Honda Named 2018 “Best SUV Brand” by U.S. News & World Report

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Honda Named 2018 “Best SUV Brand” by U.S. News & World Report

Honda Named 2018 “Best SUV Brand” by U.S. News & World Report

Honda is the Best SUV Brand of 2018 according to U.S. News & World Report. The award is based on the strength of Honda’s SUV lineup: the versatile and segment-leading1 subcompact HR-V, the family-friendly Pilot, and the ever-popular CR-V, as well as outstanding safety and reliability.

U.S. News lauded the Honda brand and its models for providing customers with the comfort, utility and reliability sought by SUV buyers.

The Best SUV Brand designation is awarded based on U.S. News & World Report’s overall scores for each vehicle, which incorporate the consensus opinion of the automotive media combined with safety and reliability data.

About Honda
Honda offers a full line of reliable, fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive vehicles with advanced safety technologies sold through over 1,000 independent U.S. Honda dealers. The Honda lineup includes the Fit, Civic, Accord and Clarity series passenger cars, along with the HR-V, CR-V and Pilot sport/utility vehicles, the Ridgeline pickup and the Odyssey minivan.

Honda has been producing automobiles in America for 35 years and currently operates 19 major manufacturing facilities in North America. In 2016, more than 95% of all Honda and Acura vehicles sold in the U.S. were made in North America, using domestic and globally sourced parts.

courtesy: hondanews.com

Honda to Introduce 3E Robotics Concept at CES 2018

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Honda to Introduce 3E Robotics Concept at CES 2018

Honda to Introduce 3E Robotics Concept at CES 2018

Honda will unveil its new 3E (Empower, Experience, Empathy) Robotics Concept at CES 2018, demonstrating a range of experimental technologies engineered to advance mobility and make people’s lives better. Expressing a variety of functions and designs, the advanced robotic concepts demonstrate Honda’s vision of a society where robotics and AI can assist people in many situations, such as disaster recovery, recreation and learning from human interaction to become more helpful and empathetic. The Honda press conference is scheduled for January 9, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. PST (LVCC, North Hall – 7923).

As part of the 3E Robotics Concept, Honda will reveal:

  • 3E-A18, a companion robotics concept that shows compassion to humans with a variety of facial expressions
  • 3E-B18, a chair-type mobility concept designed for casual use in indoor or outdoor spaces
  • 3E-C18, a small-sized electric mobility concept with multi-functional cargo space
  • 3E-D18, an autonomous off-road vehicle concept with AI designed to support people in a broad range of work activities

In addition to the suite of robotics concepts, Honda will showcase its Mobile Power Pack World, which includes a portable, swappable battery pack for electric vehicles, and a re-charging system for use at home, recreation or during a natural disaster. The Mobile Power Pack World at CES will also exhibit a battery exchanger concept that can store and charge mobile power packs.

Global Innovator Showcase

Committed to creating transformative products through open innovation, Silicon Valley-based Honda Innovations will showcase new Honda Xcelerator partnerships with startups in the Global Innovator Showcase at CES. The Honda Xcelerator partners are:

  • BRAIQ bridges the gap between human preferences and artificial intelligence to personalize the driving style of autonomous vehicles.
  • DeepMap provides HD maps and real-time localization as a service for autonomous vehicles.
  • DynaOptics harnesses the power of free-form optics to bring superior situational awareness and safety to roads.
  • Tactual Labs brings real-time human body pose sensing to every surface and voxel.
  • WayRay is a Swiss developer of a holographic AR navigation system for advanced connected cars.

courtesy: hondanews.com

Honda “Xcelerates” Startup Collaborations Globally to Drive Open Innovation

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Honda “Xcelerates” Startup Collaborations Globally to Drive Open Innovation

Honda “Xcelerates” Startup Collaborations Globally to Drive Open Innovation

Committed to creating transformative products and services through open innovation, Honda Innovations is expanding its global open innovation program for early stage innovators to Detroit, Japan, China, and Europe.

Modeled on its successful Honda Xcelerator program in Mountain View, Calif., Honda Innovations will guide other Honda operations as they establish startup liaisons globally, providing protocols and best practices to identify and engage with startups and entrepreneurs who share Honda’s vision for transforming mobility.

Established in 2015, Honda Xcelerator supports selected startups with funding for rapid prototyping, access to a collaborative workspace, and pairs the companies with Honda mentors. Focus areas for Honda Xcelerator include Energy Innovation, Human Machine Interface, Personal Mobility, Industrial Innovation, Autonomous Vehicles, Artificial Intelligence, Smart Materials, and Robotics.

By engaging more deeply with the local startup community in these regions, the startup liaisons will create win-win opportunities for collaborations between top innovators and Honda.

“The pace of innovation is increasing with the rapid expansion of the global startup community, and has the potential to help Honda transform its future products, services, and business opportunities,” said Honda Innovations CEO, Nick Sugimoto. “With our expanded collaboration in Detroit, Japan, China, and Europe, Honda will be in an even stronger position to discover emerging technologies and establish partnerships to help create new value for our customers.”

