Why Honda Hates America…Sorta.
You know how you could tell a JDM or Euro CR-Z from their American counterpart?
The DRLs consist of a row of LEDs beneath the headlights (think Audi headlights). Also, the non-US CR-Zs come with 2+2 seating. American enthusiasts groan at the loss of some extra bling on their headlights, but I suppose would have never used the extra seats in the back. Two extra midgets in the back is not what this hefty hybrid needs.
Formula D 2010 is Upon Us!
This came through last night and I haven't gotten around to posting it up, but tickets for the season opener of Formula Drift in Long Beach has just gone on sale through formuladrift.com, Ticketmaster, and the Long Beach Convention Center Box Office. The two day event will take place on April 9th & 10th along turns 9, 10, 11 of the Long Beach Grand Prix street course. Should be another great season for Formula D! Consider purchasing your tickets soon as this event has been known to sell out... (Tickets for Road Atlanta, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and Infineon Raceway have also gone on sale!)
On a side note, Team Honda Research should be there with their RWD Element. You know, the Honda Element with the twin turbo Acura V6 pushing out 550hp? :drool: Count me in! Haven't heard of this monster Element? Check the video from Nation of Go that touches on THR and their Drifting Element:
TEAM HONDA RESEARCH from Nation of GO on Vimeo.
S2000 in the Snow
Snow is something we normally do not see in Southern California - well, the most we see is whatever sticks to the mountains outside the LA Basin. I do know, that most Angelenos haven't even touched the stuff and often think of it as some magical piece of nature. So, like a normal LA guy, I have to say, "Ooooh SNOW!" at these pics Tom Olesnevich posted after the snow storm that rolled on through the East Coast this past weekend.
After the storm let up, he took to the road to see what the damage was...in the s2000. I know right? lol. I get angry at the skies if it rains on the S2! Anyway, head over to Tom's blog for the full photo set. Some good stuff there.
[Tom Olesnevich via Jalopnik]
The Honda N360 to Electric Car Build Blog
Here's a nice write up, that is still being updated as we speak, about taking a sixties era JDM Honda N360 and converting it into a electric vehicle. Never mind the fact they ripped out everything to the point the Honda is a shell of its former self, its an interesting read on pretty much building a whole new car underneath. The gist is that it'll be powered by a 60hp electric motor and converted to mid-rear engine rear-wheel drive car with custom built transmission, suspension, and pretty much anything else that goes into making an electric car run. Quite a hefty project, but apparently good enough to have a Datsun 510 Wagon waiting in the wings to be converted into an electric vehicle.
The Honda is being projected to debut for the summer show season. Until then, we'll be keeping an eye on the build.
Honda Insight. VIP Style.
WYHI?
I'd prolly take a Mugen Zero-Lift Insight over this, but that rear bumper is full of win 
from Hatch Life
Honda Racing Not Dead?
Late 2009 Honda announced the end of the S2000 and unexpectedly pulled out from the next generation NSX development. Then to pour salt in the wounds of all Honda Heads they shut down Honda Racing. Or did they...
Shortly before Christmas Day, Honda announced that it'll be taking part in the GT500 series (huge in Japan) with the, Front Egine, Rear Wheel Drive V10, HSV-010 GT. Yes my friends, this is as close as we'll get to seeing a next generation NSX. The NSX and the GT variant were developed to debut at the same time, but we all know what happened after the economic bubble busted. That didn't stop Honda though, as they somehow were able to convince the Japanese Automotive Federation (JAF) to let them enter the HSV-010 GT without a production counter-part for this coming season. Now we can all just stare and watch, and maybe for a few seconds think that someday the NSX will return. Honda said it themselves...Power of Dreams. -Tanker
CR-Z Production Model Appears at NAIAS (updated!)
Honda debuted a production version of its CR-Z at this year's North American International Auto Show. Bringing back memories of the CR-X, which left North America in 1991, this CR-Z is nothing like the Si we said goodbye too. Instead, we get a Hybrid engine pumping out around 120hp in a car that can top out at 2800 lbs. That right there probably will put most Honda-heads asleep, but it'll be how the car drives that will keep there attention. Hope Honda didn't mess with that...
Pricing has yet to be announced. -Tanker
UPDATE: Seems the general buzz about the CR-Z is..."OOOOH! The return of the CR-X! 2800lbs is kind of heavy for a 122hp engine. Wait...35 MPG!?!" It seems this little hybrid has optioned itself into the territory of "What's the point?" When you got yourself a Civic that is posting up similar mileage and more power, why would a 2-seater hybrid pig be of importance.
Wagon Attack II
Back in high school, the guys would sit around and talk about the cars they would like after passing their driver's test. As expected, people dreamed of picking up a Civic, Integra, Prelude, Celica, or 240SX. I on the other hand was thinking Civic Wagon. I got clowned for wanting the odd-looking Civic that had been put out to pasture by Honda a couple years earlier. It came with 4WD, was compact, and looked very unique. I knew there was potential in these Wagons but no one believed me. Fast forward a couple decades and i come across RallyMatt's (Matt Johnston) Youtube video, Wagon Attack II. If only people knew...good job Matt, you made me realize how much I wanted a Wagon. -Tanker
Acura to add TSX Sport Wagon
Interesting tidbit:
TORRANCE, Calif., October 28, 2009 – Acura announced today the addition of a TSX sport wagon to its 2011 vehicle lineup. Arriving at Acura dealerships in the Fall of 2010, the TSX sport wagon will be based on the popular TSX sports sedan, which features balanced performance, advanced technology and bold styling. Additional information on the 2011 TSX sport wagon will be announced at a later date.
Hmmm, so the closest thing to an Acura TSX, is the JDM Accord. A nice, capable family sedan that isn't the mid-size behemoth that the US Accord is. The Accord for the most part has done without a wagon since the early 90s right about the time minivans and SUVs started to make the wagon class obsolete. Now that minivans are considered "family haulers" and SUVs demonized as "gas chuggers," we see a burgeoning market of wagons waiting to make their comeback. Especially among the luxury marquees - face it luxury wagons are the 'it' thing This should be a nice change of scenery on the freeways, definitely. -Tanker
Just imagine less traditional Honda grill and more Acura Carrot Peeler.
Goodbye S2000
01/26/2009 - TORRANCE, Calif. -
The 2009 Honda S2000 will be the final model year produced of the award-winning roadster, Honda announced today. First introduced in 1999 for the 2000 model year, the S2000 helped define its segment with class-leading handling, engine technology and value. Originally envisioned as a limited-edition tribute to Honda's 50th anniversary, S2000 production was extended in response to customer demand and critical acclaim.
"The S2000 is a sports car designed by enthusiasts for enthusiasts," said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "It raised the bar for all future roadsters, and it's already considered a classic by many Honda fans."
As a true sports car that can serve as a practical and fun daily driver yet feel equally at home on a racetrack, this concept further evolved with a club racer-inspired S2000 CR trim, first offered in the 2008 model year. The S2000 has been honored with multiple awards through the years, including four appearances on Car and Driver Magazine's coveted "10-Best" list.
The S2000 is sold in 64 countries around the world with cumulative world-wide sales of over 110,000 since its introduction in 1999. Over 65,000 S2000s have been sold in the United States since 1999.
It comes as no surprise that Honda has decided to end production of the S2000. When the first one came off the line in 1999, Honda had repeatedly stated that the vehicle would be a limited run model. Yet the demand for the car had kept it in production for about 10 years. With declining demand and a worsening global economy something had to give at Honda and it was not going to be the gas sipping Hybrids, NGVs, or Hydrogen cars. Hopefully things would look up for Honda whenever this economy takes a turn.