Could Honda’s New 1.6-Liter Turbo-Four Race Engine Power the Civic Type-R?

A new Honda racing engine might preview the powertrain for the next iteration of the Civic Type-R. Honda’s all-new engine will power its new Civic race car in the World Touring Car Championships next year. The engine, called HR412E, is a 1.6-liter inline-four with turbocharging and direct injection.

Could Hondas New 1.6 Liter Turbo Four Race Engine Power the Civic Type R? imageHonda won’t say how much power the new engine makes, so as to keep the car’s performance a secret from potential competitors. The car will be used in the 2013 World Touring Car Championship, and already has passed Honda’s testing regimen in Italy.

The reason this engine is so interesting is that it could have street-car applications. WTCC race cars must be based on production models, and Honda notes that lessons learned from developing this race engine could trickle down to regular cars. “We believe the innovations that have led to this revolutionary engine will also lead to benefits beyond the race track, helping us to further increase the efficiency of our road car engines,” the company said in a statement.

With that in mind, this race engine could serve as a test bed for a new street car, and the most likely candidate for a tamer version of the 1.6-liter turbo-four is the next European-market Honda Civic Type-R. The new car has reportedly been approved for production and should be confirmed publicly this fall. Honda is expected to show a concept version of the Type-R in spring 2013 before putting the car on sale in early 2014. The old Civic Type-R was killed off because its high-strung 2.0-liter engine didn’t meet stricter emissions standards. A smaller, turbocharged four-cylinder might allow Honda to produce Type-R-worthy power levels while still satisfying tough fuel-economy regulations.

Courtesy of MotorTrend.com

A big thank you for this fantastic review on Dealer Rater! Great job Donna!

White Plains Honda - (5) Star Review on DealerRater

• I was very happy working with Donna Lozinsky. This is my first lease with White Plains Honda and it was a great experience. Donna is the best and I having nothing but good things to say about her and the service I received. She was very patient, not pushy and very sweet.
  Brandi Robinson was very helpful going over what the CRV featured. Kurt Schon was nice and very helpful. They were all great and I would recommend White Plains Honda to anyone wanting to purchase a honda. -mstella
  

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White Plains Honda - (3 out of 3) Rating on Google+ Local

• I had a great first experience at WP Honda. My sales person, Casther, was very nice and knowledgeable about the different cars. I've never purchased a car before this time and she really made the process so much easier. This is a great place and everyone is very attentive and helpful. Also, if there is an issue of some sort with your car, they will provide you with all the information you need and accommodate very well to your schedule. I absolutely love my new Civic! -Kelsey B.
  

Have you seen the latest technology for your Honda? Watch the video below to learn more about HondaLink, a cloud-based system that connects you to your favorite digital content without hassling with your mobile phone!

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Honda expanding at several U.S. plants

Honda's decision to further its expand its Civic plant in Greenburg, Ind., adding 500 workers and expanding capacity by 50,000 vehicles a year, is only the start.

The company laid out a big plans for North America this week. It has spent $1.6 billion at its North American factories in the past 18 months as it prepares to mark its 30th anniversary of making cars in the U.S. That officially happens on Nov. 1, the day in 1982 when the first Accord rolled of the line in Marysville, Ohio.

Greensburg will be the only place in the world where Honda will assemble the Civic hybrid as it phases out production of the model in Japan.

The Indiana plant, which will build 250,000 vehicles annually, already makes the gasoline and compressed natural gas versions of the Civic. Workers there started making the all-new Acura ILX hybrid in April. A second shift of 1,000 workers was added last fall.

Honda was the first Japanese automaker to assemble vehicles in the U.S. three decades ago. Today, it has nine lines in seven assembly plants with the capacity to make 1.63 million vehicles a year in North America, most of which are powered by engines and automatic transmissions made here. What's next:

• By 2014, when a new plant in Celaya, Mexico, starts making the Honda Fit, North American capacity will hit 1.92 million vehicles annually, Schostek said. The continent is already Honda's largest manufacturing base in the world.
• In Ohio, Honda is investing more than $500 million and adding 100 jobs to expand capacity.
• In Lincoln, Ala., Honda is investing $275 million and adding 140 jobs, boosting capacity by 40,000 vehicles to 340,000 a year. That will include the Acura MDX beginning early next year. The SUV is currently made in Alliston, Ont.

