All-New 2009 Honda Fit At The New York Auto Show
Filed under: Auto Show Pictures, Honda, New York International Auto Show
Tags: compact, fit, Japanese
The all-new 2009 Honda Fit, set to go on sale in the U.S. this fall, maked its U.S. debut at the 2008 New York International Auto Show. The Fit promises to further its leadership in the subcompact segment with top-of-class feature content, including an available Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™; improved interior functionality, including one-motion dive-down rear seats; enhanced sporty demeanor through improved suspension, steering and body rigidity; and high levels of standard safety equipment, including Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure.
“Critics and customers alike have voted the Fit among the best small vehicles on the road,” said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda. “This new Fit raises the bar even further, taking what was already great about the Fit, making it even better and throwing in a healthy dose of refinement.”
Dimensionally compact on the outside, the interior provides surprisingly large passenger and class-leading cargo space to maximize comfort and utility. At the foundation is an improved rear Magic Seat®, now featuring one-motion dive-down functionality, which allows the rear seat to fold flat with the front seats in the rearmost slide position and without removing the rear head restraints. The seats offer multiple seating and cargo-carrying configurations (tall object mode, long object mode and utility mode) in addition to the standard five-passenger mode. Additionally, a new hidden storage bin under the driver’s side rear seat provides a place to store small items.
Adding further refinement, Fit Sport offers an available factory-installed Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with Voice Recognition, featuring a 6.5-inch screen. All Fit Sport models feature a USB audio interface1 compatible with current generation iPods® and many USB storage devices.
“The goal is to provide entry-level vehicle customers with functionality and refinement that’s a class above,” said Colliver. “Buying a Fit is a choice, not a compromise.”
The Fit features a new 1.5-literi-VTEC™ 4-cylinder engine connected to either a 5-speed manual transmission or an available 5-speed automatic transmission, which includes steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters on the Fit Sport. The new engine is designed to offer the best balance of fuel economy and power. Larger 15-inch and 16-inch (Fit Sport) wheels hint at enhancements to the Fit’s suspension, steering and body rigidity, which are intended to produce sportier handling without sacrificing comfort.
The 2009 Fit adds Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure technology, available Vehicle Stability Assist ™ (VSA®) and active head restraints, to a top-of-class list of standard safety features. With Fit’s adoption of ACE, more than 94 percent of Honda vehicles sold in the U.S. will include the innovative body structure. When introduced to the 2009 Fit, VSA will be available in the lineup of every model Honda sells in the United States. Dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags, dual front-side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS) and side-curtain airbags are standard equipment on all Fit models. All seating positions have three-point seat belts. Additionally, front and rear visibility is improved.
Standard active safety equipment includes an anti-lock braking system (ABS), with ventilated discs in the front and drums in the back, and electronic brake distribution (EBD).
2009 Honda Pilot Prototype Video
Filed under: 2008 Detroit Auto Show, Auto Show Pictures, Auto Show Videos, Detroit Auto Show, Honda, SUVs
Tags: Detroit, Japanese, Pilot, Prototype
At the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, the future look of the Honda Pilot was revealed. The 2009 Honda Pilot Prototype conveys design features of a more boldly-styled 2009 Pilot that should debut in Spring 2008. The styling emphasizes authentic SUV styling, clever and more accommodating interior packaging and advanced technologies for safety, fuel efficiency and convenience.
Watch our video coverage of the Pilot Prototype debut and let us know what you think.
Click here for more on the 2009 Honda Pilot Prototype.
Honda CR-Z Hybrid Makes Its Debut In Detroit
Filed under: 2008 Detroit Auto Show, Auto Show Pictures, Concept Cars, Honda, Sports Coupes
Tags: CR-Z, Detroit, Japanese
The Honda CR-Z Hybrid made its debut at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show. The CR-Z is a next-generation lightweight sports car concept equipped with Honda’s original gas-electric hybrid system that achieves both clean performance and high level of torque. The CR-Z stands for “Compact Renaissance Zero”, an expression intended to capture the idea of a renaissance in the design of compact cars that begins anew from fundamentals.
The exterior design of the CR-Z is futuristic and dynamic, combining performance in a compact form. For the front fascia, there is an over-sized grille for the high-performance look that is offset by openings on either side to lighten the overall feel. The large 19″ wheels also suggest dynamic driving performance.
The key words for the interior design of the CR-Z are “Hi-tech and Sport.” Honda aimed to create an all-new sporty interior that fused the liberating feel of airy spaciousness with an advanced interface that brought out the fun of driving. Mesh material on a simple framework construction is used throughout the interior to convey a light and sophisticated image. In the cockpit, the meter unit conveys the image of advanced technology ensconced in a piece of glass artwork, offering quick recognition and a futuristic and exhilarating appearance.
2009 Honda Pilot Prototype Revealed
Filed under: 2008 Detroit Auto Show, Auto Show Pictures, Crossovers, Honda, SUVs
Tags: , Detroit, Japanese, Pilot, Prototype
At the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, the future look of the Honda Pilot was revealed. 2009 Honda Pilot Prototype conveys design features of a more boldly-styled 2009 Pilot that should debut in Spring 2008. The styling emphasizes authentic SUV styling , clever and more accommodating interior packaging and advanced technologies for safety, fuel efficiency and convenience.
The Pilot will feature the Honda-exclusive Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure that enhances frontal collision compatibility with vehicles of different sizes/bumper heights and the most extensive use of high-strength steel in any Honda product to date. A pedestrian injury mitigation design in the front of the vehicle is designed to help absorb energy in the event of a collision.
