The US production base is a coup for Honda USA, with the last NSX – production of which ceased in 2005 – made in Japan. The new site is Honda’s former North American Logistics facility, while the powertrain will be assembled nearby, at the company’s engine plant in Anna.

“This new plant will be as unique as the vehicle we will build here,” Clement D’Souza, Honda of America’s associate chief engineer, said of the renovation plans. “In creating the plan for this plant, we looked closely at each process and determined the perfect blend of associate craftsmanship and technology to adopt a new approach to manufacturing.”

Unlike the gas-only engine of the original NSX, the 2015 model will combine a traditional, mid-mounted 3.5L V6 with a new Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system. The latter, a progression of the Sport Handling SH-AWD system first launched in 2004, will include three electric motors in total: one 30 kW motor hooked up to the V6, and one 20kW motor for each rear wheel.

The two motors at the rear will be able to operate independently, sending torque to the outside wheel in a turn for improved grip; the motor on the inside wheel will switch into regeneration mode, with the power being fed back into the NSX’s lithium-ion batteries, while the drag produced will also help with grip. As for the third motor, that can be separately operated to run the front wheels, or linked up to the V6 to act as a generator and recharge the batteries as well as simultaneously drive the rear wheels.

Inside, meanwhile, will be a cocooning hub of leather and metal, if the NSX Concept is anything to go by. “We have a very clear understanding of the high customer expectations luxury buyers around the world have for a supercar,” Honda R&D Americas chief engineer Ted Klaus, who will lead the 2015 NSX project, says, “and our challenge is to exceed them.”

Mass production will kick off in 2015, though Honda is yet to confirm pricing, power, performance, or specific availability of the new NSX. However, it will be offered both in North American and globally.

Honda says that owners of a 2012-2013 Honda Fit can take their vehicles to an authorized Honda dealer to check up on their vehicles. Their software will be updated free of charge. Vehicle owners are expected to receive their recall notifications in the middle of May. Vehicle owners can also visit Honda’s recall website to see if their Honda Fit is affected by the system software issues.

This isn’t the first recall that Honda issued this month. Earlier this month, Honda, alongside Toyota and Nissan, all recalled a total of 3 million vehicles due to a potential airbag issue that causes the airbag to deploy abnormally. The improperly deployed airbags could have resulted in injury and worse, death, if the issues were not fixed. In total, Honda recalled 1.14 million vehicles that could have airbags improperly installed.

In the following week, Honda also issued a recall for around 204,500 of its CR-V, Odyssey, and Acura RDX vehicles due to an issue with their braking system. In temperatures below freezings, those vehicles would allow their drivers to shift even when they aren’t pressing on their brakes. It hasn’t been a good month for Honda so far, but hopefully this Honda Fit recall will be the last recall it will have to make (at least for a while). Be sure to check out our Cars Hub for the latest news on the automotive industry.

[via Honda]

The numbers break down to 59,000 2012 and 2013 Honda Odyssey minivans, 128,000 2012 and 2013 Honda CR-V SUVs, and 17,500 2013 Acura RDX vehicles. Those with an affected vehicle will have a component in the brake shift interlock system replaced with one that isn’t prone to failure in sub-freezing temperatures. According to Honda, no customers have complained or experiened any injuries from the problem.

Snail-mail notifications will go out to those with one of the affected vehicles some time in the middle of May. Once the notifications begin rolling out, customers will also be able to check if they have one of the models by visiting the respective Honda and Acura “Recalls” website (recalls.honda.com and recalls.acura.com) or by calling the customer hotline and pressing “4″.

This follows a recent recall over faulty airbags by the manufacturer, with the airbags coming from Takata Corporation. The airbags were made from 2000 to 2002, and concerned a problem with the inflators that could cause abnormal inflation when deployed. Toyota and Nissan were also forced to issue recalls over the same airbag problems.

[via Honda (PDF)]

Takata is a Japanese manufacturer of safety equipment and the defective airbag inflators were manufactured between 2000 and 2002 according to a company spokesman. Toyota has already said that these malfunctioning airbag inflators could cause the airbag to deploy abnormally during an accident. Improperly deployed airbags could lead to injury or possibly even death.

Toyota, Honda, and Nissan combined will be recalling over 3 million vehicles due to the potential airbag issue. This is the largest recall Takata has been involved with since 1995 when automakers using its seatbelt products were forced recall almost 9,000,000 vehicles. Honda also recalled over 430,000 vehicles in 2010 due to a faulty airbag module supplied by the same company.

In this latest recall, Toyota has recalled 1.73 million vehicles around the world, Honda has issued a recall on about 1.1 4 million vehicles, and Nissan says it’s looking at recalling 480,000 vehicles. Mazda has also recalled 45,463 vehicles. Toyota says that the vehicles covered in the recall were equipped with front passenger airbag inflators that may have been assembled with improperly manufactured propellant wafers. The Toyota vehicles covered in the recall include the Corolla and Camry built between November of 2000 and March 2004.

