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2016 Honda Pilot packs more of everything

Honda has come a long way over the course of its history, evolving from motorcycles to automobiles, marine engines, power equipment, robots and even jet aircraft. But its biggest push over the past couple of decades has been in crossovers and SUVs. From the Passport that was rebadged from the Isuzu Rodeo in the early 90s, Honda's high-riding lineup has expanded to include the CR-V, the smaller HR-V, the oddball Crosstour, the soon-to-be-updated Ridgeline pickup, a smattering of luxury crossovers from Acura, and this, the biggest of them all, the Pilot. And Honda has just revealed an all-new version here at the Chicago Auto Show. Now in its third generation, the all-new 2016 Honda Pilot is, like its predecessors, a three-row family-hauler. Compared to the decidedly boxy model it replaces, the new Pilot is certainly more dynamically styled to more closely match the latest crossovers in the Honda lineup, but it may start to resemble the Odyssey minivan (with which it shares its underpinnings) too closely for some tastes. The new Pilot is three inches longer than the model it replaces, primarily to the benefit of cargo space: Honda says you can now fit a full-size 82-quart cooler in the back without infringing on the third row of seats – ingress and egress from which are now enabled by a power folding second row that opens a wider aperture to the back to more easily fit in all eight passengers. (That is, unless you go for the available second-row bucket seats that reduce capacity to seven.) Interior amenities are increased all around, with a proliferation of power outlets and connectivity ports and an available panoramic roof. Despite the growth, though, the new Pilot is 300 pounds lighter than the model it replaces. It is also built on a more solid platform, to the benefit of handling, crashworthiness and NVH insulation. Of course the new Pilot benefits from all the latest safety and driver-assist systems, and Honda anticipates top ratings from both the National Highway Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Power comes from a 3.5-liter V6 with all the tricks in the book (short of a hybrid assist) to make it as economical as possible. The i-VTEC engine has direct injection, cylinder deactivation, stop/start ignition and an automatic transmission with either six or (for the first time from Honda) nine speeds, depending on the trim level. Buyers will also be able to choose between front- or all-wheel drive.

Ford F-150 bumps Camry from top of Cars.com American Made Index

With July 4th just around the corner, what better time could there be for Cars.com to announce that the Ford F-150 is the Most American car of 2013? This may be especially true since it was the Toyota Camry, a car produced by a company based in Japan, that had held the top spot from 2009 to 2012.
Cars.com compiles its Most American list by considering the amount of parts each vehicle uses that come from America, where it's final assembly takes place and how many units per year are sold. "While the assembly point and domestic parts content of the F-150 didn't change from 2012-2013, vehicle sales are responsible for bumping the F-150 to the top spot," according to Patrick Olsen, Editor-in-Chief of Cars.com.
As far as automakers go (as opposed to individual models), Toyota retains the top spot it held in 2012, with General Motors, Chrysler, Ford and Honda (in that order) rounding out the list. The motivation behind this list each year, according to Olsen, is "to help car shoppers understand that 'American-Made' extends beyond just the Detroit three" and because "a study we conducted in 2012 indicated that 25 percent of shoppers surveyed preferred to buy American."

Honda's slate for Tokyo Auto Salon includes S2000 revival, many Mugens

Honda has pulled back the covers on what we can expect to see at the 2013 Tokyo Auto Salon, including what looks to be an S2000 refresh some four years after the convertible left production. The S2000 Modulo Climax is an "exhibition model" based on the old roadster, but features updated front and rear fascias as well as an interior trimmed out in black and burgundy. Beyond that, details are scarce as hen's teeth.
Honda will also show off a number of vehicles based on the N-One mini, including the N-One Modulo Style, Mugen Racing N-One Concept and an N-One worked up by the Japan Nailist Association. That last creation features plenty of rhinestone decoration. (We wish we were joking.) Mugen will also display a tarted-up CR-V Design Study as well as the CR-Z Mugen RZ: a 300-unit specialty vehicle.
Meanwhile, the manufacturer's motorcycle arm will show off the Goldwing F6B, previously seen at EICMA 2012 as well as the CB1300 Super Four Special Edition and the NC700X. The automaker will also pepper its stand with a few of its racing machines for the public to enjoy. Check out the full press release below.