The new Mexico plant is an $800-million investment that will create 3,200 new jobs with the capacity to make 200,000 cars starting in 2014.

This network produces the full range of Honda's products, Schostek said. Canada is becoming a hub for small cars and crossovers. A new dedicated facility in Ohio will make the new NSX sports car sometime in the next three years.

By shifting production to the U.S., Japanese manufacturers will be able to reduce costs of labor and transporting parts and vehicles across the Pacific, said Alec Gutierrez, market analyst for Kelley Blue Book.

In 2011, 85% of Honda and Acura models sold in the U.S. were built in North America and that figure will grow to 90% in the next few years.

Honda also wants to export more vehicles and parts from North America to other regions.

Last year, Honda exported 53,000 vehicles from North America. That figure will grow to 100,000 this year and eventually 200,000 annually, Honda officials predict.

Courtesy of USAToday.com

On this day in 2007, Honda produces its 6 millionth North American Honda Civic! The Civic was introduced (and imported) to the US in 1972 - Can you guess what year Civic production began in the United States?

Thank you to the authors of these tremendous reviews! Keep up the great work team!

White Plains Honda - Two (5) Star Reviews on DealerRater

• My car buying experience went rather great. The dealership is a good now the dealer them self are great, very helping. Ms.Sandy Vargas got everything I wanted in my car and ready when I need. She is awesome dealer so is her manger (JOE). -Loum1710

• Keith was great. I was looking for a Honda Fit a few months ago, and needed to get something quickly because I was moving to Pennsylvania. I also wanted to avoid registering the car twice (once in NY and then again in PA). Keith worked hard to figure this out. We ultimately decided to go with having provisional plates which would allow me to register the car in PA and pay less tax. I am happy with the car and the experience. -Santacruz99
  

Today is National Lollipop Day! Lollipops come in dozens of different shapes, sizes, and flavors. In honor of this sweet day we want to know what’s your favorite flavor?

Thank you to the author of this glowing review! Keep up the great work team!

White Plains Honda - (5) Star Review on DealerRater

• keith was great! he did everything possible to get me into a new car. honda of wp made my experiance great and i couldnt be happier. -Kortney
  

Getting a great deal on the Honda you've been waiting for is like the happy ending to a Hollywood movie!

Another amazing review for White Plains Honda! Way to go team!

White Plains Honda - (4.8) Star Review on DealerRater

• I was very pleased with the professional , no pressure experience in my lease return and new lease purchase. Everyone connected with this transaction was friendly ,knowledgeable and professional, especially my sales rep Donna Lozinsky. I look forward to dealing with White Plains Honda in for future purchases. -Rduggan

When's the last time you had your car serviced? Make sure your car is in tip top shape and schedule your next maintenance appointment with White Plains Honda!

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Thank you, to the author of this tremendous review! Keep up the great work team!

White Plains Honda - (4.8) Star Review on DealerRater

• I was very happy to know that I was able to return my 2 leased cars before the lease was up. The staff at White Plains Honda was very professional and 4 new cars later I would gladly refer this dealership. -ffracer
  

Honda Taps Iconic Tunes For Unique Summer Clearance Campaign

The annual Honda Summer Clearance Event campaign begins today and features well-known tunes to conjure up the rush consumers experience when they first drive off the lot in a new vehicle. RPA, Honda's long-time agency of record, created this entertaining and memorable campaign to get the attention of consumers.

"Buying a new Honda sparks a happily-ever-after moment that is almost magical," said Susie Rossick, Senior Manager at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "The iconic songs in this campaign stir up those same powerful emotions, reminding people in an unforgettable way that this is the best time of year to get a great deal on a Honda."

Six spots are pitch-perfect parodies of Hollywood movie-ending clichés, with the action-adventure, family comedy, buddy, college adventure, girl-power and inspirational genres each taking a turn onscreen. Following a farewell from a friendly salesperson, an instantly recognizable song kicks on, the elated driver zooms off and the credits roll.

