Production of JDM Honda Civic Type R to be ceased

Production of the JDM Honda Civic Type R will be ceased at the end of August, based on official information from Honda. Since my very first own car was a Honda Civic FD1, it's really sad to see the Type R version going away, but the current model reaches the end of its life cycle... let's hope that the new one will be even better!

First spy shots of upcoming Honda Civic

The Civic is one of my favourites cars, having owned one, and the next-gen has been caught for the fist time close to Honda's European development centre in Germany. Of course, the test car was completely disguised...

I have also read that Honda will continue selling in Japan only the hybrid version of the Civic, which means that the R18A1 engine will no longer be available.

Source: SecretNewCars.com

The Power of Dreams: This is why I love Honda!

One company that I truly respect is Honda and the NSX is the best Honda produced so far. Oh, and according to Setright, the best car at of all! 

Enjoy the video!!!

HONDA NSX (EXTENDED VERSION) BY FORMAT67.NET from FORMAT67.NET on Vimeo.

What we know about next-gen Honda Civic

My next car is going to be the new Civic, 4-door and made in Japan, which is expected to be introduced in 2011-2012.

So, what we already know, based on information from 2010 Mid-Year CEO's speech, is that the hybrid version of the Civic will be equipped with a high-output and compact lithium-ion battery, which will be supplied by Blue Energy, a joint venture company between GS Yuasa and Honda.

A new plug-in hybrid system for mid-size to larger vehicles is currently under development. Vehicles equipped with this new system are scheduled to go on sale in 2012 in Japan and the U.S. and therefore, it is very likely to see also a plug-in Civic.

In terms of petrol engines, Honda will continue advancing technologies to improve the performance and fuel economy of internal combustion engines. Honda will begin renewing its engine and transmission lineup starting in 2012 to further improve its fuel economy.

Honda Jazz Hybrid to debut in Paris

The Jazz Hybrid will make its world motor show debut at the Paris Motor Show in September and it will mark the first time a parallel hybrid vehicle has been available to B-segment consumers.

The new model will feature the same engine as the Insight hybrid, the 1.3 liter i-VTEC engine is combined with a CVT gearbox with an electric motor sandwiched between the two to create a parallel hybrid system. Like the Insight and Civic Hybrid models the Jazz Hybrid will be capable of running on the electric motor alone under some medium and low speed conditions.  

Visually the Jazz hybrid is distinguished from the current Jazz range with revised headlights, with a blue surround, clear rear lights, new front grille, restyled bumpers and a chrome tailgate garnish. The new hybrid will also be available in a range of existing colors plus a bespoke Lime Green metallic.

Inside the cabin is also given a fresh look with darker single color dashboard, which contrasts strongly with the blue lighting of the dials and stereo. The new hybrid is also available with leather trim, the first time this has been available on a Jazz model in Europe. The Jazz hybrid will go on sale in some European markets in the early part of 2011, prices and full specifications will be announced in due course.

Source: Honda

Rendering of next-gen Honda Civic (2HC)

On the front cover of Japanese Mag-X magazine, there is a rendering of the next-gen 4-door Civic, codenamed 2HC. Unfortunately, I don't have any further info or access to read what Mag-X claims, but I will do my best in order to find out...

Interior of next-gen Honda Civic 4-door (2HC) revealed!!!

The interior of the next-gen Civic 4-door has been revealed and as you can see, the two-tiered design theme makes a return, but basically everything has been completely redesigned.

Source: Temple of VTEC

Latest scale model arrivals

During the last few weeks, the following models have been arrived from Japan:

• Honda Civic Type R FD2 (2007) in Championship White by Ebbro

• Honda Civic Type R FD2 (2007) in Crystal Black Pearl by Ebbro

• Honda Civic Mugen RR FD2 (2007) in Red by Ebbro

• Honda Civic Type R FN2 JDM in Championship White by Ebbro

• Nissan GT-R R34 V-SPEC II (2000) in White Pearl by Ebbro

• Nissan GT-R R35 V-SPEC (2009) in White Pearl by Ebbro

• Toyota Supra RZ (1996) in Gungray by Ebbro

Upcoming scale models from Japan!

