Joining the Honda Small Sport EV Concept and the Honda AC-X plug-in hybrid at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show will be the Micro Commuter Concept.

According to Honda the Honda Micro Commuter Concept is:

A micro-sized, futuristic, electric city commuter which will become a highly accessible form of mobility for more people. This vehicle will offer the joy of a new type of communications between people and mobility and an exterior that the owner can enjoy customizing more casually. The collaboration of Honda’s motorcycle and automobile R&D centers made it possible to load the MOTOR COMPO two-wheel EV commuter in this vehicle.

We’ll have to wait until the 2011 Tokyo Show for more details

Honda AC-X Concept

Along with the Honda Small Sports EV Concept, the Japanese automaker will show this four-door AC-X Concept. The Honda AC-X, which stands for Advanced Cruiser-X is described as “a next-generation plug-in hybrid vehicle which offers a more comfortable and enjoyable time in the vehicle during all driving situations, from urban to long-distance driving. With the choices of an ‘engine drive mode’ for more aggressive driving or an ‘automatic drive mode’ for more relaxed driving, the vehicle broadens the joy of mobility.”

The Honda AC-X is a plug-in hybrid sedan powered by a 1.6 liter gasoline engine and a 120kw electric-motor. Together the system puts out a nice 127-hp.

Honda says that the AC-X Concept has a total driving range of 620 miles with fuel-economy coming in at an amazing 260 mpg (we’re not sure which cycle Honda is basing its estimates on).

Honda AC-X Concept Interior

Honda AC-X Concept Interior

Source: egmCarTech

Ready to make its debut at the 2010 Paris Motor Show

, Honda revealed the first two images and some details on the new Honda Jazz Hybrid. The model, which will be known as the Honda Fit Hybrid in Japan, marks the first time a parallel hybrid vehicle has been available to B-segment customers.

The Honda Jazz Hybrid gets its power from the same 1.3L i-VTEC gasoline engine mated to the company’s IMA system and a CVT gearbox that is found in the Insight and the CR-Z. Like the Insight and Civic Hybrid models, the Jazz Hybrid will be able of driving on the electric motor alone under some medium and low speed conditions. No word on official fuel-economy figure but it is expected to be close to that of the Honda CR-Z.

The Jazz hybrid will go on sale in some European markets in the early part of 2011. The new hybrid will also be available in a range of existing colors plus a new Lime Green metallic. No word on if the Honda Fit will make it to the United States.

Source: egmCarTech

Honda will start selling an electric vehicle as well as a plug-in hybrid in 2012 in the U.S. and Japan, joining the race to manufacture green cars in which rivals have already taken slight leads.

The plans were disclosed by Honda Motor Co. President Takanobu Ito at the Japanese automaker’s facility in a Tokyo suburb Tuesday.

“Honda has no future unless we achieve significant reduction in CO2 emissions,” he told reporters. “The next 10 years will be a true test for Honda’s survival.”

Coming up with good cars quickly and at affordable prices is now crucial to score success in changing times, he said.

He also said the world’s needs were shifting to small and green vehicles.

Ito declined to give details of the vehicles, including the batteries — the key component — they would use, but said green technology was becoming increasingly important in the auto industry.

Tokyo-based Honda, Japan’s No. 2 automaker, now makes the Insight and CR-Z hybrids but has not given concrete plans for a plug-in or EV previously.

Under its new strategy, Honda will resume preparations for its Yorii plant in Saitama Prefecture near Tokyo to begin production in 2013 and focus on green models.

The new EV-N Concept is a little bit longer than the Smart ForTwo and carries a lithium ion battery pack which we can say it is a step up comparing it to the metal hydride cells in the CR-Z Concept.

Sources: NPR, 4wheelsnews, EGMCarTech

Honda is launching a special display zone at the Tokyo Auto Show called The Honda Electric Mobility Loop and will feature a CR-Z Concept hybrid with 1.5L 4-cylinder engine. As reported by Egmcartech:

With all the automakers pulling out of Tokyo this year, it doesn’t seem like much is going to happen at one of the largest auto shows when it opens its doors next month. Nonetheless, domestic automaker Honda is ready with an onslaught of new concepts… or shall we say, an onslaught of “environmentally responsible” concepts. In fact, Honda says that its special display zone will be named “HELLO!” – which stands for Honda Electric mobility Loop.

First up in the HELLO display is the Honda CR-Z Concept. It’s not the same Honda CR-Z Concept we saw before at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, but a CR-Z Concept that is almost production ready.

