2014 Honda Odyssey Ex on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Honda Civic Type R clocks 7:50.63 front-drive 'Ring record

Lapping the Nurburgring in under seven minutes may be the ultimate bragging right for supercars, but further back down the field, a battle is being waged between front-drive hot hatches to see which can scope a lap time under eight. Seat was first to claim the crown with the Leon Cupra at 7:58, which was subsequently beaten by the Renaultsport Megane 275 Trophy-R at 7:54. All the while Honda pledged to take the record with the new Civic Type R. And that's just what it's done. As you can see from the video above, Honda's new hot hatch clocked a time of 7:50.63, making it the fastest front-driver ever to lap the Nordschleife and blindingly fast by any account. Honda suggests that the lap was clocked while testing the stock street-legal rubber (and not on slicks) and claims that the roll cage clearly seen in the video was fitted "for safety reasons and not to add rigidity," with extraneous equipment like the front passenger seat and audio system were removed to compensate for the cage's weight. Of course with no official sanctioning body verifying these times and the equipment in which they're achieved, they're a subject of much debate, but there's no getting around the fact that the new Civic Type R is one very serious piece of machinery indeed. NEW HONDA CIVIC TYPE R THROWS DOWN NURBURGRING GAUNTLET - Honda announces Nurburgring lap time for Civic Type R development car - 7 minutes 50.63 seconds lap time is unmatched in the front-wheel drive hot hatch class - Lap time achieved in development car with technical specifications representative of the final production car At the world premiere of its all-new Civic Type R at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show (5 - 15 March; Stand 4250, Hall 4), Honda announced that a development car had achieved a 7 minutes 50.63 seconds lap time of the legendary 20.8 km/12.9 mile Nurburgring Nordschleife in Germany. This time is unmatched by any other front-wheel drive performance hatchback. The lap time was achieved during the final phase of pre-production testing in May 2014 by a Civic Type R development car. The development car was in a standard state of engine tune, with suspension, drivetrain, exhaust, brakes and the aerodynamic package identical to those of the production Civic Type R. The removal of equipment such as air conditioning, the front passenger seat and audio equipment offset the additional weight of a full roll cage (installed specifically for safety reasons and not to add rigidity).

Honda develops breathalyzer smart key with Hitachi

Honda and Hitachi have joined forces in developing a combined breathalyzer and automobile smart key. According to Honda, the device has been designed to be tamper-proof and able to differentiate between human breath and alternative gases. It is also said to accurately measure alcohol level in three seconds, and the reading will then be displayed in the car's information panel. Ignition interlocks that integrate an alcohol detector are becoming more commonplace. For example, in Japan professional drivers are required to pass a breathalyzer test before beginning their shifts, and development for a detector-controlled ignition interlock has been launched by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the US. While the images released by Honda show the device to be relatively bulky and about the size of a mobile phone, it is still a prototype under development. Honda also notes that the breath test doesn't need to be performed inside the car, but it can be done at home – reducing the temptation to get behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol. Related Video: Image Credit: Honda Auto News Honda Safety Technology drunk driving breathalyzer hitachi smart key

Honda recalls Accord to replace airbag control unit

The Basics: Honda will recall 341,444 examples of the 2008-2010 Accord sedan in the US. The Problem: Moisture can enter the supplemental restraint system electronic control unit and cause corrosion. Over time, this could cause the part to fail, which might prevent the airbags from deploying in a crash. Injuries/Deaths: Honda confirms two injuries from this problem. The Fix: Dealers will replace the supplemental restraint system electronic control unit. If You Own One: Honda won't begin the recall until fall 2016 because of the large number of vehicles that will need the repair. The company will inform owners about the problem by mail in mid-March and will notify them again when the parts are available. However, if owners see the supplemental restraint system warning light illuminate before the recall begins, they can visit a dealer for a diagnostic check. If technicians find the problem, then they can replace electronic control unit immediately from Honda's limited supply of replacement parts. Related Video: Statement by American Honda Regarding SRS Electronic Control Unit Recall: 2008-2010 Honda Accord Sedan Feb 3, 2016 - TORRANCE, Calif. Approximately 341,000 Accord Sedans affected in the United States The SRS electronic control unit will be replaced, free of charge Two injuries have been confirmed related to this issue American Honda will voluntarily recall approximately 341,000 Honda Accord Sedans from the 2008-2010 model years in the U.S. to replace the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) electronic control unit. Manufacturing process issues may allow moisture to enter the circuitry within the SRS electronic control unit, which, over time, can cause corrosion and eventual malfunction of the unit. If the SRS control unit fails from this scenario, the SRS indicator will illuminate on the vehicle's dashboard, and, in the event of a vehicle crash, the airbags may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury. Honda has confirmed two injuries related to this issue. A new SRS control unit will be installed in affected vehicles, free of charge. However, due to the large volume of new parts needed to repair affected units, the necessary parts will not be available until fall 2016. As a result, owners of affected vehicles will be informed of the recall in an initial mailed notification letter in mid-March 2016. A second notification letter will be sent to inform owners when parts become available.