Paul Tan's Automotive News » Honda

Honda Civic hatch with 1.6L GDI turbo to enter WTCC

Paul Tan — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 08:57:42 +0000

Honda’s FIA World Touring Car Championship will be the 5-door hatchback you see above, developed with Mugen and J.A.S. Motorsport, but what’s under the engine hood is more interesting – a Honda R&D developed bespoke 1.6 liter engine that’s not found in any current production Honda car!

Honda’s two car WTCC entry will be powered by a 1.6 liter 4 cylinder direct injection turbo engine, developed in accordance with FIA’s Super 2000 regulations. The cars will be managed by J.A.S. Motorsport, and will be entered in every race in the 2013 season.

A typical race covers between 50km to 60km in distance, and the full racing season covers 12 racing weekends, with 2 races per weekend. All vehicles who compete in the championship are based on mass production cars with more than than 4 seats.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 07:59:41 +0000.

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Honda’s Thai plant to resume production end of March

Anthony Lim — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:36:43 +0000

Some updates about Honda’s Thai production, which was expected to be out for up to six months from October last year when it was inundated with floodwaters. The company says it is planning to resume vehicle production at its assembly plant in Rojana Industrial Park, Ayutthaya, by the end of March.

The plant was severely affected by the flooding that hit the Kingdom last year; production was suspended on October 4, and the company has since been restoring plant facilities and manufacturing equipment since completing the drainage of the floodwater and carrying out cleaning up operations.

“In October 2011, we had to temporarily suspend production at our facilities in Rojana Industrial Park, which inevitably impacted unit sales. We have finished repairing and installing production equipment and are now running thorough system checks,” Honda Automobile Thailand’s executive vice president, Pitak Pruittisarikorn said in a statement.

He added that until production at Ayutthaya resumes, the company will import Jazz and Accord models from Japan for local sales. Production of parts for export to Honda’s plants in other ASEAN countries will also resume – Honda says that it expects these plants, which had to suspend production due to a shortage of parts, to restart production in April.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 07:59:41 +0000.

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Honda CR-Z “Label α” – burgundy coloured special edition

Danny Tan — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 03:01:58 +0000

The Honda CR-Z has been rather well received in Malaysia. Launched in November last year, Honda Malaysia targeted to sell 100 units of the RM115k hybrid by the end of 2011, but has received over 300 bookings within a month of the launch.

In December, Honda Malaysia announced the availability of three new colours – Storm Silver Metallic, Milano Red and Crystal Black Pearl. This year will also see HM bring in a CVT version of the CR-Z, now only available with a six-speed manual gearbox. This will further widen the appeal of the hybrid coupe, which is now only considered by enthusiasts and those with an active left leg.

In Japan, those shopping for a CR-Z will have this special edition “Label α” model to choose from. It goes on sale this week and will be available as a limited release until the end of May. Nothing major, just bespoke burgundy pearl metallic finish on the outside with a matching interior color for the seats, door panels plus the stitching on the leather steering wheel and stick shifter.

The “Label α” also gets aluminum sport pedals and alloy wheels, the latter not standard across the range in Japan. Available in both CVT and manual form, it is priced at 2,510,000 yen (or about US$32,150) in Japan.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 07:59:41 +0000.

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Honda Jazz Hybrid to debut in Malaysia sometime in Q1

Anthony Lim — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 04:36:06 +0000

Word has it that Honda Malaysia is set to introduce the Jazz Hybrid in the country sometime in the first quarter, further widening the choice of hybrids for the consumer. There’s no indicative pricing for the five-door hatch, which made its debut at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, but it should be nicely clear under the RM100k mark and by all accounts cheaper than the Insight, currently the cheapest hybrid in the country.

The Jazz Hybrid is powered by an 88 PS and 121 Nm 1.3 litre SOHC i-VTEC engine, with a new generation Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system made up of a 14 PS and 78 Nm DC brushless electric motor and 0.6 kWh Ni-MH battery pack.

A few subtle cosmetic tweaks help distinguish the car from its petrol-based sibling – these include revised headlamps (with a blue-tint), a new front grille and reworked front and rear bumpers, as well as a new tail lamp cluster. There’s also that signature Lime Green exterior shade to denote its eco-friendly character; wonder if that colour will do well here.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 07:59:41 +0000.

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Honda Accord Coupe Concept previews ninth-gen Accord

Danny Tan — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:51:03 +0000

Honda unveiled this Accord Coupe Concept at Detroit, which should be just a concept in name. It shows off the styling direction for the next gen Accord, as well as a host of new technologies for the ninth-generation 2013 model, set to go on-sale in America this fall.

The 2013 Accord will feature three all-new powertrains, including a 2.4-litre direct-injected four-pot and two-motor plug-in hybrid system from Honda’s next-generation Earth Dreams technologies. In addition, the V6 Accord will be the first Honda sedan to feature a new 6-speed automatic transmission. Both the Accord Sedan and Coupe are expected to achieve class-leading fuel economy ratings in the US.

Honda says that the next gen Coupe will retain today’s size, but the new US Sedan, which we normally get, will feature a more compact exterior footprint with shortened length and reduced weight for “more responsive handling and improved driving dynamics.” Despite the smaller body, both the Sedan and Coupe will retain the current model’s generous cabin space.

The new 2.4L DI engine will make more than 181 hp and 240 Nm of torque, which is more that today’s 2.4L, while delivering better economy. This engine will be paired to a 6-speed manual or a new CVT, which utilises an innovative cooperative control system for “excellent acceleration and responsive shifting.”

Higher up, the re-engineered 3.5L V6 engine will be paired to a new 6-speed automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual. There will be an increase in horsepower and torque over the current model, and automatic transmission variants will come with Honda Variable Cylinder Management technology. Once again, class leading economy is the target.

The 2013 Accord range will also feature the first application of a new two-motor plug-in hybrid system in the Sedan. The system moves continuously through three modes – all-electric, gasoline-electric and direct-drive.

In all-electric mode, the car will use a 6 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery and a 120 kW electric motor to achieve an all-electric range of approximately 16 to 24 km in city driving scenarios and a top speed of 100 km/h. A full charge will take less than four hours using a 120-volt, outlet and less than 1.5 hours using a 240-volt charger.

In the gasoline-electric mode, the Accord is powered by a 2.0L, i-VTEC inline four Atkinson cycle engine, paired with an electric Continuously Variable Transmission (E-CVT). For more efficient high-speed cruising, the Accord Plug-In Hybrid can engage in a direct-drive mode, in which only the engine drives the front wheels. This model will debut late next year.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 07:59:41 +0000.

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Acura NSX Concept previews next-gen Honda supercar

Anthony Lim — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:55:58 +0000

Honda has unveiled its NSX Concept at the NAIAS in Detroit, effectively previewing the next-generation NSX, which is expected to enter the market in the next three years. The concept arrives wearing an Acura badge, and sports a hybrid drivetrain.

The NSX Concept wears a mid-mounted, next-gen VTEC V6 engine with direct-injection, mated to a dual-clutch transmission, working in tandem with a 2 Electric Motor Drive combination that features a bilateral torque adjustable control system.

Elsewhere, there’s a new Sport Hybrid SH-AWD (Super Handling All Wheel Drive) drivetrain, which can instantly generate negative or positive torque to the front wheels during cornering, and Honda anticipates the system will deliver handling performance unmatched by previous AWD systems.

The new NSX will be developed by Honda’s North American R&D centre, and will be built in Ohio, but the company states that the car will be pretty much a global offering, catering to sports driving enthusiasts throughout the world.

“Like the first NSX, we will again express high performance through engineering efficiency. In this new era, even as we focus on the fun to drive spirit of the NSX, I think a supercar must respond positively to environmental responsibilities,” Honda’s president and CEO Takanobu Ito said in Detroit.

This Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system will make the NSX the ultimate expression of, “the synergy between man and machine,” he added. “The NSX will make the driver one with the car to enhance dynamic driving abilities without getting in the way.”

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Five-fold mega SUV shootout: Mitsubishi ASX v Nissan X-Trail v Honda CR-V v Hyundai Tucson v Peugeot 3008!

Danny Tan — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 10:35:33 +0000

Granted, the sport utility vehicle segment has a different luster than that of more than a decade ago, when the class was fresh and burgeoning, and manufacturers were falling over each other to fill the slots in the new opening. Then, robustness was generally the operative word, so an SUV had to be tough to tackle terrain and yet be compliant enough for urban use. Not the easiest thing to manage, you can imagine.

Time – as well as trial and error – has seen the category become more refined, and the sparkle these days is probably better at wooing buyers. A more focused scope has come about, with the need to be able to traverse the great outdoors in rugged fashion pretty much left behind, like it should have been in the first place. Today’s SUV is very much a suburban-centric offering, aimed at the urban crowd for which a sedan doesn’t have enough space and presence, and a MPV too much, and boringly so.

Now, most of us know how capable these vehicles are, taken on their own, but how do they fare when pitted against each other? With that in mind, we decided to take a closer look at how they match up, pitting five examples – the Mitsubishi ASX, Nissan X-Trail, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson and Peugeot 3008 – in a quintet face-off to see how it all shapes up.

There are other contenders, namely the new Kia Sportage, the Suzuki Grand Vitara, the long-in-the-tooth Ford Escape as well as the likes of the Chevrolet Captiva, for example, but adding more than what we ended up with would have made the task unmanageable. It’s all nice to read a nine or 10 SUV shootout, but doing one is another thing altogether.

That said, on with the show to see which one ends up as the king of this particular hill.

EXTERIOR

Danny says

The five SUVs assembled here range from a big box to one not much bigger than the hatchback it’s based on, from building blocks to fluidic sculptures, so there’s bound to be one to suit one’s taste. Agree?

I’m not much of an SUV kind of guy (the Audi Q5 is another matter), and there is no overwhelming favourite for me either, but I like the blend of sharp lines and compact proportions of the Mitsubishi ASX. This deep shade of red probably isn’t the most flattering, and it could do with a sportier set of wheels, but I like it best.

