Honda has decided to start a little early in the hype-building game for the all new Honda Accord Tourer. Set to debut at the Geneva Motor Show on March 4, the new Accord Tourer will be targeting the BMW 3-Series and the rest of the compact executive car class.

Introduced as a concept car at Frankfurt last year, Honda pushed development of the five-door Accord Tourer rapidly, bringing out this production version just five months later. The Honda Accord Tourer will keep many of the styling cues of its siblings, but as we can see from the close-up photos provided by the automaker, there will be some key differences to the shape of the headlights and LED taillights. Driving capabilities should be similar to the other Accords, while designing the interior to be as sleek and comfortable as possible for everyone in the cabin.

Although the press release says that both the “new Accord and Accord Tourer models will be unveiled” at the event, the Honda press office has told WorldCarFans that the lid will be lifted off the Tourer only. However, we wonder if Honda will in fact show off the Euro version of the Accord spied last October.

Sadly, the Japanese automaker has refused request to release specifications about the car, but we do know the car will be Euro 5 compliant (like the rest of the Accord lineup), and that it will posess a bevy of safety features. This should make the Accord Tourer something to scare the folks over at Volvo. Honda is expected to release more information about the car in less than three weeks.

Sales of the all new Honda Accord Tourer will begin in early summer.
Press Release
Close-up of the all-new Honda Accord

23 January, 2008 - Honda has released first glimpses of the new Accord which debuts at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show.

The new Accord boasts quality features to challenge established premium contenders in the executive D-segment. Sporty styling and enticing driving dynamics are offered while strong environmental credentials impress in an all Euro 5 emissions-compliant engine line up.

The refined interior is designed with carefully selected materials to create an outstanding standard of fit and finish. To complement the exceptional level of travelling comfort the interior is characterised by a strong feeling of personal space for both the driver and passengers.

Technical details are still under wraps but the new Accord has a unique package of passive and active safety features to deliver even greater confidence.

The new Accord and Accord Tourer models will be unveiled on Honda’s stand at 08:30 on 4 March, 2008, at the Geneva Motor Show.

Sales of the models will commence in early summer.

More information will follow on 11 February, 2008.

Hybrid engines work by combining an energy storage unit and a fueled power source, normally a battery and an internal combustion engine. The battery is meant to recapture and store any source of energy produced and wasted throughout various driving stages; for instance the energy wasted during braking. Interestingly, Honda has found a new alternative source of energy in respect of this.

The Japanese automaker is currently involved in a research using a Rankine cycle co-generation unit, in which the system works by capturing the exhaust heat from the engine and converting it to electricity. The physics behind this concept is very simple. High-pressured water is pumped into the evaporator and converted into steam by using the heat from the engine. This steam is then channelled into a volumetric expander to rotate a generator and produce electric current, which is stored in the battery pack.

Honda managed to successfully defeat the uncertainties on this system, by fitting the said unit into a standard Honda Stream and testing it. The test unit generated three times more electricity than other common systems found in hybrid cars these days.

http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080218.017/honda-tests-advanced-hybrid-system

The new Honda hybrid coupe, based on the Honda CR-Z concept, is expected to cost roughly 25,000 euros with higher trim levels bringing the price up to 28k. This news comes from Honda UK’s Mark Turner in an interview with Automotive News.

Turner indicates that “Europe is a key market for this model,” and it should be. With European legislators making it clear they will continue to press for emissions reductions and fuel economy, the production version of the CR-Z could play an important role in Honda reaching their target of selling 400,000 to 500,000 hybrids per year.

Honda CEO Takeo Fukui mentioned that target figure at the NAIAS last January, with expectations of hitting that target by 2011. A sports coupe derived from the CR-Z concept will be one of the three hybrids on Honda’s roster, according to Fukui.

Because of the importance of this vehicle, Europe will have a lot of influence on the final design of the car already three years in the making. “We have a big say in the design, and the engineering and R&D are being finished at Offenbach in Germany,” Turner was quoted as saying.

