ITA Pramac Racing 45min 9.042 sec
15. Toni Elias SPA San Carlo Honda Gresini 44min 25.681 sec
DNF:
Yuki Takahashi JPN Scot Racing Team MotoGP Turn 1
Nicky Hayden USA Ducati Marlboro Team Turn 1
Sete Gibernau SPA Grupo Francisco Hernando Lap 14