A crossover SUV platform underpins the Pilot to provide the best of the car and truck worlds by integrating the refined traits and packaging advantages of a unit body car design with the utility and capability of an SUV design.
The V6 in the 2009 Pilot Prototype introduces the latest generation for Honda fuel-saving Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) technology that operates in 6-cylinder mode for power and 4- and 3- cylinder modes for efficiency, an improvement compared to the existing Pilot’s available VCM system that works exclusively in 6- and 3- cylinder modes.
For the passengers, the 60/40 split second row is now more spacious and slides forward a bit further for increased ease of access to the third row. With the 60/40 split third row, it now supplies enough knee room for an above-average sized adult male to fit comfortably, making the Pilot’s third row one of the most practical in the industry.
Honda FCX Clarity Video and Photos
Filed under: 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show, Auto Show Pictures, Auto Show Videos, Green Hybrids/Alternative Fuels, Honda, Sedans/Saloons
Tags: FCX Clarity
The Honda FCX Clarity, which just debuted at the 2007 LA Auto Show, looks like it may be able to give the Prius a run for its money. The FCX Clarity is a next-generation, zero-emission, hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle that is powered by the Honda V Flow fuel cell stack.
You can watch the Honda FCX Clarity Video on YouTube.
The Honda FCX Clarity Video is also on Roadfly.
Click here for more FCX Clarity coverage.
Honda’s FCX Clarity Introduced At The LA Auto Show
Filed under: 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show, Auto Show Pictures, Green Hybrids/Alternative Fuels, Honda, Sedans/Saloons
Tags: FCX Clarity
Honda today unveiled the FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle at the Los Angeles International Auto Show, announcing plans to begin limited retail marketing of the vehicle in summer 2008.
Honda Concept CR-Z
Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupes, Honda, Tokyo Motor Show
The theme for Honda’s automobile booth for this year is: “For the endless joy of mobility on our earth”. Based on this theme, Honda will display a variety of advanced environmental technologies that address environmental issues such as a reduction in CO2 emissions, together with the fun of mobility.
Two concept models will make their world premiere at the motor show. The CR-Z is a next-generation lightweight sports car equipped with Honda’s original gas-electric hybrid system which achieves both clean performance and a high level of torque. The PUYO is a fuel cell vehicle which was designed based on out-of-box thinking to provide fun for both the vehicle owner and people around them as well. Also on display will be a model of the i-DTEC next-generation diesel engine, first announced in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show, which delivers both outstanding environmental performance and engine performance characteristics.
CR-Z
‘CR-Z’ stands for ‘Compact Renaissance Zero’-an expression intended to capture the idea of a renaissance in the design of compact cars that begins anew from fundamentals.
This design research model of a lightweight hybrid sports car features advanced technologies that deliver enjoyable driving for all while reducing the vehicle’s environmental footprint.
Exterior design
Designed to be ‘Futuristic and Dynamic’, the CR-Z combines powerful performance in a compact form with a futuristic image. For its frontal view, an over-sized grill with a high-performance look is offset by openings on each side that lighten the overall feel. In the rear, tube-shaped rear combination lamps ensure better rearward visibility. Design details emphasizing the CR-Z’s advanced image include door mirrors that provide high visibility in a stylish form, LED headlights patterned after luminous bodies to convey a sharp impression, and jauntyfin-shaped
Interior design
The key words for the CR-Z’s interior design are ‘Hi-tech and Sporty’. The goal was to create an all-new sporty interior that fuses the liberating feel of airy spaciousness with an advanced interface that brings out the fun of the drive. Mesh material on a simple framework construction is used throughout the interior to convey a light, sophisticated image without being oppressive. In the cockpit, the meter unit conveys the image of advanced technology ensconced in a piece of glass artwork, offering the functionality of immediate recognition while enhancing the driving experience with a futuristic and exhilarating feeling.
2007 Honda Puyo Concept
Filed under: Auto Show Pictures, Concept Cars, Honda, Tokyo Motor Show
The theme for Honda’s automobile booth for this year is: “For the endless joy of mobility on our earth”. Based on this theme, Honda will display a variety of advanced environmental technologies that address environmental issues such as a reduction in CO2 emissions, together with the fun of mobility.
A “Next Energy” display will showcase Honda’s latest initiatives in new energy development, including technology for producing bio-ethanol from rice straw and the environmentally responsible next-generation thin-film solar cells, which will go on sale nationwide in Japan.
PUYO
‘PUYO’ is a Japanese onomatopoeia that expresses the sensation of touching the vehicle’s soft body. It is meant to convey a warm, friendly impression.
The PUYO represents a new idea in mobility that brings together ‘clean’, ’safe’ and ‘fun’ functionality in an environmentally responsible, people-friendly minimalist design featuring an ultra-high efficiency, small frame and fuel cell technology to please both users and onlookers alike.
Exterior design
The development theme for the PUYO exterior was to create a cornerless, ‘Seamless Soft Box’ form that is kind to both people and the environment. The goal was to create a personable design with the feel of an adorable pet, while taking advantage of the maximum spaciousness of the box-shaped design. The PUYO’s ‘gel body’ features soft materials to promote greater real-world safety. Moreover, the body has been made luminescent to guide people into the proper operating position and notify them of the vehicle’s condition, facilitating a more intimate relationship between people and their cars.
Interior design
Developed to have a ‘Silky Feel’, the PUYO’s interior is designed to provide a refreshing, people-friendly space imbued with a feeling of transparency. Features such as an instrument panel monitor, controls that take advantage of the elastic qualities of cloth to rise up when the vehicle starts up, luminous fluid meter displays, and a joystick for intuitive operation are all designed to gently support occupants’ senses and sensibilities.
