TAS09: Honda Net-Nara and Their Gorgeous Paint Job

TAS09: Honda Net-Nara and Their Gorgeous Paint Job

Not much to say, just enjoy the ASTONISHING paint job from Net Nara designed by Takahiko Izawa…

Basically Honda Net Nara removed each part of the vehicle and the paint for a silky smooth paintless car, then they directly curveed their design on the metal of each part and candy coated the car…

The results are spectacular!

Source
Akihabaranews

TAS09: Mugen... NSX RR a Stunning Surprise

TAS09: Mugen... NSX RR a Stunning Surprise

To be honest, this years TAS was the worst I ever saw, not because of the organization (it was almost perfect), but the heavy atmosphere due mainly to recent financial results announced in the car industry.


I admit two major names succeeded in surprising us at the last minute. One of them was Mugen and their LORD so gorgeous Honda NSX RR concept... If (unfortunately) it's purely a show-car without an engine, the NSX RR concept is Mugen’s way of celebrating the NSX's upcoming birthday by giving her an incredible bodykit.

Next to the NSX RR we discovered another in the flesh the Honda Accords Mugen 24sc, its super charged 2.4L DOHC i-VTEC engine, and 6 speed manual gear box... Already quite attractive, the Accord Mugen S24sc with its improved engine and tuned aerodynamics could be a serious challenger to certain Germanic productions with its way more affordable price.

Finally, like last year, we had the pleasure of meeting the Civic RR's big brother, the RR Advanced with its powered-up engine and full carbon body.

Yes, Mugen was again this year quite the booth to visit, and Lord we just love the NSX RR.

Source
Nihoncar

Sunday Stories: Three Doors Euro Civic

The Three Door EURO Civic Type-R to Hit Japan

Here's a surprise for all Civic Type-R fans. The Euro Civic Type-R, exclusive to the European market, thanks to its attractive design will hit Japan in Spring 2009.

Pretty surprising since only the EURO Type-R will be released. Many lucky journalists, like the team behind the British TV program Fifth Gear, tested it and compared it to the Japanese version. They concluded the EURO Type-R was less powerful that the Japanese version.

We admit it's an interesting move by Honda to import such vehicle. Thanks to its particular design, way different from what Japanese people are used to seeing, they may have a good performance car for those willing to drive differently and in style.

Source
NihonCar

Sunday Stories: Honda FC Sport Fuel Cell Sports Car Concept

Sunday Stories: Honda FC Sport Fuel Cell Sports Car Concept

Honda today revealed the Honda FC Sport design study model, a hydrogen-powered, three-seat sports car concept, at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show.

The FC Sport emphasizes the design flexibility and potential of Honda's V Flow fuel cell technology - already deployed in the Honda FCX Clarity sedan - and reconfigures it into a lightweight sports car design with an ultra-low center of gravity, powerful electric motor performance and zero-emissions. The design study concept is inspired by supercar levels of performance through low weight and a high-performance, electrically driven fuel cell powertrain.

"The Honda FC Sport explores how to satisfy automotive performance enthusiasts in a world beyond petroleum," said Dan Bonawitz, vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "People who love sports cars will still have a reason to love in a hydrogen-powered future."

The high-output Honda fuel cell powertrain and a sleek, aerodynamic body contribute to the vehicle's performance potential. A modular approach to fuel cell component packaging and the electric drivetrain contribute to the FC Sport's low center of gravity with the majority of vehicle mass distributed between the axles, creating the balanced weight distribution sought after in sports cars.

The ideal placement of the Honda V-Flow fuel cell stack and related components demonstrates the benefits of a platform-specific, hydrogen-powered fuel cell powertrain. The FC Sport is configured to accommodate a custom-formed high-power fuel cell stack, located between the rear seats, and a battery pack placed low in the middle of the vehicle. The electric motor resides just forward of the rear axle. Two fuel storage tanks, visible from above, are located above the rear axle.

The optimal placement of fuel cell components for performance also allows for a relatively large passenger cabin by conventional supercar standards with enough space for three seating positions. The interior layout focuses primarily on the driver with a racecar-like center driving position. The enclosed canopy opens upward from the rear to allow for entry and exit. Two rear passenger seats flank the driver's left and right side.

The sleek, low-profile body is designed to convey a high-technology appearance with sculpting that combines angular shapes in the front of the vehicle that taper into geometric, hex forms in the rear. The rear hex forms house cooling radiators for the fuel cell. Formula 1-style barge boards behind the front wheels enhance high speed aerodynamics and convey the vehicle's racing pedigree. The hydrogen storage tanks, visible from the rear deck, showcase the FC Sports fuel cell technology in much the same way that a "naked bike" motorcycle showcases its engineering technology.

