<i>Automobile</i> names its 2012 All-Stars

Filed under: Coupe, Minivan/Van, Crossover, Hatchback, Audi, BMW, Dodge, Ford, Honda, Land Rover, Porsche, Volkswagen, Ferrari

'Tis the season, boys and girls. Sure, the holidays are around the corner, but with the end of the year in sight, it's time for every magazine and its sister (publication) to choose its favorite car(s) for the year. And the latest to do so is Automobile magazine.

The venerable glossy book has already announced its 2012 Automobile of the Year, the Audi A7, along with its Man of the Year (Kia design chief Peter Schreyer), Technology of the Year (the trifecta of turbocharging, direct injection and variable valve timing) and Design of the Year (Fisker Karma). But now Automobile has revealed its ten favorite cars for the annual All-Star list.

The final list represents an eclectic cross-section of American, European and Asian vehicles - all available in the U.S., naturally - including the:

• Audi TT RS
• BMW 3 Series
• Dodge Charger
• Ferrari 458 Italia/Spider
• Ford Focus
• Ford Mustang Boss 302
• Honda Odyssey
• Porsche Boxster & Cayman
• Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
• Volkswagen Golf TDI & GTI

Think Jennings and company chose well? Follow the jump for the press release, and be sure to click here to read the full All-Stars story, as well.

Continue reading Automobile names its 2012 All-Stars

Automobile names its 2012 All-Stars originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Nov 2011 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 CR-V proves that Honda and good looks don't need to be strangers

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Crossover, Honda, Design/Style

The fourth generation Honda CR-V has flown under the radar so far, but given that the hot-selling crossover hits dealers on December 15, the Los Angeles Auto Show is as good an opportunity as any for Honda to play show-and-tell. The 2012 CR-V receives all-new sheetmetal, and the result is a more refined look that should give Honda fans some hope for the future. The interior has also been greatly improved, with a more contemporary layout, quick-stow rear seats and gobs of storage, though the top of the instrument panel and door caps are still rendered in hard plastic.

Power comes from Honda's faithful 2.4-liver i-VTEC four-cylinder, with 185 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque - thats five more horsepower and two additional lb-ft compared to the outgoing CR-V. The transmission continues to be Honda's tried and true five-speed automatic, which is a bit of a disappointment given the competition's flurry of next-generation gearboxes offering more ratios. Still, Honda promises very competitive fuel economy numbers of 31 miles per gallon on the highway and 23 mpg in the city for the front-wheel drive model. The all-wheel drive variant should deliver an estimated 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.

Honda also pledges to offer more bang for the buck for customers with a range of new standard features. The 2012 CR-V will include standard Bluetooth HandsFreeLink, a multi-angle rearview camera and a full-color information display. The CR-V will also receive SMS text messaging capability, which reads incoming text messages over the audio system.

Honda is also very confident that the CR-V will perform extremely well in safety testing, as the automaker proclaimed during its press conference that this new model will achieve IIHS Top Safety Pick status and net a Five-Star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Hit the jump to read over the official press release, but check out our photos first.

Continue reading 2012 CR-V proves that Honda and good looks don't need to be strangers

2012 CR-V proves that Honda and good looks don't need to be strangers originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Nov 2011 18:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/16/2012-honda-cr-v-la-2011/

Honda to boost vehicle and engine production in Alabama

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Truck, Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Honda

Honda seems to believe that America's car-buying slump is coming to a close. According to Automotive News, the automaker has announced that it will spend $84 million to grow engine and light truck production at its Lincoln, Alabama assembly plant. The money will be used to help create an additional 100 jobs and should see the facility increase its total output from 300,000 units per year to 340,000 in anticipation of a sales recovery in the States. Automotive News suggests that may be a smart move. Consumer demand for new cars and trucks has grown by around 10 percent through October of this year.

Honda expects that demand to translate into greater Odyssey, Pilot and Ridgeline sales. Each of those models is produced at the Alabama facility, though the Acura RDX may join that mix as part of the new investment.

