2011 Honda Accord CrossTour to Get Improved Fuel Economy

When we reviewed Honda’s new Accord Crosstour model, one of our few gripes was in the fuel economy department. Rated at 18/27 mpg (FWD), its not bad, but the lack of a six-speed transmission makes getting the most out of each gallon a bit hard.

Honda appears to be ready to announce the addition of a six-speed auto-box for the 2011 model year car, which will go on sale before the end of the year. This is well-ahead of a mid-cycle update, which should take place in the 2013 model year. The new transmission will likely deliver a slight improvement in city fuel economy and as much as 2 mpg out on the highway, making the CrossTour more competitive with the Toyota Venza when it comes to fuel economy.

Honda still has yet to announce any plans on if the CrossTour will be offered with a 4-cylinder.

Source;
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2010/05/2011-honda-accord-crosstour-to-get-improved-fuel-economy.html

New Honda CEO wants to speed up rollout of hybrid cars

In his first public appearance since being announced as Honda’s CEO, Takanobu Ito, said that the introduction of hybrid cars will be fast-tracked to better meet customers’ expectations and demands. Ito said, “Bringing hybrids quickly to customers will be a major focus of our activities…I want Honda to be a speedy company.”

Ito took over Honda last month amidst an economic recession that has only just barely left Honda profitable. Although only Honda — of Japan’s top three automakers — did not suffer a loss last year, the cards are different this time. Ito predicts a 95% drop in operating profits for the fiscal year ending in March 2010. Ito’s focus on hybrids will likely put Honda in a better position once the economic recession is over.

Honda’s CR-Z hybrid sports car is scheduled for release in 2010, Honda CEO Takanobu Ito has confirmed. Virtually all of Honda’s Formula One engineers are hard at work in developing hybrids. Ito has expressed that the company is looking to develop a new hybrid system for midsize and larger vehicles, which will use two electric motors (instead of the single motor currently used).

This new hybrid system is meant to replace the clean diesel engines that Honda had been developing but has shelved for the meantime. Ito was unable to say when the new system would be available. Competition in the delivery of hybrid technologies is very stiff, with Honda elbowing its way against Chevrolet (which will sell the 2011 Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid electric hatchback in the fall), Nissan (which will soon begin to roll out its own mild hybrids), and Chrysler (which has a plug-in electric hybrid minivan to be released soon).

Source;
http://www.4wheelsnews.com/new-honda-ceo-wants-to-speed-up-rollout-of-hybrid-cars/#more-3129

Honda Japan and UK; Mini Honda Jazz variant by 2011

Below is a concept drawing of what the Next Gen Honda Beat may look like....
The successful Honda Jazz is aiming for bigger things. Reports have emerged that a smaller replica of the Honda Jazz is likely to enter Asian and subsequently European markets from 2011.

The new small car from Honda will rival Toyota's iQ and Smart's Fortwo. As per the reports last week, Honda would use the engineering talent in India to a large extent in bringing out this small car. The mini Honda Jazz could use the kei car 'Life' as its underpinnings.

As this is a Honda, irrespective of its price tag, the mini Jazz will be filled with technology. A hybrid variant is planned, but to start with a small turbocharged petrol engine could be utilized.

The car would be marketed as a city car. Honda's Chinese facility could yield this model while talks about Honda's high capacity production line in India, which is currently being constructed, cannot be ruled out as a potential production site.

Can you say....Honda Beat?

Source;

http://www.automotoportal.com/article/mini-honda-jazz-variant-by-2011