[via Bloomberg]

Honda has now announced that it has developed its own accident avoidance support system called the City-Brake Active System. The Honda safety system operates when the vehicle is traveling at speeds under 18 mph. The system relies on a laser radar installed in the upper part of the windscreen to detect when a collision is imminent.

Once the safety system identifies a high risk of collision, it will activate both audio and visual warnings for the driver. If the driver doesn’t take action to avoid the collision the City-Brake Active System automatically applies the vehicle’s brakes. The safety system also has a secondary function designed to prevent accidental acceleration.

At speeds of less than 6 mph, or from a standstill, if the system determines that the driver has pressed too hard on the accelerator when there is another vehicle within 4 m of the front, the system will deliver audio and visual warnings. The system will then restrict engine output to prevent the vehicle from moving forward. The idea is that the system can help prevent rear end collisions in instances where the driver mistakenly steps on the accelerator rather than the brake.

[via Honda]

This system is just one of several infotainment systems being shown off this week at the 2013 New York International Auto Show. You’ll find that Honda isn’t the only one to have their eye placed squarely on the future with connectivity and entertainment options – not to mention safety options – through center consoles galore. With HondaLink, you’ll be working with keyless Smart Entry and Push Button Start – and that’s where the fun begins!

Above you’ll be seeing a very brief run-through of the 2014 Odyssey, including a quick suck-up of some Fruit Loops in the back cabin with the HondaVAC system. Just what you want in a family-aimed automobile!

With Honda’s implementation of HondaLink technology here in the 2014 Odyssey, you’ll be working with HD Radio with ease – pick up for your favorite AM, FM, or XM radio stations and place them in your favorites – access whenever you like! You’ll find a free HondaLink smartphone app available to you as well to create and customize your own personal radio stations – these stations can be many different things, including a vocalized reading of your news feed updates from Facebook and Twitter.

HondaLink is able to read out loud many different bits and pieces such as restaurant reviews, coffee shop locations, and turn-by-turn directions. You can learn a bit more about the expanded world of HondaLink in the heart-touching demonstration video below – and don’t forget to stick close to our Honda tag portal for more on Honda through the future, too!

The HondaVAC system – partly developed by Shop-Vac – comes standard in the 2014 Odyssey, and features user-replaceable filters and a canister bag, as well as various nozzles to vacuum the van’s nooks and crannies. The nozzles are stored in the driver’s side bulkhead, while the vacuum itself has a hose that can reach all areas within the van. HondaVAC is completely integrated into the vehicle, and can run for however long necessary as long as the van is turned on. When shut off, HondaVac can be used for 8 minutes.

UPDATE: We’ve gotten our own hands on the HondaVac as well as the rest of the 2014 Odyssey at the New York International Auto Show 2013! Have a peek at our quick experience here:

In addition, the 2014 Odyssey features a variety of design changes and improvements, with Honda calling the exterior styling “more sophisticated”, with a sculpted hood, bolder grille, aluminum front fenders, and integrated chrome-trimmed fog lights located lower in the front fascia than before. There’s Smart Entry, HD Radio, integrated texting functionality, and HondaLink with Aha Mobile Interface.

In addition, the minivan’s structure has been upgraded in hopes of getting high marks on the IIHS popular front-crash test, which could earn it a Top Safety Pick+ award. The van features Expanded View Driver’s Mirror, Forward Collision Warning, and Lane Departure Warning, among other safety features. Honda’s Vice President of Marketing Operations Michael Accavitti had this to say: “The Odyssey is already the leader in its segment, and for 2014, Honda has made the modern family hauler even better. Honda is once again showcasing its reputation for innovation with HondaVAC, and its ability to provide true value to our customers.”

[via Honda News]

Features of the HondaLink system include advanced GPS navigation with the ability to predict traffic conditions. The system also has a dashboard featuring infographics and data visualizations allowing drivers to check fuel efficiency. The system also sends the driver or alerts and messages delivered in the form of conversations with emoticons.

These messages are delivered like conversations complete with smileys is an attempt by Honda to create a human-like connection between the driver and the vehicle. The app can also be customized to give the vehicle its own name and users can customize the color of the app. One of the key functionalities in the app is to help the driver keep up with routine maintenance.

The app is also able to keep the timeline of travels for a vehicle including places visited, when the tank was filled up, odometer updates, and other tidbits. Drivers can also get full navigation within the app for the vehicle. Honda’s app also has a built-in function to send the driver coupons for service and other offers from their local dealership. The apps are expected to launch this month and will hit Thailand first.

