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All-New 2012 Honda Civic Emphasizes Style, Fuel Economy and Performance

Two models offer 40+ mpg
TORRANCE, Calif. February 17, 2011

Featuring the widest array of engine choices available in its class, the 2012 Civic is designed to even better meet the diverse needs of the compact-vehicle buyer when it launches this spring. The entire redesigned ninth-generation Civic lineup will become more fuel efficient with two models- the all-new Civic HF and the Civic Hybrid - each delivering fuel economy estimates of more than 40 mpg on the highway.

Built on the tradition of Honda fuel efficiency, the economical Civic HF model will be the most fuel-efficient gasoline-only powered Civic in the lineup when it launches this spring. Equipped with a 1.8-liter i-VTEC engine, the Civic HF is targeted to earn EPA-estimated fuel economy1 of 41 mpg on the highway. The 2012 Civic Hybrid, which will be outfitted for the first time with a lithium-ion battery and a larger 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine, is expected to achieve an EPA-estimated city/highway combined fuel economy1 of 45 mpg, an improvement of 4 mpg compared to the current Civic Hybrid. Both the Civic HF and Civic Hybrid models will be equipped with aerodynamic components for improved efficiency and Honda ECO Assist™ technology, an innovation that can enhance efficient vehicle operation while providing feedback to promote more efficient individual driving styles.

"The Civic is the only model in the industry that can deliver on all fronts - fuel economy, sporty performance, smart packaging, alternative fuel and long-term value," said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda Motor Co.,Inc. "For the ninth-generation Civic, we are emphasizing improved fuel economy across the board, from the hybrid sedan to the sporty Si model."
In addition to the Civic HF and Civic Hybrid models, the Civic Sedan, Civic Coupe and Civic GX Natural Gas models are also estimated to achieve improved fuel economy compared to the current models. The Civic Sedan and Civic Coupe achieve an EPA-estimated fuel economy2 of 39 mpg on the highway, an improvement of 3 mpg when compared to the current model. The Civic Natural Gas vehicle is anticipated to earn a 7 percent improvement in fuel economy compared to the current model. The Civic Sedan, Civic Coupe and Civic Natural Gas models will all be equipped with the Honda ECO Assist technology.

Along with improved fuel economy, the new Civic lineup also delivers more performance, particularly with the Civic Si. The Civic Si sedan and coupe models will be equipped with a larger, more powerful 2.4-liter engine as well as a new 6-speed manual transmission. The new engine is anticipated to deliver 200 horsepower with 170 ft-lb of torque. Even with the larger engine and a 22 percent increase in torque, Civic Si is targeted to achieve an EPA-estimated highway fuel economy1 of 31 mpg; an increase of 2 mpg when compared to the current model.

The 2012 Civic lineup includes a sedan and a coupe with conventional gasoline models, a new "HF" high fuel economy version, two sporty "Si" performance versions, along with one hybrid and a natural gas alternative-fuel variant.

Additional information on the new 2012 Civic will be announced closer to the on-sale date.

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Sneak Peak: Production 2011 Honda Odyssey Unveiled

The sleepy minivan segment woke up this year, with Toyota introducing its redesigned Sienna and Honda preparing for an early fall launch for its fourth-generation Odyssey . Toyota may have a head start, but Honda has some swagger of its own, as evidenced by the official unveiling of the Odyssey Touring Elite.

The styling is very similar to the concept vehicle that made the show circuit this past season. In typical Honda fashion, just a few trim details differ. The ?lightning bolt? side styling continues, giving the Odyssey a distinct appearance while enhancing third row visibility. The new Odyssey rides 1.6-inches lower and sits 1.4-inches wider, giving it a sportier appearance than the more conventional Sienna. With the changes in proportion, Honda claims the new minivan is more functional.

The Touring Elite boasts numerous upscale features, including:

AM/FM/XM/CD premium 12-speaker stereo
Navigation system with voice activation
Wide-screen rear entertainment system with split-screen capability
HDMI input
150-watt AC power outlet
Media tray with integrated beverage holder
Removable first-row center console with hidden storage
Cool box in lower center stack (keeps items cool when vehicle is running)
Leather-trimmed seating with heated front seats
Memory-linked 10-way power driver's seat
Second- and third-row passenger window sunshades
15 beverage holders
HID front headlights
Power tailgate

Applicable to all Honda Odyssey models , the third-row is split and folds away into the floor with the pull of a strap, akin to the current generation. With the second-row seats removed, the floor is completely flat. (The Sienna has framework exposed that could be inconvenient in loading large, flat cargo.)