Honda hasn’t released any technical details but we do know that power will come from a 1.5L 4-cylinder engine mated to Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist hybrid technology. It will be mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox and an optional CVT automatic.

The “Honda CR-Z sporty hybrid” will go on sale in Japan in February 2010.

Source Egmcartech

The Honda Electrical Mobility Loop zone at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show introduced the Skydeck Concept, a future 6-seater hybrid MPV with Lamborghini style scissor doors.

Next up in Honda’s HELLO! (Honda Electric mobility Loop) zone at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show is the Honda Skydeck Concept.

The concept hints at a future 6-seater hybrid MPV with Lamborghini style scissor doors. The Honda Skydeck Concept shows how the company’s IMA technology can be placed in a range of different vehicles, says Honda. The hybrid system in the Skydeck Concept is housed in the car’s center tunnel rather than behind the rear seats – allowing for more cabin space. The interior lay consists of three rows of two seats so we’re guessing the hybrid system runs through the middle of the car.

No word on when or if the Skydeck will ever reach production but we wouldn’t doubt it. Just don’t expect those doors or the interior to make it into production.

Source Egmcartech

Honda’s answer to the Smart cars will be released at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, a tiny electric concept, the EV-N.

Joining the 2009 Honda CR-Z Concept and the Honda Skydeck Concept next moth at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show will be the Honda EV-N battery electric vehicle concept and its small… very small. We’re guessing this is our first look at Honda’s competitor to the Smart cars and Toyota’s iQ.

The car seems to comfortably seat 4 individuals with some stylish interior touches. No word on the technical specs but we’re sure we’ll get more details at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show next month. Stay tuned.

Source Egmcartech

Don’t worry, we hate when automakers release a billion teasers of their new vehicle before the actual debut date. However, these Honda Accord Crosstour teasers will only last another 3 days.

Honda will officially take the wraps off of its Toyota Venza competitor on September 1st. Sales will begin in fall 2009.

Source Egmcartech

Even though it’s been going on for more than two years now, the tale of the Acura NSX is like a news story that just broke: you have to keep checking back for details, and each subsequent update could turn the whole story on its head. The V10 NSX that was going to own the sports car gods on Mt. Olympus was killed, and a rumored newly resurrected NSX is said to be a V6 hybrid that will challenge Toyota’s own will-they/won’t-they FT-HS/Supra.

Whereas Toyota’s entry is reported to put out 400 horsepower to the rear wheels, the NSX will reportedly get about 450 horses going to all four wheels via Acura’s SH-AWD system. Dubbed the “Super Hybrid Sports,” sources claim it will be built on the same steel platform as the next generation Acura RL.

While this speculation sounds like an interesting car – at least, until the next update comes along – it is a redefinition of what NSX means to us and could take a while to get used to. And if Acura is truly intent on becoming a top shelf luxury maker, we can’t help but find it a bit quizzical that they’re taking their flagship sports car brand downmarket to compete with a Toyota Supra.

Source Autoblog

Honda released a very short statement today saying that its new crossover based on the Honda Accord will go on-sale in fall of 2009 officially badged as the Accord Crosstour.

“This new addition to the Honda lineup will be sold as a 2010 model. Additional information will be announced later in the year,” Honda said in a statement.

No word on the engine lineup but we’ll keep you updated as we receive more information.

Source Egmcartech

We heard it was coming, but we didn’t think it would look quite like this. This 2010 Honda Accord hatch, or Crosshatch, or whatever it’s going to be called was spotted on a trip through Las Vegas.

It was probably on its way to Death Valley for some last minute hot weather testing before it goes on sale later this year. No doubt designed to take on the Toyota Venza in the “cool wagon” category, this Accord hatchback is more carlike than even the Venza. Fine if that’s what you’re into, but we kind of prefer the real Accord wagon that Europe gets. We’ll see how this version goes over in the States soon enough.

Source Edmounds.com

The Detroit Auto Show’s Honda Insight’s debut was prepped with a production image of the vehicle. The production version likes nearly identical to concept designs at the Paris show.

Aside from the minor details (e.g., door handles and exterior mirrors) that go from concept stylized to production practical, the official photo reveals an Insight that looks nearly identical to the concept that was shown at the Paris Motor Show in October, and the Los Angeles Show two weeks ago. Honda is expecting to sell about 100,000 copies of the Priu… err, Insight in North America once it goes on sale in the spring of 2009 with a base price expected to come in below $20,000.