In "Action Adventure," a Honda owner points his Accord toward the desert horizon to the beat of Judas Priest's "You've Got Another Thing Coming." Another spot, "Family Comedy," set to Pete Townshend's "Let My Love Open the Door" captures the antics of shopping for an Odyssey with three kids in tow. "College Movie" shows a new Civic owner and his college buddies jamming through town to Outasight's "Tonight Is the Night." Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Want to Have Fun," Derek and the Dominos' "Layla," and OneRepublic's "Good Life" are the soundtracks for the other three spots.

"In this campaign, we directly address six key demographics with executions that are colorful and big like Hollywood blockbusters. Breaking through was a priority because of the clutter in the marketplace," said RPA's ACD/Copy Sarah May Bates.

Spots will air on high-profile network programs such as "America's Got Talent," "Castle," "NCIS," "The Middle," "The Office," "Two Broke Girls," "Vampire Diaries" and cable networks, including A&E, Animal Planet, Bravo, Discovery and TBS. Print ads will be featured in several national publications that include "People," "Sports Illustrated," "TIME" and "USA Today."

Online ads will run in top automobile and consumer websites, including AOL Autos, Automotive.com, AutoTrader, Autobytel, Bing, Car and Driver, Cars.com, Edmunds, Facebook, Google, Jumpstart, Kelley Blue Book, Motor Trend, MSN Autos, Road & Track, Source Interlink Media, Vehix and Yahoo! Autos.

In addition, a Summer Clearance sweepstakes will begin on July 16 at http://shophonda.com/. Users can enter for a chance to win free gas for a year or be awarded instant-win $100 American Express gas card prizes.

Courtesy of Honda Media Newsroom

Elizabeth, thank you for taking the time to write this glowing review! Keep up the great work team!

White Plains Honda - (5) Star Review on Yelp

• White Plains Honda was a great place to find a car. Isaac, the salesperson I worked with, was helpful and patient as I test drove various cars. Isaac also made sure that I received a great deal. I was rather impressed with the way the customers are treated here. Everyone is very professional and attentive. The whole lease process was completed in just a matter of 2 days (saturday I picked a car and Monday I was able to pick it up; it had been detailed and prepared as promised). I recommend White Plains Honda and specifically recommend speaking with Isaac. -Elizabeth F.

Welcome back to the work week fans! Here is a cost-effective maintenance tip for you!

Touching up paint flaws early can save a heap of money down the road. You can touch up small scratches and chips with touch-up paint, available for a few dollars at your car dealership and at some auto-parts stores. Make sure you get an exact color match. Touch-up paint usually comes in a small bottle with an applicator brush in the lid. Otherwise, use a small, pointed artist's brush and cover the scratch by going over it in tiny dabs. Let this paint dry for at least a day or two before polishing the car.

We want to know about your first day on the open road. Do you remember your first day being able to drive by yourself? Any memorable experiences from going solo?

Leomeris, thank you for this awesome review of your experience! Great job team!

White Plains Honda - (3 out of 3) Rating on Google+ Local

• Albert was great to deal with, he made sure I got the car I need it at a great price. thanks Albert and the white plains Honda team. -Leomeris V.
  

Thank you to the authors of these tremendous reviews! Keep up the great work team!

White Plains Honda - Two (5) Star Reviews on DealerRater

• My salesperson, Tiffany Stewart, did an excellent job. I bought a certified pre-owned Honda Civic that I saw listed online and she was more than helpful throughout the process. -JonChiu

• Great service and very friendly staff.Albert was very easy to talk to and understanding.thank you white plains Honda keep up the team work. -lv1026m3

Don't you just love this 2012 Honda CR-V! Get behind the wheel of this beautiful car and stop by White Plains Honda today!

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Hey fans, did you know power steering fluid should be changed every three years or 50,000 miles. If you have a power steering fluid reservoir, check the level visually; otherwise, follow the dipstick method. Low power steering fluid may indicate a leak, s

Robert, thank you for an amazing review! Keep up the great work team!

