Honda's Supercharged Accord V6 HFP Concept

While most of Honda's tuning attention at this year's edition of the Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas is focused on the new 2012 Civic, the Japanese brand also brought along a powered-up concept of the Accord Coupe.

The highlight of the conceptual Accord Coupe V6 HFP [Honda Factory Performance] lies under the hood as the firm's engineers dropped a supercharger along with a performance air intake and exhaust system.

As a result, the 3.5-liter V6 engine's output is lifted to 335-horses and 285 ft. lbs of torque, an increase of 64HP and 34 ft-lb. over the stock model.

Honda also fitted the demonstration model with a full suite of currently-available HFP components such as the aero package and alloy wheels.

The Japanese company was quick to point out that it has no current production plans for the Accord concept.

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All-New 2012 Honda CR-V: First Official PhotosPHOTO GALLERY

Over the past few months we've brought you pictures of camouflaged prototypes, the loosely disguised concept and even the patent designs of the next 2012 Honda CR-V, but today, thanks to our tipster Andy Ye, we bring you the first official images of the final production model.

Not surprisingly, the styling changes over the concept CR-V we saw this summer are restricted to the matte finish of the plastic cladding on the body, the smaller wheels and the clear graphics on the headlamps and tail lamps.

Honda has previously said that its new SUV will be "more sophisticated and dynamic" than its predecessor while also offering improved interior space and versatility as well as a suit of new technologies.

The company has remained tight-lipped about the engines that will be available on the new CR-V, but it is believed that the North American model will reach U.S. showrooms at the end of November or early December with a more powerful yet at the same time more fuel efficient version of the current 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine.

On the other side of the Atlantic, Europeans should expect a choice of smaller displacement four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines when it arrives in the fall of 2012.

The 2012 Honda CR-V will make its world premiere at the Los Angeles Auto Show in mid-November with the JDM model to debut a couple of weeks later at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.

A very big hat tip to Andy Ye!

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2012 Honda CR-V Concept

The close-to-production concept previews the new looks of the 2012 CR-V that will receive its world premiere in final form at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November and go on sale in the United States before the end of the year.


The JDM model will follow in December at the Tokyo Motor Show, while European buyers will have to wait until fall of 2012.


We've already brought you the official design fillings of the production model, so it's safe to say that only a few things will change over the concept, namely the smaller alloy wheels and the aero kit, which includes the front and rear bumper trims, and side skirts.


"The 2012 CR-V Concept strongly hints at the more dynamic and refined look of the upcoming model," commented John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda. "As the best-selling SUV in each of the past four years, the 2012 CR-V promises to build on its highly successful formula with even more style, innovative features and higher fuel economy."


Honda added that the new CR-V will also feature a more fuel-efficient (four-cylinder) engine and reduced body weight, while it will also receive an all-new interior with "a more accommodating and spacious design".

New NSX and “Hot” 2012 Civic Type R

[2003 Honda HSC Concept pictured above]

Last April, we told you about Honda CEO Takanobu Ito's plans for a successor to the much-missed NSX supercar. Ito had then hinted that the “new NSX” would be more environmentally friendly, possibly using a hybrid powertrain like the Japanese firm's new small coupe, the CR-Z.

On the sidelines of this year's Frankfurt Motor Show, Ito-San reaffirmed the company's commitment to build an NSX successor.

“I spent part of my early career at Honda developing the NSX, and specifically the aluminium body," Ito told reporters from UK's Autocar. "I really enjoyed the experience and learned much, so my wish is that Honda engineers have the experience of developing a sportscar like the NSX in the future. Within Honda, our engineers are already looking at developing such a car,” he added.

Ito was not willing to give away any information other than that the new model would be quite different compared to the old NSX.

“The original NSX was about high power but also about good driving experience. Today power-to-weight is what we have to focus on. The NSX was known for its aluminium body, so when we develop our new sportcar we don’t want to copy Ferrari for power, but to also chase efficiency as well," Ito said.

This is the second coming of the NSX successor: in 2003, Honda displayed the HSC concept pictured here at the Tokyo Motor Show, hinting at a production model. Indeed the company was scheduling a 2010 launch, but the plan was cancelled by then-Honda CEO Takeo Fukui in the middle of the economic crisis.

The high-tech supercar isn’t the only performance model that Honda is developing at the moment. The 2012 Civic's chief engineer, Mitsuru Kariya said that a hot version is also under development.

It seems like Honda’s management changed its mind because it initially denied planning such a version as it didn’t fit in its new, “green” image.

“The performance version is already under discussion”, said Kariya. “We know the Type R was a big success, and we are looking for a car developed in that direction. Whether it will be called Type R is not certain though.”

It’s OK, Mr. Kariya, as long as you stay true to the hardcore character of the original. After all, a rose by any other name would still smell as sweet.

Story sources: Autocar

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Honda Jazz New Equipment Features

Honda has laid bare the highlights to its 2012 model year Fit hatchback, and the most important news concern the updated styling of the Fit Sport, some interior tweaks on all models and the addition of new standard and optional features across the range.

Beginning with the 2012 Fit Sport, the exterior updates include a revised front grille and bumper, black headlight bezels and a dark "machined surface" finish for the alloy wheels.

Inside, the Sport benefits from a dark metallic dashboard trim that replaces the previous gray and black themes, the addition of chrome accents around the instrument displays, plus standard steering wheel-mounted audio controls and upgraded seat fabrics.

Furthermore, when equipped with a navigation system with Voice Recognition, the Fit Sport now includes Bluetooth HandsFreeLink.

The base Fit model gains body-color exterior mirrors and updated wheel covers, while all models get newly designed console-mounted center beverage holders along with console ambient lighting, and added sound insulation measures in the floor, front fenders and A-pillars, plus thicker front corner-window glass.

All Fit models are powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 117HP at 6,600 rpm and 106 lb-ft. of torque at 4,800 rpm.

When equipped with the available automatic transmission, the Fit returns a city/highway/combined fuel economy rating of 28/35/31 miles per gallon respectively. Manual transmission models have an EPA city/highway/combined fuel economy rating of 27/33/29 mpg.

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