The new Honda Civic Hybrid

New Honda Civic Hybrid

The Civic Hybrid has Honda’s CVT known as Multimatic S, which is the same as before. There are claims of improved operating efficiency with a wide ratio strategy employed for the higher gears. The increased torque has required an increase in clutch capacity too.

As befits the Civic Hybrid, there are some items in and around the car to distinguish it from the normal Civic. The instrument panel has the same design but there is the IMA meter which tells the driver when the hybrid system is running on the petrol engine and when the battery is getting recharged. There is also a real-time fuel consumption meter adjacent to the digital speedometer.

Driving the Civic Hybrid is not much different in feel from the normal Civic, though the strong acceleration is noticeable. If the driver is not informed of the powertrain, he might actually think he is in the 1.8-litre Civic, which says a lot about the Honda Hybrid System because the engine it uses has a 1.3-litre displacement. The handling characteristics are fairly similar too but subjectively, the new Civic Hybrid feels less sporty than the new Toyota Prius which this writer also had a chance to drive before.

The IMA system consists of an ultra-thin DC brushless electric motor mounted between the engine and the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) drivetrain; this provides additional torque and power by engaging during vehicle acceleration. At low speed cruising (about 40kmh), the motor solely powers the vehicle.

All the electric power created by the motor is stored in a compact battery box called the Intelligent Power Unit (IPU) - consisting of a rear-mounted compact nickel metal hydride battery and power control unit - which controls the flow of electricity to and from the electric motor. Recharging takes place when braking, slowing down or traveling downhill; battery life is claimed to be about five to seven years.

New Honda Civic Hybrid

Honda Civic Hybrid Video

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Japan: New Honda Odyssey

New Honda Odyssey
TOKYO — Honda has released an all-new fourth-generation Odyssey in Japan. The new model — a completely different model from the one sold in the United States — is altogether lower and sleeker and has a hard-earned reputation for being Japan's best-handling minivan.

The new Odyssey builds on the success of the low-rider minivan Honda introduced for Japan in 2003. It's the same basic formula but with a redesign that has a much "greener" attitude. Styling includes a front-end design clearly inspired by Honda's FCX Clarity fuel-cell sedan. Underneath, the Odyssey sits on an evolved platform with updated four-wheel double wishbone suspension and optional four-wheel drive. Honda added about an inch to overall length and stretched the three-row cabin to create more space. As before, the Odyssey's dazzling, sci-fi dashboard is a techno freak's delight.

Honda's 2.4-liter, four cylinder i-VTEC unit is the only engine choice. True to Honda form, although it's a carryover, it has more power and better economy than the version it replaces at 171 horsepower — or as much as 203 hp in the sportier top-of-the-line Odyssey Absolute. Honda claims fuel economy that leads the class in Japan, at the equivalent of 31.1 mpg. The Odyssey also has a new Econ mode that increases fuel mileage through combined control of the air-conditioner and continuously variable transmission to reduce engine load.

The new Odyssey also gets an array of high-tech goodies including a new multi-view surround camera system that lets you see all around, and over, the car from the driver seat.

Article source : edmunds.com

New Honda Odyssey

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2008 All New Mazda 6 Overview

2008 Mazda 6

With so much versatility and driving fun, why not pick a 6? The four- and six-cylinder engines have never been particularly powerful in this class, and newer competitors have made these modest motors seem like Calista Flockhart duking it out on "American Gladiators." The Nissan Altima, Honda Accord and Toyota Camry all offer at least 270-horsepower V6 engines, while at the same time bettering the 212-hp Mazda's fuel economy. The base four-cylinder is pretty much the same story, although the power gap isn't as significant. In this era of gas mileage awareness, less power and higher consumption is a tough sell.

An all-new Mazda 6 will debut next year that will hopefully address the power, fuel economy and rear seat space issues. In the meantime, though, if you can look past the current model's downsides, the 2008 Mazda 6 is still an attractive choice. If buying something other than the Camry-Accord-Altima status quo is appealing, then the 6 should definitely be considered -- especially if a "fun to drive" demeanor is a top priority.

All 2008 Mazda 6 models are front-wheel drive. Standard on the i model is a 2.3-liter, four-cylinder engine that makes 156 hp and 154 pound-feet of torque. The s model upgrades to a 3.0-liter V6 that makes 212 hp and 197 lb-ft. The Sport trim level comes only with a five-speed manual, while the Sport Value Edition offers a five-speed automatic. The Touring and Grand Touring trims are only available with a six-speed automatic. The Mazda 6 s will run to 60 mph in about 8 seconds flat, which is respectable, but at least a second off the pace of the segment speedsters.