Powertrain specifications have not been fully released, but the Touring Elite has a 3.5-liter V-6 with variable displacement. Fuel economy estimates are 19 mpg city, 28 mpg highway. There will not be a four-cylinder option like the Sienna offers. It is unknown if all trim levels will have the three-model Variable Cylinder Management system

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All New 2011 Honda Insight

The All New 2011 Honda Insight

2011 Honda Insight outdoor.jpg

The 2011 Honda Insight hybrid gains new standard features and the addition of a value-oriented entry model that offers enhanced value, exclusive content and a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting at $18,200, plus a destination and handling charge¹ of $750.

The range of Insight models for 2011 now starts with a new value-oriented base model, simply designated as "Insight." As before, the well-equipped "Insight LX" continues to be available, yet with additional features, along with the top-of-the-line "Insight EX," which continues to be available with the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™. All Insight models are equipped with Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) for 2011, which was previously exclusive to the Insight EX.

The new Insight base model includes remote entry and has exclusive content compared to the other models consisting of unique seating fabric and a basic audio system with CD player and two speakers. The Insight LX gains features for 2011, adding cruise control, a USB audio interface, center armrest storage console and floor mats. The Insight EX adds to the LX features with steering wheel-mounted audio controls (previously exclusive to the Insight EX when equipped with navigation).

The distinctively styled, five-passenger, five-door dedicated hybrid vehicle is powered by an Integrated Motor Assist™ (IMA™) system comprised of a 1.3-liter i VTEC® gasoline engine and a 10-kilowatt electric motor that together contribute to an EPA-estimated city/highway/combined fuel economy rating of 40/43/41 miles per gallon². The Insight features the Ecological Drive Assist System (Eco Assist™), an innovation that can enhance efficient vehicle operation while providing feedback related to individual driving styles.

A sleek exterior features a highly aerodynamic side profile with a front-end design similar to the hydrogen-powered FCX Clarity , a marquee environmental vehicle for Honda. The interior offers a roomy passenger environment with a configurable rear seating and cargo area enhanced by 60/40 split fold-down seats.

Major features standard to the Insight include front, front-side and side-curtain airbags; VSA; an anti-lock braking system; a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT); Eco Assist; automatic climate control; tilt-and-telescope steering column; manual driver's seat height adjustment; power windows; an AM/FM audio system with CD player and two speakers; an auxiliary audio input for external digital music players; and much more.

The Insight LX adds or replaces to the Insight with cruise control (new to LX), a four-speaker audio system, USB audio interface (new to LX), armrest console (new to LX), floor mats (new to LX) and a security system.

The Insight EX adds or replaces to the Insight LX features with alloy wheels; steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters; an audio system with six speakers; heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals; and much more. Exclusively available on the Insight EX, the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System³ (6.5-inch screen) with voice recognition provides routing and guidance to individual addresses and more than 7 million points of interest within the continental United States. Models equipped with the navigation system also include Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® for hands-free operation of compatible mobile telephones, along with related steering wheel-mounted controls for voice activation of the navigation and hands-free telephone systems.

A 1.3-liter, 4-cylinder engine with Intelligent Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (i-VTEC) and a DC brushless electric motor forms the foundation of the IMA hybrid system. The electric motor, positioned in-line between the engine and the transmission, adds power during acceleration and in certain cruising situations, and recaptures energy from the vehicle's forward momentum during braking (regenerative braking).

The Insight's IMA system has the capability to operate exclusively on electric power in certain low- to mid-speed cruising conditions. It can also provide cylinder deactivation during deceleration and an idle-stop feature when the vehicle is stationary. With a 10.6-gallon fuel tank, the Insight delivers an estimated maximum driving range exceeding 400 miles. Models for sale in California and states that have adopted the California Air Resources Board (CARB) ZEV standards receive an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) emissions rating.

The Insight uses Eco Assist to help drivers improve fuel efficiency, both by altering vehicle functionality and providing driver feedback, with fuel-economy dependent on their given set of driving conditions. Pressing the ECON button can further enhance the efficiency of multiple vehicle systems: throttle control, CVT operation, idle-stop duration, air conditioning and cruise-control operation (if equipped). Eco Assist also provides feedback about driving style via a 3D-appearing background within the speedometer. The background changes colors from green to blue to reflect how efficiently or inefficiently the driver is accelerating or braking (green = efficient). The driver's results are continuously tracked as fuel efficiency ratings are shown per drive cycle and on a lifetime basis in the form of plant-leaf graphics that appear in the Multi-Information Display (MID). Up to five leaves can be 'earned' as the driver demonstrates a fuel-efficient driving style. A real-time score is shown in the Eco Guide MID screen.

Standard safety features on all Insights include dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags; front-side airbags with a passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); side-curtain airbag system; anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution (EBD); driver's and front-passenger's active head restraints; and a front body designed to mitigate pedestrian injuries. All new Insights also feature Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure, which provides improved occupant protection and crash compatibility between vehicles of different sizes and ride heights in frontal crashes.