But don’t expect the car to diverge too far away from the design of the CR-Z concept. “If we could deliver a car that looked like that,” Turner said, “it would be a big success whatever power unit we had in it.” The CR-Z, which stands for Compact Renaissance Zero, was originally designed to be more open than other small cars.

Although a fully petrol version of the production CR-Z is also under consideration, expect to see the CR-Z production model with a mild hybrid powertrain, similar to Spring 2009’s expected Global Hybrid. This system allows an electric motor to work in tandem with a petrol engine, but not on its own. Energy from braking is used to help recharge the batteries and fuel the electrics.

http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080220.014/honda-cr-z-production-update

One of the most prestigious and sought-after awards in the world has been won by the new Honda Accord Tourer (for Europe). The 51st International Red Dot Award for high design quality now belongs to the sharp Accord Tourer. This is actually the third time Honda has received the nod on this particular award, the first being for Honda 2000 in 2001 and Civic in 2006.

Entries numbered over 3,000 for this time, coming from far far away places – none off the planet though – numbering 51 countries to be exact.

Prof. Dr Peter Zec, Initiator of the red dot design awards, said: “Faced with the greater number of high-quality products, our international jury of acknowledged experts this year found the task of selecting the winner to be particularly challenging. This distinction explicitly acknowledges your creativity and innovative drive, and pays tribute to the high quality standards of your product.”

The future for these awards will be even more challenging as automotive design moves into the next phase where consolidation is key, at the same time consideration for safety, environment, more performance comes to the fore.

http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080322.002/honda-accord-tourer–wins-international-red-dot-award

The biggest complaint with the NSX was always “where is the power“, current models are powered by a 3.0 or 3.2 Litre six cylinder engine, but good news! The 2008 NSX is set to come with a 4.5 Liter V10 and a 3.6 V6.

The V10 is sure to confirms the NSXs place as a true supercar, whilst the V6 will be a nice compromise for the faint hearted. What else can get better? How does AWD sound? Yep, the new NSX is set to come with AWD technology.

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At a very wet Road Atlanta, Round Nine of the 2007 SPEED Touring Car Championship, Peter Cunningham and Kuno Wittmer were running two-three behind eventual winner Michael Galati’s Mazda after a late race restart when Cunningham was rammed in the door by a spinning BMW at the apex of Turn Nine.

Defending Touring Car Champion Pierre Kleinubing also made his presence known on the weekend with a fifth place finish in his Certified Pre-Owned-sponsored Acura. After stalling it at the start, he fell to 11th, but repassed three cars on Lap 1 and was in position to place in the top-five before wounding his mount in the previously mentioned fracas. Now with a firmer hold on to third in the Drivers’ points, Kleinubing can move up at least one position at the finale.

The RealTime Acura team is sponsored by Acura, Acura Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, Red Line Oil, Eibach Springs, buyBrakes.com, Sparco, Hawk Performance, Brembo, A-SPEC, BOSCH, Valley Graphics, Total Auto Body, PACT and A-YES.

http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=714169

DVD Contents:

• Civic Type R Returns
  Suzuka Time Attack by Tsuichiya
  New Civic Type R compared with NSX-R & Integra Type R
  Tsukuba Battle & MUCH MORE!
• Touge GP300
  SPOON EK9 Civic, Yashio Factory 350Z, Drivin’ Magic DC5, J’s Racing S2000, Amuse S2300 GT-1
• Drift Off 2
  Ken Gushi & Tanner Foust challenge Keiichi Tsuchiya & Yasuyuki Kazama!
  Hasselgren AE86, Ford Shelby GT500
• Ferrari 599 Unleashed
  Ferrari 599, Lamborghini Gallardo

  

Woah a V8 in a Legend with awesome looks too.

Mugen Legend Max

The Study Concept Model “LM (LEGEND MAX)”This is a “combination of racing technology and tuning philosophy.” A Mugen Le Mans V8 engine fitted to a further evolved Mugen Legend M1 equipment package.

