Archive for the ‘Honda Auto’ Category

05
May

The electric motor used in cars is not in its infancy. Indeed, the first car to exceed 100 km / h, the ” never satisfied “, hosted an electric motor and this in 1899. We do not therefore see why this promising technology was abandoned. A few years ago, the group SAP has put on the market model driven by this energy and result is the biggest commercial failure of the European automotive industry over the past 20 years! Their problems: a self-ridicule than a hundred kilometers and a top speed of 100 km / h. Since that bad experience, the big manufacturers could do more to sell this kind of vehicle. Yet, thanks to new technology batteries engine and chassis, the possibilities are great.


Two Peugeot 106 electric true commercial flop for the group PSA .

The different kinds of cars with electric motors

The cars pulling the driving energy of a battery:
Their main drawback is the battery life of the car: the batteries were, until recent years, and accusations of heavy low energy density and power density mass . But since the arrival of new batteries such as Lithium Ion or Lithium Metal Polymer, cars designed specifically for this engine are the days.


Sample design around the electric motor and batteries (Venturi Fetish).

This helps get the best return for the recent mass distribution is more appropriate. Some projects such as the Venturi Fetish emerge and others like Bluecar are under development. These non-polluting cars (use but not necessarily in the manufacture of energy), are not devoid of advantages over conventional cars:
It is possible to use them without gearbox because their engine has a very wide operating range (0 to 14 000 rpm for the Venturi)
-Torque is available at any time unlike the car engine,
-The electric motor also has a better performance than the internal combustion engine,
-Noise levels are much lower to 50 km / h (the speed at which the noise is mainly caused by the tires)
-Owners can recharge their car directly at them and no longer need to go to the gas station.


The Venturi Fetish, an exclusive sport, a performance worthy
the largest, remains the problem of cost: 540 000 euros TTC
(Mainly lithium-ion batteries).


Bluecar may be the car of tomorrow;
remains to go ahead with the project.

The cars pulling motive power from another source:
There are two possibilities:

-The engine can be powered by photovoltaic cells generally placed on the body of the car. This system is currently reserved for prototypes made for performance but not for the purpose of commercialization. In addition to the current state of affairs, the sun is necessary for correct performance of solar collectors.


The body of these prototypes is covered
a maximum of photovoltaic cells.

-Another option is the fuel cell (or PAC), since it produces electricity that powers an electric motor. The operation of the CAP is described here .

To conclude, the electric car may have a bright future ahead of them but they do allow a real reduction in pollution only if it is powered by electricity produced from environmentally friendly manner. We’ve seen the Venturi Fetish with which they can perform like sports cars but also with Bluecar they can be used town car. In a few years when the cost of new battery technologies will be down, the electric motor car could well dethrone the car engine.

06
Apr

A double evocation of Honda and hydrogen, it comes back invariably to the FCX Clarity in the first place. Always at the forefront when it comes to work and conduct studies in R & D in this particular area , the Japanese automaker introduces something new being tested in its home market.Leitmotif? A solar recharging mobile hydrogen.

Within the broad framework of its many programs inherent in alternative energy, so Honda unveils a mobile charging station, charging station producing hydrogen via solar panels through which recharge a car overnight.

More concretely, it is the first facility in Japan as a total system of production that stores and distributes hydrogen without CO2 emissions but also noise years.

What production? According to Honda, portable generator could produce up 1.5 kg of hydrogen in 24 h. Either to make a more pragmatic, allowing an FCX ​​Clarity to claim a range of 150 km. This station is currently under study in Saitama Prefecture. Expected to be mobile, it could also grow in the future in other public or private places.

Meanwhile, Honda also announced the possibility of a CF Clarity a mobile generator with a built-in plug which will give power to a power of 9 kW.

16
Apr

The practicality of the current Civic Type R has a car, you can live in everyday driving, but also offers performance equally instantaneous, and the playful handling, upon request. This dual personality dream more than 35,000 customers, far exceeding initial sales forecasts during its relatively short production cycle.

Last year, Honda announced it is to build a successor, and while the previous model is a hard act to follow, the credentials of the Civic Type R Concept that made its world debut in Geneva, suggests that the new car will attract a whole new wave of enthusiasts.