Source Autoblog

The industry has been paced by Honda’s development and deployment of hydrogen-powered fuel cell technology that are emission free. Honda has also lead in the refueling infrastructure needed to be released in the mass market. Honda’s next-generation fuel cell car, the FCX Clarity, is the only fuel cell vehicle (FCV) built from the ground up as a FCV, and it is the first to be mass produced on a dedicated production line.

The hydrogen fuel cell-powered FX Clarity, a sleekly styled sedan has limited retail availability, but is at the head of Honda’s plan to develop a successful and certifiable zero-emissions hydrogen fuel cell line of vehicles.

Propelled by an electric motor that runs on electricity generated in a fuel cell, the vehicle’s only emission is water, and its fuel efficiency is three times that of a modern gasoline-powered automobile and two times that of a gasoline-powered hybrid vehicle. The compact and powerful Honda V Flow Fuel Cell Stack allows for unprecedented spaciousness and a futuristically-stylish, low-slung design previously unattainable in fuel cell vehicles and marks the significant progress that Honda continues to make in advancing the real-world performance and appeal of a fuel cell car.

Honda plans to deliver approximately 200 FCX Clarity hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles to customers in the first three years of production. The lease program marks the world’s first large-scale retail initiative for fuel cell vehicle technology. The first FCX Clarity retail customer took possession of their vehicle on July 25, 2008. Honda will continue the process of identifying customers from a group of over 50,000 individuals who have expressed interest in the FCX Clarity on the vehicle’s website, fcx.honda.com.

“The FCX Clarity lease program is one more step toward meeting the societal goals of climate stability, renewable energy supplies and zero-emissions transportation,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda. “With this key step, we are advancing toward the goal of broader commercialization.”

Reinforcing its commitment to further advance Honda fuel cell technology, American Honda has specified three Southern California dealerships to create the world’s first fuel cell automobile dealership network. Power Honda Costa Mesa, Honda of Santa Monica and Scott Robinson Honda in Torrance are each located in close proximity to hydrogen refueling stations and will be well-positioned to support Honda’s growing base of FCX Clarity customers.

American Honda is working with its dealer partners to implement processes for fuel cell vehicle lease, delivery and service support for the duration of their leases. Establishing a dedicated sales network and service infrastructure provides customers with the best balance of convenience and the highest quality of service. When the FCX Clarity requires periodic maintenance, customers will simply schedule a visit with their local FCX Clarity dealer. American Honda will perform all required work at its specialized fuel cell service facility in the greater Los Angeles area. Upon completion of the work, the dealer will return the vehicle to the customer.

Honda Fuel Cell Vehicle Firsts

The original FCX became the first EPA- and CARB-certified fuel cell vehicle to also meet all safety standards in July 2002. The FCX was also the world’s first production fuel cell vehicle, introduced to the U.S. and Japan in October 2002. Additional highlights include:

• The FCX was the first fuel cell vehicle to start and operate in sub-freezing temperatures (2003).
• The FCX was the first fuel cell vehicle placed in the hands of an individual customer, the Spallino family of Southern California (July 2005).
• The world’s youngest fuel cell customer, 17-year-old actress Q’orianka Kilcher leased an FCX in March 2007, making her the first person ever whose first car was powered by hydrogen.
• Honda becomes the first auto manufacturer to manufacture a dedicated fuel cell vehicle on a production line solely dedicated to the production of hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles (2008)
• Honda becomes the first manufacturer to create a fuel cell vehicle dealer network

Hydrogen Home Energy Station and Improved Solar-Cell Technology

Uniquely, Honda is also developing technology to answer the “chicken and the egg” dilemma of hydrogen refueling by testing the fourth generation Home Energy Station, developed in partnership with Plug Power, Inc..

• The Home Energy Station is a home-based refueling unit that provides hydrogen from natural gas for vehicle refueling, heat for domestic hot water use and electricity for the home.
• Honda R&D is also operating an experimental solar cell-powered hydrogen refueling station in Torrance, California. The station employs next-generation CIGS solar cells, developed by Honda Engineering Co., Ltd., which lowers the amount of non-renewable energy required for hydrogen production.

The New York Auto Shows launch of the 2009 Honda Fit revealed with inadequate presentation the car’s features. The Fit has a 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine with either 5-speed manual or automatic transmission.

As reported by Jalopnik:

The 2009 Honda Fit has just been launched at the New York Auto Show. Aside from the irritatingly average, Gap-clad models cheerily driving it on stage, notable features are the 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine mated to either a 5-speed manual or automatic transmission – the Fit Sport comes with paddle shifter – the six airbags that come as standard, the ACE body structure – it’s strong and light to boost safety – and the one-touch fold rear seats. The full press release follows the jump.

