Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Honda Performance Development unveils new ARX-01e LMP1 racer

Filed under: Motorsports, Acura, Honda, Racing Highcroft HPD ARX-01e - Click above for high-res image gallery After four years of dominating the LMP2 class in the American Le Mans Series, Highcroft Racing is stepping up the big leagues this year, and this is the car with which they aim to do it. The new ARX-01e uses the same basic chassis and engine as the LMP2 car on which it's based, but features a heavily revised aerodynamics package for a significantly different form. The 3.4-liter V8 engine now also benefits from a larger air restrictor for more power. Developed by Wirth Research, the ARX-01e ditches last year's Acura branding for Honda Racing Development (HPD). And with former sponsor Tequila Patron stepping up to title-sponsor the ALMS series as a whole, Highcroft's ARX-01e is being used by Michelin to promote its latest performance street tires. The car recently underwent its first shakedown at Sebring, which it's set to take on later this week at the famous 12-hour race. Check out the high-resolution images in the gallery below for a closer look and the details in the press release after the jump for more. Gallery: Highcroft HPD ARX-01e [Source: Highcroft Racing] Continue reading Honda Performance Development unveils new ARX-01e LMP1 racer Honda Performance Development unveils new ARX-01e LMP1 racer originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 16:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink |  Email this |  Comments
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/16/honda-performance-development-unveils-new-arx-01e-lmp1-racer/

Honda Performance Development Introduces New Refueling Safety System to IndyCar Series

Honda Performance Development Introduces New Refueling Safety System to IndyCar Series American Honda and its Honda Performance Development (HPD) subsidiary created a unique refueling safety interlock system designed to reduce the potential for pit fires and injuries resulting from drivers leaving their pit boxes with refueling equipment still attached in the IZOD IndyCar Series--a cause of many fires in the past.HPD has developed a new, inter-connected system that includes a fuel-probe sensor and corresponding electronics in the Engine Control Unit (ECU) and Gearbox Control Unit (GCU). The system prevents first gear from being engaged in the "paddle shift" system while the refueling hose is still attached to the car in the pit lane.From: HondaViews:94 4ratingsTime:00:54More in Autos & Vehicles
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrmmOBPYLMo&feature=youtube_gdata

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Honda Automobiles: Honda Red Cross Donation Site Open for Customers, Suppliers and Others

American Honda Motor Co., Inc., has established a special website to channel donations to the American Red Cross from customers, suppliers and others interested in supporting the Japan disaster recovery effort through the Red Cross. Originally established to accept donations from Honda and Acura automobile dealers, and Honda motorcycle and power equipment dealers, Honda has opened the site to the public who may wish to donate at: http://american.redcross.org/hondaacura-emp "We are making this special website available for contributions based on the outpouring of support and messages of sympathy and concern we have received from so many friends of Honda," said Stephan Morikawa, Assistant Vice President of Corporate Community Relations at American Honda. "We are humbled and deeply appreciative of the concern shown for our Japanese associates, their families, and all those affected by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami." Last week Honda Motor Co., Ltd., in Japan announced that it will provide $3.7 million toward the relief and recovery effort, along with 1,000 generators. The Honda family of companies in North America has announced that it will match its associates' personal donations to the Red Cross relief and recovery effort on a dollar-for-dollar-basis. Honda has been in close communication with the Red Cross regarding its need for material and equipment. The company has supported the Red Cross in previous disaster relief efforts through cash, product, and in-kind donations. The American Red Cross name and emblem are used with its permission, which in no way constitutes an endorsement, express or implied, of any product, service, company, opinion or political position. For more information about the Red Cross, please visit www.redcross.org.
http://hondanews.com/releases/023940f8-de53-4e20-92bc-09f2c68c62ef

Honda Crosstour "What It Isn't" :60

Honda Crosstour "What It Isn't" :60 What it isn't, is what it is. The Honda Crosstour with available 4-wheel drive.From: HondaViews:152 3ratingsTime:01:01More in Autos & Vehicles
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMAX7dbsHXo&feature=youtube_gdata

Honda Automobiles: 2011 Honda Odyssey Achieves Historic Safety Milestone

The 2011 Honda Odyssey minivan achieved a historic safety milestone, becoming the first and only minivan to earn the highest possible safety ratings from both the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) under their respective more-stringent testing guidelines. No other minivan this year has received both a 2011 TOP SAFETY PICK award from IIHS and a "Overall Vehicle Score1" of five stars from NHTSA. The Odyssey was recently named a 2011 TOP SAFETY PICK from IIHS, the institute's highest honor. The award recognizes vehicles that do the best job of protecting vehicle occupants involved in front, side and rear crashes, plus rollover performance based on ratings in IIHS tests, as well as having a standard electronic stability control system. The Odyssey earned the highest-possible score of GOOD in all four ratings, including the more rigorous roof-strength test. In addition to earning the TOP SAFETY PICK designation, the Odyssey was one of the first vehicles to achieve NHTSA's best-possible "Overall Vehicle Score" of five stars. The newly introduced Overall Vehicle Score is part of the federal government's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) that is first being applied to 2011 models. The Odyssey achieved its top "Overall Vehicle Score" with five-star ratings for the frontal crash safety test and both side crash safety tests2 in all evaluated front and rear seating positions and scenarios. The Odyssey also received four stars for the rollover rating3. All 2011 Odyssey vehicles utilize the Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure. ACE is an exclusive body design that enhances occupant protection and crash compatibility in frontal crashes. The ACE design utilizes a network of connected structural elements to distribute crash energy more evenly throughout the front of the vehicle. This enhanced frontal crash energy management helps to reduce the forces transferred to the passenger compartment. Standard safety equipment includes Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with traction control; an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS); three-row side curtain airbags with rollover sensor; dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags; a driver's front side airbag; and a front passenger's side airbag with an occupant position detection system. Overall, the Odyssey improves for the 2011 model year with greater interior functionality, a more distinctive style and higher fuel economy. Significant enhancements to the interior include a new 3-mode second-row seat design that is more comfortable for center passengers (Odyssey EX and above). A more powerful and efficient 3.5-liter i-VTEC V-6 engine features Variable Cylinder Management (standard on all models for 2011) and produces 248 hp while delivering an EPA-estimated4 city/highway/combined fuel economy of 19/28/22 mpg on Odyssey Touring models. New technology available on certain models includes a rear entertainment system with a 16.2-inch ultrawide split-screen display and an auxiliary High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) video input, an "intelligent" Multi-Information Display (i-MID) with customizable wallpaper, integration of FM traffic data on navigation models and much more. The 2011 Odyssey is truly an American-made vehicle designed, engineered and assembled in the United States. The Odyssey is produced exclusively at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama (HMA) using domestic and globally sourced parts. For more information and downloadable high-resolution images of Honda vehicles, please visit www.hondanews.com. Consumer information is available at www.honda.com. 1 Government star ratings are part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program (www.safercar.gov). Model tested with standard side-impact air bags (SABs). Vehicles tested under this program cannot be compared to model-year 2010 and earlier vehicles. Ratings can only be compared with similar ratings on model year 2011 and later vehicles if rated under the new program. 2 Includes a new, additional test mode for side-pole impact. 3 Vehicle tested includes electronic stability control as standard equipment, branded as Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) on Honda and Acura vehicles. 4 Based on 2011 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.
http://hondanews.com/releases/50c6fc52-aa20-4eda-9de7-c787c9591e9a