Bold and emotional style is associated with development of the previous Type R race-proven, the engine at high speed pedigree DOHC i-VTEC. Delivered 200 bhp from a capacity of 2.0 liters without resorting to a turbocharger defined the character of the old model and also to define the character of its spiritual successor. The promise then is a performance sedan that will be as exciting to drive because it will look when it goes on sale in early 2011.

A new 3-door version of the Civic, which shares DNA with this Type R Concept model, will go on sale in Europe later this year. He uses most of the themes of style that have made the praise for the recent 5-door Civic.

, , ,

18
Mar

One of the most interesting versions on the Honda CR-Z presented at the Tokyo Auto Salon this year it remains the one presented by the Japanese tuning firm Blaze. The concept presented is called Silk and has a body kit complete with a new front bumper, side skirts, rear spoiler and a new rear bumper with additional air intakes on top, plus a diffuser and three openings for exhaust pipes. This model of the CR-Z has a set of 19 inch rim.
What is most impressive with this beast is what lies under the hood. According tuneur Blaze, the CR-Z that she has lovingly crafted a compressor that allows the HKS racing car to enjoy a power of 271 horsepower.

, , ,

28
Jan

One of the most interesting versions on the Honda CR-Z presented at the Tokyo Auto Salon this year it remains the one presented by the Japanese tuning firm Blaze. The concept presented is called Silk and has a body kit complete with a new front bumper, side skirts, rear spoiler and a new rear bumper with additional air intakes on top, plus a diffuser and three openings for exhaust pipes. This model of the CR-Z has a set of 19 inch rim.
What is most impressive with this beast is what lies under the hood. According tuneur Blaze, the CR-Z that she has lovingly crafted a compressor that allows the HKS racing car to enjoy a power of 271 horsepower.

, ,

12
Dec

R Type CR Z Le retour des 1.6 chez Honda?1600cm3, is the displacementFirst Agreement of 1976, double shaft inaugurated by CRX in the mid 80’s or the inevitable and pugnacious “B16″ variable valve timing . With the exception of marginal Civic engine R Series race at the reduced tax purposes, the displacement “fetish” has disappeared from the manufacturer’s catalog. To believe the rumors, she is about to make a comeback.
Diesel in first , which accounts for 20% of sales of Honda in Europe, where sales rose in India. The next Civic for the old continent should receive a 1.6-liter available with two power levels, 120hp or 160hp, framing and the current proposal to close the 140hp 2.2-liter i-CTDi, ousted by Euro V.
In recent days, rumors also swell around a 1600 turbo petrol, also expected in the form of a binomial more muscular, 160hp or 200hp. Some think it already under the hood of a Type R CR-Z . With the end of the K20A, also exceeded the standards, the development of such proposal appears credible, the CR-Z or another model.
Listed in Formula 1 for 2013, the 4-cylinder 1600 Will he become, or become, a symbol of motor sports?

, , , , ,

12
Nov

First ImpressionsAcura RSX 2002

After trying this car for a few hours, I left very satisfied … The model tested was the Premium, that is to say with the 4-cylinder 2-liter 160 horsepower. Compared to the basic model, this model is equipped with rims 5 spoke 16-inch sports tires size 205/55R16, a sunroof, ABS brakes and leather seats, and all this for $ 3000 more than the basic model.
The look of this car is really nice in my opinion. Certainly it is a matter of taste but I personally think the line is very fluid, and this from all angles. There is no doubt that design would be more innovative and sought, such as the Toyota Celica or the new Hyundai Tiburon for example. But one thing is certain: the design of the new RSX will remain long without becoming obsolete, as has been the Integra.
Inside, by cons, the designers have really let go. The dashboard is superb, and very effective with red lighting. The seats offer good comfort but more importantly, they provide lateral support quite exceptional. The front space is sufficient, but like in most sports coupes, the rear seats are rather symbolic. While speaking of the back, do not forget to mention that the rear visibility is not the best, the C pillars does not help at all in terms of blind spots.