[via Honda]

The process by which the engine may stall is a bit complicated. According to the NHTSA report, the vehicle’s driver could transfer a chemical found in de-icing products to the car’s carpet by walking on it. From there, the de-icing compound could then be transferred to the Electronic Control Unit where its case meets the carpet.

At this point, the chemical could then lead to corrosion, and the corrosion could cause a stall, with the engine stall potentially causing a crash. As a result, Honda elected to recall just under six figures worth of the Acura TSX model years 2004 through 2007. Of this number, approximately 76,000 are located in the United States, and the rest are located in Canada.

As you can imagine, however, those in some states aren’t likely to come in contact with a de-icing chemical, which is why the recall has been limited to certain states (all of which experience icy winters): Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia.

Owners will be notified next month.

[via Torque News]

Honda has received several complaints about the issue, but says that no accidents or injuries have been reported. Still though, Honda says that the malfunction could cause an accident or serious injury. One Honda owner even went as far as to start a petition with the NHTSA after she sent in a complaint to Honda with no recall to come of it.

After the organization reviewed the petition, Honda ended up announcing the recall. In the US, the recall affects 101,000 Honda Pilot vehicles, 60,000 Acura MDX vehicles, and 21,000 Acura RL vehicles from the 2005 model year, along with 800 Acura MDX vehicles from the 2006 model year. on a global scale, the recall could affect even more of these vehicles.

Specifically, the recall deals with the Vehicle Stability Assist, which is what Honda calls its electronic stability control system. Honda says that the malfunction is caused by an electrical capacitor being damaged during the manufacturing process, as well as an electrical ground bolt that may have not been tightened enough during assembly.

[via NY Times]

The five awarded vehicles are comprised of Honda‘s 2-door and 4-door Civic, Volvo’s XC60, Ford‘s Lincoln MKZ, and the Mazda6. All but the Mazda6 are 2013 models, with the Mazda6 being the 2014 model. The Institute’s crash test put a quarter of each vehicle’s front end into a 5-foot barrier at a speed of 40mph.

Other tests include rear, rollover, and side tests, as well as one designed to see how the car holds up when the front corner is crashed into a pole or car. The latter is known as the “small overlap test,” with vehicle’s being rated with either a “good” or “acceptable” rating, which is then factored into the ratings of the other tests.

Honda’s Civic stood out among the winners, being the first small car to be bestowed with the Top Safety Pick+ award. The car underwent “significant” changes and upgrades to its front end in order to improve its rating on the small overlap test. In addition, Volvo also made changes to score better on that test, updating its airbag algorithm so the side curtain airbag would be triggered by the impact.

[via Detroit News]

That’s not bad at all, and Honda seems to have struck gold with the 2013 Accord. Other cars, like the Pilot SUV and the Crosstour, saw sales grow too (a 38.2% increase over a year ago for the Crosstour), but none of them were able to top the growth of the Accord. Things were looking pretty good for Honda’s Acura division too, as the RDX set sales records once again last month, and the MDX retained its position as Acura’s top-selling model.

This isn’t the first time today we’ve been talking about the Accord. Honda announced earlier today that it will be offering Siri Eyes Free technology in the 2013 Accord along with the Acura RDX and ILX. Siri Eyes Free will obviously help drivers keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel, which is important given the recent cut down on distracted driving coming from the government.

With the announcement of Siri Eyes Free and now the excellent sales report, it seems that Honda is off to a pretty good start in 2013. It’ll be interesting to see where 2013 Accord sales go from here now that Siri Eyes Free has been announced, if the feature has any sway on sales at all. Stay tuned.

[via USA Today]

With the federal government now pushing to reduce distracted driving, automakers are rushing to add new technology to their vehicles. One of these new technologies is Apple’s Siri Eyes Free technology. We looked at the Siri Eyes Free system in the past in the Chevrolet Sonic. Automaker Honda has now announced that some its Honda branded vehicles and Acura vehicles will get Siri Eyes Free technology in 2013 models.

It appears that Honda’s adoption of this technology was last minute; support isn’t baked in as a factory installed option. Honda is offering Siri Eyes Free support as a dealer installed option on the 2013 Accord and on the Acura RDX and ILX models. Honda also says that later this year iPhone owners using iOS 6 or higher will be able to use Siri to perform a number of tasks in the vehicle.

Honda isn’t clear if these tasks are something special that it has cooked up or if these features are basic Eyes Free capabilities such as sending text messages, making phone calls, and playing music. Honda says that it has reengineered software and its vehicle infotainment systems to integrate Siri Eyes Free using its Bluetooth HandsFreeLink onboard microphone and speakers.

[via Honda]

Technical details of the GEAR concept are in short-supply, with Honda instead preferring to focus on the styling decisions its US R&D team took. The claim is that the GEAR is inspired by fixed-gear bicycles, as well as being “simple and utilitarian, but also customizable, connected and full of personality.”