The Japanese automaker has also said that it will resume its normal production schedule at its North American facilities as its supply line continues to recover from the impact of flooding in Thailand.

Honda to boost vehicle and engine production in Alabama originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Nov 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/15/honda-to-boost-vehicle-and-engine-production-in-alabama/

Jonatan Barahona Wins The Sounds of Civic

	Jonatan Barahona Wins The Sounds of Civic By winning the admiration of Facebook fans with his original tribute, "Forever," Jonatan Barahona is the winner of The Sounds of Civic competition. As a result, Honda gave him the keys to a brand-new 2012 Civic HF, and also the chance to perform his song live during the Honda Civic Tour's visit to West Palm Beach, Florida on September 23, 2011.	From:Honda Views:198 8ratings
	Time:03:28	More inAutos & Vehicles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nd67NeTBbBE&feature=youtube_gdata

Honda Keeps Hybrid Weirdness at Bay

Honda said the goal in designing the 2012 Civic Hybrid was to incorporate superior fuel economy in a vehicle that drives like a conventional car. For the most part, Honda has accomplished that.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/25/automobiles/autoreviews/honda-keeps-hybrid-weirdness-at-bay.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

Where It Starts

	Where It Starts There's a reason why our racing engines are so reliable. It's something we put in to every Honda.For more information, visit http://racing.honda.com	From:Honda Views:194 17ratings
	Time:00:32	More inAutos & Vehicles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1DlIX_FEe4&feature=youtube_gdata

Honda: Honda to Debut Two All-New Models at the Lo...

Honda: Honda to Debut Two All-New Models at the Los Angeles Auto Show http://t.co/PD7ZBOSt
http://twitter.com/Honda/statuses/128539853498494976

2012 Honda Civic Hybrid Demo Takes Off

	2012 Honda Civic Hybrid Demo Takes Off Navigate a fantastical dream world in the all-new 2012 Civic Hybrid. You'll see the Civic Hybrid's innovative technology, updated aerodynamic lines and Integrated Motor Assist IMA®, which combines the brisk performance of an i-VTEC® engine with a high-output electric motor. The available Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™[1] with Voice Recognition guides you to your destinations. For 2012, the navi system includes FM Traffic[2], a subscription-free service that alerts you to traffic conditions. Take advantage of all the gas-saving technology in the new Civic Hybrid, including Eco Assist™[3], and you can get up to an EPA-estimated 44 mpg[4] in the city. The USB Audio Interface[5] lets you bring your personal playlist and listen to it through the audio system, while charging your iPod®[6] along the way. To help keep you on course and away from danger, Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) helps sense oversteer or understeer, and then adjusts brake pressure at each wheel and/or reduces engine power to help restore driver control[7]. The Civic has been engineered to help protect you and your passengers when a frontal collision cannot be avoided. The Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure utilizes a network of connected structural elements to distribute crash energy more evenly throughout the front of the vehicle. The new intelligent Multi-Information Display (i-MID), gives you the info you need in a fun and personalized way. Keep an eye on energy flow, and jump on Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®[8]. You can even change the wallpaper according to your mood.For more about the new Civic Hybrid, visit http://automobiles.honda.com/civic/[1] The Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ is available in the United States, except Alaska. Please see your Honda dealer for details. [2] FM Traffic service only available in the United States, except Alaska. Please see your Honda dealer for details[3] Eco Assist™ is a trademark of Honda Motor Co., Ltd., and may not be used or reproduced without prior written approval.[4] Based on 2012 EPA mileage estimates. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.[5] The USB Audio Interface is used for direct connection to and control of some current digital audio players and other USB devices that contain MP3, WMA or AAC music files. Some USB devices with security software and digital rights-protected files may not work. Please see your Honda dealer for details. [6] iPod® accessory is not included. iPod® is a registered trademark of Apple Inc.[7] VSA is not a substitute for safe driving. It cannot correct the vehicle's course in every situation or compensate for reckless driving. Control of the vehicle always remains with the driver.[8] The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc., and any use of such marks by Honda Motor Co., Ltd., is under license.	From:Honda Views:110 7ratings
	Time:02:05	More inAutos & Vehicles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaPwhYdz1Fk&feature=youtube_gdata

Rendered Speculation: Honda Civic Type R... turbo?