Performance-wise, the RSX is a sports car without a doubt. The handling is really good, even progressive at the limit. A slight understeer is noticeable to the limit but you really push the car hard. Despite this ride, the surprise side RSX comfort. It is certain that the various shortcomings of our roads are clearly apparent, but the whole is acceptable. The shifter is a joy to use, it is ideally placed, and very accurate. And what is anti-lock brakes, they are powerful enough in most circumstances.

As mentioned above, the model tested was not the famous Type-S with its 2 liters of 200 horses and gearbox 6-speed. So I did not expect the performance breathtaking. It was not a complete assessment, then I could not test the car with our electronic equipment. By cons, to judge with the impression I had, I would say that this car does the 0-100km / h in 8.0 or 8.5 seconds. The engine could have more low end torque but more horsepower at high rpm, but it’s still very acceptable. Say that with such a ride, we expect a more powerful engine. But $ 00 for 27 for our Premium model is very satisfactory.
For those seeking more performance, remember that the Type-S model retails for $ 31 000.

, , ,

12
Nov

“Focus Group”
Acura EL 1.7 2003
Acura introduced the EL model, exclusive to Canada a few years ago.This model is still limited in our market. In some ways, we always left a large focus group for Acura. For those who do not know, the focus group are used by marketing departments to test the perception of consumers to their products. So as a consumer, here’s what I think of this car.

Comfort

Who says luxury car, “said Comfort. The notion of comfort is often associated with large expenditures. In the case of the test car at a price of $ 22 000, we must admit that it’s more than reasonable. So what does the EL offers for such a price?
Air conditioning, steering wheel and leather-wrapped, a center armrest effective, storage and well thought out enough, cloth seating comfort acceptable can easily find a comfortable driving position. There are other elements that add to the luxury they have nothing to do with comfort. And we think the woodgrain trim found on the center console and doors. There is also the entry system remote keyless and remote opening of the trunk.

Let’s talk about comfort “operational”. Controls heating / cooling are easily manipulated. The dials show light blue on black background allowing for easy reading. The cruise control is available on the wheel, which makes it easy and efficient operation.

And comfort on the road, you ask? Well, our Acura is equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission (automatic optional) focusing on more smoothly than sporty driving. The reports are layered for comfort and fuel economy. So for strong acceleration, overtaking maneuvers and other situations where power is sought, must assemble the engine speed high enough so that the VTEC system kicks in. And this is where the comfort is spoiled … The load is found but at the expense of your hearing. Unlike other Honda engines, the sound is more heavy and easily penetrates into the cabin. It is unfortunate that the engine noise is heard that way because Acura has still managed to master the sounds of winds and altogether the noises of the road. Despite winter tires, the cabin noise filter gave acceptable ride. So we can conclude that once stored winter tires, tire noise decrease.

I was talking about the engine a little earlier. The 1.7 liter VTEC engine offers adequate performance altogether. I will now give the figures recorded during the test because I know that some consumers like to make comparisons. The 127 horsepower @ 6300 rpm allow 0-100 km / h in 8.7 seconds and carried the 400 m 16.08 sec.

The interior is similar to a Honda Civic. The legroom is good for a compact car. But cars in this class are struggling to provide space for 3 adults in the rear. And EL is no exception.

Security

Any luxury car should now provide a higher level of security to its occupants. Therefore the EL has airbags front and sides. In addition, it offers antilock brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) on the base model.

, , ,

12
Nov

First ImpressionsAcura TSX 2004

The following assessment is made from a short test performed during the presentation of the TSX.And if the car you fell in the eye, and many rush you in your Acura as it is now available to consumers since April 7, 2003. We should try this car over a long period shortly but for now, here are my impressions of this “Agreement” European.

Outside as inside

First, the look of the car is fresh and new in my review for Acura.I see a resemblance to the Audi A4 and Lexus IS300. The lines are not spectacular but still very successful. The exterior and interior design is Germanic flavor with the added bonus of finishing copy. The dashboard is very nice, the dials easy to read with a light taste very good. The controls are intuitive and accessible at your fingertips, and this for cooling than the 360-watt audio system!

