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Honda Odyssey Hybrid greens up your minivan

Almost neglected completely at the Honda press presentation at the Tokyo Motor Show today was what could be a true game changer. Lots of people drive minivans. Lots of people like hybrids. There are even some hybrid minivans for sale in Japan. But Honda has never offered its popular Odyssey premium minivan with a gas-electric powertrain. That's about to change. Too bad this fact was not mentioned at all during the press conference. The hybrid Odyssey was on the show floor, though, and a press pack distributed by Honda says that the minivan will have an updated dual-motor Sport Hybrid i-MMD powertrain "for outstanding environmental performance and powerful acceleration." Honda also says that this is the first time is has put the IPU (the Intelligent Power Unit, made up of the battery and Power Control Unit) under the front row seats. Overall, the powertrain update offers a, "new hybrid driving experience," Honda says, and that now, "the Odyssey Hybrid makes minivan travel more enjoyable than ever." The van also seems to be of a high specification, with plush seats, dark micro-fiber decorating the dash and forward areas, and captains chairs that look primed for napping. Hauling your family the green way comes with some creature comforts, it seems. Honda isn't any details about the environmental benefits of putting a hybrid powertrain into the Odyssey, but when the rumor of this vehicle first appeared, there was talk of a 50-percent reduction in fuel use. For a number of reasons - most important being that the American and Japanese Odysseys are very different vehicles – it's unlikely that a hybrid Odyssey will be available in the US any time soon. Featuring updated SPORT HYBRID i-MMD for outstanding environmental performance and powerful acceleration The most comfortable environment possible for transporting a large number of people. In fulfillment of this concept, the Odyssey premium minivan brings together a generously roomy cabin, distinctive styling, and an exhilarating yet steady driving experience. And now the Odyssey will also be available as a hybrid vehicle. Featur- ing a new power control unit with a compact and concentrated structure for outstanding power density, the innovative dual-motor SPORT HYBRID i-MMD hybrid system offers both outstanding environmental performance and the powerful acceleration of an electric motor.

Honda CR-V spied looking curvy and sophisticated

The Honda CR-V is well into its lifecycle, and today we're getting a close look at a prototype that previews the crossover's new styling. The CR-V could be revealed this year ahead of a market launch in 2017, perhaps putting it as a 2018 model. We expect the new generation to increase in size and offer a third row, while drawing power from an updated engine lineup that uses the company's Earth Dreams suite of technologies. A hybrid model is likely, too. The front and rear of this camouflaged prototype have fairly evolutionary changes to Honda's current design, and the vehicle has a stronger, more chiseled appearance than today's CR-V. We can't see the interior, but we expect it to get new safety and tech features in keeping with current trends. Honda updated the CR-V for the 2015 model year, and it's soldiered on as a stalwart of the company's lineup. Still, the vehicle is showing signs of age. In a crossover-friendly marketplace, the CR-V's sales have declined 2.7 percent this year to 71,188 units through March. The CR-V has been around since 1997, and as these shots illustrate, Honda is aggressively trying to keep its long-running nameplate relevant. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2018 Honda CR-V View 16 Photos Image Credit: KGP Photography Design/Style Spy Photos Honda Crossover SUV

Alonso wants an NSX, but did Honda block him from Le Mans?

One of the biggest changes in store for the 2015 Formula One World Championship will see Fernando Alonso moving back to McLaren. That means he'll be driving under Honda power for the first time, after spending the bulk of his career driving for Renault and Ferrari. And being Honda's new poster child, as the two-time World Champion is fast discovering, has its advantages and its drawbacks. According to the latest reports, Alonso had been negotiating a clause in his contract with McLaren that could have seen him driving a Porsche 919 Hybrid at Le Mans this year, but Honda reportedly stepped in at the last minute and scuttled the plan. The drive would have been Alonso's first in the famous 24-hour race, after having had the honor of waving the flag at La Sarthe last summer. In one of the wilder rumors that emerged during the prolonged silence over his move for this season, the Spaniard was also linked to a potential return for Ferrari to Le Mans. That prospect came to naught, and now the Porsche deal has been wheeled into the garage, as well. The upcoming F1 season is expected to be one of transition, adjustment and development for McLaren and Honda, but the Japanese automaker's involvement in his hiring may not be all bad news for Alonso. Following the reveal of the new Acura NSX, Alonso tweeted "You still don't know, but one day we will be together..." followed by a series of heart-eyed smiley-face emoticons and accompanies by images of Honda's new supercar. The implication is that the two-time World Champion is expecting to get his talented hands on an NSX of his own, and we can certainly see how Honda would appreciate the imagery of Fernando driving around in its flagship. Even if it doesn't, though, we're sure McLaren would be glad to hook him up with a company car of its own – though Lewis Hamilton encountered some trouble securing (a very specific) one for himself. Even discounting the front-running F1 machinery he's been tasked with piloting on track to an impressive 32 career wins, Alonso has had some lustworthy company cars at his disposal over the years. At Renault, he had a Megane RS to drive, and during his last stint at McLaren, he had an SLR 722. But since signing with Ferrari, he's been given the keys to FCA models as varied as a Ferrari FF, a special 599 GTO, a Maserati GranCabrio, a Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT and an Abarth 695... and those are just the ones we know about.