2011 Honda Fit Sport Hatchback on 2040-cars

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American motorcycle brands most satisfying, Japanese most reliable, says Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports started tracking motorcycle reliability last year through its regular reader survey, just like the magazine's well-known auto guide. For the 2015 edition, CR now has data on over 12,300 bikes, compared to 4,680 in 2014, and the extra info means it can include more brands, like Suzuki, Triumph and Can-Am, to the list. However, the final results remain largely the same. As with last year, Japanese bikes are the best choice for buyers who prioritize reliability. Yamaha comes out on top yet again and is followed by Suzuki, Kawasaki and Honda. Victory and Harley-Davidson hold the middle of the list, and the European cycles from Triumph, Ducati and BMW sit at the bottom. The major outlier in this regional distinction is the Can-Am Spyder from Canada's Bombardier Recreational Products that comes in dead last in the dependability survey. Still, even the most dependable model is occasionally going to break, and the average repair bill across all brands is $342, according to CR's readers. Kawasakis are the cheapest to keep on the road at a median of $269 for fixes, versus BMW as the most expensive at $455. Through all of the companies, electrical gremlins are the most common issue, causing 24 percent of problems, but faults with the cooling system, pistons or transmission are the smallest concerns at 4 percent each. While Japanese cycles might be the easiest to keep on the road, they aren't the most beloved by riders. In CR's gauge of satisfaction, the Americans reign supreme. Victory owners love their bikes the most with 80 percent reporting that they would buy another. Harley riders are known for having a close bond to the company's models, and the brand comes in second with 72 percent. Finally, Honda rounds out the top three at 70 percent. Head over to Consumer Reports to see more results. News Source: Consumer ReportsImage Credit: Toby Brusseau / AP Photo BMW Honda Suzuki Motorcycle Ducati bike victory

Honda shows off 2015 Euro-market Jazz

The 2015 Honda Jazz is here, wearing much the same look we caught on the Jazz "concept" at the Paris Motor Show last year. No, make that exactly the same look as the "concept," save for the fog lights on the pictured model. A move to the same global B-segment platform as the Honda HR-V makes the new Jazz lighter and stiffer than before, and pays all kinds of benefits for the subcompact. Prime among them is interior space - Honda says it's class-leading - the new hatch being 95 millimeters longer. The fuel tank is underneath the front seats, leaving the rear bench free for the installation of Honda's Magic Seat system. Three potential cargo bay arrangements are called "Utility," "Tall," and "Long," achieved by rearranging the positions of the rear seatbacks and bolsters. The Honda Connect infotainment system uses a seven-inch touchscreen, hooks up to the Internet, and transmits real-time news and Internet radio. Following a trend of buyer-installable navigation working through the factory screen, integrated Garmin Nav is an option, and other apps can be downloaded from the Honda App Center. Ride quality and interior comfort get a boost thanks to the 30-mm longer wheelbase and suspension re-engineered with better, lighter parts and new dampers, as well as geometry more inclined to the dynamic. The lighter platform bones let Honda load up on soundproofing, creating a quieter cabin. A 1.3-liter VTEC gasoline engine sits underhoood, offering 101 horsepower, with a new six-speed transmission for a semi-automatic CVT for shifting. Driver safety systems make an appearance here, too, include Lane Departure Warning, Traffic Sign Recognition, Intelligent Speed Assist, and High-beam Support. Some of those features will only be available in Europe, naturally, but we'll obviously get a lot of goodies on our Fit, too. The press release below has the particulars. ALL-NEW HONDA JAZZ REDEFINES B-SEGMENT WITH ADDED SPACE, VERSATILITY, REFINEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY - Third generation Jazz based on Honda's global B-segment platform - New 1.3 litre i-VTEC petrol engine from Earth Dreams Technology series - Extra interior space, made versatile with Magic Seats® system - Bold, fresh exterior and refined cabin - New Honda Connect infotainment system - Advanced Driver Assist Systems enhance safety 24.02.2015 -- Arriving in Europe in summer 2015, the third-generation Jazz features bold yet sophisticated exterior and interior design, with unrivalled interior space and versatility.

Honda previews S660 roadster ahead of Tokyo debut

Honda isn't known for making convertibles. In fact, legend has it that old man Soichiro banned them from his lineup - but then he also didn't approve of six-cylinder engines, either. There have been exceptions, like the Civic del Sol and S2000, and today Honda has revealed another.
Set to debut at the forthcoming Tokyo Motor Show in late November is the Honda S660 concept, a compact little roadster about which Honda is saying even less. It looks about the size of a Kei car, with a nameplate that suggests a 660cc engine, making it more of a revival for the 1990's Beat than the high-end S2000. And while there are some clear similarities with the EV-STER concept that debuted two years ago in Tokyo, the S660 looks closer to production-ready, with key features like an actual steering wheel.
Of course, whether the S660 makes production, and beyond that makes it off of the Japanese islands and across the Pacific to US showrooms, is another matter, but we could see something like this taking the fight to the Mazda MX-5 and even the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ if it did.