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Honda Ridgeline sorta takes class victory on Baja race debut

The Ridgeline Baja Race Truck was unveiled at SEMA earlier this month to serve not only as Honda's new off-road racing platform, but also as a preview for the upcoming second-generation pickup. Technically, it scored a class victory on its race debut in the SCORE Baja 1000. To be fair, it was also the only vehicle in that class. Though clearly a purpose-built racer, not a modified from showroom stock truck, the Baja truck features bodywork patterned after the forthcoming production model – especially at the front end. It also uses the same block, cylinder heads, and crankshaft as the 3.5-liter V6 that powers the current Ridgeline and will power the upcoming one. In race trim, it's been twin-turbocharged up to 550 horsepower. Honda Performance Development and Proctor Racing Group entered the custom-built Ridgeline in Class 2 (for forced-induction engines up to 3.6 liters) at the Baja 1000 this past weekend. Driving duties were shared by Honda spokesman Sage Marie and experienced off-road racers Jeff Proctor and Jason LaFortune. They completed the 821-mile loop to and from Ensenada, Mexico, in 25 hours, 9 minutes, and 47 seconds. That's about ten hours behind the Ford F-150 trophy truck and the Honda CRF450X that won outright, but that's beside the point. It's impressive enough that the truck finished on its debut in such a grueling race under such punishing conditions, even if it didn't have any competition. Honda Ridgeline Baja Race Truck Conquers Baja 1000 Nov 22, 2015 - ENSENADA, Mexico - Off-road racing truck debuts with Class 2 victory - Completes desert endurance event in first attempt - Racing machine previews second-generation Honda Ridgeline Developed by Honda as a preview to the introduction of the new, second-generation Honda Ridgeline, the driving trio of Jeff Proctor, Sage Marie and Jason LaFortune piloted their Ridgeline Baja Race Truck to the Class 2 victory in this weekend's 48th running of the SCORE Baja 1000. Built jointly by Honda Performance Development, the North American motorsports arm of American Honda, and the Proctor Racing Group, the tube-frame Unlimited Class 2 off-road Ridgeline Baja Race Truck made its competition debut at the brutal Baja event, which this year consisted of an 821-mile loop that started and finished in Ensenada, Mexico.

Takata, Honda sued in Florida over death of pregnant Malaysian women

The Takata recall debacle keeps spiraling as the father of a pregnant woman killed in Malaysia allegedly due to the malfunctioning airbag has filed suit against both the equipment manufacturer and Honda in a court in Florida. The case reportedly revolves around one Law Suk Leh, 42, who was driving her 2003 Honda City on Borneo Island in Malaysia this past July. She was driving at about 20 miles per hour when her car was struck by another. Her airbag deployed with inordinate force, metal shrapnel sliced her neck and she died in the ambulance en route to the local hospital. The baby she was carrying was delivered after the mother's death, but died three days later. Now her father, Law Ngee Chiong, is suing the airbag manufacturer and the automaker on behalf of the estates of his late daughter and granddaughter in a US federal court in Miami. The suit was reportedly filed in the United States because the faulty inflator is made in LaGrange, GA. US District Judge Federico Moreno is currently evaluating about two dozen such personal-injury and death cases, including the one in question, for pretrial rulings and evidence-gathering. Leh's case is one of six deaths blamed on the defective Takata airbags, which have caused automakers and government regulators to recall an estimated 24 million vehicles around the world.

Honda adds tech to 2016 CR-Z, no powertrain upgrades

Rumors suggest that the next-gen Honda CR-Z could finally become a real performance machine by dropping the hybrid setup in favor of a detuned version of the European Civic Type R's 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. We aren't there yet, though, and for 2016 the wedge-shaped model instead receives a styling upgrade and some new tech. However, the hybrid powertrain is still exactly the same. As previewed by the Japanese version earlier this year, the 2016 CR-Z receives a revised face with a reshaped grille. The front diffuser now slashes through the lower air dam to create triangular niches for the foglights. At the back, a redesigned bumper further echoes the nose's styling. Honda's designers also tweak the interior by switching to an electric parking brake. This might seem minor, but because there's no longer a lever, a center console with an armrest can take up the open space. In addition, drivers can enjoy better infotainment from a standard, seven-inch Display Audio system. For the EX trim and above, the screen is used for the company's LaneWatch tech, too. Moving up to the top-spec EX-L adds navigation and heated leather seats. Even with the powertrain the same, the 2016 CR-Z might drive a little better. Honda's engineers thicken the front stabilizer bar a hair and widen the rear track by 0.4 inches. The brake discs are also now 11.1 inches at the both ends, versus 10.3-inches at the front and 10.2 inches at the back previously. For 2016, Honda revises the trims to LX, EX, and EX-L, but prices jump slightly. A base model now starts at $21,130 (with the $835 destination charge) versus $20,965 last year (with $820 destination). Perhaps these upgrades are enough to goose CR-Z sales because through September the model is down 25.1 percent with a volume of just 2,205 units. Related Video: Design Updates, Enhanced Tech and New Higher-Level Trim Make the Fun and Efficient 2016 CR-Z Hybrid Sport Coupe More Stylish and Feature Rich • New styling, inside and out, and new line-topping EX-L with standard navigation • New available features include 7-inch Display Audio, Smart Entry and Push Button Start/Stop, Electric Parking Brake and Honda LaneWatch™ • New Honda accessories options TORRANCE, Calif., Nov.