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  • Get on the rock! with Honda City climbing competition

    In Honda, Local News / By / / 10 comments

    In conjunction with the unveiling of the white Honda City, Honda also launched a month-long rock climbing competition called “Get on the rock! with Honda City”. The competition consists of two categories – Open and Pro Climber. Participants have to be aged 21 years and above. Open is of course open to anyone, and you have to join in teams of two participants.

    The Pro Climber category is open to anyone (not a pair as with the Open category) with climbing experienced of Grade 6c and above, based on the French Numerical climb rating system with 1 being the easiest and 9b being the most difficult.

    Registration is already open and will close on the 7th of December. Participants for Open category are required to submit one climbing photo shot that best interprets one of what Honda Malaysia says are the City’s qualities: Style, Performance, Practicality and Best-in-class. Participants for the Pro Climber category will have to submit four photos – one that represents each quality.

    Submissions will go through an online voting system, where 25 top teams from the Open category and 20 competitors from the Pro Climber category will be short listed for the final showdown on the 18th of December 2010 at Camp5, One Utama New Wing.

    During the final showdown, the winning team from Open category that climbs the most mileage in 2 hours will win a climbing trip on the limestone cliff in Krabi, Thailand worth RM3,500 along with a 1-year membership in Camp5. The Pro Climber category winner will get a chance to meet Reini Scherer, one of the world climbing champions, in a climbing clinic in Austria worth RM13,000 in addition to a RM2,000 cash prize.

    Look after the jump to find some sample photos for two qualities if you need inspiration, as well as an embedded document with more detailed info on the competition.
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  • Honda small car prototype to debut at Thai Expo 2010

    In Cars, Honda, International News / By / / 7 comments

    Honda Motor Co Ltd has announced that it will be presenting a prototype small vehicle at the 27th Thailand International Motor Expo 2010, which will start for the public on the 1st of December 2010. The prototype vehicle will be based on the Honda New Small Concept which was first unveiled to the world in India early this year, and the Thai Expo prototype will represent a version that’s closer to production.

    The single model will spawn two different versions that will share the same basic design – the Thai-built version will focus on fuel efficiency while another version for India will suit the country’s growing small car market.

    I suppose the Thai version will be a little more high specced – even Suzuki has two different Altos on sale, an Indian version and a seemingly more refined version sold in Japan. For some reason we’re getting the Indian version though.

    For pretty much the entire world outside Japan, Honda’s smallest offering so far has been the B-segment Honda Jazz, so this new small car will likely be an A-segment similarly sized to vehicles such as the Suzuki Alto, the Kia Picanto and the Hyundai i10. Honda is not without experience though, as in Japan they sell cars smaller than the Jazz such as the Honda Zest and the Honda Life.

    These small JDM Hondas have some pretty interesting powertrains thanks to Japanese regulations – there’s a 660cc i-DSI Turbo engine available in Japan that has 64hp and 93Nm of torque – pretty much equivalent to a 1.0 litre normally aspirated engine. But we’re probably not going to be able to taste those engines as the rumour is that this new small Honda will receive a 1.2 litre normally aspirated engine.

    If it’s going to be offered in the Thai market, I’m pretty sure the ASEAN region is in plans, which includes Malaysia. Pretty soon, the cheapest way into Honda ownership may not be the Honda City any longer!
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  • SEMA Honda CR-Z Hybrid R Concept is turbocharged!

    In Cars, Honda, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel / By / / 41 comments

    I think all of us can agree that the 2011 Honda CR-Z Hybrid R Concept that Honda Performance Development is showcasing at this year’s SEMA is probably what the Honda CR-Z should have been instead of the anaemic 122 horsepower 1.5 litre production car.

    The CR-Z Hybrid R Concept bolts a turbocharger onto the 1.5 litre engine, with the IMA motor assist system upgraded to one of a higher capacity as well. The result is 200 horsepower and about 238Nm of torque, which puts it around the same kind of output as a Civic Type R. Are we looking at the future of the Civic Type R?

    As it is, the high revving normally aspirated 2.0 litre engine is being forced out of many first world markets as it is unable to keep up with increasingly difficult emission requirements. The CR-Z Hybrid R Concept uses two popular alternatives to pure normally aspirated power – turbocharging as well as hybrid motor assist. Honda has barely dabbled with a turbocharger in these modern days – it’s sole turbo engine is a 2.3 litre i-VTEC Turbo installed in an Acura SUV.

