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.

PHOTO GALLERY

Caddy’s big SUV, the Escalade is $16,882

For years, Caddy’s big SUV, the Escalade is the number one target of thieves in the States and this hasn't changed in the latest study from the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI).

According to the latest data for 2008-10 models from HLDI, the Escalade is more than six times as likely to be stolen by thieves compared to the average vehicle.

This time, four versions of the Escalade appear at the top spot with the pickup-bed EXT model being the most “popular” amongst thieves, with more than 14 claims per 1,000 insured vehicles annually – or more than eight times those of the average vehicle.

Large SUVs and pickup trucks, like Ford’s F-250 Series and F450 also appear in the top 10, with the first passenger car being the Chrysler 300 with 7.1 claims per 1,000 vehicles. Strangely enough, thieves appear to prefer American models, as the top 10 list is comprised only cars and trucks from U.S. brands.

Half of the vehicles with the lowest claim rates are either European or Japanese. Audi’s A6 is at the bottom of the list with just 0.5 claims per 1,000 cars.

But there is another factor to be taken into consideration: according to the data, the average payment per claim for the A6 is $16,882, whereas for the Escalade much lower, at $10,555. Before you jump to a conclusion, though, consider that the much higher number of claims for Caddy’s SUV results in overall theft losses of $114 per insured vehicle, whereas Audi’s mid-size sedan figure costs the insurance companies only eight bucks a year.

So what can be done to make owners feel more secure? “Immobilizers are a good deterrent against joy-riding teenagers, but professional thieves can easily haul away an SUV on a flatbed truck,” says HLDI’s senior vice president Kim Hazelbaker.

Carmakers are working to find a solution. GM offers two optional sensors for the 2012 Escalade, an inclination sensor that will sound an alarm if someone tries to load it in a flatbed, and a shock sensor that activates when a glass is shattered.

Chrysler’s Vince Muniga responded that “we ‘ve beefed up the security of our interior components like navigation systems to stay one step ahead of the thieves”, while Ford’s spokesman, Wes Sherwood, noted that the company is offering transponder immobilization systems to F-250, 350 and 450 trucks since 2007.

Honda Accord

The Honda Accord is a car of the Japanese car manufacturer Honda . 1976 Honda Accord opened up new markets in the middle class and established the brand's status as a car manufacturer. The choice of name Accord was based on the intention of man, society and the automobile in a eng. Accord) to bring harmonious agreement "(" = the ratio. In Japan, the Honda Accord used to with luxurious variants in the market for luxury penetrate. Over time, the Accord was published under the name of Vigor , Ascot , Rafaga and Torneo 

Up to and including the fourth generation were in Europe, Japan and North America, at least in principle, the same car as the Accord sold. By the fifth generation of this development has been disconnected, that first the European model is no longer continued to grow. Since the seventh generation for the Japanese market, the small version used, so the Accord in the two countries today as middle class, throughout North America under the same name but a limited akin Full-Size Car is sold.

The Acura TSX in turn is based on the European version of the Accord.

Honda Accord and CR-V 4-cylinder CR-Vs 2,277 vehicles in the States.

Honda Recalling 2010MY Accord and CR-V Models in the States for Engine Stalling Problems

Honda has issued a new recall for certain 4-cylinder Accords and CR-Vs from the 2010 model year to check a potential failure with the engine wiring harness connector, as it may cause intermittent spark firing or the engine to stall.

"The wire harness coupler could have been damaged during vehicle assembly, which can lead to engine stalling over time," the Japanese automaker said in a statement, adding that it identified this problem through warranty repairs, and that no related accidents or injuries have been reported to date.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the recall affects 2,277 vehicles in the States.

Under the recall, the firm's dealers will inspect and replace the ignition wiring harness connector free of charge. Notification to customers is expected to begin in early February, 2011.

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

Acura to Debut Refreshed 2011 TSX sedan at LA Auto Show

Among the world premieres listed on the Los Angeles Auto Show's official website, is the 2011 Acura TSX sedan (known as the Honda Accord in Europe and Japan). Even though Honda has already confirmed its own debuts that include an all-new electric vehicle concept and a new plug-in hybrid platform, we've yet to receive official word on Acura's plans.
However, we'll remind you that at this year's NY Show in April, Acura lifted the wraps off the TSX Sport Wagon, which will be offered in the States as a 2011MY. Given that the latest generation of the four-door model has only been on the market since 2008, our guess is that the changes on the 2011MY sedan will be limited to select new styling elements that appeared on the Sports Wagon such as the revised front grille and redesigned bumpers.
In any case, we'll keep you posted on any new info and / or pictures that come by our way.

____________________2011 ACURA TSX SPORT WAGON___________________