Honda Brio Prototype Previews New Car for Asian Markets

As a follow up to the New Small Concept model showcased this past January at the Auto Expo 2010 in New Delhi, India, Honda revealed the pre-production version of its new small city car called the Brio at the 27th Thailand International Motor Expo (press day: November 30, public days: December 1-12.).

Developed for Asian markets and scheduled to be introduced in Thailand and India in 2011, the Brio has a small footprint measuring just 3,610mm in length, 1,680mm in width and 1,475 mm in height. Even though the Brio keeps the basic styling theme of the concept car, the pre-production prototype's design has been watered down with the new grille looking like a last minute addition and a not very attractive one at that.

The mass-production model, which will be an entry-level car in newly emerging markets, Honda will develop unique versions for Thailand and India to reflect different customer needs in those markets.

Honda said that the Thai model is scheduled to be introduced in March 2011 with a starting price of approximately 400,000 baht or about US$13,300. It will be powered by a more fuel efficient engine returning a combined consumption of less than 5 lt/100km [47.0 mpg US].

For the Indian model that is planned to be introduced within 2011, the Japanese automaker said the engine choice will reflect the need for "a good balance between vehicle performance and price."

“Honda would like to expand the joy of mobility to more customers in Thailand, India and other Asian countries through the introduction of a new small vehicle with compact and highly efficient packaging by utilizing our own experiences cultivated by motorcycle business here in Asia,” said Takanobu Ito, President and CEO of Honda Motor.

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Honda Debuts Fit EV Concept,goes into Production in 2012

With hybrid models becoming more of a mainstream product for consumers these days, automakers are now turning their attention on the next 'green' frontier, all-electric cars. At the LA Auto Show, Honda lifted the covers off the all-new Fit EV Concept electric subcompact.

And mind you, this is not your typical motor-show crowd gatherer as according to the Japanese automaker, the Fit EV Concept "hints strongly" at the direction and styling for the upcoming production Fit EV all-electric vehicle, which will be introduced to the U.S. and Japan in 2012.

Based on the current Fit [Jazz in Europe and other markets], the EV production model will be powered by a lithium-ion battery and coaxial electric motor. The battery can be recharged in less than 12 hours when using a conventional 120-volt outlet, and less than six hours when using a 240-volt outlet.

Honda says the Fit EV will have a top speed of 90 mph [145 km/h] and achieve an estimated 100-mile [160km] driving range per charge using the US EPA LA4 city cycle or 70 miles [112 km] when applying EPA's adjustment factor.

The Fit EV will make use of a 3-mode electric drive system, adapted from the 2011 Honda CR-Z sport hybrid. The company claims that, in Econ mode, driving range can increase by as much as 17 percent, compared to driving in Normal mode, and up to 25 percent compared to driving in Sport mode. In Sport mode, Honda says that the electric motor generates performance similar to a vehicle equipped with a 2.0-liter gasoline engine.

Aside from the electric drivetrain, the LA Show car features some distinctive styling features inside and out such as the LED headlights, a chrome front fascia, aerodynamic bumper, clear LED taillights and EV decals plus an eco-friendly gray bio-fabric on the seating surfaces.

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Noblesse Wings Up Honda CR-Z Hybrid Sport Hatch

Japanese tuner Noblesse has been steadily releasing numerous aftermarket bits and pieces for the new CR-Z ever since Honda launched its hybrid sport hatch . Among other parts, the company has developed a ground aero-kit with front and rear bumper aprons, side skirts, a rear diffuser and a large roof wing. These can be complemented by a lightweight carbon fiber hood, underbody aero parts, larger alloy wheels and a sport exhaust system. You can check out photos of Noblesse's Honda CR-Z offerings along with a video of a test car doing a circuit round right after the jump.

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New Honda CR-Z JCOTY

To commemorate its "Japanese Car of the Year" award, Honda will release a limited edition of its CR-Z sport-hybrid hatch in Japan. Billed as a "Memorial Award Edition", the car will be coated in a hue called Pearl Deep Sapphire Blue and will roll on unique Dark Pewter Gray 16-inch rims.

Add a sticker/label on the driver's side quarter glass, and that's about it for external spruce-ups. Inside, the 1,000 Memorial CR-Zs get a Medium Gray interior, aluminum pedals, and a standard navigation system. Numbers still come in at 122 horsepower and 123-128 lb-ft of torque (CVT/6-speed) from Honda's IMA-backed 1.5-liter i-VTEC four-cylinder.

If you're over Japan way, the cars will be sold from the start of 2011. Price of admission will be a cool 2,794,000 Yen after the consumption tax (or approximately $34,200).

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2011 Honda Insight with Subtle Revisions and Special Price Offer goes on Sale in the UK

The modestly improved for the 2011 model year Honda Insight hybrid with chassis and trim level changes has arrived at Honda's UK showrooms. Normal pricing starts at £16,325 for the SE model, however, the Japanese automaker is running a special deal until the end of December offering the hybrid model at £14,995 OTR.

For the 2011 model year, Honda also added a new, top-of-the-range, EX model that's priced at £20,215 OTR and comes equipped with black leather upholstery, DVD Sat Nav and hands-free telephone as standard.

According to the automaker, most of the changes on the Insight were made to address negative feedback from the media as well as customers on the car's ride and comfort levels. The chassis improvements include adjusting the recoil rate of the springs, changing the rear camber angles, plus altering the V-shape rear suspension brace and adjusting mounts.

The latest model also benefits from the addition of new paint options with the introduction of Dynamic Blue Pearl and Carnelian Red Pearl.

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Honda New Li Nian S1 Subcompact Sedan at China Auto Show

China's recently developed passion for cars is paving the way for an increasing number of new vehicles targeting value-conscious consumers. Along with Nissan, which took the wraps of the 2011 Sunny, Honda also debuted a new small sedan today at the 2010 China International Automobile Exhibition.

Called the S1, the four-door model will be marketed under the newly formed Li Nian brand, created by Guangqi Honda, a Chinese joint venture owned by Honda and the Guangzhou Automobile Group.

The Li Nian S1 is the far less exciting (from a design standpoint) production version of the Everus Concept, which made its world premiere at the Guangzhou Motor Show in April. Even though Honda is keeping most details about the car under wraps, it appears that the S1 is based off the previous generation Honda City (Fit / Jazz sedan), and not the newer model of the car, which was released in 2008.

According to Honda, the S1 targets the younger generation in China and "adopts a powerful, energetic and outstanding design form".

The Li Nian S1 will be available in the market from the spring of 2011 through the current Guangqi Honda sales channel, with engine options including 1.3-liter and 1.5-liter petrol units.

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