Japanese Car Design Corner / ????????: Next-gen Honda Civic 4-door (2HC) fully exposed!

Japanese Car Design Corner / ????????: Next-gen Honda Civic 4-door (2HC) fully exposed!: "CAR Middle East has provided the first pictures of the next generation of the Civic sedan (earlier post), completely naked of all camouflage..."

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Latest scale model arrivals

During the last few weeks, the following models have been arrived from Japan:

• Honda Civic Type R FD2 (2007) in Championship White by Ebbro

• Honda Civic Type R FD2 (2007) in Crystal Black Pearl by Ebbro

• Honda Civic Mugen RR FD2 (2007) in Red by Ebbro

• Honda Civic Type R FN2 JDM in Championship White by Ebbro

• Nissan GT-R R34 V-SPEC II (2000) in White Pearl by Ebbro

• Nissan GT-R R35 V-SPEC (2009) in White Pearl by Ebbro

• Toyota Supra RZ (1996) in Gungray by Ebbro

READ MORE - Latest scale model arrivals

Interior of next-gen Honda Civic 4-door (2HC) revealed!!!

The interior of the next-gen Civic 4-door (earlier post) has been revealed and as you can see, the two-tiered design theme makes a return, but basically everything has been completely redesigned.

Source: Temple of VTEC

READ MORE - Interior of next-gen Honda Civic 4-door (2HC) revealed!!!

Rendering of next-gen Honda Civic (2HC)

On the front cover of Japanese Mag-X magazine, there is a rendering of the next-gen 4-door Civic, codenamed 2HC (earlier post). Unfortunately, I don't have any further info or access to read what Mag-X claims, but I will do my best in order to find out...

READ MORE - Rendering of next-gen Honda Civic (2HC)

Honda Jazz Hybrid to debut in Paris

The Jazz Hybrid will make its world motor show debut at the Paris Motor Show in September and it will mark the first time a parallel hybrid vehicle has been available to B-segment consumers.

The new model will feature the same engine as the Insight hybrid, the 1.3 liter i-VTEC engine is combined with a CVT gearbox with an electric motor sandwiched between the two to create a parallel hybrid system. Like the Insight and Civic Hybrid models the Jazz Hybrid will be capable of running on the electric motor alone under some medium and low speed conditions.  

Visually the Jazz hybrid is distinguished from the current Jazz range with revised headlights, with a blue surround, clear rear lights, new front grille, restyled bumpers and a chrome tailgate garnish. The new hybrid will also be available in a range of existing colors plus a bespoke Lime Green metallic.

Inside the cabin is also given a fresh look with darker single color dashboard, which contrasts strongly with the blue lighting of the dials and stereo. The new hybrid is also available with leather trim, the first time this has been available on a Jazz model in Europe. The Jazz hybrid will go on sale in some European markets in the early part of 2011, prices and full specifications will be announced in due course.

Source: Honda

READ MORE - Honda Jazz Hybrid to debut in Paris

Seven new scale models arrived - Part 1

• Aston Martin Rapide 2010 by Minichamps 
• Audi Typ A Phaeton 1910 by Minichamps
• Audi Sport quattro drivetrain by Minichamps
• Honda NSX Type R 1992 by Kyosho

READ MORE - Seven new scale models arrived - Part 1

What we know about next-gen Honda Civic

My next car is going to be the new Civic, 4-door and made in Japan, which is expected to be introduced in 2011-2012.

So, what we already know, based on information from 2010 Mid-Year CEO's speech, is that the hybrid version of the Civic will be equipped with a high-output and compact lithium-ion battery, which will be supplied by Blue Energy, a joint venture company between GS Yuasa and Honda.

A new plug-in hybrid system for mid-size to larger vehicles is currently under development. Vehicles equipped with this new system are scheduled to go on sale in 2012 in Japan and the U.S. and therefore, it is very likely to see also a plug-in Civic.

In terms of petrol engines, Honda will continue advancing technologies to improve the performance and fuel economy of internal combustion engines. Honda will begin renewing its engine and transmission lineup starting in 2012 to further improve its fuel economy.

READ MORE - What we know about next-gen Honda Civic

The Power of Dreams: This is why I love Honda!

One company that I truly respect is Honda and the NSX is the best Honda produced so far. Oh, and according to Setright, the best car at of all! 

Enjoy the video!!!

HONDA NSX (EXTENDED VERSION) BY FORMAT67.NET from FORMAT67.NET on Vimeo.

READ MORE - The Power of Dreams: This is why I love Honda!

First spy shots of upcoming Honda Civic

The Civic is one of my favourites cars, having owned one, and the next-gen has been caught for the fist time close to Honda's European development centre in Germany. Of course, the test car was completely disguised...

I have also read that Honda will continue selling in Japan only the hybrid version of the Civic, which means that the R18A1 engine will no longer be available.

Source: SecretNewCars.com

READ MORE - First spy shots of upcoming Honda Civic

Production of JDM Honda Civic Type R to be ceased

Production of the JDM Honda Civic Type R will be ceased at the end of August, based on official information from Honda. Since my very first own car was a Honda Civic FD1, it's really sad to see the Type R version going away, but the current model reaches the end of its life cycle... let's hope that the new one will be even better!

READ MORE - Production of JDM Honda Civic Type R to be ceased

Honda may be already working on a bigger hybrid sports coup�

There are rumours coming from Japan that Honda is working on a bigger hybrid sports coup�. Of course, any mechanical details cannot be considered as reliable at the moment, but the unidentified Japanese magazine claims that it will be powered by a fuel efficient 2.5-liter, four-cylinder petrol engine attached to Honda's IMA hybrid system.

Source: Motor Trend

READ MORE - Honda may be already working on a bigger hybrid sports coup�

Design philosophies behind Honda CR-Z

The Honda Worldwide Design site has been updated with CR-Z designers' interviews.

• Exterior design

• Interior design

READ MORE - Design philosophies behind Honda CR-Z

Strong demand for Honda CR-Z in Japan

When a new model is introduced, we often hear that the initial orders are way higher than what the manufacturer had predicted. Well, this is a nice, but rather pointless, marketing trick. Anyway, the fact is that Honda has already received 10,000 orders in the first month of sales in Japan, which is 10 times more than the monthly sales target of 1000 units.

Honda claims that CR-Z is a sporty hybrid, but after the Insight, it's difficult to  be convinced. However, Autocar has driven a JDM CR-Z and actually, they liked it! Below there is a summary from the test:

"Honda is convinced that it has launched this coupe at the right time, and it may have a point. With its low-slung, sporty looks, high interior quality (superior to the Insight's) good performance and fuel economy, great gearbox and low price, the CR-Z should spice up interest in hybrids, and force a wider cross-section of the motoring public to pay attention to this type of vehicle. Watch out for the high performance Mugen version in 2011, too."

Source: Autocar

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Modulo and Mugen bits & pieces for Honda CR-Z

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Yesterday, Honda launched the new CR-Z in Japan and sales begin today. As you would expect, Mugen already released its products, with some spoilers looking... eeer extreme (just trying to be polite). Honda in Japan also has some nice accessories for its models under the name Modulo and CR-Z is no excemption.

Honda is really trying hard to convince people that the CR-Z (earlier post) is a sporty hybrid, but due to the fact that the Insight was a huge letdown, it's not going to be an easy task.

Below you can find the Modulo catalogue for CR-Z

READ MORE - Modulo and Mugen bits & pieces for Honda CR-Z