2015 Honda CR-V Fails to Impress Consumer Reports

To keep the CR-V SUV relevant in an increasingly competitive segment, Honda applied a mid-cycle makeover consisting of both styling and equipment updates.

Road Rage Driver Goes from Macho Man to Runaway Stooge in 2.0 Seconds

Yes, you can count this as a fail, but only for one of the two drivers involved in the following road-rage incident. It's not clear from the shaky cell-phone (?) footage why these two drivers stopped before the exit of a mall parking lot, but the man in the white t-shirt who came out of the black, older-gen Honda Accord with the broken rear window was clearly provoking the calmer muscle car driver.

Honda's Motorcycle Arm Goes Japanimation with Production-Intent NM4 [w/Videos]

Just because we focus on automobiles doesn't mean we don't care about the world of two wheels, and since Honda did tell us about its two new futuristic-looking concept bikes revealed today at the 30th Osaka Motorcycle Show 2014 in Japan, here we are… 

Honda Unveils Near Production 2015 Civic Type R VTEC Turbo [36 Photos & Video]

In case you didn't notice it, the all-new 2015 Civic Type-R for the European, Japanese and possibly other markets around the world (aside, of course, from North America), which was revealed today in near production form having shed all of its camouflage and wearing a flat black coat, will come with Honda's newly developed VTEC Turbo engine.

The Civic Type R will actually be the first model in Europe to adopt one of Honda’s all-new VTEC TURBO engines (read more about that here), sporting a displacement of 2.0-liters and an output of over 280-horses.

Honda is pretty serious about the performance credentials of the new Type R, with the brand's CEO Takanobu Ito stating that their goal is to beat the current record of the fastest lap for a regular production, front-wheel drive hatch on the Nürburgring, currently held by the 265hp Renault Megane 265 Trophy at 8:07.97.

If Honda succeeds in doing so, it may very well even top or at least approach the fastest time held by any production Honda model, the NSX-R at 7:56.73.

Besides the new engine, Honda has re-worked the Civic five-door hatchback's chassis components, from the suspension, to the wider tracks, electronic driver assist systems and the big-Brembo brakes residing behind the 19-inch wheels.

No need to tell you that Honda has paid extra attention to the car's aerodynamics and consequently, sporty looks with wheel arch extensions up front working together with the new front bumper, a massive rear wing and a rear diffuser flanked by twin pipes on either side.

This Civic not only looks the part, but according to Honda’s WTCC driver Gabriele Tarquini, it acts the part as well.

"The car and the characteristics of the car were fantastic," said Tarquini. "I was really impressed by the power and the torque of the engine but also by the set-up they achieved…The car is very pointed on the front and very fast to change direction. This car is very close to my racing car and you can feel very well the DNA of Type R."

Nevertheless, let's be honest here; as Honda's official driver, one would expecting nothing less than a positive thumbs up from Tarquini, so we'll just wait and see how the Type R does in other hands as well.

PHOTO GALLERY

VIDEO

It's Not a Penguin, It's a Cub: Honda's New Personal Mobility Device

Honda will debut a new personal mobility device called UNI-CUB β at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show later this week. According to the Japanese company, the UNI-CUB β has been...designed for use in indoor spaces such as offices and commercial facilities – we can just imagine one of these in the White House or a Burger King.

It is a follow-up to the UNI-CUB revealed in May 2012, which featured balance control technology and an omni-directional driving wheel system (Honda Omni Traction Drive System). Both technologies originate from Honda’s humanoid robot ASIMO and allow the rider to move UNI-CUB forward, backward, side-to-side and diagonally simply by shifting their body weight and leaning towards the intended direction.

Honda developed the UNI-CUB β after analysis of the data and user feedback from this testing program. As a result, the new device is smaller, lighter and features a lower seating position.

Weighing 25 kg (55.1 lbs), the UNI-CUB β is 510mm (20in) long, 315mm (12.4in) wide and 620mm (24.4in) tall. It features a lithium-ion battery that allows it to reach a maximum speed of 6 km/h (3.7 mph) and has a traveling range of 6 km (3.7 miles) – or approximately 1.5 hours at the speed of 4 km/h (2.5 mph).

Honda says the model is easier to get on and off than before and has been improved through the addition of a stand function. Furthermore, the stand enables the device to be used as a stool when it is not in motion – that I can see in my office.

The company says it will verify the business feasibility of the new model by offering it to other businesses and organisations in Japan through a fee-based leasing program. You can see the UNI-CUB demonstrated in the following video.

By Dan Mihalascu

PHOTO GALLERY

VIDEO