Great buzzwords, though they perhaps unnecessarily dress up Honda’s real goal with the GEAR: to create a car that’s “cool” enough for young drivers to covet, but also affordable enough for them to buy. Honda isn’t saying exactly how much it envisages any production version of the GEAR costing, mind.

Interior shots haven’t been released (it’s possible Honda hasn’t even designed the cabin yet), and the degree to which the GEAR is connected is also unstated. If, though, the company could bring a distinctive four-seater to market, preferably a hybrid, at a price point – and with running costs – undercutting the roughly $15,000 starting price of the Fit, it would certainly get its fair share of attention.

The recall is for Honda Pilot SUV 2009 through 2013 models and Honda Odyssey minivan 2011 through 2013 models. Although most of the vehicles are located in the US (748,000), a total of 29,000 have been recalled in Canada, 25,000 in Mexico, and 35,000 in other areas globally. What is the trouble prompting such a massive recall?

The airbags are at risk for deployment due to missing rivets that are designed to keep the airbag’s cover in place. Without them rivets, the airbag could deploy randomly while the car is being driven, possibly harming the driver and causing a car wreck. Although the issue is present, no accidents or injuries caused by the issue have been reported.

This comes after a series of recalls the manufacturer had to issue throughout 2012, with the number of vehicles recalled totaling 3.9 million, according to Torque News. In addition to the 800,000 vehicle recall last month, Honda also issued an 820,000 vehicle recall in March due to issues with headlight wiring that could prove dangerous. That particular recall was for Pilot and Civic models.

[via Torque News]

The 2015 NSX Concept maintains its low and wide stance that we saw last year, and the car is highlighted by clean, modern, smooth, and simple surfacing, with edgy details that communicate a supercar feel and attitude. The overall shape reminds us of Audi’s own R8 supercar, with the slanted rear that goes all the way back to the tail.

Acura NSX production ended in 2005, and it’s seen a long history that goes back to 1990, when the first-year NSX was released. The 2015 model will feature a mid-mounted V6 engine with a seven-speed manual transmission. The car will also feature three electric motors that will work together to help drive all four wheels, and to assist with acceleration and braking.

This “Sports Hybrid AWD system” is expected to deliver V8 performance with “better-than-four-cylinder” fuel economy. Indeed, a three-motor, mid-engine supercar sounds like the ideal machine for a brand attempting to distinguish itself as a luxury and performance company without waste or excess. As far as price goes, there’s no set cost yet, but Acura says it will cost more than the Nissan GT-R, which already starts shy of $100,000.

The recall includes 318,000 Odyssey minivans from 2003-2004, 259,000 Pilots also from 2003-2004, and 230,000 Acura MDXs from 2003-2006. What’s perhaps even more surprising, is that the company has already recalled nearly 2.2 million cars for this exact problem, which is a faulty parking brake that could fail and send your Honda-branded car cruising down a hill on its own.

Honda says that a small number of incidents have occurred already that led to the latest recall. 42 minivans in total have let loose on their own, which resulted in one vehicle rolling into a retaining wall, and another coasting down a hill and into a mailbox. It sounds comedic, but you’d probably be pretty upset if it happened to your own car.

If you own one of these vehicles that’s involved in the recall, we highly suggest parking it on a perfectly level surface whenever possible until you can go to your nearest dealership and get it checked out. If you need to park it on a hill, at least turn the wheels towards the curb so that your car won’t go out into the street and cause more damage.

[via NBC News]

Image via Flickr

Under the sheet metal there’s believed to be the same platform as already used for the Honda Fit, and the expectation is that a production version of the concept will be manufactured at the company’s work-in-progress plant in Celaya, Mexico. That facility, the subject of an $800m investment by Honda, has already been tagged for producing variants of the Fit.

Powerplant is another mystery, though it’s possible that Honda could borrow the Fit EV‘s all-electric system. That’s good for a 118 MPGe efficiency rating, though it comes at a price: roughly double what a standard Fit costs.

The new Urban SUV will slot in under Honda’s existing mid-sized CR-V, and presumably tackle the market for those who want the elevated driving position of an all-wheel-drive vehicle but with the smaller footprint of a city runabout. Hopefully it’ll be priced accordingly.

Honda unveiled an updated 2013 Civic at the Los Angeles Car Show today, while new user-configurable gauges were shown off for the Cadillac XTS. According to benchmark tests, it turns out that the new iMac is able to boast a 25% performance boost over last year’s model, and it seems that Apple is now offering variable-cost iTunes gift cards at retailers, though they require that you load at least $15 onto them.