The most flamboyant of the group by a mile is the Hyundai Tucson. It’s very eye-catching, and like Anthony, I like that muscular rear three-quarters view the best. Not so in love with the fussy face, but this is a great example of a self-confident, expressive design, as opposed to the “play safe, don’t offend” looks of previous gen Koreans. It’s a gamble, but it’s paying off big time for Hyundai.

Never liked the popping eyes + double grille look of the CR-V, which for reasons unknown, brings a startled hippo to mind. The Honda is no longer repulsive thanks to familiarity, but it’s not pretty either, which brings us to the Peugeot. The 3008 is just too odd for me – the proportions, overhangs, and that face – I just don’t get it. Would love to interview the designer someday, just to know what inspired him. I quite like how its MPV sibling 5008 looks, though

One can’t fault the X-Trail for being a box, because that’s wholly intentional on Nissan’s part. The carmaker says that first-gen X-Trail owners (and there are many of them) love their SUV’s macho square cut lines, so they made more of the same. And with more rivals going the crossover route, the “keep it true” X-Trail may find itself serving a large number of taste buds.

As they say, one man’s meat…

Harvinder says

Lets face it. Looks are somewhat important when you talk about cars and it’s correct to assume so in this case. Good looking cars somehow attract us, but at end the of the day, if a car is good looking to one it doesn’t necessarily mean it is good looking to another. All subjective, to say the least.

In the case of these five SUVs I must admit that two cars stand out from the pack. One is the Peugeot 3008, while the other is the Hyundai Tucson. I think you can safely guess why the 3008 is in my standout list. Well, yes, you’re right, it stands out because it does look a little quirky, perhaps a little too modern for today’s tastes.

Don’t get me wrong, the 3008 does have some good angles, but definitely not as many compared to the rest of the line-up we have here. The taillights remind me of strawberries for some reason, while the front makes me think of JAWS. Weird, I know, but that’s what crossed my mind. Then we have the Hyundai Tucson at the end of spectrum, something that has gone through a lot to come this far.

At first glance, the Tucson strikes you as a good looking thing. Very sweet and pleasant from almost any angle. Hyundai’s designers have been working around the clock to come up with the designs they have now, which I must say, are rather appealing. In this case, just like other Hyundais at the moment, the form is treated with the fluidic design concept and it’s working well here.

However, I do feel that the car is a little too ‘fluidic’ for me, if you know what I mean. There’s a tad too much on the design lines, which I consider the only off-putting thing the Tucson has in terms of design. Nevertheless, that’s just me as the design seems to the be cup of tea to many out there, and I can understand why.

As for Nissan X-Trail, I find this one a bit too utilitarian, a little too boxy. It looks as though it has a lot of design elements that doesn’t seem to fit well together. At times, I feel that some design elements on the X-Trail are afterthoughts. The Honda CR-V seems like a decent looking offering, with the right proportions and not overcooked. However, I think the Tucson comes up ahead of the X-Trail and the CR-V in the design department.

Among all the SUVs we have here, I consider the Mitsubishi ASX as the SUV with the right balance in the looks category. I like the fact that it has Mitsubishi’s trademark jet fighter grille. The aggressiveness is a nice touch and it doesn’t breach the “too much” point in the scale. The ASX looks very good from almost every angle, and is the only SUV here that really looks like a car.

Overall, the Hyundai Tucson and the Mitsubishi ASX are my choices in terms of design. Comparing both, I find that the Tucson is a bit too flashy for me, probably like a model who has a little too much make up, while the ASX feels about right.

Anthony says

The assembled bunch looked every bit the motley crew, what with the box-like X-Trail mixing it up with the flowing Tucson, and the ASX and 3008 looking more crossover than SUV. An interesting mix of shapes, to say the least.

From an aesthetics point of view, the X-Trail isn’t going to win any contests for being the curviest creature, or indeed the sexiest thing on four donuts. With a shape that feels like slabs chunked together, this is very much a box on wheels. The utilitarian shape, however, hints at the volumetric scope within, and you just know this one – which is larger than the first-generation model – is going to offer loads of it. Function over form, indeed.

The Tucson takes its place at the other end of the swing, and showboats all those curves and swoops like it’s going out of fashion. Certainly, there’s nothing reserved about how it parades its wares, though I have reservations as to how the lines will hold up as time progresses. I love the rear though, viewed straight on from behind; of the five, it’s the derriere with the most flair and appeal.

As for the CR-V, the third-generation model is heading towards its end of duty tour, but retains a balanced appeal about it. Not the most exciting, the RE, but plying the safe route means the exterior has held up well enough over the four years plus of its life cycle so far. For sure, the buying public has found – and continues to find – its quiet elegance to be more than agreeable, and this includes my other half; the CR-V here happens to be her vehicle.

Meanwhile, the Peugeot rolls into the fray here looking a bit of an oddity, like it doesn’t quite belong. It’s the smallest looking vehicle of the bunch, and the shape drew mixed opinions from the team. I quite like the front from certain angles, but for sure it’s not the type of vehicle you’d gawk at the whole day. The European influence in its lines is unmistakable though, and it does look very solidly hewn compared to the Asian opposition.

Finally, the ASX. It’s the one with the leanest, most athletic stance, essentially looking very much the prowler. The wedge front works for me and the overall lines offer good proportionate scale, despite its lack of overall mass.

Indeed, it’s my pick of the five from the exterior point of view, the ASX. I’ve always preferred my cars lean and on the smaller side, and while the 3008 may also be so, its disposition is a bit too soft and too rounded for my taste. I’ve gotten so used to the CR-V it’s become a familiar shoe, so it doesn’t have quite the charm it once had. You can probably tell the X-Trail doesn’t work at all for me, and it never did even with the first incarnation. The Tucson’s flash is striking though, so it’s a close second in my books.

INTERIOR

Danny says

Throughout our test period, I spent the most time in the Nissan and Peugeot, collecting the former and returning the latter to their owners. I love the X-Trail’s cabin for its excellent view out (lots of glass, square corners) and comfort. The fabric seats are big and cushy, typically Nissan, and there’s nothing to learn or get used to – you just step in and drive.

However, the spartan look and feel may be a disadvantage in the showroom, making Nissan look stingy. But that’s not entirely true either.

While the X-Trail lacks some basic kit such as climate control, leather and buttons for the steering, as well as flashy toys such as the Hyundai’s push start button/panoramic roof, Mitsu’s 2-DIN head unit or Honda’s cool instrument panel, it’s the only car here to come with electric adjustment for the driver’s seat as well bi-xenons, kit that even the “fully-loaded” Euro-spec Peugeot doesn’t have. And if given a choice, I’d have those over auto air con and auto cruise.

It’s a car that that the family will love as well. Tall seating position, high roof, large windows and the useful boot trays with compartments are good for road trips or ronda-ronda sessions.

The Peugeot is a good family car as well, if you have a small family with young kids, that is. The expansive panoramic glass roof is spectacular, but rear legroom is very tight. Passable if someone my height is seated in front, but if they are tall, rear knee-room can go down to almost nothing. The 3008 must be tried for size, because it’s not for all.

It’s for those who want some sports car feel from their SUV. The Pug’s driving quarters is very cozy and enclosed, with a sloping centre stack and a tall centre console that divides the front section into two distinct areas.

It’s very cockpit like, and the driver is boss, which matches the driving character of the 3008. He/she is faced with plenty of toggle switches and twin pod dials. There’s also the much boasted head-up display (HUD), although I personally find this to be rather gimmicky.

Unlike BMW’s version, the image here is shot on a separate screen that can be erected by a toggle switch, and although the image (only digital km/h) can be adjusted for height, I still had to lower eye focus to view it, defeating the very purpose of HUD. The operation of the screen in our test car was also very noisy.

That aside, I wasn’t very comfortable with the angle of the left foot rest, and my idle foot became quite restless as a result. This is an unusual observation, since I’m usually immune to many ergonomic challenges pointed out by Paul and Harve.

Step into the Honda CR-V and it becomes clear why this is THE SUV to have for many upper middle-class households. It doesn’t have as many toys as some other cars in this test, or even as much soft touch plastics, but feels the most premium from behind the wheel. This isn’t easy to explain, but the lighting, that nice MID between the dials, the brushed trim, the tactile quality of the knobs and buttons, and the full house centre stack gives off a full-function, technical and expensive feel.

I also like the abundance of storage spaces and cubbies in the Honda, derived from locating the gear lever on the centre stack. Rear passengers are also in for a treat – legroom is superb in this company, although it could feel even more spacious with a lighter coloured cabin, as opposed to black.

The Mitsubishi ASX, which also has a dark room cabin, is much less spacious than the CR-V inside, something the spec sheets won’t tell you – the ASX’s 2,670 mm wheelbase is actually 50 mm longer than the Honda’s.

The good stuff surrounds the driver – nice sporty steering wheel, long magnesium shift paddles, clear (almost VW/Audi like) dials – but MMC has improved perceived quality over that in the Lancer.

The dash areas closest to occupants are now padded with soft touch plastics, as are the door caps. The multi-info display is colourful and high res, a big improvement over the jagged figures in the Lancer. Also, the instantaneous FC bar also has a “bookmark” for the average done so far, so there’s extra motivation to be light-footed, if that’s your direction.

The head unit is the usual locally-fitted (by MMM) Kenwood system, which isn’t the most user friendly, but it’s feature-packed (reverse camera, DVD player, large full colour touch-screen, etc) and looks impressive, so no complaints.

Last but not least, the Hyundai Tucson. Just like the bold shell, Hyundai has gone for showcar dashboard design that matches the exterior bravado. Lots of sweeping curves and elements means your eyes are in for a workout. There’s this theme of two opposing kinks in the overall dash mould, the centre stack as well as the steering wheel. As with modern Hyundais, the theme is blue. I can understand the modern, techy appeal of the Tucson’s dash, but personally I prefer something more subtle and refined.

Plenty of adjustment available in the Tucson, so driving positions for various sizes shouldn’t be a problem. Outward visibility is not great in this group, a high waistline and shallow windows see to that. Off the shoulder rear view is also poor, but with such a design, you can’t win it all. The showroom appeal and many toys (keyless entry, push button start, integrated stereo with USB, iPod and AUX input) might delay the dreaded knuckle rap, which reveals hard plastics. They don’t feel super nasty or cheap though, and is not an issue to many.