2008 Mazda 6

2008 Mazda 6 Pictures

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2007 All New Honda Stream - Review The Performances

2007 All New Honda Stream

The new Honda Stream (body codes: RN6/RN8) is offered internationally in two specification levels. The lower-end spec will feature the R18A 1.8 liter SOHC i-VTEC (2-stage) engine with a 5-speed automatic gearbox (and a 5-speed manual transmission in some countries). The higher-end spec called the Stream RS-Z will feature the R20A 2.0 liter DOHC i-VTEC (3-stage) engine equipped with a CVT transmission and 7 speeds paddle shift function (tiptronic).

The new Honda Stream MPV, which replaces the older homonymous model since July 14 in Japan, has been at last officially announced. The restyled version features much more aggressive and mature appearance and also makes some family resemblance with current Honda Odyssey JDM.

The 1.8-liter engine's maximum power output reaches 140 hp and 128 lb-ft of torque. The power is being transferred to the wheels via a five-speed automatic gearbox. The 2.0-liter engine features up to 150 hp and maximum torque of 140 lb-ft and is mated to a CVT transmission with torque converter in FWD configuration, or a five-speed automatic on 4WD vehicles.

2007 All New Honda Stream

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New 2008 Honda Jazz

2008 Honda Jazz

Honda Jazz, new for 2008, is revealed with a whole new definition of compact spaciousness. The Jazz, known in some markets as the Fit, came into the market in 2001 and introduced a funkier, more practical dimension to the small car market. Such was the adoration Jazz received that it won Car of the Year in Japan and South Africa soon after. More of an evolution in design than a revolution, Jazz has grown in size. The new car retains most of the old car’s good parts, such as the magic seats that dive down with one action as well as the underfloor storage.

Under the bonnet, modifications are more dramatic. While the current Jazz has 1.2 or 1.4-litre petrol power, the newcomer will get a choice of a 1.3-litre unit generating 99bhp, or a 1.5-litre engine producing 118bhp.

Both engines feature Honda’s latest i-VTEC variable valve timing technology, and manual or CVT auto gearboxes are available with both. Honda claims that the 1.3-litre will return 68mpg, while the 1.5 will deliver 55mpg. The company refuses to confirm whether an oil-burner is in the pipeline, but our sources insist one will be added to the range.

2008 Honda Jazz

2008 Honda Jazz Video

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Malaysia Nissan Navara to come with 174 PS engine, leather seats and HID headlamps

Nissan NAVARA

Making others nervous is the new Nissan NAVARA, a really big, bad MOTHER TRUCKER. A totally pumped up truck with rugged good looks, leather interior and the mightiest engine in its class to date.

The Nissan NAVARA Double Cab became available in Malaysia on November 5, 2008. It is available with a 2.5L diesel engine producing 128 kW (172 hp) and 403 N·m (297 ft·lbf). Unlike the Frontier which came with a 5-speed manual only, the new Nissan Navara will come with a 5-speed automatic transmission with an easy rotary switch for shifting between 2WD and 4WD modes. 2H and 4H modes can be shifted on the fly at speeds of under 100km/h. You will likely have to stop to switch into the low-ratio 4L mode, but the rotary switch makes it easier than a shift lever.

Nissan NAVARA

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New generation Toyota Alphard

Toyota Alphard

The new Toyota Alphard (shown at right) is longer, wider and roomier than the outgoing version. Its slightly lower roofline (by 45mm) is offset by a cabin floor that's been lowered 55 mm, so the new van actually boasts more cabin height even though it's not quite as tall as its predecessor. Power comes from either a 170 PS (167 hp) 2.4L four or a 280 PS (276 hp) 3.5L V6 driving the front wheels. In August, a 4WD variant will join the lineup.

While Toyota's press release acknowledges that the new models are a bit spacier and safer than the old one, it neatly ignores the fact that the Alphard Hybrid has been quietly dropped. This could well be the first such occurrence for the company and given the number of eggs Toyota currently has in the hybrid basket, its no surprise that its PR department is doing its best to gloss over the retirement.

Toyota Alphard

More pictures Toyota Alphard

2009 TOYOTA ALPHARD PICTURES (for info)

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