We heard rumors earlier today that claim the next Xbox could launch in time for Christmas 2013, and Sony has filed an interesting new patent for a hybrid Move/Dualshock controller that splits in half. A new report from comScore shows that Samsung and Apple continue to dominate the smartphone space, while we learned that Google Play revenue has risen 300% though the App Store still sells more. Nokia is hunting for a Linux engineer, which has the Android community excited, and it appears that ASUS is gearing up to undercut the Nexus 7 with a tablet that costs only $99.

The Humble THQ Bundle has pulled in more than $2 million in just one day, and Xbox Live Gold has gone free for this weekend only. There’s a new PS Vita bundle on the way to the United States, and Facebook has rolled out its new Photo Sync feature for its mobile app. Finally tonight, Chris Burns delivers his review of the Amazon Kindle Fire HD 8.9. That does it for tonight’s Evening Wrap-Up, we hope you enjoy the weekend folks!

The 2013 Civic sedan gets a new front bumper, a different hood, a black honeycomb mesh grill, different headlights, new chrome trim, and new wheels. Strangely, the Civic coupe doesn’t get the exterior facelift that the sedan is subjected to. Both the cars get a revised interior upholstery with silver accents and new soft touch materials.

New Civic models also get some interesting standard features including a i-MID display, an exterior temperature gauge, a rearview camera, and an audio system featuring USB and Bluetooth connectivity. The windshield also gets thicker to help reduce vibration and noise making for a more comfortable ride.

Engine options for the updated Civic remain the same. Both the Civic coupe and sedan get an updated suspension with stiffer springs and revised power steering. Overall, the updates to the Civic sedan appear tasteful but sedate.

[via InAutoNews]

For the 2013 year model, the vehicle gets significant updates for powertrain, styling, and new features. One of the key new features is more power from the new lithium-ion battery pack that improves the performance of the vehicle and its EPA fuel efficiency ratings. The hybrid drivetrain system in the car uses a 1.5-liter four-cylinder 16-valve single overhead cam engine with intelligent Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control. That system allows the engine to produce more power.

The power of the electric motor has been increased to 2013 from 10 kW to 15 kW thanks to a high-voltage lithium-ion battery pack. The CR-Z is now able to deliver a combined peak output of 130 hp at 6000 RPMs and 140 pound-foot of torque for manual transmission versions with CVT models offering 127 pounds-foot of torque.

Despite the extra power, the EPA city/highway/combined efficiency rating is up by one mpg to 36/39/37 mpg for CVT models. Six-speed manual models have ratings of 31/38/34. The vehicle also gets a number of other changes for 2013 including a revised front fascia, 16-inch alloy wheels, a new rear diffuser, a new Plus Sport System, revised interior trim, available two-tone seats, standard Bluetooth, standard rearview camera, and lots more.

There’s matching mesh in the front grille, along with a newly redesigned rear bumper, integrated reflectors, lashings of chrome, and a set of new wheel selections (though so far Honda has only shown us one example). The belt lines have also crisped up, though the airbrushed silver of Honda’s graphics helps emphasize them.

Unfortunately, there the details dry up, and Honda has only provided the two photos of the new Civic. The interior as well as the safety, drivetrain, and other features have also been refreshed, as you’d expect, but we’ll have to wait until November 29 and the Los Angeles Auto Show for all of the information.

One possibility, however, is the car company’s HondaLink cloud-based infotainment system, as will debut on the 2013 Accord. That includes Bluetooth streaming, Pandora internet radio, Facebook text-to-speech, audiobooks, SMS messaging, and personalized restaurant services, all controlled by voice.

The Insight went on sale in Japan in November of 1999. Honda started to sell hybrid vehicles in the United States in 1999 as well with the 2000 model year Insight being the first gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle sold in America. Honda says that it sold 318,000 hybrid vehicles in the US since it launched, primarily made up of Insight and the Civic Hybrid.

The hybrid sales numbers also include some Acura models, including the ILX Hybrid. Honda also sells a version of the Fit called the Jazz Hybrid around the world. The automaker will be introducing new hybrid systems for mid-sized car models using a two-motor hybrid system. Honda is also talking up a new highly efficient high-output three-motor hybrid system called the Sport Hybrid SH-AWD standing for Super Handling All Wheel Drive.

That hybrid system will be used in the new Acura NSX and RLX Sport Hybrid. Honda is well behind rival Toyota in the hybrid market. Toyota reached 1 million global cumulative hybrid sales on May 31st, 2007. In August of 2009, Toyota reached the 2 million sold mark. In May of 2012, Toyota announced that it sold 4 million hybrid vehicles cumulatively around the world with the Prius family making up 72% of that number.

As well as the four car companies, three hydrogen infrastructure firms are onboard: HyOP AS of Norway, and H2 Logic A/S and Copenhagen Hydrogen Network A/S both of Denmark. Meanwhile five non-governmental organizations – NyNor Norway, Hydrogen Sweden, Icelandic New Energy, Hydrogen Link Denmark Association, and the Scandinavian Hydrogen Highway Partnership – are also signees of the MoU.