It’s also good that our 2.0 High Spec test car comes with a panoramic glass roof (split into two, like the W211 Merc E-Class, Sonata YF), since the cabin feels rather enveloping and dark in this company.

In terms of design, in and out, the Tucson is everything the X-Trail isn’t, vice versa. One is unapologetically utilitarian and functional, the other designed to wow and impress. I want some from both ends, and like the CR-V’s blend of good comfort and space, plus premium feel dashboard.

Harvinder says

The cabin is one of the most important things one should consider when buying a car, and unfortunately many potential buyers or owners out there spend less time thinking about a car’s interior before making the decision. It is a place where the driver and his passengers will spend most of the time throughout the ownership experience.

Before I continue with my bit on the interior, I must point out that out of all the SUVs we have here, three are Japanese, one is Korean while another is French. Now, I don’t think I need to emphasize that when it comes interior, the European guys have been doing it well and the Asian rivals, although some are pretty good, are still playing catch up in this department.

To me, I feel that is is true in this case at least. The Peugeot 3008 to me, has the best interior when it comes to tactility and comfort for the driver. As soon as you get into the driver’s seat, you’ll instantly tell yourself that “this is not a driver’s seat, this is a cockpit”. The driver’s section is truly like a jet-fighter’s cockpit with the centre dash somewhat focused towards the driver.

Even the switches and knobs make you imagine you are in a car with wings. The tactility of the interior is pretty good as well, with soft-touch materials in the right places. Personally, I take seat comfort seriously and it is important to have something that is able to support your back properly. It pays when you have those long distance drives and to me, the seat also plays a role to making you feel that you are in a premium vehicle.

The French have got it right with the 3008. The front seats are very comfortable and they offer the best support among all SUVs we have here. I particularly like the headrest design, which reminds me of the ones used in the W211 Mercedes-Benz E-Class. You can tilt it forward to better support your lower neck.

Other features like the glass roof, the rear two-piece tail gate, dual zone air-conditioning and electric parking brake is a nice touch too, but I do agree with Danny on the part HUD portion which is a bit tricky to use. The major downside of the 3008’s interior is that the rear legroom is a little on the tighter side of things. It’s not a very comfortable place for large-sized occupants. Also, it would be great to have a fully-electric front seat, at least for the driver.

The Nissan X-Trail is not a bad place to be in either. It does look a bit utilitarian on the inside, with a rather simple feel to things, but it is quite comfortable and the space, including the rear cabin, is pretty good too.

If you’re okay with the simplistic approach, the X-Trail’s interior can be a nice place for you to be in. There are plenty of compartments, including a double luggage floor system, as well as a 6-way adjustable power seat for the driver, which interestingly is not offered with rest of the SUVs we have here.

The Honda CR-V also has a decent interior and for some reason, it does feel a little premium despite not having many soft-touch surfaces. Honda seems to be good in doing this, even with less expensive cars like the entry level City.

To me, the most striking thing about the CR-V’s interior is its rear legroom, which is very good. You’d be a very happy rear passenger; it’s reminiscent of the Civic, which also offers good legroom space. Just like the X-Trail, storage compartments are very much adequate in the Honda. There are also features like dual zone air-conditioning and cruise control, similar to the 3008.

Just like the exterior, the interior of the Hyundai Tucson also has carries over the flowing design. It looks pretty good if you ask me, but there is a let down though. The interior does not feel premium and it is even outperformed by the X-Trail, if you ask me. There are hard plastics everywhere and even for a car that has done over 30,000 kilometers, the interior felt worn a little, which isn’t a good thing.

Don’t get me wrong, the design is nice, but you have to wonder if it’ll last the distance. Things like the start-stop button are nice to have, but it does little to overshadow the flaws. The ASX has a decent interior which doesn’t look cluttered and at the same time, it doesn’t look cheap as well.

The seating position for the driver is just about right, making it a better option for those who like a sporty feel behind the wheel. I find that the full colour high-resolution LCD multi-information display nestled in between the instrument gauges quite a cool feature to have, thanks to a fuel consumption monitor that incorporates both instantaneous as well as average readings. The rear cabin could have used a little more legroom though.

Overall, I find that the Peugeot 3008 has the best interior; I can make do with the smaller rear cabin, although I really feel that an electric driver’s seat should have been included.

Anthony says

From an interior perspective, the differences in character continue to show. With practically most of the time being spent in the driver’s seat during the comparo, there was little time to delve in detail the sub-practicalities of things such as boot space and rear seat comfort levels, save for the CR-V, which I’m, erm, rather intimate with.

First up, the Tucson, which lends its allure through more sweeping contours on the inside, as well as with a host of tech bling – there’s stop-start button ignition and an auto dimming rear view central mirror, for starters. These mask the lack of items such as cruise control and going the manual air-conditioning route.

If there’s a gripe with the Tucson’s interior, it’s with the presentation – no complaints about how the layout is presented, but the design elan notwithstanding, the hard-looking plastics cheapen the visual appeal considerably. There are also questions about material durability. The interior of the evaluator, with more than 30k on the clock, looked a bit worse for wear. For example, the engine stop-start button’s wording was already looking quite worn, hence the questions.

Still, there’s much more fanfare in it than on the likes of the X-Trail and ASX, which both feature rather austere cabins. The ASX, with its blackened interior, feels the more spartan of the two, and is reminiscent of the Lancer sedan’s bare approach. It’s more premium in feel though than the Lancer material-wise, so points for this.

The ASX also doesn’t feel as small as you think it would be. The cabin is intimate, but not claustrophobic, even if larger-sized drivers in the Mitsubishi look like they’re driving a Hyundai Getz (not my words). The driving enthusiast will find much to like in this one, with everything presented in line with the vehicle’s sporty pretensions, as will those who like their porridge plain.

Meanwhile, the X-Trail offers very much the same path, presenting a cabin that looks plain bare upon first glance. The plastics are typically Nissan, serviceable but not the final word in premium. This plainness is offset by plenty of practical features – cubby holes and storage space are to be found galore, and items such as rear air-con vents, for example, add to the list. And that volume suggested from the outside is translated when you’re in the vehicle. It feels downright spacious, the X-Trail does.

A note too about its seat comfort, which is the softest in terms of comfort of all the five vehicles; it is a little bit too soft for my liking, especially over long distances, but many will no doubt value its plushness. The Peugeot’s front seat, however, is the standout for me.

The Peugeot’s cabin also features the best material and trim, clean and unfettered, but all hewn together in solid fashion and very elegant in its presentation. Cabin space, however, feels pinched, and if you have tall occupants in front, it’s bad news for those in the rear, where legroom is concerned.

And the 3008 still feels lacking in open and accessible storage space, as previously noted when I drove it during its original media test drive a good while back – attempts to house wallet, phone, keys and cigarettes without having to call in the large storage box were as challenging as before. I still think there’s a photon torpedo launcher housed underneath that huge-assed centre console tunnel, but the firing button is proving rather elusive to find.

So, of the lot, my pick is with the CR-V’s interior. It’s easy to forget how well Honda gets it right where it matters – aside from the excellent rear legroom, the cabin presentation has a premium feel to it, even if there’s not much bling and fanfare in terms of tech and features.

The plastics may be hard, but they don’t look cheap, and the centre console layout, along with the instrument cluster – especially lit up at night – is fetching. It’s not quite Pug territory, but it’s well ahead of the rest of the group. Storage in the CR-V’s front is more than adequate, though there are quirks elsewhere, like where the 12V socket is placed, which is set too low and difficult to access, especially in the dark.

Still, throw in items such as cruise control and auto climate control as well as the small, almost imperceptible tactile bits (the feel of the switchgear operation is a perfect example) and you can see exactly how the Honda scores where it counts.

PERFORMANCE

Danny says

Although it’s no sports car, the Peugeot is the sports car of the group. It’s the only Continental on call here, and preaches Europe’s downsizing philosophy – direct injection, smaller capacity, forced induction. The 156 hp it makes is no big deal in our 2.0L SUV party, but it’s the turbo engine’s 240 Nm from a mere 1,400 rpm that makes all the difference here.

This gives the 3008 useful punch away from standstill, and good flexibility. Although the pace is subdued a little from the 308 Turbo, which it shares its drivetrain with, possibly due to the extra weight, it should be more than enough go for those shopping in this segment. The official 0-100 km/h time is 9.5 seconds – it practice, the 3008 feels faster than that. As usual, it’s smooth revving and quite linear in delivery.

We must also mention the six-speed automatic gearbox, which is a quantum leap over the “Porsche Tiptronic” four-speeder of old. It’s still not the fastest or snappiest torque converter auto around, but it no longer has a mind of its own, and is competent enough to not annoy.

The “sports car of the group” rep isn’t just from the pace, though. The 3008 feels quite agile and pointy in the bends, and the way the car resists body roll is impressive. This flat stance encourages one to push harder, since there’s no clumsy weight transfer to put you off. No, it doesn’t claw into corners like a hot hatch, but one can at least make the most of what he has in the Peugeot with ease. Sacrifices? Ride comfort is not the best, others soak up bumps better.

If there’s an element from the other SUVs I would want in the Peugeot’s drive, it’s the ASX’s steering. Direct and blessed with good feel, the Mitsu’s helm is as “sporty” as the wheel itself looks. The ASX is also good to drive, but one downside is the lack of cruising refinement. There’s a good deal of road/tyre roar seeping into the cabin. I wonder if a tyre swap would help…

The ASX carries over the Lancer’s 4B11 engine and CVT gearbox. I’m not a fan of CVT, but the transmission works well, and there’s always the manual mode when the mood arises, although it still doesn’t feel 100% natural in those six virtual ratios.

For non-fans, the company in the best position to persuade is Nissan. Their Xtronic CVT works like a charm in the Sylphy and the X-Trail we have here. It’s the CVT, as advertised. Mostly smooth and cohesive like the best torque converter autos (except pedal to metal from rest, perhaps), I never once used the manual mode because I couldn’t have done it better. There’s real connection between the speedo and tacho needle, and the drivetrain feels almost resistance-free as you pull away.