Filed under: Spy Photos, Performance, Hatchback, Honda, UK

A new report says the next generation Honda Civic Type R should arrive in 2013 - sporting a turbocharged engine for the first time.

According to Auto Express, this hottest Honda hatch will brandish a Mugen-developed, 210-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbo four. When we last reported on Mugen, their engineers were boring and stroking the 2010 Civic Type R to develop 256 naturally aspirated horsepower.

Temple of VTEC purists can thank strict European emissions regulations for the move to forced induction, and Auto Express says that the Type R will receive a start-stop system to further conserve fuel. Honda fan boys will still have plenty to get excited about: A six-speed manual tranny with a short-throw shifter, track-ready suspension, and a whole complement of aero aids. The UK-based magazine predicts 0-60 times in the low six-second range and a top speed near 150 mph.

The Type R's projected £23,000 price tag (minus the 20% national tax the Brits factor into their new car prices) would make it about a $28,000 car at today's exchange rates. But alas, since it's based on the European five-door Civic, there's virtually no chance we'll be seeing this Type R Civic on our side of the pond. For the moment, you'll have to content yourself with checking out the artist's renderings over on Auto Express.

Rendered Speculation: Honda Civic Type R... turbo? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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"Million Mile Joe's Surprise Parade"

	"Million Mile Joe's Surprise Parade" Getting to a million miles isn't typical. But neither is Joe. See his remarkable story:Joe just reached one million miles in his 1990 Honda Accord! To celebrate this extraordinary feat, we surprised Joe with an over-the-top parade in his honor. Watch what happened. Way to go, Million Mile Joe!Driving a Honda for a million miles is an extraordinary feat. So how did Joe do it? For starters, he's read and followed his owner's manual and maintenance schedule to the letter. He's also a stickler for fluids, he checked them weekly, switched them seasonally (10W-30 in summer and 5W-30 in winter), and changed them every 5,000 miles. He's been loyal to the same brand of oil and never let it go below a quart low.You know how most people let their fuel go to almost empty? Joe never did. He's also a creature of habit, using only Honda air, oil and fuel filters. Joe never rode heavy on the brakes, and changed the fluid every few years. He's also replaced the fuel pump, both cooling fans and the radiator twice.Besides his fastidious maintenance, Joe's Accord made it to one million miles because he's loved it. He's treated it with respect and always drove it responsibly. In fact, Joe has only gotten one speeding ticket in a million miles-that must be some kind of record. When it comes to driving, Joe's the man.Check out Joe's story at http://www.MillionMileJoe.com	From:Honda Views:301 93ratings
	Time:03:12	More inTravel & Events

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF0L1YmcZIQ&feature=youtube_gdata

Fox Marketing prepping special Honda Civic Si for SEMA

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Budget, Sedan, Performance, Honda

SEMA is only a few weeks away, and it seems like all the little fish are being let out of the pond first. We've heard about visitations from Focuses and Fiestas, Genesis Coupes and Velosters and classic Ford racers, now add the 2012 Honda Civic Si by Fox Marketing to the roll call. And full disclosure: Autoblog will have a sticker on this car.

You know the drill by now: start with an economy car, change everything, voila, SEMA here we come. Among these changes are a turbocharged 450-horsepower engine, and not just any turbo, but that from Honda's LMP1/LMP2 and IndyCar engines. An ECU from a 2006 Civic Si controls the action, and with all hope, 10.5-inch tires will control the grip. Follow the jump for a complete parts list or go straight for the goodies in the high-res gallery.

