The 2011 Honda Accord has given itself a fresher look this season, to compete with the likes of Toyota’s Camry. In fact, last year’s models stayed neck-and-neck with one another in sales, with Toyota coming out slightly higher in the end. With a large number of minor improvements, but will they be enough to keep sales higher than the Camry?

2011′s Honda Accord comes in with a redesigned grille, that really catches the eyes of pedestrians and shows off the shiny, larger ‘H’ logo. Also larger are those sweet 17-inch wheels. They make the car look more sporty than the upscale multi-spoke wheels on the outgoing four-door. Accord is also sporting red taillight strips just outside of the license plate area.

The base motor is a 2.4-liter 190-horsepower four-cylinder with 16 valves and Honda’s i-VTEC variable-valve technology. A 3.5-liter 268-horsepower V6 is also offered. Variable Cylinder Management, which shuts off three of the cylinders under light-load conditions, is standard on the EX-L automatic. At around 3,500 pounds, the V6 car is heavier than the four-cylinder but the added power makes up for it.

Honda says “the Accord has a revised instrument panel,” though you’d have to look hard to find it in the single sedan interior shot the company has released thus far. Most of the Accord’s visual changes are on the exterior. Still, Accord is a strong competitor for the 2011 model year, and will send the competition running for the hills.

The latest ad campaign from Honda Australia asks this very question – The “Jazz” (as Honda’s Fit is branded in the land Down Unda’) squeezes more horsepower, fuel economy and storage page into it’s hatchback than previous generations. But just how many fixed gear bicycles, vintage vinyl records and Jack Kerouac books can we keep in there? Let’s find out:

Thanks to Jess for the heads up on this post!

Honda first dropped their all new CNG Honda GX, modeled after the all new Civic sedan, to dealers in Oklahoma. Why in OK? The state has a hefty tax credit available to buyers of alternative fuel.

Honda’s GX is expected to sport an MSRP around $26,000, but with tax credits from $3,000-4,000 to upwards of $7,000 one can be yours for around $19,000.

“These credits benefit our state because they allow us to use local resources to help reduce our country’s dependence on dangerous foreign oil. They are also clearly serving their intended purpose as an economic incentive for Oklahomans and Oklahoma businesses to make the switch to CNG-powered vehicles,” said House Speaker Chris Benge, R-Tulsa.

The state’s natural gas production and refueling infrastructure was the reason Honda selected Oklahoma as the fourth market to retail the cars; after California, New York and Utah.

Driving a Civic GX is the same as a gasoline-powered Civic: a Kevlar tank contains the natural gas and the car has received a five-star safety rating. Highway mileage ratings top off at the 36 miles per gasoline gallon equivalent, which cost about $1.39 “a gallon” at a public station and even less from a home filling station.

The U.S.-built Civic GX is the only factory-equipped compressed natural gas vehicle that does not have a gasoline tank. Access to fuel is often a concern for potential car buyers, but much like electric recharge stations Natural Gas ports may soon be added to rest areas nationwide.

Honda Civic GX debuted as a concept back in 2005, with popularity growing steadily since then.

Honda fans have been in the dark for years – “will we ever see another Honda/Acura NSX in North America?” Well all, cheer up, you may have one as early as 2011. For lovers of Honda in Canada and The United States we have fantastic news: 2011 may bring a production model Honda Supercar.

An unsourced report says that a road-ready version of the HSV-010 GT race car, which will be redubbed Honda NSX (and an Acura variant as well) is being developed to fight the Lexus LFA.

The Honda HSV-010 GT uses a 3.4-liter V8 engine generating 493 horsepower. Honda’s production NSX would come with a 5.0-liter V8 engine. The production version would likely be both narrower and less defined than the race model, and be sold without a rear spoiler.

A new version of the supercar was officially canceled during the peak of the auto industry’s economic crisis. With stiff competition rising up, Honda figured it was time to fight back.