Stats that read 139 PS and 198 Nm look below par on paper, but the X-Trail’s smooth flowing style meant that I didn’t crave for more go. The only time it felt lacking was when we were searching for top speed way above the speed limit – a lot of effort was needed to get past the 130-140 km/h zone.

That easygoing drivetrain is part of a similarly likeable package. The X-Trail’s ride comfort is best of the lot for me, soaking up bumps like they were never there and staying rock steady on the highway. We get our supply from Indonesia, so perhaps it’s the local tuning to suit the harsh roads there at work? Whatever it is, our roads aren’t great either, so it’s all good.

All these fit well with a tall ride height with cushy seats and good all round visibility, making the X-Trail a great urban machine and a soothing long distance one.

The Honda CR-V would have also been a good highway cruiser, if not for its hyper sensitive steering. It’s good for the most part, but I found myself feeding constant small inputs to keep it on course during highway drives. It’s not a major or safety issue, but it meant that I wasn’t fully relaxed, and my hands got tired after awhile.

Other than that, the popular segment leader is typically Honda. The engine revs happily with a familiar mechanical buzz, and is quite nice to work on, although more grunt would have been very welcome here. The five-speed auto is as precise and quick as ever. The CR-V’s well judged ride is firm, but never crashy or noisy.

Which leaves the Tucson. I truly admire Hyundai’s brave new direction with its latest products, which has dramatically increased desirabilty. Their cars are now technically on par with class leaders, if not better, and there are plenty of toys to maximise showroom appeal. For me though, the most effective weapon in their new arsenal is design, capturing the imagination of many who previously overlooked Korean wheels. Perfect cars then?

Not yet. Technically, all’s good, but the Tucson (and Sonata) aren’t class leaders in subjective matters. For instance, while the 2.0 Theta II engine’s 166 PS and 197 Nm sound impressive and provide decent go, the engine isn’t the smoothest revving four-pot around, and is quite resonant in the third half of the rev range. The six-speed gearbox, while competent, isn’t as intuitive as the Honda’s, for instance.

There’s not a lot of mechanical grip either – I’ve seen the ESP light come on in corners where I didn’t expect any help. And steering, a very subjective thing, is something that Hyundai-Kia has yet to master.

But these finer points are invisible to the majority of buyers, so we don’t blame Hyundai for not putting “driving pleasure” and “finesse” as top priority. If I were them, my resources would have went into the exact same areas: on paper spec, equipment to wow and bold design.

Strangely, I ended up preferring the X-Trail in this segment, although the Peugeot’s pace and Mitsu’s steering are on the wish list. For me, SUVs are family cars, and the Nissan’s ride comfort, ease of use and silky drivetrain is the best combo here. Looking in the rear view mirror, my family agrees too!

Harvinder says

Now to the part I love the most. Let us start off with the CR-V. It comes with a 2.0 litre i-VTEC that makes 148 hp and 190 Nm of torque from 4,200 rpm. The numbers are anything but impressive, and unfortunately with 1,540 kg to haul it feels as if the CR-V can do with a more powerful engine.

Acceleration does feel heavy but once you’ve reached a set cruising speed, the power issues fades away, until you slam the accelerator to overtake the car in front of you, that is. The shifting of its five-speed automatic is decent enough and the electric power steering feels a little heavy at times, but it’s not really an issue to me.

Its ride comfort is good, with no irritating bumpiness whatsoever. In terms of handling, I find the CR-V performance at an average level. The X-Trail’s MR20DE twin-cam engine has less power than the CR-V, at 137 hp, though torque is slightly higher, 198 Nm to be exact, from 4,400 rpm. It does pull away slightly better than the CR-V, and it uses Nissan’s Xtronic CVT transmission, with a six-speed manual mode.

To be honest. I am not a fan of the CVTs – I find the sound that the engine makes because of it being rather irritating. However, the Xtronic isn’t that bad and it works smoothly, or fluidly, to use another term. Acceleration is effortless; however, it does take a while for it to achieve higher speed. In terms of ride comfort, the X-Trail does well in absorbing bumps and irregularities. At the same time it is also firm enough for high speed travel. The Nissan boys have got it right with this one.

The Hyundai Tucson’s Theta II 2.0 litre engine is quite powerful on paper, with 164 hp and 197 Nm of torque at 4,600 rpm, and carries over the power into actual driving. It does however tend to sound a little rough when you rev it hard. The power unit is paired with a six-speed slush box, which does its job well enough, although it could use a little more refinement.

This applies to the drivability of the Tucson as well. It handles good enough for normal day-to-day driving and its un-refinement is easily hidden if you don’t push the car hard. Even so, you can actually toss the Tucson around corners, though it would definitely benefit from a more refined handling and a steering with a better feel. In terms of ride quality, this Korean seems to be a bit stiff, a little bumpier on the rough roads.

The Mitsubishi ASX is one car that seems to excel in the handling department. This is one SUV or crossover or what ever you fancy that handles like a car. Agile and nimble would be the right word to describe the ASX. It is no Megane RS, but among its rivals in this shootout, it is right at the top.

You can practically chuck it around bends and it won’t bite back, as long as you don’t go overboard. The chassis seems to communicate with you well through the steering wheel, which also offers a good feel. In terms of power, it is decent with its 2.0 litre DOHC MIVEC putting out 148 hp , identical to the CR-V, and 197 Nm of torque at 2,400 rpm.

Although quite similar in terms of power figures, you do feel more punch in the ASX. This also joins the X- Trail in offering a CVT unit with six-speed manual mode.

Finally we have the Peugeot 3008, which doesn’t really give us an apple to apple comparison in terms of engine type when put against the other four SUVs we have here. There are two major differences. First up is the fact that the engine is a 1.6 litre, instead of a 2.0 litre with the rest. Secondly, it is force-inducted. It is basically the same engine as the MINI, the rather famous 1.6 litre Prince unit.

It makes 156 hp and most importantly, 240 Nm of torque from as low as 1,400 rpm. The higher torque at lower revs proves to be very instrumental in zipping around traffic. Overall, you can safely say that 3008 is the most powerful of the lot, all thanks to the turbo, so no issues at all with acceleration and getting fast quickly. The Pug uses a good old six-speed transmission, which works without a fuss.

The ride comfort is pretty good, with high levels of comfort too. In terms of handling, you can take some pretty serious corners with it, but I still prefer the ASX. Something about the latter’s character makes the whole driving experience sportier. Overall, my pick would be the ASX in regards to overall performance from the SUVs we have here.

Anthony says

Ambling along the highway isn’t how one should define which of the lot to be the best, but the time spent plying the route did reveal a fair bit about each vehicle’s character; there was some hard driving done briefly on each later, which revealed yet more, but given that 99% of these SUVs owners aren’t likely to subject their rides to such, most of the basis – for me at least – was from that gleaned waltzing along.

The Tucson was my first ride out, and as before, when I drove it at point of launch, the 2.0 litre Theta II mill proved willing to get things moving. It feels perky from the get-go, buoyant in its character; conversely, it feels that bit less refined when pushed, and can be a bit zingy at the top end. As a cruiser the Tucson does well enough, though there is a fair amount of road noise, and the steering needs a bit of corrective input in terms of straight-line retention, but the light, easy feel of the rack makes it simple on the shoulders.

The plastics notwithstanding, the itemisation of the layout and switchgear operation in the Hyundai is pretty much fuss-free. One minus is the lack of reach adjustment for the steering, something that is also an oversight on the X-Trail and ASX. Seat comfort is decent, though not group-leading.

As a driver’s car, or crossover, if you prefer, the ASX is by far the leader of the assembled five-pack. The level of steering feel and communication is by far the highest of the lot, as is the vehicle’s response to dramatic changing load/direction. Agile, in a flamboyant manner, the main reason why you’d want one is because you love to drive, with everything else secondary.

Meanwhile, the 3008 drove well, and the turbocharged Prince 1.6 mill chugged along with the least amount of strain of all the engines throughout the drive. It felt like it was consuming the most fuel, based on the onboard readout, but this proved to be deceptive (see fuel consumption section below). In-cabin comfort is high, and the plushness of the interior, despite that pinched feeling, makes doing the miles all that bit easier.

Still, its size means that it is at a slight disadvantage compared to the rest of the crowd here, the ASX notwithstanding. I still don’t think it’s a SUV, which it was tagged when it was launched. A good compact-ish crossover for the young urban family, yes. Super utility people mover, er, no. Drives well though, so it gets brownie points here.

From an interior perspective, the Nissan simply overwhelms the rest. The rather-too-soft driver seat aside, everything about the X-Trail screams functionality. It isn’t the fastest, nor the most agile, nor does it have the sense of presence or grandeur. But there’s acres of space in that cavernous cabin, and something about it works, at least to me – I found myself liking it more with every passing mile.

Easy to drive, there’s nothing imposing in its character; it’s vanilla, really – you get in, turn the key and get to your intended destination without fuss, fanfare or any sort of emotion, for that matter. All that functionality, dished out in a completely neutral manner. It isn’t as bad as it sounds, actually.

Finally, we come to the CR-V. I spent the least amount of time in it during the test session, but driving it regularly keeps reminding me why so many view it as the de facto choice in this market when it comes to putting their money on the table for a mid-price, mid-size SUV.

Yes, the 2.0 litre block can feel slightly underpowered at the lower end pushing that mass (it felt the laziest of the lot in start-offs). The steering is also on the heavier side of things, and needs quite a bit of corrective input during highway driving.

But in every other sense, the Honda gets it right. From the tactility of the switchgear operation (which makes all the others, save the 3008, feel cheap) to the interior presentation levels, the CR-V feels good to the touch and sight. It is agile enough when asked, and balanced would best describe its overall level of driving engagement. In all, it feels well thought out, the type of product that you know a copious amount of time has been spent refining all the key points. In this regard, it’s an absolute toss-up between the neutral functionality of the X-Trail and the refined, cultured presentation of the CR-V.

FUEL CONSUMPTION

During the group test drive, we travelled 412 km from the Klang Valley to Ipoh, and back. It included stop and go traffic, town driving and, of course, highway cruising along the PLUS Expressway.