    Honda has also added a performance clutch and a limited slip differential, as well as a ‘circuit tuned’ suspension, uprated brakes and a bodykit which promises better aerodynamics. Honda will be racing two CR-Z Hybrid R Concepts at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill endurance race in December, which will be a good proving ground for the abilities and reliability of the system.

    Look after the jump for a full gallery of the Honda.
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  • Honda Civic Hybrid is RM21K cheaper now at RM108,980!

    In Cars, Honda, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, Local News, Malaysia Budget 2011 / By / / 351 comments

    Hybrid cars are becoming very attractive propositions thanks to the Government’s decision to fully waive excise and import duty, as announced in the 2011 Budget. UMW Toyota has already slashed the Toyota Prius’ price tag to RM139,900 from the previous RM175,000, and it’s Honda’s turn to reveal the new price of its Civic Hybrid. The green Civic is now priced at RM108,980 OTR with insurance, which is RM21,000 cheaper than before.

    This means that the imported from Japan Civic Hybrid will be the most affordable Civic variant in Malaysia, undercutting the RM114,980 1.8S model, which is locally assembled by the way. The new price for East Malaysia is RM1,000 more than on the Peninsular, while Langkawi and Labuan buyers can have the car at RM100,980. It’s still cheaper in those duty free islands as they are exempted from a 10% sales tax.

    “As the pioneer in introducing the hybrid technology to the Malaysian market, we are pleased with the government’s decision to allow full exemption of import duty and excise duty as announced in the recent Budget 2011. The move will make hybrid vehicles more accessible for environmentally conscious Malaysians. These exemptions are certainly timely as Honda is looking into expanding its hybrid vehicle line-up in Malaysia,” said Honda Malaysia President and COO, Rohime Shafie.

    There you have it! Should be the Honda Insight, or perhaps even the CR-Z at a later date!

     

  • Honda’s little wonder, ASIMO, celebrates its 10th anniversary

    In Honda, International News, Technology / By / / 9 comments

    honda asimo 10

    How time flies. Honda’s creation known as Advanced Step In Innovative Mobility, or ASIMO as we all know it, turned 10 yesterday, and to celebrate the humanoid robot’s first decade of existence, the company has launched a dedicated website which contains films and photographs detailing ASIMO’s evolution since its creation. A ‘Run with Asimo’ smartphone and iphone app has also been produced to allow users to interact with a virtual version of the robot on their phone, and will be downloadable from mid-November.

    Created as part of a Honda research and development programme into robotics and human mobility, the robot has certainly come a long way – it has learnt to run and walk on uneven slopes and surfaces, climb stairs (and on the odd occasion, fall and not be able to get up, but hey, nobody’s perfect) and reach for and grasp objects, as well as comprehend and respond to simple voice commands, recognise faces and even avoid moving obstacles as it runs.

    Honda is now focusing its research on the development of ASIMO’s intelligence, as well as exploring the scope for interaction between humans and humanoid robots. Wonder what the little tyke will be able to do at 20.

     

  • Honda recalls 528,000 vehicles over brake fluid leak issue

    In Cars, Honda, International News / By / / 15 comments

    Last week, Toyota recalled 1.53 million Lexus and Toyota models to replace a brake master cylinder that can slowly leak out brake fluid. Turns out that fellow Japanese carmaker Honda uses the same supplier for the affected component – it has recalled 528,000 vehicles worldwide including 470,000 units in the US. Affected models are the 2005-07 Acura RL and 2005-07 Honda Odyssey. The latter is not the same MPV as the one sold here despite the same name.

    The internal rubber seal of the brake master cylinder, which is supplied by Advics Co. Ltd. in Japan, can leak out brake fluid to the brake booster, resulting in illumination of the brake warning lamp. This problem arises when non original brake fluid is used. The genuine brake fluid contains polymers that act as lubricant, something that non genuine brake fluid don’t have or have only in small amounts.

    Honda says that there’s no safety issue here. “It will result in the brake fluid light illuminating before there is any loss of brake system performance. Although one brake circuit could gradually lose performance due to this cause, there would be no effect on the other brake circuit,” a company spokesperson said. Honda will replace the master cylinder seal in all affected cars, and if leaking has already started, the brake booster as well.