Honda already has a fuel-cell vehicle on US and Japanese roads, with the Honda FCX being supplied to roughly two dozen private lessees, including private business owners, lawyers, educators and others. Earlier this year, meanwhile, Honda revealed its next fuel-cell vehicle would launch in 2015, with “significant cost reductions” promised.

Whether Honda, Toyota, Nissan, or Hyundai will be offering fuel-cell cars to individual drivers or prioritizing fleet sales and rentals is unclear at this stage. Even with the MoU in place, there is still plenty of work to be done to actually equip the four countries with suitable hydrogen infrastructure.

The vehicle is a five-door hybrid that offers 41 mpg city, 44 mpg highway, and combined EPA fuel economy rating of 42 mpg. The 2013 Insight is offered in three different models, including the base Insight featuring a 160 W audio system, automatic climate control, power windows, and more. The Insight LX adds a USB audio interface, cruise control, RMS console, formats, security system, and steering wheel mounted audio controls.

The Insight EX adds alloy wheels, a six speaker audio system, heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals, Bluetooth hands-free system, automatic headlights, and leather wrapped steering wheel. The EX version also has an optional satellite navigation system and rearview camera. The powertrain for the vehicle includes a 1.3-liter i-VTEC four-cylinder engine and a 10-kilowatt electric motor.

The combined gasoline and electric power generates 98 HP at 5800 RPMs and 123 pound-foot of torque. The powertrain utilizes a continuously variable transmission to optimize torque and efficiency. For 2013, slight changes are made to the exterior the vehicle to improve aerodynamic performance. All Insight models are subject to a $790 destination charge.

Honda will be offering a coupe version of the Accord scheduled to hit dealer showrooms on October 15. The coupe version of the Accord will start at $23,350 for the LX-S model not including the destination and handling charge. Honda says that the new Accord features thousands of dollars worth of standard features and technologies compared to previous models with pricing for the sedan only increasing by $300.

The four-cylinder Accord LX MSRP only increase by $200 for the 2013 model year. Honda has completely redesigned the Accord and promises new levels of refinement, sophistication, and fuel efficiency. All Accord models feature alloy wheels along with new standard features, including a rearview camera, expanded view drivers were, Bluetooth hands-free system, USB/iPod integration, Pandora Internet radio capability, SMS text message functionality, a dual-zone climate control system, and 160 W audio system.

Honda has added two new models to the sedan lineup for 2013 including a Sport and Touring model. The Sport version features 18-inch wheels, fog lights, 10-way power driver seat, and deck lid spoiler, dual chrome exhaust finishers, and paddle shifters on CVT models. The sport model also gets a stiffer tower strut bar and exclusive suspension and steering tuning. The Sport model uses a 2.4-liter direct injected VTEC engine with an available six-speed manual or CVT transmission. Pricing for the sport model starts at $23,390.

That’s down to designing the 2013 Accord from the inside-out, apparently, with Honda claiming that the “exterior evolved from a focus on interior space and the needs of the people inside it.” Windshield glass is now nearly flush, as are the windscreen wipers, for reduced drag, and the underbody has been similarly fettled with smooth airflow in mind.

Exact technical specifications haven’t been confirmed at this stage, but early promises include LED daytime running lights, headlights and taillights. There’ll also be the usual geeky stuff we’ve come to expect, like lane-departure warnings, forward-collision warnings and Honda’s LaneWatch blind-spot display.

Most interesting, though is the new HondaLink cloud-based system, giving access to Bluetooth streaming audio, Pandora internet radio, SMS messaging, Facebook audio, audiobooks and personalized restaurant services, all integrated into the dashboard. It will use voice recognition for hands-free control; more details in the promo video:

Pricing for the new 2013 Accord is yet to be announced.

The vehicle is expected to be available in more markets later this year. As with most electric vehicles, the big issue with the Fit EV for most consumers is the cost of the vehicle. The Fit EV is nearly twice as expensive as the gasoline-powered version. The first Fit EV was delivered to husband-and-wife duo of Matt and Becky Walton from Ventura County, California.

The two people were the first to register to lease a Fit EV at the Honda websiteFitEV.Honda.com when registration opened last year. The new owners plan to use the vehicle for commuting. The pair says the fact that the car or you charge its battery pack fully in under three hours is one main reason for the purchase. Like many EV owners, the couple has a standard vehicle for longer-range driving. The Fit EV is only available as a lease at $389 per month for three-year term.