The leather seats are firm but comfortable. The lateral support seats, meanwhile, is good but it could have been more pronounced in my opinion to keep the driver in place during sporty driving in turns. I already see Bruno told me that I force in a turn too …

A treat in turn

Speaking ride, I must say that it is a highlight of the TSX even though it is a pull, balanced, neutral, predictable and easy to fix.The steering is direct and provides good driving experience. The suspension is very well weighted and despite the 17-inch tires, comfort is the rendezvous. Okay, other cars that compete with Acura provide a comparable handling, but they are less comfortable. We need only think of two more recent competitors in the segment of sports sedans: the Cadillac CTS and Infiniti G35. Both offer excellent driving pleasure thanks to its propulsion, but comfort is slightly less than the star of this article.Even the back is excellent comfort on bumpy roads.

For those passengers taking place in the back, they notice the cons by a lack of storage, such as in the rear doors. The legroom seems disappointing at first, but keep in mind that this car is not designed to compete in the intermediate category. If you dare to compare it against the BMW 3 series and Audi A4 to mention only these, the TSX stands up very well next interior space, and just as well when you look (or listen! !) silent running.

No, not a V6

The engine of the TSX is a 4-cylinder 2.4-liter, 200hp, and the first thing you notice is the smoothness of this engine. Our test model was equipped with the automatic transmission 5-speed sequential Sportshift. A 6-speed manual transmission is also available. This engine is probably better suited to the manual transmission because I was not impressed by the performance of the car with automatic transmission. Before continuing, I must remain objective and admit that this transmission is very fast and smooth in his work. The problem seems related to the fact that this engine really makes its presence felt in high speed and in such cases, a manual transmission is always ideal. For everyman, the result is probably more than satisfactory, but as soon as you are staying three of your knowledge, the extra weight is felt in all situations. By the time we present you our full review, I think the 0-100km / h is between 7.5 and 8 seconds for our test car.

, , , , ,

12
Nov

New identityAcura TL 2004

The previous generation TL had appeared in 1999.This car has many followers by offering attractive performance, reliability, above average, a certain prestige and a competitive price but a look that many were bland. Honda, Acura umbrella, we are accustomed to a life cycle of 5 years for most models in their range. The TL is no exception since a brand new version is available in 2004. The latter offers a much more aggressive look than the previous generation but it has not escaped controversy, since some consumers complain of its resemblance to the TSX.

Three versions

This new generation model marks the start of the sportier Type S. While the TL 2004 is presented in three forms: a first base version with navigation system and the Dynamique version. In reality, there is very little difference between versions. We tested the dynamics: this includes the manual transmission, brake calipers Brembo ® front, stabilizer bars and larger dimensions. As to the difference between the basic version and one with navigation system, it comes down to the navigation system, voice commands to the radio and a hands free phone system.

Injection of adrenaline

At Acura, we wanted to play the performance card with the new TL. That is why we have dramatically increased the number of horses available. The same 3.2-liter V6 engine now produces 270 horsepower compared to the 225 base model and 260 of the type S of the previous generation. The engine is paired with two different transmissions: either a 5-speed automatic version “ SportShiftMC “version and a sequential 6-speed manual with limited slip differential. The engine is equipped with variable valve timing to deliver a better performance over the entire operating range. This technology is called i-VTEC® at Honda. And for those who are familiar with Honda engines, it does not break the tradition because when the VTEC® kicks in at around 4500 rpm, the engine displays the true colors. Say it is not appropriate in this power range would be a lie because it provides sufficient power at all times. Is that the extra power is available at high speed. This system is geared to provide maximum fuel economy.After hundreds of miles of highway, it is possible for me to say that consumption figures announced by Energy Canada are true!This car showed an average consumption of 9 liters per 100km over a distance of 2000 km: 120 km / h on the highway, the car consumes about 8l/100km.

The version tested was equipped with the 6-speed manual transmission. This box is one of the best I have had the chance to try. The reports go well, the box is very precise and transmits the sensations of driving the pilot. But the clutch, in turn, is rather temperamental. Acura has opted for a very sporty clutch: the result is mixed because the sticking point is very short and it takes some time to adapt before being comfortable, and thereby efficient when manipulates the clutch.

, ,