The route we selected allowed us to test the cars in various road conditions where we spent quite a bit of our time on the highway. During the test drive we also carried out a fuel test for all the SUVs involved, with measures employed to ensure accuracy such as adhering to the 110 km/h national speed limit, keeping a safe distance between the cars, ensuring that all cars are driven by all test drivers (to make sure all SUVs get a consistent driving pattern overall) and so on.

Here are the final results:

Peugeot 3008 (1.6 litre Turbo) – 7.37 litres / 100 km
Mitsubishi ASX (2.0 litre NA) – 7.5 litres / 100 km
Honda CR-V (2.0 litre NA) – 8.3 litres / 100 km
Nissan X-Trail (2.0 litre NA) – 8.6 litres / 100 km
Hyundai Tucson (2.0 litre NA) – 8.7 litres / 100 km

The 3008 took the top honours, with the ASX following closely behind. These were the only two which breached the 8.0 litre per 100 km mark following the test, and the 3008’s lower displacement (and turbocharger) 1.6 liter engine likely has contributed to its number one spot here.

It’s also interesting to note that the ASX, which uses a normally-aspirated 2.0 litre engine, achieved 7.5 litres per 100 km, just 0.13 litres behind the 3008, which makes it the most fuel efficient vehicle among its 2.0 litre competitors and it is also very comparable to the Pug.

We reckon that the ASX achieved almost similar numbers due to its engine tune, its MIVEC (or Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control system) calibration and of course its transmission tune. The engine also utilises a lightweight aluminium block which helps the ASX achieve positive such results. We must also take the vehicle kerb weight into account. It appears that the ASX is lighter than the 3008, with a kerb weight of 1,375 kg. Its French rival is 1,450 kg in comparison.

CONCLUSION

Danny says

Big or small, boxy or curvy, there’s an SUV for every one. No lemons here, just entries that excel in various areas. At the end of the day, it depends on what you want out of an SUV, whether as a great family wagon (Nissan fits the bill, Peugeot is out), a personal urban mobile (Peugeot and Mitsu are compact enough and drive well) or great value and bold design (Hyundai).

I love to drive, but I also view the SUV as a family car, which means that practicality and comfort are high in the list. The Honda CR-V is a good all-rounder, but I like the honest, self-confident X-Trail. The Nissan is comfortable in its own skin, and will make you feel as comfortable, too. As for those itchy moments, I’ll buy a cheap fun car.

Harvinder says

Overall, there’s no obvious winner here – all the SUVs here definitely pass the minimum requirement, so it’s a matter of personal choice. You should also look at other factors such as safety features and pricing. The 3008 comes with a 5-star Euro NCAP rating which is made up by 6-airbags, ESP and ISOFIX points, among others. It retails for RM146,888 (all prices here are OTR including insurance).

The Tucson on the other hand has two airbags and ESP and it retails at RM139,888 for the 2.0 litre High Spec. The ASX is also fitted with dual airbags and ESP (or ASC, as Mitsubishi calls it). Also in the list is Hill Start Assist. The ASX goes for RM139,980, which is similar to the Tucson. The CR-V comes with four airbags and ESP (or VSA) and it goes for RM149,980.

Finally, the X-Trail, which goes for RM149,500; it comes with, yes, you guessed it right, dual airbags but without ESP, which is interesting to note. It only has ABS with EBD and BA. That’s a bit of a downside, given a price tag that’s a shade off being the most expensive of the lot. To me, the fight would go down between the Mitsubishi ASX and the Peugeot 3008, if I were shopping for an SUV.

Anthony says

There wasn’t a runaway pick of the heap, not where I’m concerned; it’s nice to see how close things have gotten in the segment that there wasn’t one dominant player. The ASX is my weapon of choice from a driving perspective – the CVT aside, it is engaging, to say the least. But that’s never the only reason why one buys a vehicle in this segment. and its size means that those shopping for a full-fledged SUV may find this crossover too small for their needs.

The same goes for the 3008. Pluses are a highly refined interior and tractable, crowd-pleasing mill, but its lack of heft may preclude it as a straight choice to most. Its appeal lies with those who find the allure of a Continental offering winsome, and provides those seeking an alternative to the predominantly Japanese/Korean crowd a perfect option. A small family (quite literally, for rear occupants!) is also a prerequisite.

The Tucson shows how much the Koreans have closed the gap, but still, haven’t quite gotten the cigar – there are key areas in which its lack of absolute refinement shows it up (it’d have been very interesting pitting the plusher Sportage cousin into the mix against the Japanese competition). Still, the external shape is light years ahead of the previous one, and its main point is that it now offers a serious contender as an alternative if you don’t want to go with a Jap offering, and think a Pug is too much work.

In the end, from the assembled crew, I’d take my pick from the X-Trail and CR-V. I didn’t expect the X-Trail to figure as highly as it did – looks truly can be deceiving. I liked its honesty; it doesn’t paint anything more into the picture than it should, and it goes about everything in such clean, unfettered fashion there is much to like about it and its character.

As for the CR-V, well, its strength is in its overall presentation and coherency – here, it never led in any particular aspect, but scored high and kept pace with its overall level of refinement and, most importantly, its consistency in delivery across the board. A large number of buyers have likely found that very essence – and composition – appealing, given the numbers shifted through the years. With this household being one of these, I’m not inclined to disagree with the collective, that plying the safe, consistent route is not such a bad thing. The tick goes in this box for me then in this particular five-way.

Look after the jump for mega photo galleries of all 5 contenders.

GALLERY: Mitsubishi ASX

GALLERY: Honda CR-V

GALLERY: Nissan X-Trail

GALLERY: Peugeot 3008

GALLERY: Hyundai Tucson

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 07:59:41 +0000.

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It’s on the way – Honda to debut NSX Concept in Detroit

Anthony Lim — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:42:47 +0000

Following Honda boss’ Takanobu Ito’s confirmation that a new NSX is definitely on the cards, the company is taking the next step to bringing it a step closer to commercial reality – the upcoming North American International Auto Show next month will see the debut of the Acura NSX Concept, which Honda says will represent the styling direction for the next generation supercar.

No tech details as yet, like what the car will sport for a drivetrain, so we’ll have to wait and see how the next NSX – which is reported to be based on the company’s HSC-010GT race car – shapes up.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 07:59:41 +0000.

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Honda CR-Z well received, three new colours available

Danny Tan — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 06:31:44 +0000

The latest Honda and hybrid car in our market, the Honda CR-Z, has been very well received. Launched in early November, Honda Malaysia targeted to sell 100 units by the end of the year, but has received over 300 bookings within a month of the launch.

“Honda Malaysia is very pleased and encouraged by the overwhelming response for the all new CR-Z. We believe that the world’s first 6-speed manual transmission hybrid vehicle has broken new grounds in the automotive choices for Malaysians,” said Yoichiro Ueno, MD and CEO of Honda Malaysia said.

“In our commitment to exceed customers’ expectations, we are pleased to announce that Honda Malaysia will be bringing in three more exciting new colours to add to the CR-Z lineup and to give Honda customers more options,” Ueno san added.

The new colours are Storm Silver Metallic, Milano Red and Crystal Black Pearl, in addition to the original Premium White Pearl. The new colours are expected to arrive by early 2012 and customers can place bookings now. The CR-Z is priced at RM115,000 with a 5-year battery warranty or 140,000 km, whichever comes first. Read our launch report here.

We’re quite happy to hear this update, because the bookings were achieved solely with a manual gearbox variant, a reminder that enthusiasts who love the good old stick shift are alive and (left foot) kicking. For the rest, don’t fret, for Honda Malaysia is looking to bring in a CVT equipped CR-Z sometime in 2012.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 07:59:41 +0000.

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LIVE from Tokyo: Retro liveried Honda RC-E is super sexy

Danny Tan — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 03:31:49 +0000

If only four-wheeled EVs are half as sexy. Honda revealed the RC-E concept at Tokyo to great response, thanks to evocative livery that recalls the glory days of the RC racers from the 1960s. Having seen the real vintage stuff days ago at the Honda Collection Hall, Twin Ring Motegi, this one made me drool!

The RC-E is electric powered, so that fuel tank contains no liquid, but batteries. Not much details have been released, but Honda promises a powerful and smooth ride, and 600cc class performance in a 250cc class body. Should be a very strange bike experience – strong off the line EV style, but with no noise!

We can see good stuff such as the Ohlins TTX suspension and Brembos. And part of the reason it looks good is because there’s no need for big headlights – the RC-E’s LEDs are nestled in the nose vent below the No.1. Also notice the plug sign at the bottom of the bike, hinting at what’s powering it.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 07:59:41 +0000.

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Tokyo 2011 live: Fourth-generation Honda CR-V SUV

Paul Tan — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 07:20:27 +0000

Here’s some live shots of the new 2012 Honda CR-V, the fourth-generation of Honda’s popular SUV. The new CR-V has just been launched in Japan in both 2.0 and 2.4 litre form.

As the CR-V is available in Malaysia in 2.0 litre guise only, let’s take a look at what’s changed. The R20A i-VTEC SOHC engine looks very similar to the 3rd-generation’s – the specs sheet shows that peak power remains the same at 150 PS, but torque is now 191 Nm compared to 190 Nm before. Honda has increased the compression ratio slightly from 10.5:1 to 10.6:1.

The biggest change is that in Japan, the 2.0 litre CR-V now uses a CVT gearbox as opposed to a 5-speed automatic, which the 2.4 litre model continues to use. The 2.4 litre model’s K24A engine produces 190 PS and 222 Nm of torque.

This is not the first time we’ve featured the new CR-V, so we won’t go into too much details – you can read Anthony’s previous story from this morning for more details. The live photo gallery will speak to you the exterior and interior changes – after all, a picture is worth a thousand words.

One thing that we found pretty cool is the new one-touch lever that folds the 60:40 split rear bench down – just pull it once and the rear bench folds down flat in a pretty neat way – the bottom seat folds forward and then the backrest folds down in its place. Watch the video below to see it work.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 07:59:41 +0000.

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Tokyo 2011: Honda Micro Commuter – like a comfy jacket!

