It’s a big deal to tease (or even fully release) extended Big Game ads online, prior to the Sunday TV broadcast. Most auto makers have unveiled their football campaigns weeks before the championship event, which will place New England Patriots against New York Giants.

Hey, when you pay millions to produce commercials and get only 30 seconds on-air, might as well release the rest online for free. We love that valet bit at the end, for the record.

Here’s the official spec info from Honda: This model is meant to preview the 2012 CR-V compact SUV, and is pretty much the same shape as these prototypes spied previously. This official photo closely resembles the production model, which will launch sometime close to the end of the year, maybe also in Sept.

As for the 2012 Honda Pilot: This 3-bench, 8-seater Pilot variant will receive updated front fascia that’s a “little more subtle-looking” than the current model. The 2012 Honda Pilot is due out on dealership showrooms in the United States this September.

Source: WorldCarFans

While the interior is mostly untouched, Honda installed new seat upholstery, additional sound deadening material and thicker rear windows. Furthermore, the Type-S has faux metallic trim and red ambient lighting.

Under the hood, engine options carryover with minor modifications for improved efficiency and reduced emissions. Most notably, the 2.2-liter i-DTEC engine has 148 hp. Other changes include a tuned suspension and active cornering headlights with High Beam Support. The latter option uses a CMOS camera sensor to detect oncoming traffic and automatically activate the low beams.

Source: WCF

“Details are limited, but the car will likely adopt the plug-in hybrid technology that was showcased at the Los Angeles Auto Show. This means we can expect the Accord to feature a 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine, a 6 kWh lithium-ion battery, and an electric motor that develops 161 hp (120 kW / 163 PS).”

“Thanks to this setup, the Accord would be able to travel 10 to 15 miles (16 to 24 km) on electricity alone at speeds up to 62 mph (100 km/h). Furthermore, the battery could be recharged in 2 to 2.5 hours with a conventional 120 volt household outlet or 1 to 1.5 hours with a 240 volt rapid charger.”

Source: WCF

Honda’s updated Civic sedan and coupe concepts were on call, making a guest appearance as fans snapped photos. Honda featured the next generation of their popular vehicles proudly. They’ll be showing up to a dealership near you soon – whether it’s a Los Angeles, Tampa Bay or Durham, NC Honda dealer.

Both concepts “feature profiles that aren’t much different from the sedan and coupe currently on the road, but they have more muscular sculpting in the side panels.” The 2012 concepts show off  aggressive front ends, angular headlamps that sweep back from honeycomb grilles.

Civic sedan features bright chrome work above its grille, also similar to the current generation. The coupe ditches its chrome “in favor of a glossy black strip that makes its lower grille opening look larger and more aggressive.” In the rear, Honda’s Civic coupe features a trapezoidal center exhaust.

Green was the way to be – whether you’re making electric vehicles, hybrid cars (as every auto maker now has at least one of) or fuel efficient gas models.

Source: CNET

Sure, the cars look great (check out our photos) and we can bet both sedan and coupe variants will be sporty – although the real news come from Civic’s boost in efficiency.

According to Kicking Tires: “Starting in terms of best fuel efficiency, you have the Honda Civic Hybrid in sedan only, which is estimated to return 45 mpg city/highway combined. That’s 4 mpg better than the combined mileage of the outgoing Civic Hybrid and Honda Insight. It will be powered by a 110-horsepower, 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine and for the first time, a lithium-ion battery pack. It will be teamed to a continuously variable automatic transmission.”

Honda is also including a Civic HF “High Fuel economy” sedan, which generates an estimated 41 mpg highway, thanks to the same aerodynamic bodywork shared with Civic hybrid.

“The Civic HF will be powered by the same 140-hp, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine as the standard Civic sedan and coupes. All will be mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. The regular Civics are estimated to return 39 mpg on the highway, up 3 mpg from the current generation. The Civic Hybrid, Civic HF, standard sedan and coupe, and a natural-gas-powered Civic GX will also feature the Eco Assist system the company has put in its CR-Z hybrid coupe.”

Finally, there’s a high-performance Civic Si sedan and coupe. Each of these trims offer 200 horsepower with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. EPA estimates are expectantly a bit lower, with 31 mpg highway.

Source: Kicking Tires

Honda’s updated Civic sedan and coupe concepts were on call, making a guest appearance as fans snapped photos. Honda featured the next generation of their popular vehicles proudly.

Both “feature profiles that aren’t much different from the sedan and coupe currently on the road, but they have more muscular sculpting in the side panels.” The 2012 concepts show off aggressive front ends, angular headlamps that sweep back from honeycomb grilles.

Civic sedan features bright chrome work above its grille, also similar to the current generation. The coupe ditches its chrome “in favor of a glossy black strip that makes its lower grille opening look larger and more aggressive.” In the rear, Honda’s Civic coupe features a trapezoidal center exhaust.

Green was the way to be – whether you’re making electric vehicles, hybrid cars (as every auto maker now has at least one of) or fuel efficient gas models. Some companies show “outlandish never-to-reach-production elements” and items that look more like science experiments or works of art than modes of transit.

Source: CNET

Honda took over Times Square in New York yesterday for the first ever 3-D introduction of a new model – the CR-Z sport hybrid coupe.