The glacier white body color conveys the FC Sport's clean environmental aspirations while the dark wheels and deeply tinted glass provide a symbolic contrast befitting of the vehicle's unique combination of clean power and high performance. Green construction techniques further contribute to a reduced carbon footprint. An organic, bio-structure theme is carried through to the body construction where exterior panels are intended to use plant-derived bio-plastics.

The Advanced Design Studio of Honda R&D Americas, in Pasadena, California, developed the FC Sport design study with the primary objective of using existing fuel cell technology as the basis for an ultimate Honda sports car. Designer Jason Wilbur led the design efforts.

Honda R&D Americas, Inc. began its operations in California in 1975 with local market research activities and has steadily grown its capabilities over the past 33 years to include all aspects of new vehicle design and development. Recent development efforts include trend-setting products such as the Honda Pilot, Ridgeline, Element, Civic Coupe and Civic Si.

In 2008, the company opened two new design centers in Southern California: the Acura Design Studio (Torrance), for the research and design of new Acura products; and the Advanced Design Studio (Pasadena), for the exploration and development of advanced design themes for both Honda and Acura.

The company operates 11 major R&D facilities in North America, including a full vehicle development center in Raymond, Ohio, and three design studios in Southern California. Honda R&D designers, engineers and support personnel are engaged in the development of Honda and Acura automobiles, powersports products, and power equipment for North America and global markets. The company's main centers of operation include the Los Angeles Center (Torrance, California), responsible for market research, concept development and styling design; the Ohio Center (Raymond, Ohio), responsible for complete product development, testing, and support of North American supplier and manufacturing operations; and a dynamic test facility in Cantil, California.

Sunday Stories: Honda Life Mugen !!

Honda Life, Mugen Powered!

The legendary tuning company Mugen just released a new performance kit for the newly launched Honda Life.
Don’t get too excited, we're talking about a simple body-kit, a set of wheels, and an exhaust line.

Even if you you take a record lap at Tsukuba with a Mugen styled Honda Life, you'll only be driving a suped-up Kei-car.

Source
Mugen

Saturday Special: Honda's SEMA 2008

Honda's SEMA 2008 Fever: No Less Than 16 Tuned Vehicles!

The SEMA show is the tuning world's most anticipated event. Although the NihonCar Team has never had the chance of participating in this event, our press colleagues around the world would be hard to convince otherwise.

What's to expect? We have the official press release for you below, but we'd also like to underline a few nice show cars. The 2009 Civic HFP Concept, built by Honda Access America comes with a next-gen body-kit, improved Aero parts, ultra light alloy wheels with aerodynamic covers, enhanced HFP exhaust line, and sporty interior. There's also the 2009 Ridgeline Powersports Concept and the 2009 Fit Sport with MUGEN accessories.

Honda has a tremendous number of nice show cars, if you happen attend the SEMA SHOW 2008, go and check for yourself!

More than 16 Honda project, concept, and accessorized production vehicles are on display at the 2008 Specialty Equipment Market Association's (SEMA) show in Las Vegas, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today. Specially featured in the display are a 2009 Fit equipped with MUGEN accessories, the Civic Honda Factory Performance™ (HFP™) Concept and the 2009 Ridgeline Powersports Concept.

"From cars to light trucks, Honda products have always been great platforms for customization," said Jim Roach, senior vice president of Parts and Service for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "Honda Genuine Accessories offer our owners the ability to personalize their vehicles while enhancing appearance, performance and functionality."

A 2009 Fit equipped with MUGEN accessories was revealed today along with the announcement that beginning next spring, Honda will make a complete new line of MUGEN accessories available for the 2009 Fit on an a-la-carte basis through authorized Honda dealers. Available MUGEN accessories for the Fit will include: 16-inch alloy wheels, aluminum oil filler cap, front sports grille, front under spoiler, side spoiler, rear under spoiler, sports silencer, rear emblem, quick shifter, shift knob, sports pedals (MT), sports floor mats and a mirror cover. MUGEN, under license by M-TEC Co., Ltd., of Japan, has been closely associated with Honda for decades in the design and manufacture of racing and premium performance components. Further details, including pricing, will be available at a later date.

Honda also revealed a Civic Honda Factory Performance (HFP) Concept sedan that represents a new approach on performance improvement. With more consumer concern about fuel prices, future customers may want to maximize the performance of their vehicles without compromising fuel economy. Honda Access America, Honda's accessory development company, took on that challenge. Through aerodynamic improvements to the next generation HFP body kit, super-light alloy wheels with aerodynamic covers, a lighter HFP exhaust system and an upgraded HFP suspension kit, this concept offers the possibility of improving both fuel economy and performance. In fact, a very similar package has proven its worth on the race tracks of Japan on the Civic Type R race car, which campaigned in a spec series called the Super Taikyu Series.