White Plains Honda - (3 out of 3) Rating on Google+ Local

• I recently purchased a Honda Cvic from WP Honda. They gave me the best terms and the best trade in price for my Ford. Ivy Telez did an exceptional job and I will recommend her to anyone in the market for a Honda. I love my Civic and have never been so pleased with an auto purchase. -Robert L.
  

Thank you, to the authors of these tremendous reviews! Great job team!

White Plains Honda - Four (5) Star Reviews on DealerRater

• We came in looking for a small SUV for commuting, but didn't necessarily intend on purchasing anything right away. We had such a good experience that we happily ended up buying a pristine 2009 CR-V within 24 hours of setting foot in the door. I have no trouble whatsoever giving highest possible marks to White Plains Honda, and to Keith Johnson in particular. It was truly a pleasure to work with Keith - I have never felt more comfortable, welcome, or valued as a customer at an auto dealership, and his customer service ranks among the best I have ever received in any retail situation. The entire experience was about as perfect as it gets - great car, great price, great service, and great employees. -gordonj82

• I recently visited White Plains Honda looking for a pre-owned Pilot. I had been to the dealer before years ago and was happy to see there was a whole new team of helpful, unbelievably hard-working staff in place. Sandy was enthusiastic and made shopping for a car, as a single woman incredibly effortless and actually enjoyable. Joe the sales manager is personable to each and every customer coming through the door and found me the Pilot I was looking for. I have to share my awesome experience at White Plains Honda. I traded in my used Pilot and this was the easiest and most satisfying experience I have ever had in a car dealer. I had gone to at least 6 other Honda dealers in Westchester shopping around for the right car and was won over by White Plains HOnda. They were truly honest, patient and went above and beyond in making the experience the best ever. For those of you who have had bad experiences at other dealers, please come by White Plains Honda and ask for Sandy and Joe, they will beat all other dealers on price, service and followup.
  Sandy was polishing up my car when I came to pick it up,, in the heat wave!! Do not be fooled by their small dealer appearance. They have access to every Honda on the market through their extensive inventory system. I rarely take the time to rate anything online but really believe they deserve the perfect rating they got. thanks guys. -Phyllis F.

• Great place, the sales person, Albert, was very helpful and straight to the point, highly recommend to go see him. Walked out with a brand new Pilot!!!!! Very happy! -rrodri17

• I had a pleasant time at the White Plains Honda. Keith Johnson was very helpful in helping me purchase my second car. The entire staff also worked together in helping me get the car i have been wanting for some time now, which is a honda civic. I am so happy with my new car and happy that i went to this Honda Dealership. -kdoway
  

2013 Honda Fit EV First Drive

One could argue that Honda's reputation is largely based on the various clean air and fuel economy technologies it has promoted over the years. From CVCC to HF to VTEC, NGV to IMA to FCEV, Honda can usually be found tinkering away at or near the top of the mpg charts.

Accordingly, the new 2013 Honda Fit EV looks mighty impressive in terms of EV efficiency. It beats the rival Ford Focus Electric, Mitsubishi i and Nissan Leaf in every consumption and range metric found on a typical EV window sticker, from its low consumption rate of 29 kWh per 100 miles to its stellar combined rating of 118 MPGe to its class-leading range of 82 miles.

But one curious fact stops us in our tracks: You can't buy a 2013 Honda Fit EV. And you may never see one because, all told, Honda expects to produce just 1,100 Fit EVs over the next three years. By contrast, Nissan is close to selling that many Leaf EVs in a month.

What's more, the 2013 Honda Fit EV is a lease-only proposition ($389 per month for 36 months; the tax credit is baked in) that is confined to coastal Southern California, the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento and Portland, Oregon. Next spring Honda plans to expand into Boston; New York; Hartford, Connecticut; Baltimore; and Washington, D.C.

A La Mode
The heart of the Fit EV is a permanent magnet electric motor that's rated at 92 kW (123 horsepower). It drives the front wheels through a coaxial single-speed gearbox, in which the differential is bolted directly to one end of the electric motor, not offset in the usual way with drive flanges positioned behind. This works because the motor's main shaft is hollow, allowing the driveshaft that feeds the opposite tire to run straight through the middle.

