2000 Odyssey on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Honda debuts NSX Concept-GT hybrid racer

Not to be outdone by Lexus and its new LF-CC racecar, Honda is also bringing a little more excitement to the Japanese Super GT racing series with its NSX Concept-GT. Yes, just like the original NSX, this racecar will wear the Honda badge in its home market when it replaces the current offering in that series, the non-production HSV-010 GT, which itself replaced the NSX in the series back in 2010.
Looking exactly how we'd imagine a race-prepped 2015 Acura NSX to look, this racer is mean and sexy at the same time, and it will be powered by a racing hybrid system with a turbocharged four-cylinder mounted behind the driver. No word on power output, but it will compete in the GT500 class, which restricts power output to 500 horsepower. Unlike the Lexus racecar, the Honda NSX Concept-GT will being competing this season starting with this weekend's race at the Suzuka Circuit before running the full 10-race 2014 season. Scroll down for the short press release.

Autoblog Subcompact Crossover Comparison | Honda HR-V, Hyundai Kona, Jeep Renegade, Kia Soul

LAKE LEELANAU, Mich. — Consumers, and consequently automakers, are increasingly moving away from sedans and into crossovers as drivers seek more space and utility on roads heavily populated by larger and taller vehicles. While the various crossover segments are dominated by bigger, more expensive, family-oriented vehicles, those at the very bottom of the size and price ladder are a little different. The diverse selection of subcompact crossovers are targeting an equally diverse selection of buyers who need something sized to fit into their urban and suburban driving lives — not to mention their budgets. Some sort of active, outdoorsy lifestyle is almost always intended. Enough of these small crossovers have popped up that we thought it high time to pick some popular competitors — the Honda HR-V, Hyundai Kona, Jeep Renegade and Kia Soul — and pit them against one another in a four-way comparison test. We tried to spec them out as closely as we could in terms of price, with the Jeep standing out as the sole outlier with a price over $30,000. Following in the footsteps of our midsize pickup comparison test, we drove up to Michigan's pinky, where weÂ’d eat, sleep, and breathe these four crossovers to figure out which came out on top based on our 100-point ranking of objective and subjective metrics. Autoblog Subcompact Crossover Comparison View 36 Photos Certainly, there are more choices available than this four (a Subaru Crosstrek in particular was not available at the time of our test), but we think the HR-V, Kona, Renegade and Soul are a representatively diverse collection of popular choices. Without further ado, here are the results of our test, starting with fourth place. Related: Autoblog's Midsize Pickup Truck Comparison Test Fourth place: 2019 Honda HR-V AWD Touring – 72.2 points The Honda HR-V is the second oldest vehicle in this comparative set behind the Jeep Renegade. We first tested it in April 2015. More so than its Jeep counterpart, the Honda feels its age. ItÂ’s dated inside and out, the infotainment tech is in dire need of an update (yes, even though it was actually recently updated), and the CVT feels at least a generation behind most others currently available. And that powertrain is the biggest issue that held the HR-V back from a better score in our comparison. Of the four vehicles, it has the least power, which makes the CVT even more of a nuisance.

Honda recalls 304k Accords for sudden side-airbag deployment

Honda is recalling 303,904 US examples of the 2008-2009 Accord because the side airbags or curtains can inadvertently deploy. The automaker said the problem is not related to Takata's airbag problem or any other supplier. Instead, the issue concerns the software's deployment threshold for side impacts. These sudden deployments can happen if the ignition is on, and the door is forcefully closed. They might also occur if there's a strong enough impact to the underside of the vehicle, like from road debris. As of October 12, 2015, Honda has 19 allegations of injuries from this problem; plus 311 warranty claims and 160 field reports, according to a chronology submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (as a Word document). The fix will be a software update to adjust the Supplemental Restraint System, and Honda will begin mailing notifications to owners in mid-December. Statement by American Honda Regarding Side Airbag Inadvertent Deployment Recall: 2008-2009 Honda Accord Sedan Oct 29, 2015 - TORRANCE, Calif. Side and/or side curtain airbags may inadvertently deploy if the ignition is on and a door is forcefully slammed or there is a significant impact to the vehicle underbody. Issue arises from side impact deployment threshold specification; Not a hardware or supplier issue. Free software update will adjust the deployment threshold. Honda will voluntarily recall 303,904 model-year 2008-2009 Accord vehicles in the United States to update the side Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) software, free of charge. The SRS threshold setting for the side impact sensor is such that with the vehicle ignition on, if there is a strong, non-vehicular collision impact to the lower body of the vehicle or if a door is shut with extreme force, the SRS control unit may interpret the input as a crash and command the side seat airbag and/or side curtain airbag to deploy. Airbags that unexpectedly deploy may increase the risk of injury. Honda has received 19 injury claims related to this issue. Honda is announcing this recall to encourage each owner of an affected vehicle to take it to an authorized dealer as soon as they receive notification of this recall from Honda. Mailed notification to customers will begin in mid-December 2015. Additionally, owners of these vehicles can now determine if their vehicles will require repair by going to www.recalls.honda.com or by calling (888) 234-2138.