Honda is a leader in developing cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicle technologies, including the original Honda Insight, introduced as America's first mass-produced hybrid car in December 1999. Honda is also a leader in the development of advanced alternatives to gasoline, including the zero-emission, hydrogen-powered FCX Clarity fuel-cell electric car, the world's most-advanced production fuel cell automobile.

Honda's diverse lineup of environmental vehicles also includes the Civic GX compressed natural gas-powered (CNG) sedan, the only retail CNG vehicle currently available from any automaker in the U.S., and three distinct gasoline-electric hybrid models: Civic Hybrid, CR-Z sport hybrid and Insight hybrid.

Honda was recently named America's "Greenest Automaker" for the fifth consecutive time by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). The award is earned by the company with the lowest combined score of its smog-forming and greenhouse gas emissions (primarily CO₂) in its U.S. automobile fleet. Honda has led the UCS rankings of overall vehicle environmental performance since the first UCS study in 2000, marking a decade of Honda leadership in reduced vehicle emissions. Honda earned the recognition this year with an industry-best score based on model year 2008 data, the latest available for analysis.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ranks the 2011 Honda Insight as the third-best vehicle in the United States for fuel economy, tied with the Civic Hybrid, among all currently available 2011 model year vehicles evaluated by the agency

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2011 Honda Accord Crosstour Offers Sleek Design with Surprising Utility

The 2011 Honda Accord Crosstour combines the sophisticated refinement of a premium sedan with versatile aspects of an SUV. Leveraging the many benefits of a car-based platform, the Accord Crosstour starts with the top-level refinement of the Accord V-6 Sedan and further expands utility with a sleek-yet-functional profile for increased cargo space.

A bold and sleek exterior conveys a prestigious presence from the outside, while premium interior styling extends from the passenger compartment into the cargo area. Increased functionality is provided by an under-floor storage area in the rear of the vehicle and reversible cargo floor panels for accommodating dirty objects. Cargo area access is further enhanced by a tailgate with a large opening and a low lift-over height.

New for 2011, the most frequently used climate control buttons are now positioned on the left side of the control stack, closer to the driver for ease-of-use. Less-frequently used buttons are now positioned on the right side.

All Accord Crosstour models come standard with a 3.5-liter i-VTEC V-6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) for power and efficiency. The engine produces 271 horsepower at 6,200 RPM and 254 lb-ft. of torque at 5,000 RPM, while achieving an EPA-rated city/highway/combined fuel economy of 18/27/21 mpg on 2WD models. For 2011, the Accord Crosstour EX-L 4WD fuel economy improves by 1 mpg in city, highway and combined driving for a city/highway/combined EPA rating of 18/26/21.

The VCM cylinder deactivation system is programmed to run on 3, 4 or 6 cylinders, based on current power requirements. A technologically advanced 5-speed automatic transmission is standard equipment. For CUV capability, the Accord Crosstour provides ample ground clearance and Real Time™ 4WD drive is available.

The Accord Crosstour is available in two trim levels, the EX and EX-L. Highlights of standard features on the Accord Crosstour EX include: dual-zone automatic air conditioning with second-row ventilation, 360-Watt AM/FM 6-disc audio system with seven speakers, easy fold-down 60-40 split rear seat back, 17-inch aluminum wheels with 225/65 R17 all-season tires, hidden removable utility box, cruise control, moonroof, auto up/down driver and front passenger side windows, rear privacy glass, steering wheel-integrated audio controls, compass and outside temperature indicator, projector-beam headlights with auto-off, fog lights, chrome door handles, body-colored power side mirrors with defrost, and more.

The Accord Crosstour EX-L adds or upgrades: leather-trimmed seating surfaces with heated front seats, leather steering wheel, leather gear shift knob, auto day/night dimming rearview mirror, 18-inch aluminum wheels with 225/60 R18 all-season tires, auto on/off headlights, memory driver-side seats, memory side mirrors with reverse tilting capability, cargo privacy cover, HomeLink™ transmitter, cargo privacy cover, Kevlar® cone audio speakers, aluminum dome-type front tweeter speakers and a USB audio interface.

Available features exclusive to the Accord Crosstour EX-L include the Honda Satellite-linked Navigation System and Real Time 4WD, available together or separately. The navigation system includes a backup camera with guidance lines integrated into the display.

Safety technology includes the Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure, a Honda-exclusive body design that enhances occupant protection and crash compatibility in frontal collisions. Additional safety equipment includes: Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®), commonly referred to as Electronic Stability Control; anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution and brake assist; side curtain airbags with a rollover sensor; driver's and front passenger's side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags; and active front seat head restraints.