In the truck display area, the 2009 Ridgeline Powersports Concept represents what Ridgeline owners could build using currently available Honda Genuine Accessories. These additions to the Ridgeline help to highlight the fact that the Ridgeline was purpose-built to haul almost any of Honda's motorcycle products. Transporting a Honda CRF 450R Special Edition is made more convenient with a Honda Genuine Accessory motorcycle wheel guide and bed extender. Among many installed accessories, the concept features a Honda Genuine front accessory grille and black experimental finish 18" wheels. All accessories shown on the 2009 Ridgeline Powersports Concept (except experimental painted black wheel finish and grille surround) are available from any authorized Honda dealer.

On the racing front, the company announced that Honda will continue support of competitors driving the Civic Si in the 2009 Grand-Am KONI Challenge Series through a generous contingency program and parts support. This move represents Honda division's primary production-based motorsports support, and the Civic Si has already proven itself a capable racer in August with a 2008 series-first win by Fenton Motorsports at the New Jersey Motorsports Park. Honda anticipates even more victories for the 2009 series.

Vehicles On Display at the Honda Booth

2009 Civic HFP™ Concept
2009 Ridgeline Powersports Concept
2009 Fit Sport with MUGEN accessories
2009 Accord Coupe HFP™
2009 Civic Coupe HFP™
2009 S2000 CR
2009 Element EX with accessories
CARR "Ridgeline Racing" Baja truck
CARR "Pilot Safari" Baja support vehicle
Compass 360 Racing Civic Si Sedan
Fenton Motorsports Civic Si Coupe
Galpin Honda 2009 Accord 2dr project
Tjin Edition 2009 Fit project
Ryan Shutt 2009 Pilot project
DSO Eyewear 2009 Pilot project
Danica Patrick IndyCar® Racecar
2009 Honda Big Red (sold through Honda motorcycle dealers)

Source
NihonCar

Sunday Stories: Honda Announces Pricing for Restyled 2009 Honda Element

Honda Announces Pricing for Restyled 2009 Honda Element

Not available in Japan, by official means at least, the Honda Element is in its 2009 SC version a quite interesting and good looking “Young Adult” oriented car.

This SUV wanna be, do not expect to go off-road with this anytime soon, received basically just a small facelift and a refresh interior, so we won’t spend much time here on describing everything and we will advise you to read the press release below.

The restyled 2009 Honda Element builds on its spacious and versatile character by adding a more chiseled exterior appearance and a refreshed interior design with an expanded selection of available high-tech and functional features. The entry-level SUV goes on sale today with a Manufacturer Suggested Retail Pricing (MSRP1) starting at $20,175 for the 2009 Element 2WD LX, plus a destination and handling charge of $670, American Honda Motor Co, Inc., announced today.

For 2009, Honda has enhanced each of the three unique Element styles that range from the rugged and simple Element LX, to the more refined Element EX, to the sporty Element SC. Available new features on the Element EX and SC include the Honda Satellite-linked Navigation System2 with Voice Activation and a rearview camera (automatic transmission-equipped vehicles only); USB digital media connectivity; and improved overhead console storage areas with modular compartments.

Significant exterior styling changes include a new front grille and bumper design, restyled front fenders (now metal, previously composite material), a new hood design, squared wheel arches, and new headlight and taillight configurations.

"The Element's key strength is a spacious, versatile and rugged interior that adapts quickly and conveniently to people and cargo," said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "For 2009, the enhancements strengthen the totally unique original concept with more refinement and functionality."

New interior changes include new, brighter color schemes with titanium-look side linings, new fabric patterns, and revised switchgear designs and meter graphics. A restyled low-profile center console is standard on the Element LX.

The Element EX adds a new convertible center console with a removable cooler/storage box while the Element SC retains its exclusive center console. For additional storage, the Element EX and SC are equipped with a modular three-compartment overhead console based on the Railport™ Vehicle Personalization System, expanding the vehicle's hidden storage versatility compared to the previous version. The new overhead console includes two large storage bins that can accommodate CD cases and similar items and a rear storage area for sunglasses.

The 2.4-liter i-VTEC® 4-cylinder engine is available with either a standard 5-speed manual transmission or an available 5-speed automatic transmission. Real Time 4WD™, available on the Element LX and EX, enhances all-weather traction. The Element LX and EX continue to be available in two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive configurations, while the sport-tuned Element SC continues to be available exclusively in two-wheel-drive. EPA city/highway fuel economy ratings3 range from 20/25 for two-wheel-drive models with an automatic transmission to 18/23 for manual transmission models with either two-wheel-drive or Real Time 4WD.

Source
NihonCar