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2012 Honda Civic – first studio shots appear on the net

August 2, 2011 at 10:38 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Honda, International News

While Honda UK teases the European Civic hatchback, we now have our first studio photos of the next generation Honda Civic sedan that will be introduced in Malaysia. Our version of the sedan sports minor styling differences from the Civic range that has already been launched in the US. We first saw blur photos of the non-US version back in March this year.

Curiously bucking the trend of increasingly long wheelbases, Honda has actually reduced the wheelbase of the new Civic by 30mm down to 2,670mm.

The front end stying is a little different, featuring a unique grille and bumper design, and the head lamps also have clear turn indicators instead of the amber indicator lights that are a result of a legal requirement in the US.

The rear is largely the same except there are additional extensions of the tail lamp onto the boot lid, which is missing on the US Civic. This treatment mirrors what Honda did with our Accord versus the US Accord.

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Honda CR-Z Mugen RR – no current plans for production

August 2, 2011 at 12:05 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Honda, International News

Remember the Honda CR-Z Mugen? That orange machine wore plenty of go faster bits and is supercharged to produce 50% more power and torque, 197 hp and 245 Nm to be exact. Here’s a more extreme version of the same concept – the Honda CR-Z Mugen RR, produced by M-TEC in Japan for show purposes only, and there are currently no plans for further production. Currently.

The CR-Z Mugen RR has been created with plenty of bespoke prototype parts, some of which are in carbon fibre, including the bonnet, doors and tailgate. Other features unique to the RR include a full length carbon-fibre underbody, a twin central-exit exhaust, vented front bumpers and race-developed suspension. Orange four-piston monobloc brake calipers and forged 18-inch alloys complement the Valencia Orange Pearl paint work.

Inside, the seats are in colour-coded leather/Alcantara. A “race-developed information screen” has the ability to record chassis and engine data as well as house a sat nav and audio system. This high tech kit will monitor the car over two laps to “learn” a circuit and then record lap data and vehicle tracking using GPS. No engine details and figures were released.

The Mugen RR was first seen early last month at the Moving Motor Show area of Goodwood Festival of Speed, which the Honda CR-Z Mugen, designed and built by UK-based Mugen Euro, also attended.

Hi res pics after the jump. We have a feeling this will be a popular wallpaper.
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New Euro spec Honda Civic hatchback to get better ride comfort, best in class cabin space – torsion beam retained

August 2, 2011 at 10:02 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Honda, International News


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The sedan version of the ninth generation Honda Civic was unveiled earlier this year, and now it’s time for the European version, which is slated to debut at September’s Frankfurt show. Developed specifically for the European market, this Civic will be offered exclusively as a five-door hatchback, taking on C-segment stalwarts such as the Golf, Focus and Astra. It will go on sale in early 2012.

Often criticised in Europe for its hard ride, Honda has worked on that area. According to the company, the new Civic’s ride and handling has been developed in Europe, and the Japanese team worked closely with European colleagues and external experts. The focus was on improving the ride quality, while retaining the sporty handling of the current model.


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“Every time we visited Europe during the development of the car, we achieved significant improvements in the ride and handling, tuning the car for the local demands. The new Civic is not just an evolution. In terms of ride quality, we have taken a major step forwards, equivalent to two generations of development,” said Kazuo Sunaoshi, Development Leader – Chassis.

Honda says that its engineers were conscious that European roads are some of the most varied in the world, where you have smooth, fast highways turning off to poorly surfaced country lanes. Final tuning was done in Europe, as a result.

The segment leaders employ all independent suspension, but Honda will stick with the torsion beam for the new Civic, giving it the largest cabin in the segment. But to improve body control and high speed stability, the wall thickness of the beam and the diameter of the stabiliser bar have been increased. Overall ride comfort and handling will also benefit from the introduction of new fluid-filled compliance bushings to the rear suspension.

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First image of next generation Honda CR-V released!

July 25, 2011 at 9:26 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Honda

A single photo of the next generation Honda CR-V has been making its way around the internet, a sign that Honda could be prepared to launch the new SUV soon.

This doesn’t really look like a production car though, as it has tinted head lamps and very small wing mirrors. It might be a concept car designed to reveal what the production next generation CR-V would look like, before Honda reveals the production form. Honda USA has been known to do this in the past, just like it did with the recent new generation US market Honda Civic sedan and coupe.

From the looks of this image, the CR-V looks like it will continue to be a 5-seater. The Accord Coupe-like side window profile looks nice, and there’s a hint of the Volvo XC90 at the rear tail lamps. Check out our previously featured spyshots.

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Honda Stream to undergo “product update campaign” in Malaysia – 1,494 vehicles from MY 2008-2010 involved

July 25, 2011 at 5:24 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Honda, Local News

Honda Malaysia is undertaking what it calls a “product update campaign” for its Stream, involving 2008 to 2010 model year vehicles, with a total of 1,494 units involved. This is aimed at addressing a technical irregularity involving the water pump pulley bolts, caused by a burr around the periphery of the bolt-mounting hole.

Essentially, a burr is a raised edge formed from the machining operation, which in drilled holes can cause issues, such as that happening here with the Stream.

Honda Malaysia said in a statement that owners with affected units may observe a few symptoms including the constant display of warning lights on the speedometer and a noise from water pump. In the long run, the burr will cause the pulley bolt to become loose and the bolt may break.

When that happens, the auxiliary belt will loosen and eventually detach from the alternator. As the supply of current is interrupted, the electric power steering assist will gradually come to a halt that makes maneuvering difficult. There is also a possibility that the engine may stall.

Upon inspection, all affected units will be replaced with new water pump pulley bolts. The company is in the midst of preparing the replacement parts, and necessary inspection and replacement will be carried out when the parts are ready. Honda Malaysia added that all current selling models are not affected.

