2014 Honda Pilot Ex-l on 2040-cars

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Honda ditching Takata for next Accord's airbags

Today brings unsurprising news that Honda will move away from Takata and source airbags for the next-generation Accord, among other models, from one of the embattled company's competitors. Both companies have been in headlines of late after the former recalled millions of vehicles that were fitted with the latter's airbag inflators, which had the unpleasant tendency to spew shrapnel at consumers. The move, as Reuters explains it, is particularly devastating for Takata. Honda is the company's largest customer, and the Accord represents its biggest product, accounting for over a quarter of the company's sales last year. It gets worse, though, as a confidential source with knowledge of the situation is reporting to Reuters that both the 2016 CR-V and Odyssey will source their airbags from Toyoda Gosei. If true, that'd mean that Takata will be losing out on more than half the cars Honda sells in the US market. At this point, Takata, Honda and Toyoda Gosei have all passed on opportunities to comment to Reuters.

Watch a motorcycle racer nearly rub the wall at Macau's track

Motorcycle racer John McGuinness is no stranger to dangerous racetracks, having scored multiple victories in the frequently deadly Isle of Man TT. In this video, he trades the Snaefell Mountain Course's winding roads for the incredibly tight confines of the Macau Grand Prix circuit. The track is like China's version of the Circuit de Monaco, and it looks barely wide enough for two bikes to fit at some points in this clip. The claustrophobic layout makes the street track famously difficult for racing and occasionally deadly. McGuinness gives viewers a great tour of the track on his Honda Fireblade, and he frequently has his shoulders nearly grazing against the wall. You really get a sense of just how narrow the course gets. The ride looks both terrifying and very fun. If you want to see more of McGuinness' skill, here's a clip of him riding at Le Mans at night. We look forward to watching him at the Isle of Man again this year, too. McGuinness not only set a new electric bike lap record there in 2015 but also won the SES TT Zero Challenge. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Honda launches new JDM Odyssey, Mugen chips in [w/video]

Honda has just released its new Odyssey minivan for the Japanese Domestic Market, and it has plenty of style and room for up to eight people. Honda factory tuning company Mugen will also offer performance and styling parts for the fifth-generation minivan.
The Odyssey is offered in B and G trim with a 173-horsepower, 2.4-liter I-VTEC four-cylinder mated to a continuously variable transmission with optional paddle shifters and seven 'speeds.' The more upscale Odyssey Absolute features sportier styling, and but all models are available in either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
The interior follows a "modern suite" design concept inspired by luxury hotels, with wood trim and comfortable-looking seats. Additionally, customers can choose between models with a lift-up second-row seat or a lift-up front passenger seat. Honda highlights the Odyssey's low floor height and high ceiling, which accentuates the spacious interior. The low floor also endows the minivan with a step height of 30 centimeters (11.8 inches) at the rear sliding door to afford easy entry.