Continue reading Fox Marketing prepping special Honda Civic Si for SEMA

Fox Marketing prepping special Honda Civic Si for SEMA originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Oct 2011 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/24/fox-marketing-prepping-a-special-honda-civic-si-for-sema/

Honda CR-V Concept

	Honda CR-V Concept Honda Sr. Product Planner, James Jenkins, introduces the 2012 CR-V Concept and talks about its new design.	From:Honda Views:127 6ratings
	Time:01:31	More inAutos & Vehicles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6X9MqXvPoI&feature=youtube_gdata

Honda ftes million-mile Accord driver with surprise parade, new model

Filed under: Sedan, Etc., Honda

There's nothing quite like a parade in small-town America. The floats made by kids at the local high school. The middle school's marching band. The people on stilts. The new Honda.

Wait, what? Well this was no ordinary parade. Sure, it had all those things, but the occasion wasn't Thanksgiving or Memorial Day. It was another milestone altogether: Joe LoCicero hit one million miles on his 1990 Honda Accord.

It's been an event that people (well, other people, anyway) have been monitoring on millionmilejoe.com. You see, while the average driver clocks around 14,000 miles on the odometer every year, LoCicero does more than four times that. He started keeping track when he reached 300,000 miles, so when he hit the big seven digits, it was a cause for celebration.

So Joe's town of Saco, Maine, put together a surprise parade, complete with an airplane banner and a float with a giant odometer made up of six people spinning giant hamster wheels. And at the end, Miss Maine herself gave Joe the keys to a brand-new 2012 Accord, courtesy of American Honda. Nice work if you can get it. Follow the jump for the full press release and check out the images in the gallery to see what you missed.

Continue reading Honda ftes million-mile Accord driver with surprise parade, new model

Honda ftes million-mile Accord driver with surprise parade, new model originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Oct 2011 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/27/honda-fetes-million-mile-accord-driver-with-surprise-parade-new/

Production 2012 CR-V revealed by JDM Honda website

The North American-spec 2012 Honda CR-V won't officially debut until the Los Angeles Auto Show in just a couple of weeks, but thanks to the automaker's own Japanese website, we're now getting our first glimpse at the production version of the new crossover – at least the JDM version, which isn't expected to differ much. Honda previously teased us with a shot of a CR-V Concept, which, flashy as it may have been, gave us a good idea of exactly what the final design would look like.
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/31/production-2012-cr-v-revealed-by-jdm-honda-website/

Matt Neal takes the British Touring Car Championship for Honda

Filed under: Motorsports, Sedan, Honda, UK, Racing

After an epic five-way showdown for the crown and a record 30-car field, Matt Neal has won the British Touring Car Championship, becoming the first three-time champion in the series since the '80s. The battle came down to the final three races held this past weekend at Silverstone - the same iconic circuit that hosts the British Grand Prix in Formula One along with countless other top-tier automobile and motorcycle races.

After securing pole position, Neal drove his Honda Civic to victory in Race 1, his teammate Gordon Shedden beat him out for Race 2 and the pair came eighth and tenth (starting on a reverse grid) behind race winner Tom Chilton in the Ford Focus. The points accrued were enough for Neal to claim the title with 257 points to Shedden's 249, while Chevrolet's defending champion Jason Plato landed third in the standings with 236. Mat Jackson and James Nash, who were both also in contention for the title up until the end of the third race, tied for fourth with 191 points.

In a further victory for the Honda, the team won the manufacturers' championship as well as the teams' title, while James Nash's Vauxhall-fielding 888 Racing team won the drivers' and teams' titles in the independent category. It was surely a high note for Honda on which to finish as it continues preparing a new NGTC-spec touring car based on the new European-market Civic for next year's championship, when it will seek to defend its titles once again and make it a hat trick. Follow the jump for the pair of full press releases.

Continue reading Matt Neal takes the British Touring Car Championship for Honda

Matt Neal takes the British Touring Car Championship for Honda originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Oct 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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