The Accord Crosstour is assembled in Ohio at the Honda of America Mfg., Inc., East Liberty Auto Plant using domestic and globally sourced parts.

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Some CR-Z Food For Thought

Some background information on the ideas behind the design

There are a lot of different opinions and ideas flying around the Internet. And when it comes to the introduction of our new CR-Z , things are no different. We wouldn't have it any other way. We expected the CR-Z to generate a healthy debate. And we know there are many of you out there who are as passionate and as opinionated about cars as we are.

That said, the CR-Z is an impressive little car. We're proud of it and very much looking forward to late summer when you'll get a chance to drive it. But, for now, we think the conversation can benefit from some information we're in a position to provide.

The MPG Conundrum

When we first set out to design the CR-Z, we demanded it be a hybrid. If it was going to be the next-generation coupe, it had to be a hybrid. But our goal was to make it a hybrid that's more fun.

The mileage numbers we released-an estimated 36 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway-are projections of the future EPA mileage estimates. The CR-Z has three driving modes: Sport, Normal and ECON™. Our numbers were achieved with the CR-Z in Normal Mode. Which is the default mode and will be how the EPA tests the car. Driving the CR-Z in ECON mode typically delivers the best fuel economy of the three modes.

Depends on Your Definition of "Sport"

The CR-Z's 1.5-liter i-VTEC^® is estimated to generate 122 hp @ 6000 rpm. Which won't set any land speed records. But the point of the CR-Z was never to produce outrageous horsepower numbers. We've always been more interested in squeezing every last ounce of performance we can out of a vehicle.

So if the "sport" in "sport hybrid" isn't about numbers, what is it about? It's about a nimble, responsive drive. Our designers test drove go-karts and Lotuses-not muscle cars. It's about fun-a cornerstone of Honda philosophy. And it's about a feeling behind the wheel-a feeling unfamiliar, until now, to hybrid drivers.

A Heavy Responsibility

Several comments have focused on the CR-Z's perceived hefty curb weight. We think it wears the weight well, but you can judge for yourself when you take it for a test drive.

Heavy is a relative term, but there's a reason it weighs what it does: responsibility.

Honda is a responsible company. And as an auto manufacturer, we have an unwavering focus on the safety of our customers and real desire to meet their expectations.

That's why every CR-Z will have a full complement of airbags, our ACE™ body structure, Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA^®) and a host of other safety features. All standard. We think the little extra weight those features add to the CR-Z is a worthy trade-off.

We also made certain the CR-Z delivers the technology, comfort and environmental leadership you've come to expect from Honda. So the base CR-Z has automatic climate control, remote entry, cruise control, 160-watt stereo with USB, an AT-PZEV rating. The list goes on, cr-z.honda.com/specifications. Each creature comfort tips the scale a bit more-such is the cost of making a car convenient, connected and comfortable.

Then, of course, there's the weight of the battery powering the electric motor. We did develop some unique innovations to shrink the battery size, but it's still larger than a 9-volt.

Possibilities

Why doesn't the CR-Z get higher MPG or more horsepower? Well, at Honda , we believe hybrid technology is at its best when it appeals to a broad swath of society. Here's a technology designed to reduce both fuel costs and environmental impact, so why not make it accessible to as many drivers as possible?

The CR-Z strikes a unique balance and will broaden the appeal of hybrids. It's a hybrid for drivers who enjoy driving and are unwilling to sacrifice handling and exhilaration for mpg and environmental accountability.

The Best is Yet to Come

We know the discussion surrounding the CR-Z is only just warming up. We hope this site will serve as a forum for that discussion. We'll provide as much information as we can to help frame the discussion, so you can form your opinions. Keep an eye out for upcoming posts with more specific responses to the questions many of you have already raised.

The fact that CR-Z's introduction immediately sparked so much debate and passion is encouraging. Especially when you consider most of the Internet has yet to even drive it.

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News and Events

All-New 2012 Honda Civic Emphasizes Style, Fuel Economy and Performance: Two models offer 40+ mpg TORRANCE, Calif. February 17, 2011 Featuring the widest array of engine choices ...
Sneak Peak: Production 2011 Honda Odyssey Unveiled: AM/FM/XM/CD premium 12-speaker stereo Navigation system with voice activation Wide-screen ...
All New 2011 Honda Insight: The All New 2011 Honda Insight The range of Insight models for 2011 now starts with a new value-oriented ...
2011 Honda Accord Crosstour Offers Sleek Design with Surprising Utility: The 2011 Honda Accord Crosstour combines the sophisticated refinement of a premium sedan with versatile ...
Some CR-Z Food For Thought: Some background information on the ideas behind the design There are a lot of different opinions ...

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