Meanwhile, in related news, reports say that Honda will be recalling about 200,000 passenger cars globally due to the issue above. The company said it had received 63 customer reports in Japan of engine malfunctions as a result of the defect, but said none had led to accidents.

In Japan, it will recall 50,122 units of the Stream, Civic and Crossroad that were made at its domestic plants between July 2008 and July 2010. “Globally there are some 200,000 cars, including those in Japan, with similar troubles,” a Honda spokesman said, adding that it would recall about 100,000 units in South America and 6,800 in Europe.

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Honda Fit EV – live gallery and video from IIMS 2011

July 22, 2011 at 3:02 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under 2011 Indonesian International Motor Show, Cars, Honda

Honda first showcased the Honda Fit EV at the LA Auto Show last year, but this is the first time our team has been able to snap live shots of it, thanks to Honda showcasing it at the 2011 Indonesian International Motor Show.

We even have a short video of a Honda model demonstrating how one would “refuel” the Honda Fit EV. Unlike the conventional gasoline powered model, the Fit EV has its fuel flap located at the front fender of the car just below the A pillar.

As a recap – the Fit EV uses a coaxial high-density electric motor derived from the FCX Clarity fuel cell electric vehicle, but instead of powered by a fuel cell it is powered by a charge stored in a lithium ion battery. The car will have a top speed of 145 kph and offer a 160 km range per charge, which takes less than 12 hours when using a conventional 120V outlet and less than six hours with 240V.

For more information on how the Fit EV works, check out our previous post. Look after the jump for a live gallery.
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Next gen Honda CR-V caught testing – is it a seven-seater?

July 19, 2011 at 2:12 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Honda, International News, Spyshots

The current Honda CR-V has been with us since 2006, and it’s time for a new generation. The new CR-V in question has been spotted undergoing hot weather testing in Death Valley USA. The scarily named valley in the Mojave Desert is one of the hottest and driest places on earth, and a favourite location for car manufacturers looking to put their cars to test.

These spy shots show dark-coloured mules sporting full front disguise and plenty of black tape around the D-pillar and the rear lights – basically all the areas that make the current car unique. The uncovered side glass area looks similar to today’s CR-V, but previous sightings have shown an upturn on the bottom line to meet the top line, a bit like the Accord Coupe.

Crucially, the rear section looks a little more chunky that the current car – could there be a third row of seats hiding behind? Some in our office also noticed a lower roof line, but this is hard to tell without a control car.

The addition of third row seats is of course just speculation, since the current Nissan X-Trail sports a similar type of growth over the previous model, but remains a five seater. Do you think Honda should go the seven-seater way the CR-V, or keep the current layout?

Reports from the US claim that production of the new CR-V will start in America late this year. View the rest of the spyshots after the jump.
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Honda Beat – successor to ’90s roadster announced

June 24, 2011 at 6:03 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Honda, International News

Honda is currently developing a vehicle set to be the successor to the Beat roadster from the 90s, according to reports. The company’s president, Takanobu Ito, revealed the development during a general shareholders meeting yesterday.

The new car, Ito said, will be as light and casual as the Beat. He also hinted on the possibility that the new offering will be based on the old two-seater roadster, though whether the upcoming design will feature a rear mid-engined configuration wasn’t disclosed. No timeline for its introduction was also given.

In production from May 1991 to February 1996, the Beat was equipped with a 63 hp 656 cc three-cylinder lump with a Multi Throttle Responsive Engine Control system featuring individual throttle bodies for each of the cylinders. In the close to five years it was on sale, 33,600 examples of the car were built.

Honda showcased this Honda OSM Concept back in 2008. It’s one of the closest previews to a next generation Honda Beat I suppose!

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Service your Honda, and stand a chance to win an Insight

June 15, 2011 at 12:55 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Honda, Local News

Honda Malaysia has announced details of its customer reward campaign for 2011 – the campaign, aimed at rewarding current Honda owners and potential customers in both routine maintenance and after-sales services, runs from today until August 31 at all authorised Honda dealers.

Throughout the period, existing customers who bring in their cars for service – at any amount spent – will be in the running for a lucky draw to win more than 1,600 service vouchers every month as well as 20 units of Apple iPad 2s and the grand prize, an Insight hybrid.

Some terms and conditions – cars with under 40,000 km mileage being sent in for service will get one lucky draw entry, while those above 40,000 km mileage bag one lucky draw entry as well as a 20% discount on labour cost for the next service. Meanwhile, Accord and Insight owners who purchase Modulo packages for their respective rides will get three lucky draw entries. Time for that service then, eh?

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VIDEO: Supercharged 197 hp Honda CR-Z Mugen in action

June 14, 2011 at 3:04 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Honda, Videos

The first pics of the Honda CR-Z Mugen was released last month, and now there’s a video of RE11 FCZ in action. Tuned by Mugen’s UK performance division, the charged CR-Z’s new bits – carbon fibre bonnet, rear spoiler, bronze Mugen wheels, front LEDs, bodykit, four-pot brake calipers – are shown in the video. Inside, there are Recaro seats and a trio of Mugen gauges on the dash top.

The 1:35 clip also shows the CR-Z’s rev counter change from blue to red as the driver changes into sports mode. The Honda is then seen doing its thing on empty country roads. You can also hear the sound of the engine, and it’s quite racy.

By the way, Mugen’s CR-Z retains the regular coupe’s 1.5-litre petrol motor, but they’ve supercharged it to produce 50% more power and torque. The claimed overall figure is 197 hp and 245 Nm just for the engine. Overall figures will be higher thanks to a recalibrated version of the CR-Z’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) electric motor. More details will be out later this month, when the car gets its public unveiling at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

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