Honda

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BMW keeps streak, Honda, Ford get 2 spots on Car and Driver's 2012 Best Cars list

The BMW 3-Series extended its streak to 21 consecutive years while Honda and Ford landed two models each on Car and Driver magazine's 30th annual 10 Best Cars List. A total of 68 cars were eligible, all according the publication. For consideration, cars must be new or significantly updated from 2011 available by January 2012 and cost less than $80,000. "As in years past, the cars on this year's list represent the best overall vehicles on the market today," said Eddie Alterman, editor-in-chief, Car and Driver. "Out of 68 contenders, these are the ones that consistently perform the best, are a good value and are engaging, fun-to-drive vehicles." Of the BMW 3-Series, Car and Driver commented: "After 21 consecutive years

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Honda, Acura expand exploding airbag recall, total now 876,000 cars

The continuing dilemma of possible rupturing airbags has prompted American Honda Co., to recall another 273,000 Honda and Acura vehicles from 2001 to 2003 and thus pushing the total current recall to 876,000 cars. Honda said the additional recall is because the airbag could potentially explode causing injury or death. In a notice on its website, Honda wrote: "Affected driver's airbag inflators may deploy with too much pressure, which can cause the inflator casing to rupture and could result in injury or fatality." "Because Honda is unable to determine the specific vehicles that may have received the affected service parts through existing information, Honda will inspect an additional approximately 603,000 vehicles and replace those parts as necessary." The expanded recall

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Chevy Volt, Honda Insight top best gas mileage cars in past quarter century

With gas, hybrid, electric and now natural gas vehicles now all vying for better gas mileages averages and the marketing fuel efficiency among manufacturers at its peak, it’s hard to keep track of what carmakers top the list. What might come as a surprise, it’s not all current models make the all-time list of best gas mileage average — at least dating to 1986 — or the last quarter century. Here are the top-10 gas mileage average (internal combustion engines) dating to 1986: 1. Chevrolet Volt (2011–12), Plug-in hybrid, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, auto (variable gear ratios), premium gasoline, 60, city; 58 highway, combined, 62.2. Honda Insight (2000), 3 cyl, 1.0L, manual 5-speed, regular gasoline, 53/49/61.3. Toyota Prius (2010–12), 4

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Honda Civic Natural Gas, 2012: Green Car of the Year

The 2012 Honda Natural Gas, which for the first time is nationally marketed and available in dealers throughout the United States, is the Green Car of the Year. The designated has been awarded yearly since 2005 at the Los Angeles Auto Show by the publication Green Car Journal. The cleanest running internal combustion vehicle certified by the EPA, the redesigned 2012 Civic Natural Gas is the fifth generation of the alternative fuel vehicle and the only assembly-line produced natural gas passenger model manufactured for sale in the United States. It runs on a clean fuel almost exclusively domestically sourced and priced about 30-50 percent less than gasoline. While averaging 38 highway MPGe, the Honda Civic Natural Gas is an Advanced

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Honda CR-V, 2012: Refined, quieter, more technology

The Honda CR-V, the country's best-seling Sport Utility Vehicle and redesigned for 2012, is debuting at the Los Angeles Auto Show and has a more refined appearance and is reportedly quieter than previous editions. The new CR-V features a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 185 horsepower, 163 pound feet of torque and a five-speed automatic transmission.

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World debuts for Mazda, Ford, Honda at LA Auto Show

World debuts of 20 cars from Chevrolet to Honda and more than 30 North American auto unveilings will comprise a chunky dose of the anticipated start November 16 of the Los Angeles Auto Show. In addition to the 1,000 new vehicles on display at the Los Angeles Convention Center, several manufacturers have upgraded exhibit spaces and added enhanced features with more interactive content and experiences. There will also be more than a half-dozen test drives that put consumers in the seats and on the streets in some new vehicles on select days. Notable this year will be a significant increase in fuel efficiency across the board in all categories. Nearly 20 highly-efficient, 40-mpg-plus vehicles, using internal combustion engines-such as the

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Honda Civic, 2012: It’s a natural gas and it’s nationwide

The 2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas (formerly the Civic GX), the only dedicated natural gas-powered passenger vehicle manufactured and sold in the U.S., debuted Oct. 18, marking the first time in the vehicle’s 14-year history it’s been available at dealerships throughout the country. Until its current model, the Honda Civic natural gas model was available only in California, New York, Utah and Oklahoma. To support growing consumer interest in alternative-fuel vehicles, American Honda expanded its U.S. distribution to 200 dealers in 35 states. As an alternative-fuel vehicle with extremely low smog-forming emissions, the Civic Natural Gas currently qualifies for a state-issued decal allowing single-occupant access to High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) “carpool” lanes in California and several other states. The Civic Natural

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Honda Fit EV, 2013: Another new car joins green car parade

Key Takeaways Unveiled at the 2011 LA Auto Show: The production Fit EV followed its concept debut at the same show one year earlier, marking Honda’s entry into the mass-market battery electric vehicle segment. 90 mph top speed with 70-100 mile range: The concept demonstrated respectable performance limits and a driving range that would cover most daily commutes without needing a mid-day charge. Honda’s challenge to Toyota’s EV dominance: The Fit EV represented Honda’s direct response to Toyota’s leadership in alternative fuel vehicles, joining the FCX Clarity, Civic Natural Gas, and Insight in Honda’s green lineup. Familiar Fit platform with electric powertrain: By using the popular gas-powered Fit as its base, Honda aimed to deliver an EV that felt familiar