Updated on Nov 02

The "Mazda RX-7 FD3S AMEMIYA ASPARADRINK JGTC 2004 NO.7" model was replaced by two other RX-7  (SA22C & FC3S) models

 

The latest additions to my model collection will arrive in November from Japan, including the following 1/43 scale models:

• ARTA HSV-010 SGT500 2010 SUZUKA 700km Winter by Ebbro

• Toyota 2000GT Prototype (White) by Ebbro

• Nissan Skyline GT-R (R33) V-Spec 1996 (Red) by Ebbro

• Nissan Skyline GT-R (BNR32) V-Spec 2 (Crystal White) by Kyosho

• Mazda Savanna RX-7 (SA22C) Limited 1979 (Mach Green) by Kyosho

• Mazda Savanna RX-7 (FC3S) Infini (Shade Green) by Kyosho

Honda begins sales of refreshed Fit and Fit Hybrid in Japan

Honda begins today sales in Japan of the refreshed Fit model together with the all-new Fit Hybrid, a new addition to the Fit lineup.

The new Fit Hybrid will be offered at the starting price of 1.59 million yen making it the most affordable of all Honda hybrid vehicles. The battery for the hybrid system is located under the rear cargo area which enables the Fit to share the same flexible seating configurations as the rest of the lineup without sacrificing interior comfort that is unique to Fit. 

Since the introduction of Fit in June 2001, cumulative sales in Japan reached the 1.5 million-unit mark in September 2010. Fit is currently produced at ten production plants in eight countries/regions including Japan and is sold in approximately 115 countries. The model has been appraised by customers around the world and cumulative global sales exceeds 3.5 million units.

• Key features of Fit

13 G/13 L

• New and sophisticated exterior design which contributes to the reduction of air resistance and improvement of fuel economy 
• Excellent fuel economy of 24.5km/liter and improved practical fuel economy achieved through the adoption of ECON Mode 
• Enhanced features and improved usability achieved through a thorough review of the previous model
• Honda Smart Parking Assist System which enables easier parking

15 X

• Exclusive exterior design which offers a more upscale look and feel with special features such as a chrome-plated front grille and rear license plate garnish 
• Exclusive interior design which highlights a superior-quality feel through adoption of brown-toned seat color and surface material, chrome-plated trim and highly-luminous metallic color painted panels
• High level of quietness achieved through the CVT setting that leverages spare torque of the 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine and improved sound absorption/insulation capability

RS

• Exclusive and distinctive sporty exterior design 
• Exclusive interior design with enhanced sporty image achieved through adoption of black and orange seat surface material and other features such as a leather-wrapped sports-type steering wheel
• Dynamic driving performance achieved through special settings for suspension, EPS, exhaust system, a 6-speed manual transmission adopted for the first time for this model, and paddle shifters which is a standard feature for a CVT model

 

• Key features of Fit Hybrid

• Exclusive exterior design which pursues an "advanced and clean" concept through features such as headlights and front grille painted and/or plated with clear blue paints 
• Exclusive interior design which pursues an advanced and clean image through features such as a special interior panel painted in champagne metallic color as well as ambient meters unique to a hybrid model which displays the status of high fuel efficiency driving
• The hybrid system, a combination of a 1.3-liter i-VTEC engine and compact and lightweight IMA (Integrated Motor Assist), achieves an excellent fuel economy of 30km/liter
• Placement of the IPU under the rear cargo area enabled the vehicle to maintain interior comfort and flexible seating configurations that are unique characteristics of the Fit
• Eco Assist (Ecological Drive Assist System) which will help driver achieve highly fuel efficient driving was adopted to improve practical fuel economy
• Honda HDD Inter-navi system, an exclusive manufacturer's option package, comes with Linkup Free service which offers various information services free of telecommunication fees

Next-gen Honda Civic 4-door (2HC) fully exposed!

CAR Middle East has provided the first pictures of the next-gen Civic sedan, 2HC (earlier post), completely naked of all camouflage!

Now you have a clear picture of what to expect and I have to admit that I was hoping for something better than this. As an owner of the current generation (FD1), I was looking forward for the next-gen and I am rather disappointed.

I think that CAR is right when writing "Now Honda looks to be losing faith in its daring design direction, delivering a cheese-wedge sedan that could easily be mistaken for – whisper it – one of the equally wedgy Koreans that are flooding out of South East Asia. Or perhaps it’s merely a reflection of these austere times where sobriety is a virtue. Either way: we want our old Honda back".

Source: CAR Middle East