While it may sound like having access to Facebook and Twitter in your car would cause some potentially costly distractions, the goal of HondaLink is actually to make accessing these sites and stations while driving safer than it would be by using your smartphone. For example, HondaLink converts your Facebook news feed to an audio stream, and doesn’t allow users to post a status. The content you listen to in your car is selected in the smartphone app ahead of time, allowing for a personalized lineup of content that “enable customers to put away their phone and still stay connected to the people, music and media they love.”

HondaLink will be making its debut in the 2013 Accord, but it will also be included in future Honda cars. Honda has also announced plans for a version of HondaLink made specifically for electric vehicles. HondaLink EV will allow consumers to remotely view their car’s charge and even initiate charging, along with granting the ability to start up the air conditioning or heating while the car is connected to a power source. That way, you can have your car toasty warm or frigidly cold the second you get in it without sacrificing any battery life.

For more stories on what Honda has been up to lately, check out our story timeline below!

The car has a 1.5-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine that produces 117 hp at 6600 RPM and produces 106 lb-ft of torque. The standard transmission is a five-speed manual and a five-speed automatic is available. Sport models of the Fit get steering wheel mounted paddle shifters when equipped with an automatic transmission. The Fit Sport gets 16-inch alloy wheels while base models get five-spoke wheel covers.

Inside the car drivers and passengers get 90.8 cubic feet of space with comfortable seating for up to five passengers. Behind the rear seat is 20.6 cubic feet of storage space. The Fit Sport also gets fog lights, a body-colored underbody kit, and rear brief line spoiler. The Sport model also gets chrome exhaust tips and rear stabilizer bar. The Sport version can also be had with an integrated navigation system with a 6.5-inch screen and 16 GB of flash memory.

Connected cars aren’t particularly unusual, and several more expensive models already used integrated modems to transmit maintenance data to the manufacturer and provide an early warning for potential breakdowns. However, Verizon & Co. expect to use embedded LTE in far more ambitious ways under the heading of “telematics”, including cloud-connection for remote media access and more, safety systems with online links, and support for third-party developers to get involved too.

“There are many challenges to designing next generation telematics and infotainment solutions,” Verizon CMO Tami Erwin said of the new group, “including supporting safe and responsible driving, advancing vehicle-to-vehicle solutions and improving sustainability, among others.”

Safety is likely to be the primary thing on regulators’ minds, with concerns already mounting that cars present too much information to drivers. Back in February, the NHTSA proposed stricter distraction guidelines that would limit just how much in-dash displays and touchscreens could show, and what drivers could be allowed to control while on the move.

For instance, anything over 30 characters in length – such as a text-based message or a more complex set of commands – would not be permitted unless the car was parked up. Future iterations of the guidelines are expected to extend the rules to cover smartphones, aftermarket sat-nav units, tablets and other electronic gadgets, and eventually cover voice-control systems.

[via The Verge]

The Fit EV will go on sale this summer in Oregon and California with a broader rollout later this year. However, the sticker price on the Fit EV is massively more than a gasoline powered version of the car. The electric version of the Fit is almost twice as expensive as a gasoline-powered version. The massive increase in cost means even with no gasoline needed, it would take 11 years for the driver to make up the savings in gasoline costs alone.

That fact is why the adoption of EVs in the US is so slow. The Fit EV would need 28.6 kWh of electricity to drive 100 miles costing about $3.30 at the national average price. By comparison, a gasoline-powered version of the car rated for 31 mpg would need 3.2 gallons of fuel for a 100-mile drive working out to $11.52 at a national average price. That’s not a big difference considering the price difference to purchase the electric car.

[via Freep]

The new UNI-CUB also has the world’s first omni-directional driving wheel system called Honda Omni Traction Drive System. The drive system allows the rider to control speed and move in any direction as well as turn and stop. There are no controls, all the driver has to do is shift their weight in the seat to control direction. Honda will start demonstrating the mobility device in June with the Japanese National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation.

Testing with the museum will allow Honda to test the feasibility of using the mobility device indoors. The UNI-CUB measures 520 x 345 x 745 mm and has a seat height of 745 to 825 mm. Power for the motor comes from a lithium-ion battery and the devices has a top speed of 6 km/h. The range of a full charge is 6 km.

At today’s sales numbers, that includes BMW, Hyundai and Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Volkswagen, and Volvo. The sales numbers may change in six years’ time to require more or less automakers to comply. Those who don’t meet the quota are fined. The quota changes based on a staggering number of factors – specific technologies used, driving range, whether or not automakers’ targets are met by a certain time, and more. Like carbon emissions themselves, credits can be purchased outright from California’s Air Resources Board and traded between companies in order to avoid fines.

California’s population and economy is large enough that its legislative bodies can drive sweeping changes in US and international corporations, and it’s doing so for automakers as it has for other environmentally suspect industries. Ten other states have similar laws on the books, but none are as heavy-handed as California’s. Due to the complexity of the current quota and credit system, the Air Resources Board doesn’t have exact statistics on how many zero-emission vehicles are on the road in California. When the wider statute starts in 2018, the system will be simplified to only grant credit based on the range of the vehicles in question.