Full power is only available by pressing a dash-mounted Sport button. The Fit EV's rated efficiency and range comes in Normal mode, the start-up default that produces 75 kW (101 hp). Honda says Sport is 10 percent less efficient than Normal, but a third option, Econ mode, can boost efficiency by 17 percent if you're willing to tolerate 47 kW (63 hp), a deliberately recalcitrant throttle pedal and "optimized" air-conditioning performance.

Moving Out
From rest, Normal and Sport are equally proficient at chirping the Michelin Energy Saver low-rolling-resistance tires thanks to instant-on peak torque. Once under way, Normal feels entirely reasonable for everyday use, even up hills and onto freeway onramps. It's never lightning fast, but there's no problem keeping up.

As expected, the Sport button makes passing and merging easier, and in that mode the Fit EV's power-to-weight ratio is 19 percent better than the Leaf's. We figure 0-60-mph acceleration could register below 9.5 seconds — perhaps a half second better than the Nissan.

There are two shift positions as well: the familiar "D," and a "B" setting that simulates low gear engine braking through the regenerative system. Intended for downgrades, it adds a new dimension of fun in daily use (with no efficiency penalty) à la Mini E, although the effect is less pronounced.

As for the regular brakes, the EV's system of blending electric braking with conventional friction braking produces a firm and consistent pedal that comes across as notably more satisfying than the Leaf.

Battery Pack
Electricity comes from an air-cooled 20 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that's 4 kWh smaller than that of a Leaf. Even so, the Fit EV's range bests the Nissan by 9 miles. Low comparative weight accounts for some of this, as the 3,252-pound Fit EV weighs 123 pounds less than the Nissan.

But the chemistry of the Fit EV's Toshiba-made SCiB (super-charge ion battery) battery modules has more to do with it. Typical lithium-ion battery cells feature a carbon anode, but SCiB cells employ a Lithium Titanate Oxide (LTO) anode instead that can charge and discharge more quickly, allowing the Fit's battery to gobble up and recover energy more readily under braking.

This trait is a boon to plug-in charging, too, and the Fit EV's charging system runs at 6.6 kilowatts instead of the 3.3-kilowatt charge rate of the Leaf. And so it takes 3 hours — less than dinner and a movie — to fully recharge a depleted Fit EV using a standard 240-volt charger. A 7-hour commitment is needed to fill an empty Leaf at the same charging station.

Similar battery technology is found in the 2012 Focus Electric, which can also charge at 6.6 kW. But 372 pounds more Ford leads to a larger 23 kWh battery and 4 hours of 240-volt charge time.

Recharging on 120 volts is less impressive because the typical home garage circuit is the limiting factor. Still, 15 hours is far better than the 21 hours it takes to refill an empty Leaf — different enough to make the need for a 240-volt home charger far less certain.

Adaptation
Significant alterations were needed to slip a battery pack underneath the middle of a Fit. The driver still sits in the same spot, but a recontoured floor positions rear occupants 1.4 inches higher and 3.3 inches farther back. Rear headroom is down, but 37.3 inches of the stuff still feels like a goodly amount. However, fans of the Fit's magic seat will be saddened to learn that it did not survive the reconstructive surgery.

Still more room was needed to keep the battery case from dragging on speed bumps, so the entire body was raised 1.6 inches on its suspension. Taller springs and a new aluminum subframe do the trick up front, but the battery intrudes into space claimed by the Fit's standard-issue twist-beam rear axle. Oh, and there are 675 more pounds to cart around.

As a result, the Honda Fit EV has sprouted a far more sophisticated multilink rear suspension.

The end result is a Fit EV that rides with significantly more smoothness — and quietness — on the broken concrete surfaces and jointed freeways we're driving today. We're talking Accord levels of refinement here.

And the Fit EV is stable when barreling into corners, too, thanks to revised spring and roll stiffness tuning to handle the extra mass. Helping greatly in this regard is a center of gravity that is actually lower because much of the added weight sits below floor level.

Inside
Access to cargo is still good despite the raised body; 25.4 inches of liftover height is still an enviable number. But the rear-shifted seat shrinks rear cargo space from 20.6 to 12 cubic feet. There are 49.4 cubic feet available with the new 60/40 seat folded, but the load floor is no longer flat.