The event took place over the 5 blocks of Times Square where Honda broadcast the footage of a new CR-Z ad in 3-D on the square’s Spectacolor screen on Broadway. It may look more like Las Vegas – Honda added stages, press sections, spectators boxes and more lights and speakers than at the new Yankee Stadium.

The crowd was estimated at 250,000 – but in Manhattan, that number may not mean so much. On hand were the hip-hop group N.E.R.D. who performed for the crowd as well as several CR-Z hybrid coupes for the public to gawk at.

Source – Worldcarfans

The CR-Z also is expected to be the only hybrid in the country offered with a manual transmission – so you young folk who only know automatic better get back to driver’s ed and learn the basics. The six-speed stick CR-Z is fun to drive while delivering a government fuel economy rating of 34 miles per gallon combined. Highway mileage alone is rated at 37 mpg!

Early reports says the CR-Z may be small, but the car doesn’t look for feel “cheap.” Honda used its top of the line materials to usher in a whole new era of hybrid sportscar driving. At just 150inches larger then the MINI Cooper, Honda homes to dish out 15,000 in the United States alone during this 2011-2012 model year.

According to our sources, “the CR-Z body is wedge-shaped, with a cargo liftgate that’s so high off the ground it comes to near chest level on me. To aid driver views out the back of the car, both the liftgate and small, upright rear area above the bumper have glass in them, a la the Honda CR-X sporty car.”

For all the spunkiness of the CR-Z around town and in passing maneuvers, the gasoline engine is pretty much the same one as in the Honda Fit: A 122-horsepower, 1.5-liter, single overhead cam four cylinder with Honda’s variable valve technology.

But unlike the Fit, the engine is mated to a 10-kilowatt electric motor that adds up to 13 horsepower at a very low 1,500 rpm. The electric motor, which comes on and off on its own as needed, also contributes up to 58 foot-pounds of torque at 1,000 rpm, which explains the decent acceleration.
Regular gasoline is all that’s needed, and the electric motor recharges on its own from the engine and regenerative brakes. To save gas, the CR-Z also turns off its gas engine on its own when the car is coming to a stop.

The Odyssey Concept dramatically departs from conventional minivan styling with its low and wide stance, highlighted by a “lightning-bolt” beltline that further distinguishes the vehicle’s profile. Compared to the current Odyssey, the Concept’s slightly lower roofline (-1.0 inch) and wider stance (+1.4 inch) contribute to a sleeker, stronger and more dynamic presence with improved aerodynamics that help increase fuel economy. Forthcoming improvements to the production Odyssey’s interior are designed to further enhance the current model’s accommodating space for people and cargo.

“The Odyssey established its reputation by providing families with what they most want in a minivan – great functionality, an emphasis on safety and good fuel economy,” said Vicki Poponi, assistant vice president of American Honda product planning. “Odyssey then further delighted customers with its surprisingly engaging, fun-to-drive and dynamic nature. The next-generation Odyssey promises to take these strengths to a higher level while adding more style and personality.”

The steeply raked front and rear roof pillars, unique side-glass profile, chamfered roof line, and tapered rear cabin shape combine to create a dynamic and distinctive appearance from any perspective. The lightning-bolt beltline dives toward the rear of the vehicle emphasizing the new Odyssey’s sporty appearance while enhancing outward visibility for third-row passengers. Aggressive body-to-wheel proportions reduce the perception of vertical height common to most minivan designs. Fender flares further accent the vehicle’s securely planted and stylish persona. The concept vehicle’s projector beam headlights, LED taillights and form-fit fog lights further heighten the sophisticated quality of the design.

Enhanced aerodynamics and advanced powertrain technologies will contribute to the next-generation Odyssey’s increased fuel efficiency. The all-new 2011 Odyssey is expected to achieve an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating1 of 19 city/28 highway miles-per gallon on select models (preliminary estimate determined by Honda).

Currently in its third generation, the Odyssey’s unique array of features, including its superior driving dynamics, 3rd-Row Magic Seat® and efficient i-VTECTM V-6 engine with three-mode Variable Cylinder ManagementTM (available) all combine to offer a sophisticated environment with room for up to eight people (seven on Odyssey LX). The Odyssey has been America’s best-selling minivan since 20082 and is produced exclusively in Alabama by Honda Manufacturing of Alabama (using domestic and globally sourced parts). Both the concept and production vehicles, along with all development activity for the 2011 Odyssey, are being designed at Honda R&D Americas in Torrance, California, and Raymond, Ohio.

The Odyssey has won numerous awards and critical acclaim. Recent accolades include the Edmunds.com 2010 “Top Recommended” minivan award, U.S. News and World Report 2010 “Best Minivan for the Money” award, Automotive Lease Guide 2010 “Best Minivan for the Money,” the Kelley Blue Book award as one of the ten “Best New Family Vehicles of 2009″ and “2009 Best Resale Value Award” in the van category, which recognizes vehicles that are expected to have segment-leading resale value after five years of ownership.

Odyssey Concept Basic Dimensions:
Length (inches) 202.8
Width (inches) 78.5
Height (inches) 68.3
Wheelbase (inches) 118.1

Source: Honda PR