Danny Tan — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:10:45 +0000

It wouldn’t be the Tokyo show without wacky urban concepts, and here’s what Honda has come up with for this edition, the Micro Commuter Concept. Honda is describing the MCC as an “urban mobile power suit”, something that urbanites can casually wear like a comfortable jacket.

For this, try to remove yourself from our hot and humid weather and imagine Tokyo city (or jog your memory, if you’ve been here before), where no one leaves home for work without a jacket.

Honda compares the MCC with a jacket because the vehicle molds itself to match the needs of the driver from the second he or she steps in. For example, placing your smartphone in the front slot brings up personalised info on the multi-projection. When you select a destination, the MCC points out available restauarants or interesting venues.

And because your car is plugged into your social network, the screens show where your friends are checked in and/or doing. Smart phone is the key here.

The other unique thing about the MCC is its Man Maximum, Machine Minimum (M/M) concept featuring a 1+2 layout. The driver sits in the middle, flanked by two seats behind it. The empty space beside the driver can be for luggage or Honda’s Motor Compo, a two-wheeled EV concept. Two of those bike-like machines can fit, and they can even double up as arm rest or stereo!

This Li-ion battery powered EV also has customisable panels at the front, rear and sides. Once again, we have some pre-show event shots of the MCC in daylight. Here’s your jacket, sir!

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 07:59:41 +0000.

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Tokyo 2011: Honda EV-STER previews electric powered, rear-wheel drive, two-seater convertible

Danny Tan — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 03:46:22 +0000

Ohayou gozaimasu! We are reporting live from the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, which returns to Tokyo proper after 24 years. The venue for this year’s show is the Tokyo Big Sight, just across the Rainbow Bridge in Odaiba, a change from the familiar Makuhari Messe. The first stop for this writer was Honda’s packed press conference, where Honda president and CEO Takanobu Ito unveiled some interesting machines and missions.

The main car under wraps was this – the Honda EV-STER concept. As its name suggests, the EV-STER is an electric powered sports car, one that is also rear wheel driven, topless and a two seater.

If those points remind you of the S2000, that’s intentional. But today’s world is different from the one where the S2000 was born into – environmental concerns means that battery power is in, and high revving 9,000 rpm VTEC power is out.

The EV-STER is compact, measuring only 3,570 mm long and 1,500 mm wide. A large portion of the length is taken up by the 2,325 mm wheelbase, pushing the wheels far to each corner.

To give you an idea, the EV-STER is shorter than a Lotus Elise, but has an identical wheelbase with the iconic Brit. The adoption of carbon materials means that it should be lightweight too, although no figure is given.

Honda says that lightness also contributes to the car’s performance and approximate range of 160 km per charge in the JC08 mode. The electric motor is powered by a 10 kWh lithium ion battery with 58 kW of max output. This will be good enough for a 160 km/h top speed and 0-60 km/h acceleration in five seconds. Charging time is under three hours with 200V and under six hours for 100V.

The cozy two-seat cabin (driver’s seat is “highlighted”) doesn’t have a steering wheel, but experimental twin-lever steering, joystick style. Don’t take that too seriously, or the high tech displays, for this is more of a design exercise that shows Honda’s intent to reintroduce sporty into the mix, after solely focusing on green for quite some time.

Our gallery also includes exclusive pics from a pre-show briefing where we got to see a clay model of the EV-STER, which will give you a better 360-degree view of the car. Don’t write it off as a flight of fancy, as some did with the CR-Z concept car of 2009 – this could well be “the new S2000″!

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 07:59:41 +0000.

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Honda CR-V – 4th-gen to begin selling in Japan on Dec 2

Anthony Lim — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 23:01:08 +0000

Honda will begin selling its new CR-V in Japan from December 2. The fourth-generation SUV, which made its global debut in LA earlier in the month, will be available domestically in 2.4 litre and 2.0 litre forms. The 2.4 litre version – in 24G guise – comes with four-wheel-drive, while the 20G 2.0 litre variant is a front-wheel drive offering.

Honda says the 2.4 litre i-VTEC model – which works with a five-speed automatic transmission – offers 20 PS higher output than the outgoing equivalent, thanks to a higher compression ratio and other enhancements. Presumably, the output for the 2.4 version should be similar to the US model’s 185 hp and 221 Nm.

Meanwhile, the 2.0 litre i-VTEC-equipped model will offer powerful torque characteristics from the low rpm range upward and exceptional fuel economy, though there is no mention of specific output numbers – Paul and Danny are in Tokyo to cover the show, so we should be able to get the figures as it goes along, working on the assumption the vehicle is part of the showcase.

Notably, the 2.0 litre features a CVT with torque converter for its drivetrain choice. In combination with the mill, the company says that the model offers the same off-the-line acceleration and overall acceleration performance as the 2.4 L model, while at the same time offering a best-in-class fuel economy of 14.4 km per litre.

In all, Honda is looking to shift a combined 1,500 units of the new CR-V – which has a 225 mm longer interior and 65 litres more cargo area than the outgoing model – domestically every month.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 07:59:41 +0000.

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GALLERY: Landmark models at Honda Collection Hall, Twin Ring Motegi – 65 pics of cars, bikes and robots!

Danny Tan — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:41:47 +0000

Greetings from cold cold Japan! We’re here to bring you coverage of the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, which will open for the press the day after tomorrow. But before we see the typically wacky Tokyo concepts that could be the cars of the future, we paid a visit to Honda Collection Hall at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit for a look at the good old days.

Twin Ring Motegi should be no strange track to Gran Turismo fans, and the Honda owned circuit in Tochigi prefecture houses two “rings” – an American style oval and a road course – hence the name.

Surrounded by natural forests, Motegi has other interesting stuff for auto fans as well, including a Gran Turismo cafe and Honda Collection Hall. The latter is a must visit for all, and Honda fans in particular should pay a “pilgrimage” in their lifetime!

The left side of the three-floor building is dedicated to bikes, while the right is for cars. The ground floor houses a gift shop (tempting but expensive!) and what looks like a “library”, plus a section for Honda’s clever Asimo robot and its ancestors. First floor is for landmark production cars and bikes (no time for the latter, unfortunately) and the second floor is for Honda’s famous racing machines.

For the road cars, the more famous classics such as the N360 minicar from 1967, S600 Coupe and topless S800 mix with commercial vehicles and the P800 pick up truck (yes, Honda used to make those things!). Moving on, there’s a cute first gen Civic RS in the corner. The tiny 705 kg car had 76 PS and metal studded seats. Also, did you know that RS stands for Road Sailing?

One can also see the classy first Prelude and the original CR-X here, all in beautiful mint condition. Curiously, the prettier second gen CR-X was nowhere to be seen. The loop ends with two famous midship cars on opposite ends of the scale – the big NSX-R and little Beat.

Going up, Honda shows off the race cars that it powered to victories, like the RA300 of Surtees. F1 fans will have plenty of “wah, check that out” moments with the old racers – they used to have mega wings and octopus exhausts! Moving on, famous Honda powered F1 cars include the John Player Special car, the “Canon” Williams Honda of Nelson Piquet, the “Camel” Lotus 99T of Satoru Nakajima and Aryton Senna’s iconic McLaren Honda MP4/7.

Not much time left, but I had to jump over to the bike side just to see the Rothmans Honda 500cc bikes of Gardner, Okada and of course, Mick Doohan! Max Biaggi’s 250cc No.1 Marlboro bike was there, too.

Here are the souvenirs from Motegi, enjoy!

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 07:59:41 +0000.

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Free parking for hybrid cars purchased in Petaling Jaya

Danny Tan — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 17:24:39 +0000

The Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) will be giving three months free parking to hybrid cars purchased in the city next year, according to a Star report. PJ mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman said this was one of the green initiatives that MBPJ was implementing.

“Hybrid-car buyers will be given free parking passes for three months to park anywhere in Petaling Jaya. We are extending the scheme to people who are not Petaling Jaya residents, as long as they have bought their car from a car dealer in Petaling Jaya,” the mayor explained.

While it’s a welcome, albeit temporary, benefit for would be owners of the Honda Insight, CR-Z, Toyota Prius and Lexus hybrid models, I’m sure many PJ residents and workers would agree that finding a parking spot in the first place is the more painful task.

In Budget 2012, PM Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced that incentives given to hybrid cars have been extended till 31 December 2013. The incentives in question are full import duty and excise duty exemption for hybrid and electric cars and motorcycles.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 07:59:41 +0000.

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Honda-Hot Import Nights KL 2011 happens next month in Shah Alam – promises hot girls, modded cars and Awie

Danny Tan — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 09:11:58 +0000

There will be a new car show in town, billed as a mini SEMA or Tokyo Auto Salon of sorts. It’s called Honda-Hot Import Nights Kuala Lumpur 2011, and it will happen from 17-18 December at Shah Alam’s Malawati Stadium. It’s gonna be a fully indoor event that will go on rain or shine, and the entry fee will be RM20 per day. Organisers are expecting a crowd in excess of 25,000 for both days combined.

Calling themselves the “world’s largest touring automotive lifestyle show” Hot Import Nights (HIN) was founded in 1996 in Australia by a group of uni students. It has grown since then, and Jakarta, Indonesia held its first HIN in 2001. Today, HIN is an annual event in USA, Australia, Indonesia, and if it takes off, Malaysia. Honda Malaysia is the title sponsor for the HIN KL 2011.

There will be plenty of sexy ladies and modded cars of all sorts (HIN is expecting over 100 show cars), and the cars will vie for the many trophies up for grabs. Among the titles are Too Damn Low, Best Custom Bodykit, The Killer Colour, Hottest Engine Bay, Best JDM Look, Best VIP, Hottest ICE, Cinema on Wheels and “Best” titles for various brands, from Audi to Proton. There will be three King Nominees that will fight for the main award – The King.

Also, there will be a Dynowars contest, which will have trophies (top 3) for the most powerful RWD, FWD, AWD, NA, Turbo, VTEC, 4G63 and Campro, among other categories. For the ICE fans, there are a couple of awards, too.

The judges are experienced blokes. For the modded cars, HIN has secured Randy Ly, Tommy Ha and Mitchell Mark, all ex-NCCA judges from America. The man in charge of Dynowars is Todd Lewis from Mainline Dynamometer Australia.