[via Consumer Reports]

Acceleration and braking patterns are both monitored, with the system determining whether or not the driver will contribute to the traffic jam. The system will warn the driver to adjust the patterns, recommending that they reduce repeated acceleration and braking associated with closely tailing cars. It doesn’t promise to eliminate congestion, but it does minimize chances of it occurring.

Honda worked with the University of Tokyo to test the technology, and found that average speed could be increased by 23%, with fuel usage improving by 8% in trailing vehicles. The system is due to be testing this summer on roads in Italy and Indonesia. If the tests are successful, Honda hopes to incorporate the new tech into its future cars.

[via Japan Daily Press]

Honda’s “Matthew’s Day Off” commercial was the most-liked among full Super Bowl commercials for its ode to Ferris Bueller. Sitting right behind that was Volkswagen’s complete version of its “The Dog Strikes Back” ad. The Skechers commercial titled “GOrun Mr. Quiggly” and “Dannon Oikos: The Tease” rounded out the top five, respectively. Here is the complete list of the top 10 user-rated ads on Hulu:

1. Volkswagen: The Bark Side Teaser
2. Honda: Matthew’s Day Off – Extended
3. Volkswagen: The Dog Strikes Back
4. Skechers: GOrun Mr. Quiggly
5. Dannon Oikos: The Tease
6. Chevrolet: 2012
7. M&M’s: It’s That Kind of Party
8. Audi: Vampire Party
9. E*Trade: Fatherhood
10. Acura: Transactions – Extended

These are where the votes stood as of 2:00 AM this morning. Of course, if you happened to miss any of these, and you weren’t among the rest of the country who caught up on the ads during work or school today, they’re all still available to view on Hulu. Super Bowl ads are more important than ever, since they live on in YouTube, Hulu, and other viral sites. In addition, we analyze all of them after the fact in an expansively increasing number of ways. Just wait until next year.

It’s all part of what Acura reckons was part of the original appeal of the NSX: “high performance through engineering efficiency.” The SH-AWD (sport hybrid all wheel drive) system runs its power through a dual-clutch transmission, while an electric motor provides “supercar acceleration” with the least possible impact on efficiency.

Acura isn’t saying quite how efficient the NSX Concept actually is, however, preferring to point to a respectable power-to-weight ratio. Unfortunately it doesn’t say either power or weight either, leaving us somewhat in the dark about performance overall.

Still, it looks amazing and we’re not the only ones who have fond memories of the original NSX, so you can bet this is a project Honda fans will be watching closely. More details in the video below.

One Civic hybrid owner has taken a different tact by opting out of the class action and instead taking Honda to small claims court seeking $10,000 to compensate her for fuel costs that were more than promised. The reason Heather Peters chose small claims court is because that venue would prohibit Honda from bringing out its high power legal team. It’s helps Peters’ cause that she was an attorney years ago.

Peters showed brochures from Honda touting fuel economy in the 50mpg range, and then showed photos of the dash on her car showing that the car never achieved fuel economy near that rating. Peters also said that a software fix that Honda offered to improve the economy made the car worse. Honda sent a technical specialist named Neil Schmidt to represent it in the case, and he called the claims Peters was making “ridiculous” and noted that Honda had to print those numbers and that independent testing is where the 50mpg figure came from. No decision has been made in the case yet. If Peters wins, Honda could appeal to another court where it could bring lawyers.

[via LA Times]

The WSJ report claimed that Honda CEO Tetsuo Iwamura noted Honda was going to shift some of its manufacturing capacity back to North America over the next two years. According to the WSJ, the Honda CEO had stated that it was getting to be too expensive to import cars to North America so it would build more of the cars inside North America.

Bloomberg is now reporting that Honda is denying that 40% figure. A Honda spokeswoman has stated that Iwamura “didn’t say 40% at all.” That seems to be a carefully worded way of noting that the production increase may not be 40%, not a denial that it will increase North American production. Honda has announced recently that it will be redesigning its popular Civic soon.

[via Bloomberg]

The current Civic has been criticized for a decline in interior quality and for a choppier and noisier ride. It failed to received the “recommended” status that was bestowed by Consumer Reports to previous Civic models. However, Honda doesn’t attribute this to a drop in quality but claims that it is due to competitors catching up.

Honda also blames this year’s low sales on the natural disasters in both the earthquake in Japan and the floods in Thailand that caused an inventory shortage. Tetsuo Iwamura, chief executive of Honda in North America, revealed in an interview today that the new 2013 upgraded Civic model would go on sale late next year and that it would feature upgraded styling, driving characteristics, and comfort.

[via DETNews]