Source: WorldCarFans

In America, at least, we obsess over the trendy and hip – being green and pretending to live a minimalist lifestyle. But in the end we still like our spacious cars, and why not? We send hours a week sitting on our overly congested highways. But we shouldn’t pretend we rock the tiniest cars around.

pic via Jalopnik

As Top Gear’s piece mentions, the Toyota Prius has sold over a million units worldwide – but it’s also been around for almost a decade. On the downside it’s expensive…and lately has been attempting to kill drivers/passengers due to Toyota’s faulty accelerator issues that have yet to be solved.

Honda’s InSight offers similar speed/amenities/MPG ratings as the Prius, but with a cost of several thousand dollars under the Toyota model. Honda even promotes InSight as the world’s most affordable hybrid.

In the end it all came down to “The Jump” – You see, this wasn’t your average test drive: The Stig wanted to see who got the most air. That award went to Honda’s InSIght, which also landed with the touch of a feather, “Honda was infinitely better at landing than the Toyota, maintaining a much more natural flight path and plopping to the earth without fuss.” So, if you want a bit of fun and performance in you inexpensive hybrid, and you don’t want to be traveling down a California highway at 90+ MPH against your will, seems the Honda InSight is the best bet.

The Source: Top Gear

Honda has dubbed their 3R-C “an all-weather three-wheeled urban vehicle concept.” Quit a mouth full, it’ll look great in press releases. What are the odds this ride will ever see the light of day outside of showroom floors? Not very likely.

The cycle contains electric motors so it’s a zero-emissions vehicle,and if it’s ever produced will join the ranks of other Honda hybrids like InSight. It’ll be at the Geneva Motor Show parked next to Honda’s P-NUT concept. Both are equally unrealistic but fun to look at…or laugh at.

The Source: Jalopnik

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

Honda’s all-new Accord Crosstour. Airing during the fourth quarter of the 2010 Super Bowl, the 30-second spot features an animated squirrel with an insatiable appetite for “squirreling away” all things cargo, set to the tune of “Funky Stuff” by Kool & The Gang. “Squirrel” is part of an integrated, multiplatform advertising campaign developed by Honda’s long-standing agency of record, RPA, to support the vehicle launch.

The first optional dual clutch will be available on the upcoming Honda VFR1200F sport-touring motorcycle. This option will allow seamless shifting and a smoother ride. We’ll explain – it sets up “independent clutches for odd-and even-numbered gears” – the quickest shifting you can manage, in other words. The system offers two automatic modes if you get bored with all the manual shifting.

“With the dual clutch in the manual mode, it is literally milliseconds,” says Jon Seidel of American Honda Motor Co. “As quickly as you can use the paddle shifters, the gear engages. “As this is the world’s first application of this technology on a motorcycle,the initial response has been extremely positive. “The dual clutch transmission is an innovative new technology,” Seidel said. “Will it replace manuals? Probably not. But it is technology that works and adds fun and excitement to riding. Riders will also appreciate the fully automatic mode for stop and go city driving”

Specs:
Honda VFR1200F / VFR1200F with Dual Clutch Automatic Transmission
Engine Type: 1237cc liquid-cooled 76° V-4
Bore and Stroke: 81mm x 60mm
Compression ratio: 12.0:1
Valves: SOHC; four valves per cylinder
Induction: PGM-FI 44mm throttle bodies
Ignition: Digital electronic
Transmission: 6-speed (VFR1200F) / Six-speed automatic with two modes and manual mode (VFR1200F with Dual Clutch Automatic Transmission)
Final Drive: Shaft
Suspension
Front: 43mm; 4.7 inches travel
Rear: Pro Arm single-side swingarm with Pro-Link® single gas-charged shock; 5.1 inches travel
Brakes
Front: Dual 320mm discs, CBS 6-piston calipers with ABS
Rear: Single 276mm disc, CBS two-piston caliper with ABS
Tires
Front: 120/70 ZR17 radial
Rear: 190/55 ZR17 radial
Wheelbase: 60.8 inches (1545mm)
Rake: 25-deg
Trail: 101.0mm (4.0 inches)
Seat Height: 32.1 inches (815mm)
Fuel Capacity: 4.9 gallons
Color: Candy Red
Curb Weight: 591 lbs (VFR1200F) / 613 lbs (VFR1200F with Dual Clutch Automatic Transmission)

The Source: Wired