All-new 2009 Honda Fit Introduces New Realm of Refinement to Subcompact Class New Fit further refines interior functionality, enhances sporty feel, and adds safety features

NEW YORK, March 19, 2008 – The all-new 2009 Honda Fit, set to go on sale in the U.S. this fall, is making its U.S. debut at the New York International Auto Show, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today. The Fit promises to further its leadership in the subcompact segment with top-of-class feature content, including an available Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™; improved interior functionality, including one-motion dive-down rear seats; enhanced sporty demeanor through improved suspension, steering and body rigidity; and high levels of standard safety equipment, including Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure.
“Critics and customers alike have voted the Fit among the best small vehicles on the road,” said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda. “This new Fit raises the bar even further, taking what was already great about the Fit, making it even better and throwing in a healthy dose of refinement.”

Enhanced Comfort and Convenience
Dimensionally compact on the outside, the interior provides surprisingly large passenger and class-leading cargo space to maximize comfort and utility. At the foundation is an improved rear Magic Seat‚, now featuring one-motion dive-down functionality, which allows the rear seat to fold flat with the front seats in the rearmost slide position and without removing the rear headrests. The seats offer multiple seating and cargo-carrying configurations (Tall Object Mode, Long Object Mode and Utility Mode) in addition to the standard five-passenger mode. Additionally, a new hidden storage bin under the rear seat delivers a place to store small items.
-more-
Adding further refinement, Fit Sport will now offer an available factory-installed Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with Voice Recognition, featuring a 6.5-inch screen. Also, all Fit Sport models will feature a USB audio interface compatible with current generation iPods® and many USB storage devices.
“The goal is to provide entry-level vehicle customers with functionality and refinement that’s a class above,” said Colliver. “Buying a Fit is a choice, not a compromise.”

Fun to Drive
The Fit will feature a new 1.5-liter, 4-cylinder, i-VTEC™ engine coupled to either a 5-speed manual transmission or an available, segment-unique, 5-speed automatic transmission, which includes steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters on the Fit Sport. The new engine will offer the best balance of fuel economy and power.
Larger 15-inch and 16-inch (Fit Sport) wheels hint at enhancements to the Fit’s suspension, steering and body rigidity, which are intended to produce sportier handling without sacrificing comfort.

Top-of-Class Standard Safety Equipment
The Fit will add Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure technology, available Electronic Stability Control and active head restraints, to a top-of-class list of standard safety features. With Fit’s adoption of ACE, more than 94 percent of Honda vehicles sold in the U.S. will include the innovative body structure. With its availability in the new Fit, VSA will now be available in the lineup of every model Honda sells in the United States. Dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags, dual front-side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS) and side-curtain airbags are standard equipment on all Fit models. All seating positions have three-point seat belts.
Standard active safety equipment will include anti-lock braking system (ABS), with ventilated discs in the front and drums in the back, and electronic brake distribution (EBD). Additionally, front and rear visibility has been improved.
-more-
More detailed information about the 2009 Honda Fit will be released closer to the vehicle launch in the fall.

Originally by Wes Siler from Jalopnik on March 19, 2008, 10:14am

Honda’s 2009 Honda Fit makes up for the already jam-packed features of the prior model. The 2009 Honda Fit comes with voice-recognizing satellite-linked navi, Magic Seats, better suspension, USB port, 5-speed transmission, and 1.5-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine.

As reported by Autoblog:

The 2009 Honda Fit has landed, and done so with everything the previous Honda fit was lacking. Judging by the sales numbers of that previous Fit — over 2,000,000 globally in six years — it wasn’t lacking too much. The car gets Honda’s voice-recognizing satellite-linked navi; 3-mode, single-motion dive-down Magic Seats in back (parents, it’s not what you think); a revised suspension and more rigidity. And with the addition of a USB port for MP3 players and another storage bin — because there simply wasn’t room for all your stuff before — the new Fit comes with even more fun. The lone engine is an updated version of the current Fit’s 1.5-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder mated to a 5-speed manual transmission or a 5-speed automatic transmission. The Fit Sport model also includes paddle shifters on the steering wheel, though we doubt shifting will be as much fun as turning in this car. Check out the gallery of hi-res pics below, and you can read the official press release from Honda after the jump for more details.

Gallery: 2009 Honda Fit – Live Reveal

Gallery: 2009 Honda Fit

[Source: Honda]