Specifications and Equipment

Engine

• Engine name: Mugen MF408S
• Engine type: V8 Naturally Aspirated
• Displacement: 4.0Liters
• Horsepower: over 500ps
• Valvetrain: 32 valves, DOHC

Dimensions

• Overall Length: 4980mm
• Overall Width: 1905mm
• Wheelbase: 2800mm

Wheels and Tires

• Wheel: 18″ Alloy (18×9.5JJ)- they look like Mugen NR wheels with a center cap and in a new color
• Tire: 275/35R18

Brakes

• Rotor: 5 slit
• Pad: Type Competition
• Hose: Micro Mesh Brake Lines

Aerodynamics

• Exterior: “Increased Advance Body”

Interior

• Seat: bucket type (front)- not the currently available Mugen bucket seats, these have position adjustments

Color

• Exterior: Firecracker Red
• Interior: Black and Blue

Mugen MF408S engine
Debuting in the 2002 ALMS (American Le Mans Series), this 4 liter V8 engine has seen action every year since then. In 2004, it was used in the JGTC Series by the VEMAC RD408R GT500 class racing machine.

Specs for the MF408S in the VEMAC RD408R

• Layout: 90 degree V8 Naturally Aspirated
• Displacement: 4000cc
• Horsepower: 590hp / 9500rpm
• torque: 383lb/ft / 7500rpm
• Restrictor: 33.4mm x2 or 46.8mm x1
• Clutch: Carbon 4 plate
• length: 559mm
• width: 720mm
• height: 577mm
• weight: 131kg

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http://sohc.vtec.net/news_files/319284/05tas-05.jpg

Honda has lifted our spirits this morning by revealing first details of Honda CR-Z Concept but has since crushed them with their second Tokyo Motor Show concept premiere, the PUYO. Ironically Honda states in the press release, “The PUYO was designed based on out-of-box thinking to provide fun for both the vehicle owner and people around them as well.” They had to think “out-of-the-box” to create a box?

It’s no stunner, but closer look of the minimalist design has us moving past first impressions as the PUYO shows some interesting ideas for the “cornerless soft box” whose goal was to “create a personable design with the feel of an adorable pet”.

On the outside the PUYO has a gel body as a safety feature which is also luminescent. It can change color to communicate the vehicles condition as well as guide people into the proper operating position. This is important because the PUYO has four-wheel-steering which allows the entire vehicle to pivot 360 degrees.

With the entire upper half of the vehicle made of glass, the PUYO gives a sense of transparency while the interior seeks a “silky feel”. Interior features such as instrument panel monitor, elastic controls which rise up when started, luminous fluid displays and a joystick which replaces the traditional steering wheel all add to the overall mentality of the fun and friendly vehicle.

Press Release

‘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.

http://www.worldcarfans.com/9071009.006/honda-puyo-concept-world-premiere-in-tokyo

Honda has released today initial info and photos for its’ CR-Z (Compact Renaissance Zero) concept car to be unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show in two weeks. Referred to as a next generation lightweight sports car, the CR-Z is clearly influenced by the compact front-wheel-drive sports car, CR-X (Civic Renaissance Model X), which was built from 1983 to 1991.

Honda highlights futuristic design, sporty driving dynamics and hi-tech user interface as well as a small environmental footprint. However, Honda is putting additional emphasis on the design approach of the CR-Z as it seeks to challenge compact car stereotypes. Honda states in the press release, “CR-Z - an expression intended to capture the idea of a renaissance in the design of compact cars that begins anew from fundamentals. ”

Honda is attempting to offset any negative “small car” vibes, which the original CR-X suffered, by emphasizing an interior which is open and spacious as opposed to claustrophobic and confined. This is achieved with the panoramic windshield, sun roof and lift gate which almost form a continuous sheet of glass. Combined with sporty driving dynamics and hybrid power plant the CR-Z sets to change the boring driving image of small hybrid cars.

A CR-X successor has been much anticipated for many years and with Honda’s excellent brand image, particularly in the U.S, the return of the CR-X couldn’t be timed better as hybrid popularity continues to increase.

Press Release

‘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 jaunty fin-shaped sub-lights. Large, 19-inch wheels are ready for dynamic driving performance.

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.

http://www.worldcarfans.com/9071009.007/honda-cr-z-concept-debuts-in-tokyo