Now we’re perplexed. Early this year, Honda said the next-generation HR-V would be different from the current Vezel/HR-V sold in other regions like Japan and Europe. And now, Honda unveiled the all-new 2022 Vezel/HR-V in Japan, and it’s nothing we expected from Honda.
Honda Performance Development (HPD) has been selling Type R crate engines exclusively to racing teams and Honda Racing Line members. But in recent news, it seems HPD is opening its doors to a limited number of Type R crate engines to anyone with a fat wallet.
Microsoft is joining a new, $2 billion investment round in Cruise, partnering with the autonomous vehicle company and General Motors to work on commercializing driverless technology. The deal will see Cruise valued at $30 billion, with Microsoft joining not only GM but Honda and other investors in adding new equity to the self-driving firm.
Overseas, Honda has a vehicle called the Vezel that is sold in the US as the HR-V. Recently, some images showed up of a German Vezel test mule with a sportier design than the vehicle currently offered in the States. For Europe, the next-generation Vezel will feature a fastback-like roofline.
Honda has announced that the redesigned Ridgeline pickup will land at Honda dealerships starting on February 2. For 2021, the Ridgeline has an all-new exterior that looks more rugged and truck-like than past models. While the exterior is completely redone, the truck still comes with a standard V-6 engine, fully independent suspension, and standard torque-vectoring all-wheel drive.
A new report is making the rounds that Ford and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles have been forced to idle some production facilities due to a shortage of semiconductors. Ford has idled the Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky for a week, with plant managers taking a down period from later in the year to compensate. Meanwhile, FCA has idled its Brampton facility in Ontario, Canada, and one other site.
One of the coolest things about the annual Tokyo Auto Salon are the slick concept cars that manufacturers show off at the event. For 2021, the Tokyo Auto Salon is a fully digital event but that hasn't stopped the cool cars from being unveiled. Honda is showing off a pair of highly customized vehicles, including a customized Fit and an N-Van Custom.
The 2021 Honda Goldwing and the new CRF dual-sport bike are receiving a couple of updates for the new year. The Goldwing is one of the best luxury-touring motorcycles in the industry, while the CRF remains a perennial top seller with its agile performance and dual-sport DNA. Honda is upping the ante by giving both motorcycles better features and a host of performance upgrades.
Honda has come up with an obvious solution to protect car owners from COVID-19 infection. In a new press release, Honda Japan is introducing its latest Kurumaku cabin air filter. This new antiviral add-on not only catches coronavirus droplets inside the cabin, but the filter surface can damage and destroy COVID-19 virus cells in the process.
Honda has designed a tiny robot to perch on kids' shoulders and help them avoid road accidents, with the Ropot tapping ADAS tech and ideas from the automaker's cars. Described as a "traffic safety advice robot" the cute little digital guardian is packed with sensors but relies on simple communication to make children more aware of potential hazards.
Honda’s second-gen N-One minicar (Kei car) is now on sale in Japan. According to the Japanese carmaker, the all-new N-One is available at Honda dealerships across Japan beginning November 20, 2020.
Honda is previewing the new 2022 Civic, which is set to arrive in sedan, hatchback, Si, and most importantly Civic Type R forms from next year. The 11th generation of the automaker's best-seller, it's a complete redesign that - at least in the prototype Civic sedan form shown today - borrows styling cues from the more grown-up Accord.