Rear doors that open 80 degrees are still present and they're even more appreciated with the new rear-set seat. The height-adjustable front seat and telescoping wheel still accommodate a wide range of drivers.

A navigation system and back-up camera are standard (there are zero options), and the instrument panel has been reconfigured to provide various types of coaching feedback to help get the most out of each kilowatt-hour of electricity.

A remote on the key fob can initiate a charge, check charge progress, verify cabin temperature and turn on the air-conditioning from 100 feet away. The available HondaLink EV smartphone app does all that and more. It can display available driving range, program an overnight charging session to catch low overnight rates or search for EV charging stations along a route.

Summing Up
The 2013 Honda Fit EV looks class-leading on paper and performs well in person, but that just makes its lease-only status all the more perplexing, even if $389 per month for 36 months seems like a competitive deal. A bit more digging reveals a couple of potential reasons.

Honda says that if it sold the Fit EV it would have to charge $37,415 for it — $2,580 less than a Focus Electric but $1,365 more than a Nissan Leaf. Put it that way and it seems like a ton of dough for a Fit near the end of its life cycle.

As a lease-only proposition with no buyout, Honda's Fit EV battery warranty lasts for "the duration of the lease of the vehicle," which is 3 years or 36,000 miles. Makers of for-sale EVs have to stand behind their batteries far longer, so in theory they can't push them to the max. One wonders if an 8-year/100,000-mile Fit EV battery would perform as well. It seems so, but outside of Honda there's no way of knowing.

Still, if a 3-year lease sounds good to you and you happen to live in one of the designated areas, the 2013 Honda Fit EV is a solid electrified choice. It rides, it handles, it charges quickly and it goes farther on less juice than any of its rivals. Interested? Find out more at Honda's official Fit EV Web site.

Courtesy of InsideLine.com

Thank you Michael for sharing this kind review! Keep up the great work team!

White Plains Honda - (5) Star Review on DealerRater

• When I walked in I was immediately greeted by a sales associate who offered me a beverage and was very inviting. She made the buying process very smooth and simple. I received a great price on my cr-z ex and my associate Donna was able to work out an excellent finance program. Not only that she took the time to teach me about all the features in my new car and made sure I drove away a satisfied cutomer. -Michael M.
  

Let's give it up for the Declaration of Independence! On this day in 1776, Thomas Jefferson and friends signed this document and the United States of America was born. What will you be doing to celebrate our Nation’s birthday?

Thank you to the author of this awesome review! Keep up the great work team!

White Plains Honda - (5) Star Review on DealerRater

• Great service,dealer was friendly and was able to provide all the information I needed. I was given a good price and it was an easy process. -Stillonec
  

New Accord will feature Honda's answer to Ford's SYNC

Honda desperately needs to hit a home run with its all-new 2013 Accord, a car that's perennially on the best-seller list in the United States.

The current Accord, which is in its eighth generation, debuted in 2008 before most of the latest and greatest technological advances began filtering their way into the interiors of mainstream cars and trucks. As such, Honda's family sedan offering is a ways behind in the infotainment and navigation categories.

For 2013, Honda will launch HondaLink, its next-generation infotainment package, in the Accord. Though the technology will see a much smaller debut in the Fit EV (as seen above), that rollout won't hit the masses the way it undoubtedly will in the Accord.

According to Wired, it's not yet clear if Honda will rely on satellite data or if the automaker will incorporate a cellular modem into the package, but either way, Honda's Aha Radio service will make its first appearance in the 2013 Accord. There's also a possibility that the Accord could be the first machine to use Siri integration from Apple, though that's nothing more than speculation at this point.

We certainly look forward to see what Honda has cooked up for its bread-winning model. After all, as shown most notably by Ford, having the most built-in technology, especially in its first generation, isn't always a slam-dunk with mainstream consumers.

Courtesy of AutoBlog.com

Thanks for the awesome review Tom! Great job team!

White Plains Honda - (5) Star Review on DealerRater

• Great service from Alex Vargas. He was very patient with my mother-in-law during the test drive and was professional in negotiating a price. Thanks for your great service. -Tomstokes