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Honda CR-V, 2012: New edition images leaked on Japan site

Like several other manufacturers, Honda was planning to debut the new edition e of its most successful vehicles, the CR-V sport utility vehicle, at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. Instead, the 2012 edition was unveiled accidentally or accidentally on purse in automaker's Japanese-language website. Images of the 2012 CR-V crossover are not-too-different from the photos of concept of the car unveiled in September. If the images are correct, the new CR-V features a more prominent grille and more pointed windows and more steeply angled rear lines. The CR-V will also reportedly features a new platform with more interior space but a slightly lighter vehicle. The CR-V will include a new 2.5-liter inline-four-cylinder with 201 horsepower. The 2012 edition

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Toyota, Honda pace top-10 best gas mileage car list

The 2012 Mitsubishi i, sometimes described as a jellybean, tops the list of the 10 cars with the best gas mileage currently available in the United States. Honda and Toyota each have two cars on the list. The website www.greencarreports compiled the list, which features 2012 and 2011 models and cars rated by MPG (miles per gallon) and MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent). The website describes the leader of the list as "Mitsubishi's powered jellybean, the 'i' electric car. The looks might not be to all tastes but with an average of 112 MPGe, it currently ranks top on the EPA's leaderboard of fuel efficiency." Here's the list: 2012 Mitsubishi i, 112 MPGe 2011 Nissan Leaf, 99 MPG 2012 Chevrolet

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Honda Civic Natural Gas 2012: more states for October debut

Honda has announced the 2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas will have an MSRP starting prices of $26,155 with the manufacturer hoping to expand the only natural gas car made in the United States to 200 dealers across the country. Formerly called the Civic GX, the Natural Gas will go on sale October 18th at dealerships in 38 states. The car, set to be built in Indiana, was previously only available in California, New York, Utah, and Oklahoma. Honda claims the Civic Natural Gas emits almost zero smog-forming particles and is the cleanest internal-combustion vehicle certified by the EPA. It will receive a decal that qualifies for single-occupant access to HOV carpool lanes in several states across the country including California.

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Honda CR-V, 2012: Some new, some old for LA debut

The 2012 Honda CR-V, the fourth generation of the best-selling sport utility vehicle in the United States, will debut as a concept at the Orange County International Auto Show and then will debut in its production model at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The 2011 and 2012 models are similar but the new year model has a more angular front end, with a large three-bar grille and more rounded tailgate. Additionally, the vertical taillamps have been will now resemble the design on Civic and Accord models. Although specifications haven't been released, Honda said the 2012 CR-V will be more fuel efficient and weigh less than the current edition. The 2012 edition will also have a redesigned interior. Honda has sold

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Honda Pilot recalled for seatbelt quality issue

Honda is recalling 310,773 Pilot SUVs from the years 2009-2011 because driver and passenger seat belts whose anchor webbing may not have been properly completed and could detach. Honda said the first claim occurred in May 2010 of a seat belt anchor detaching and a second claim was made in July, prompting an investigation and recall. Honda will notify owners starting next month and dealers will replace the seat belts if necessary. No injuries or deaths have been reported, but the latest recall adds to Honda's woes. Last week, Honda announced a global recall of about 800,00 vehicles, including about 100,000 in the United States. The recall included about 80,000 CR-V sport utility vehicles from the 2006 model year in

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Honda recalls 962,000 Fit, CR-V models globally

Honda is recalling more than 950,000 vehicles worldwide including the Fit, Fit Aria, CR-V and CR-V hybrids because of faulty power windows and computer systems that could melt and and prompt fires. Honda will recall 936,000 units combined of the Fit subcompact, CR-V crossover and Fit Aria in North America, Asia, Europe and Africa totaling 936,000 units. The recall of the CR-Z totals 26,000 vehicles or an overall total of 962,000. The recall covers Fit vehicles produced in Japan from October 2005 to October 2009. The cars were shipped to China and other Asian countries. The CR-Vs affected are from the 2006 model year. In August, Honda recalled 2.3 million cars to fix malfunctioning transmissions. Honda says the current recall

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Honda Accord, 2012: Better gas mileage, more models

The 2012 Honda Accord, perennially among the best-selling cars in the United States but facing increased sedan competition, will include a new trim, better fuel economy and minor technology improvements. The Accord sedan has earned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s highest score of 5 stars. The car scored a 5 for overall frontal crash safety, overall side-crash safety and rollover resistance. Sedans for 2012 are the 4-cylinder Accord LX, LX-P (Premium), SE, EX and EX-L, and the 6-cylinder Accord EX V6 and EX-L V6. Coupes are the 4-cylinder Accord LX-S, EX, EX-L, and the 6-cylinder Accord EX V6 and EX-L V6. The Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System is available on all Accord EX-L models. There are 4 and 6-cylinder engines

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Honda Fit, 2012: More standard features, sportier styling

The 2012 Honda Fit will include new standard features as well as “sportier” styling with a more aggressive front grille and bumper, blacked out headlights and dark alloy wheels. The 2012 Fit Sport will also feature an updated interior with new ambient lighting and new center console-mounted cup holders. The Fit Sport’s interior will be further enhanced with a sporty-looking dark metallic dashboard as well as chrome-ringed gauges. While the standard Fit will remain largely unchanged with the exception of new body-colored side view mirrors, the new Fit Sport will also feature standard steering wheel-mounted audio controls, and Bluetooth. The Fit’s 1.5-liter 117-horsepower four-cylinder engine remains unchanged for 2012. The read more about the Honda Fit, read: The Weekly Driver:

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