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Honda discontinuing Euro Accord, no replacement in sight

Honda has built two Accords for many years. There's the one we're familiar with here in the United States, and then there's the Accord sold in markets like Europe and Australia, known here in the US as the Acura TSX. But just like Acura did with the TSX, the Euro-market Accord has been discontinued.
The news comes from The Motor Report in Australia, which is reporting that the Accord Euro will be discontinued in 2015. Sold Down Under alongside the US-market model, the discontinuation of the Aussie car indicates an end to Honda's midsize sedan efforts in Europe, where there is no obvious replacement for the four-door and wagon models.
According to TMR, Honda Australia Director Stephen Collins indicated that focus will be placed instead on the US market "wide-body" model, as it's known. That said, this decision doesn't sound like it's sitting too well in Oz.

2015 Honda Civic Type R revealed [w/video]

Earlier today, we told you how Honda has revealed a trio of new turbocharged VTEC engines, including the one that will be used in the 2015 Civic Type R. That's the winged, Batmobile-esque creature seen here. Ahead of a formal introduction at the Tokyo Motor Show, Honda is flaunting its new Civic Type R with images of the car testing at the Tochigi test track and video of the front-wheel drive hot hatch being put through its paces on the Nürburgring.
While the US is getting revamped Civic sedans and coupes, European customers will soon be able to opt for the 2015 Type R with its new Earth Dreams 2.0-liter turbo engine producing more than 276 horsepower. Honda has also made sure to give the car a styling that matches its powerful engine with a more aggressive front end, massive fender flares and a liftgate wing with unusual airplane-like canards. Honda is still withholding the Type R's official specs until the unveiling, but we can tell that the bigger wheels make room for beefier brakes.
The Civic Type R won't launch until 2015, but Honda has released the video posted below showing WTCC driver Gabriele Tarquini working the car around the 'Nürburgring, along with a brief press release. Check 'em both out and be sure to let us know what you think of this matte-black hot hatch in Comments.

Honda signs on as Pikes Peak sponsor, race participant

Honda plans to storm the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on June 30, entering ten cars in nine classes at the race to the sky, and signing on as a corporate sponsor. Part of the company's return to grassroots racing - if that's what you can call factory-backed efforts - the banners of Honda R&D and Honda North America will fly on these entries: a first-gen Acura NSX, an Acura TL SH-AWD, Honda CR-Z, Honda Fit EV, one CRF450R and two CRF250R motorcycles, a CBR1000RR motorcycle and a TRX450 ATV.
One more entry, details of which are to be announced later, will be driven by IndyCar pilot Simon Pagenaud of Schmidt Hamilton HP Motorsports. LoveFab (pictured above during practice last year) will be there with its new, NSX-based Enviate, but as a privateer entry.
Honda's been to the mountain before, with high-powered gear in 2012 and record-setting EVs in 1994 and 1999, but it's never made noise like this. Have a read of the press release below for more info.