I’ve been to some of these events before, and there are more photographers mobbing the (lady) models than those who actually appreciate the cars, so if you belong to that category, HIN KL will be organising a Car & Model Autophotography contest. The ladies you’re shooting are also competing, but for the Miss Honda-Hot Import Nights KL 2011 title. RC and PS3 fans will have contests of their own. Finally, some international DJs are performing and there’s a concert by rocker Awie on 18 Dec.

For Honda owners, Honda Malaysia will be picking four cars to be displayed in their booth at HIN KL. If you think you have the ride to impress, email a pic of your car and details to hondahin@honda.com.my.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 07:59:41 +0000.

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Honda CR-V – fourth-gen SUV makes its debut in LA

Anthony Lim — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 08:52:36 +0000

The fourth-generation Honda CR-V has made its debut – the SUV was unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show, and will begin selling in the US on December 15.

The CR-V remains a five-seater, but Honda says the debutant introduces an upscale styling direction, improved interior comfort, a smoother and quieter ride, greater fuel efficiency and added features and functionality over the outgoing model.

Leading the changes are a more efficient engine design with improved horsepower and torque, along with an all-new Real Time All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) with Intelligent Control System. All the North American CR-V variants are powered by a 2.4 litre i-VTEC four-cylinder engine offering 185 hp and 221 Nm of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission.

A new feature called Eco Assist indicates to the driver when the vehicle is being operated in an efficient style via “green” visual cues surrounding the speedometer, and a selectable ECON Mode alters operating characteristics of the vehicle to support an efficient driving style.

Inside, the interior features a roomy new centre console and an overall lower cargo floor height for easy loading and unloading, among others. New to the vehicle is an Easy Fold-Down 60/40 Split Rear Seat, which offers easier access to utilising the cargo area – each side of the rear seat can fold nearly flat into the front of the cargo area using one of the release levers located near the tailgate, or a pull-strap positioned on the seat side.

Tech features include a Bluetooth HandsFreeLink phone interface, a full-colour intelligent Multi-Information Display (i-MID) and a multi-angle rearview camera with guidelines. As a first for Honda, the fourth-gen CR-V includes an SMS text messaging function, which can read received texts from compatible cell phones aloud over the audio system. Another first is the introduction of a Pandora Internet Radio interface3, which works with the vehicle’s audio controls and i-MID.

Safety equipment includes VSA, ABS as well as front-side airbags with a passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS) and side-curtain airbags.

For North America, depending on the model (there’s the LX, EX and top-of-the-line EX-L), available kit ranges from a 160 watt, four-speaker audio system to power moonroof and 17-inch alloy wheels to a leather-trimmed interior, automatic dual-zone climate control and a 328 watt seven-speaker audio system.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 07:59:41 +0000.

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Honda Fit EV makes global debut in LA

Anthony Lim — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 07:28:11 +0000

The Honda Fit EV has made its global debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show – the all-electric vehicle, based on the Fit hatchback, offers a 198 km highway driving and a 122 km combined city/highway operating range, based on US EPA city cycle test methods.

The five-seater Fit EV, which will be introduced to US consumers via leasing programs beginning next summer, will be powered by a 20 kWh lithium-ion battery and a 92 kW coaxial high-density electric motor which is derived from the motor used in the FCX Clarity fuel cell electric vehicle.

A 6.6 kW, onboard 32 amp charger allows for convenient recharging of the vehicle; with a 240-volt charger, the Fit EV can fully recharge in as little as three hours. It will feature a 3-mode electric drive system, adapted from the CR-Z Sport Hybrid – the system allows the driver to select between Econ, Normal and Sport modes.

Externally, the Fit EV is identical to the gasoline-powered Fit, though it offers a higher hip point to accommodate the under floor placement of the 20 kWh battery. It will only come in a single, exclusive color, this being Reflection Blue Pearl, and will also have the familiar chrome front fascia similar to other Honda eco-friendly vehicles such as the Insight hybrid

Additionally, the car gets EV badges on the rear hatch and decals on the side of the vehicle to help distinguish it from its gasoline counterpart, and it will wear distinct five-spoke alloy wheels and an aerodynamic rear spoiler. Inside, the seating surfaces are covered with bio-fabric.

Tech features include a standard telematics system that allows the driver to stay connected through a smartphone, PC or interactive remote. Through the Fit EV smartphone and computer applications, the driver can remotely view the vehicle’s state of charge, initiate charging and activate the air-conditioning or heater, to pre-condition the vehicle while connected to the grid, to maximise battery range on start-up.

The mobile application and website also offers the ability to set charging notifications and alerts to optimise charging times based on varying utility rates. The Fit EV will also come equipped with a standard Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System to locate public charging stations and frequently updated traffic information.

Meanwhile, the interactive remote – operable up to 30 metres from the vehicle – allows the driver to monitor the vehicle’s state of charge and cabin temperature, initiate and terminate charging and remotely turn on the air-conditioning via it.

Honda will begin leasing the Fit EV to customers in select California and Oregon markets next summer, and will expand to six East Coast markets in early 2013. The company expects volume at this early stage of production to be approximately 1,100 Fit EV’s over the next three years.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 07:59:41 +0000.

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European Honda Civic to get new 1.6 litre turbodiesel

Paul Tan — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 04:34:17 +0000

As hinted earlier, Honda will soon debut a new small 1.6 litre diesel engine, which is currently slated for use in the Honda Civic in Europe. We also expect the same diesel to be installed in Honda models in India, especially the Honda City.

Honda currently has only one diesel engine to slot into its cars – a big 2.2 litre 4-cylinder, an oddity in Europe where pretty much half of the cars of the Civic’s size that are sold come with a smaller diesel of about 1.6 litres in displacement.

Honda needs to push the new Civic hatchback in Europe and expects the new 1.6 litre Honda Civic i-CTDi to account for 65% of Civic sales. A 1.6 litre Civic diesel was offered in the past with a previous generation model, but that Civic diesel used an Isuzu engine.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 07:59:41 +0000.

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Honda Micro Commuter EV concept and Motor Compo two-wheel EV concept – twice the versatility, and fun

Anthony Lim — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 05:58:57 +0000

Besides the AC-X and Small Sports EV concepts, Honda will be showcasing the Micro Commuter Concept in Tokyo. As its name suggests, it’s a micro-sized, futuristic, electric city commuter vehicle. No details on how it moves along, but the company says that another concept it’s displaying at the show can be slotted into the Micro Commuter.

This is the Motor Compo, a two-wheeled EV offering the casual and convenient mobility of a bike, but which is also useful even when it’s not being ridden, the company says – the Motor Compo features a detachable battery that can be used as a power source for daily needs. No mention of the range available with the Motor Compo, but it’s certainly handy as a back-up if the Micro Commuter runs out of juice, no?

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 07:59:41 +0000.

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Honda Small Sports EV concept to premiere in Tokyo

Anthony Lim — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:21:59 +0000

Alongside the AC-X, Honda is set to unveil in Tokyo what it calls the Small Sports EV, which is the tentative name for the vehicle for now. The company is keeping absolutely mum on the car, aside from saying that it’s a next-generation EV sports model which maximises the fun of driving while achieving excellent environmental performance.

The sketches reveal an open-top two-seater with very rakish lines, and if the real deal is anything to go by what the penned drawings suggest, this could be a very scrumptious dish in the flesh. We’ll be in Tokyo to cover the show, so expect full details on this one when the time comes!

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 07:59:41 +0000.

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Honda AC-X plug-in hybrid concept – 0.90L / 100 km!

Anthony Lim — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 09:21:19 +0000

Honda will be showcasing a number of what it has tagged ‘electromotive concept models’ at the Tokyo Motor Show, which begins on Nov 30, and one of them is the AC-X, or the Advanced Cruiser-X, to give it its full designation. The company says that the next-generation plug-in hybrid vehicle is equipped to offer a comfortable and thoroughly enjoyable drive, be it in urban surroundings or over long-haul runs.

Word has it that the futuristic sedan is powered by a 1.6 litre petrol engine offering 127 hp and a 120 kW electric motor combination, and numbers include an operating range just a shade under a thousand clicks, in this case 997 km, and a stupendous 0.90 litres per 100 km consumption.

The AC-X features a choice of drive modes, an “engine drive mode” for more aggressive driving or an “automatic drive mode” for those relaxed moments. Not much explained about the funky interior, but that steering looks just plane awesome. Sorry, couldn’t resist that.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 07:59:41 +0000.

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J.D. Power Asia Pacific report finds that overall new vehicle quality in Malaysia is up notably from 2010

Anthony Lim — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 13:24:49 +0000

According to the J.D. Power Asia Pacific 2011 Malaysia Initial Quality Study (IQS), overall new-vehicle initial quality in Malaysia has improved from 2010. The study – fielded between March and July this year – is based on responses from 2,858 new-vehicle owners who purchased their vehicle between September 2010 and May 2011. It includes 67 passenger car, pickup and utility vehicle models from 14 brands.

The study, which is in its ninth year, examines new-vehicle quality during the first two to six months of ownership, and measures more than 200 problem symptoms covering eight vehicle components, these being vehicle exterior, driving experience, features/controls/displays, audio/entertainment/navigation, seats, HVAC, vehicle interior and engine/transmission.

All problems are summarised as the number of problems reported per 100 vehicles (PP100). Lower PP100 scores of course indicate a lower rate of problem incidence and higher performance.

Overall initial quality in Malaysia averaged 124 PP100 in 2011, a 23 PP100 decrease from 2010. Initial quality has improved from 2010 in six of the eight problem categories: vehicle exterior, driving experience, features/controls/displays, audio/entertainment/navigation, vehicle interior and engine/transmission. The report says that the greatest improvements have occurred in the vehicle exterior category.

Despite overall improvement, the five problems reported most frequently by owners continue to be excessive wind noise, noisy brakes, excessive fuel consumption, air-conditioning which doesn’t get cold fast enough and the engine losing power when air-conditioning is on.