     

  • Honda recalls around 127,000 City and Fit models in Brazil

    In Cars, Honda, International News / By / / 133 comments

    honda city

    The recall season continues, this time over in Brazil. Late last week, Honda issued a recall on close to 127,000 units of its City and Fit models made by Honda Automoveis do Brasil over potential problems with accelerator pedals that could lead to unwanted acceleration.

    Specifically, the company said that dust particles might get inside the accelerator pedal’s sensor, causing the pedal to become stuck in some cases. Though there would be a noticeably higher than normal engine RPM, the driver would be able to maintain control of the vehicle and brake safely to a stop, the company added.

    honda fit

    A single accident has been reported related to the defect, though there were no injuries. The cars being recalled, 126,774 in total, were assembled in Brazil from May 2008 to October 2010 and were sold only in Brazil, so the recall doesn’t apply to cars in markets elsewhere.

     

  • Honda Malaysia to review Honda Civic Hybrid pricetag

    In Cars, Honda, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, Local News, Malaysia Budget 2011 / By / / 98 comments

    Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd has just issued a statement – they are quite pleased with the government’s decision to extend import duty and excise duty exemption for hybrid vehicles until 31st December 2011 with excise duty to be given full exemption. An internal review will be done and a new revised price structure for the Honda Civic Hybrid will be announced when the internal review has been completed.

    Interestingly, Honda Malaysia also said that it is also looking to extending its hybrid vehicle line-up. Other than the Civic Hybrid, Honda also has the Honda Insight, Honda CR-Z, and the Honda Jazz Hybrid in its stables. Which would you rather see launched in Malaysia?
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  • Paris 2010: Jazz Hybrid makes lonely debut at Honda stand

    In 2010 Paris Motor Show, Cars, Honda, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel / By / / 7 comments

    Japanese carmakers don’t have much to shout about at Paris, preferring to save it all for their home show. Concepts and world debuts are few and far between, and some makes like Mitsubishi, Mazda and Suzuki did nothing more than just bring their showrooms into the show hall! Honda’s area wasn’t much different, save for the little green Jazz sitting all alone on its elevated throne.

    It’s in Lime Green (exclusive to this variant) because it’s a green car. The Jazz Hybrid uses the same IMA system as the Insight, a 1.3 litre i-VTEC engine paired to an assisting electric motor. Like the rest of Honda’s hybrids, this is a “mild hybrid” setup as opposed to the full series hybrid system in the Toyota Prius. Using the standard CVT gearbox, Honda claims combined fuel consumption of just 4.4 litres per 100 km and emissions of just 104 g/km of CO2 (lowest CO2 output of any automatic car in the B-segment) for the Jazz Hybrid.

    Honda stresses the fact that the Jazz Hybrid will not lose any of the car’s famous practicality; it retains the flexible “Magic Seats” and 300 litres of boot space. The IMA battery pack and power control unit have been integrated in the area under the boot floor, retaining the normal boot area and allowing the Magic Seats to fold in the same manner – up to 831 litres of space or with seat bases folded up for tall items.

    Inside, a darker single colour dashboard is new, as is an Eco Assist function. It’s available with leather trim, the first time for a Jazz in Europe, where sales start early next year.

    Pics after the jump.
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  • Honda Jazz Hybrid to use 1.3 liter IMA system

    In Cars, Honda, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel / By / / 22 comments

    Honda have released some new images of the new Honda Jazz Hybrid, set to debut at the Paris Motorshow very soon. As expected, the IMA hybrid motor and control system are the same 1.3 litre system shared with the Insight, and not the more powerful system in the CR-Z.

    Honda claims a combined fuel consumption figure of just 4.4 litre per 100km. As the hybrid system works on a simpler motor assist concept as compared to Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive, the Jazz Hybrid like the rest of its H-badged hybrid cousins will not be able to run on full EV mode on demand, instead it can only switch to an electric motor only mode under certain medium to low speed conditions.

    Thanks to the chassis construction of the Jazz, the battery pack and power control unit have managed to be hidden in the area under the boot floor, keeping the normal above floor boot area of 300 litres. This also allows the Jazz’s flat-folding “magic seats” to fold the same way as the non-hybrid versions.

    Look after the jump for the new images released by Honda. Our man Danny Tan will be on the scenes from the Paris Motorshow to bring you live coverage from the floor!
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