The study found that 44% of new-vehicle owners indicated having a problem-free experience with their vehicle. Among these owners, 51% say they “definitely woull” recommend the model they own to friends or relatives. In contrast, among the 56% of new-vehicle owners who experienced at least one problem with their vehicle in their initial six months of ownership, only 27% said they would recommend the model they own.

In terms of specific models, the Honda City ranks highest in the entry mid-size segment for a third consecutive year, with a score of 62 PP100, an improvement of 36 PP100 from 2010. Following in the segment rankings is the Toyota Vios. In the mid-size car segment, the Nissan Sylphy finished top of the heap with 39 PP100, followed by the Toyota Corolla Altis at 43 PP100 and the Honda Civic, with 55 PP100.

In the MPV/Van segment, the Toyota Avanza was class-leading for a second consecutive year, with a score of 64 PP100, with the Toyota Innova (73 PP100) and Nissan Grand Livina (107 PP100) in second and third respectively. As for the pickup category, the Toyota Hilux led the pack with 32 PP100, followed by the Isuzu D-Max at 47 PP100 and the Mitsubishi Triton at 64 PP100.

The IQS is one of three consumer-based studies that J.D. Power Asia Pacific conducts in Malaysia. This year’s Malaysia Customer Service Index (CSI) Study, which measures new-vehicle owner satisfaction with after-sales dealership service, was released in July, while the Malaysia Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) Study for 2011, which examines new-vehicle buyer satisfaction with the sales and delivery experience, was released in September.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 07:59:41 +0000.

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Honda CR-Z launched – RM115k OTR with insurance

Anthony Lim — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:39:31 +0000

Honda Malaysia earlier this evening launched the CR-Z, making Malaysia the first country in Southeast Asia to offer the three-door hybrid hatch to car enthusiasts. The third Honda hybrid to be introduced in the country is priced at RM115,000 on the dot, on-the-road with insurance (or if you will, RM111,878, without insurance).

The “hot-hatch hybrid,” as the company has tagged it, is powered by a 114 PS and 145 Nm 1.5 litre LEA SOHC i-VTEC engine and a 10 kW (or 14 PS) and 78 Nm MF6 brushless DC electric motor and a sophisticated Intelligent Power Unit (IPU) – together, the powertrain combination delivers 124 PS at 6,000 rpm and 174 Nm of torque at 1,000 to 1,500 rpm.

The IMA Hybrid System is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, which is the standard transmission for the car, with a Hill-Start Assist function present. The vehicle also features a 3-Mode Drive System, which enables the driver to choose and switch between Sport, Normal and Economy modes with the switch of an individual button.

The three modes alter the response of the throttle, steering, idle stop timing, climate control and the level of assistance provided by the IMA Hybrid System, and the individual modes are also indicated on the Illuminated Advance Sports Meter as glowing coloured rings of light. In Sport mode, you get – as expected – improved acceleration response, and steering feedback is tighter; in this mode, the light on the meter goes red.

Normal mode of course provides the optimum balance between driving performance and fuel economy, with an EPS response that’s balanced, smooth and agile. Switching to Econ mode, as it’s called, reduces throttle response, optimises motor assist, controls the air conditioning economically and lengthens idle stops to maximise fuel efficiency.

In Normal and Econ mode, the glowing coloured rings of light in the meter display changes from blue to blue-green to green depending on the driver’s style of driving; green, of course signifies the most fuel efficient driving.

Equipment on the 1,160 kg vehicle includes halogen headlamps with LED positioning lights, front fog lamps, a three-spoke leather steering wheel, cruise control, a six-speaker audio system with USB and an auxiliary input, rear foldable seats (which really are jump seats at best – there’s enough space to get in for an adult, but you can’t sit up straight!) and a glovebox cooler, among others. Folding down the rear seat back translates into 410 litres of boot space, which allows space for two golf bags.

On the safety front, the car comes equipped with dual front airbags, side airbags with Occupant Position Detection System and side curtain airbags. There’s ABS, BA and EBD as well as Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) in the mix too.

The CR-Z rides on 16-inch five twin-spoke alloys, wrapped with 195/55 series rubbers. At point of launch, there’s only a single external colour for the car, which is Premium White Pearl, but expect other shades to join the palette list soon – we hear that red, black and silver will come about as it goes along. And yes, you can also expect an auto CVT-equipped version to arrive on the scene sometime next year, but no word yet exactly when.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 07:59:41 +0000.

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2012 Honda CR-V pops up on Honda Japan’s website

Anthony Lim — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 10:42:50 +0000

Click to enlarge.

Last month, the 2012 Honda CR-V Concept was revealed, and now, the first images of the production fourth-generation CR-V have come about – Honda’s Japanese website teases the new SUV, which is set to make its debut at next month’s LA Auto Show.

The production model – which you can get a wallpaper of on the website! – retains most of the styling direction as seen on the concept, though the front bumper on it looks more sedate and the wheels, while keeping to the five twin-spoke theme, also look less showy.

Click to enlarge.

The site also has graphics that present a peek into the all-new vehicle’s interior – there’s certainly more line flow present in the dash, and noticeable cues are a large screen housing the navigation/audio system on the centre stack, with another display console above it; the latter houses what looks very much like a digital interpretation of an analogue clock. Sizeable speedo too, by the looks of it!

Familiar cues have been retained – the climate control switchgear orientation and dash-mounted gearshift, for one, though gone is the void area between the centre console and dash, which was a great space for ladies to house their handbags (as I am told!); in its place it is a open storage unit where the cupholders also reside. Which means the slide-covered storage box just aft of it should be much more voluminous than the present CR-V’s. No tech details as of yet, but LA should take care of that.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 07:59:41 +0000.

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Honda’s Thai plant may be out for up to six months

Anthony Lim — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 04:31:15 +0000

Honda’s Thailand assembly plant in Ayutthaya, which was submerged when floodwaters inundated the factory on October 9, may be out of action for up to six months, according to reports.

The automaker will need to replace a range of equipment damaged by the flood, and is still attempting to determine the full extent of the damage at its factory in the Rojana Industrial Park, where it produces its Civic and City models – the area remains submerged under two to three metres of water, and most of the flood-hit equipment remains inaccessible. The floodwaters are expected to recede in mid-November at the earliest.

The firm’s suppliers in Thailand have also been affected by the extensive flooding, as roads and other key infrastructure have been severely disrupted. “We will be forced to revamp the plant,” one Honda official was quoted as saying.

The reports add that the automaker has apparently told some of its suppliers that it will probably take six months before it can resume operations at the facility, and will likely not reopen the plant until next spring.

The company’s total production loss is expected to exceed 100,000 units, accounting for about 3% of the automaker’s planned global output for fiscal 2011. While Japan’s eight automakers have operations in the Southeast Asian nation, Honda is the only manufacturer whose facilities have been directly damaged by the floods. Honda Malaysia had last week announced a temporary halt to its production in Melaka as a result of parts shortages caused by the Thai floods.

In related news, Toyota has begun cutting output in seven countries – Japan, the US, Canada, South Africa, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines – from today until November 5 as a result of the flooding in Thailand. While its facilities in the Kingdom have not been directly hit by the floods, operation at its three factories in the country have been halted since October 10, and potential delays in the procurement of parts are expected.

Elsewhere, Mazda halted production at its AutoAlliance JV plant with Ford in Rayong from Wednesday to Friday last week, as parts shortages came into play. The company said it was considering shipping parts to the facility from China and Japan.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 07:59:41 +0000.

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Honda Insight facelift launched in Japan – features new Insight Exclusive variant with 1.5 liter IMA system

Paul Tan — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 06:04:22 +0000

Honda has officially revealed the facelifted Honda Insight in Japan, which now comes with a higher-end model called the Insight Exclusive that comes with a larger 1.5 litre IMA engine. Other than reworking the exterior and adding the new 1.5 litre engine option, Honda has also reworked the 1.3 litre IMA system in the regular Insight, which is now rated at a more fuel economical 27.2 km/L measured on the JC08 mode and 31.0 km/L measured in the 10-15 mode.

The company has also added more sound insulation and absorption materials to increase interior quietness. The suspension settings have been updated for a more comfortable ride, and VSA stability control is now standard on all variants of the Insight. On the inside, the shape of the rear seats have been redesigned for better passenger comfort and driver rear visibility.

The Insight Exclusive with the 1.5 litre engine does 23.2 km/L in the JC08 mode and 26.5 km/L on the 10-15 mode. Exterior features unique to the 1.5 litre model include a different front grille with integrated LED accessory lights, a unique front bumper, side sill garnishes, a rear bumper diffuser, and a shark fin antenna. On the inside, there’s dark faux wood panels with silver accents. The steering wheel also has paddle shifters to manually control the CVT gearbox’s seven-virtual gear ratios.

Look after the jump for more pix of the facelifted Insight.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 07:59:41 +0000.

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Honda Malaysia halts CKD plant due to parts shortage

Paul Tan — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 08:28:57 +0000

Honda Malaysia has announced that it its Melaka plant production will be halted effective today due to parts shortage caused by the floods in Thailand. Supplies from Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co. Ltd and other major suppliers which supply to Honda Malaysia have been interrupted because of the floods.

“We apologize for the delay of delivery and we appreciate the understanding of our customers. We are doing all we that can within our capacity to recover the production here in Malaysia as soon as possible,” said Mr. Yoichiro Ueno, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Honda Malaysia.

This means there will likely be supply issues with the CKD models, which include the City, Civic and Accord. CBU models such as the Insight, Stream and Freed are not affected, except for the Honda Jazz which is CBU imported from Thailand.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 07:59:41 +0000.

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Honda CR-Z set for November introduction in Malaysia

Anthony Lim — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 06:35:00 +0000

It’s confirmed – the photo snapped of it last week suggested its arrival was on the cards, and now Honda Malaysia has announced that the CR-Z will be introduced to the Malaysian market in early November, making us the first country in Southeast Asia to launch the vehicle. No word with regards to specs and pricing on the three-door hatch though.

The CR-Z, which is equipped with a 1.5 litre LEA i-VTEC four-cylinder mill and Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid-electric system, with 122 hp and 174 Nm for output numbers, will be the second Honda hybrid currently available here, following the Insight, which was launched at KLIMS in December last year. Until next month, then!

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 07:59:41 +0000.

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