Honda Xcelerator Partnerships

At CES 2017, Honda Xcelerator showcased its startup collaborations with partners, LEIA 3D and VocalZoom. In partnership with LEIA 3D, Honda developed a driver’s display meter using nano technology that can provide three-dimensional images, switching seamless transitions between different viewing angles for warnings and driver-assistive systems. Honda also collaborated with VocalZoom to apply its optical microphone technology to enhance the in-car experience improving voice interaction inside the vehicle at CES 2017. Honda Xcelerator will introduce its new startup collaborations at CES 2018. Honda previously established partnerships with incubators MassChallenge (Boston, Mass.) and Drive (Tel Aviv, Israel) and equity crowd funding platform OurCrowd (Jerusalem, Israel) to support outreach to startups in key innovation hubs globally.

To learn more about Honda Xcelerator, visit Xcelerator.HondaInnovations.com and follow @HondaInnovation on Twitter.

About Honda Innovations
Honda Innovations drives transformative collaboration within all areas of Honda. As part of Honda Innovations, Honda Xcelerator and Honda Developer Studio, two open innovation programs, serve as catalysts to discover and experiment with new technologies and business concepts. Honda Innovations partners with innovators of all shapes and sizes from startups to global brands and design and development communities to create cutting edge products and services. Honda Innovations is based in Silicon Valley and operates globally. To learn more, visit HondaInnovations.com.

About Honda Technology
Honda is creating technologies and products that advance the company’s clean, safe, fun and connected brand values. These efforts include advancements in automated vehicles, connectivity and ultra-low carbon mobility. In North America, the company has more than 450,000 vehicles on the road equipped with the Honda Sensing or AcuraWatch safety and driver-assistive technologies and more than 400,000 vehicles featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto™ compatibility.

courtesy: hondanews.com

Honda Announces New Styling Direction for CB1000R

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Honda Announces New Styling Direction for CB1000R

Honda Announces New Styling Direction for CB1000R

Honda’s leading sport naked model is reborn today with the introduction of a minimalist but aggressively styled 2018 CB1000R. Unveiled at the EICMA motorcycle show, the model is a production version of the Neo-Sports Café Concept showcased at the recent Tokyo Motor Show. Following an early-2018 European release, the new CB1000R will be available in the U.S. in summer of next year.

The CB1000R’s bold shift in identity is bolstered by an impressive list of updates to the chassis, engine, and electronics package, which deftly bridge the gap between performance and bare-boned café racer inspirations.

“The CB1000R has always represented high performance in a naked four-cylinder machine, and while we knew that retaining that approach was important, we also felt it was time to take the platform in a new direction,” said Lee Edmunds, American Honda’s Manager of Motorcycle Marketing Communications. “Increasingly, customer expectations walk a line between high-end performance and character, so it’s vital that there be a strong, emotional connection between rider and machine. With the new approach of the 2018 CB1000R, customers will experience increased pride in ownership while also benefiting from greatly improved handling and engine performance.”

KEY FEATURES

  • Distinctly styled round headlight has 3.5-inch shorter overhang, while the swingarm-mounted rear mudguard unit (a first for Honda) contributes to compact, trapezoidal shape silhouette that offers more elegant, refined appearance
  • Premium feel thanks to burnished-aluminum radiator shroud and airbox cover plus machined engine cases, cylinder head, and sprocket hub
  • Flangeless tank offers elegant styling and provides plenty of knee room through distinct cutaways
  • All-LED lighting and horseshoe-shaped light ring bring a modern flare to retro styling
  • .5-inch wider tapered-aluminum handlebar sits .5 inches higher for more relaxed riding position, making the café-racer inspired model ideal for around-town rides
  • Mono-backbone steel frame uses split-tightening aluminum pivot plates to save 5.5 pounds while still offering optimum handling characteristics
  • Total curb weight has been reduced for improved handling and more rider-friendly performance
  • Showa Separate Function Fr Fork Big Piston unit (SFF-BP) offers reduced weight and excellent on-road performance
  • 190/55 ZR17 rear tire (compared to 180/55 ZR17 tire on previous model)
  • 998cc DOHC four-cylinder engine shares same architecture and layout as CBR1000RR and now employs forged pistons (rather than cast)
  • Higher valve lift, larger valves (8.5mm intake and 8.1mm exhaust), larger-diameter inlet ports, and new combustion-chamber shape improve gas flow and offer improved torque in midrange, for more engaging riding experience
  • 4% reduction in gear ratios improves acceleration for more exciting, rapid-roll-on acceleration
  • Assist/slipper clutch offers light lever pull and helps manage aggressive downshifts
  • New 4-2-1 exhaust system boosts torque at 5,000 rom and above, saves 10 pounds, and provides the CB1000R with a deeper, rawer exhaust note for added character and emotion
  • Throttle By Wire opens the door to four riding modes (STANDARD, SPORT, RAIN, and USER), as well as Engine Brake and Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC)—technological advances that bridge the gap between performance and café racer inspirations

 

courtesy: hondanews.com

Radical and Rapid 2018 Honda Civic Type R Goes On Sale

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Radical and Rapid 2018 Honda Civic Type R Goes On Sale

Radical and Rapid 2018 Honda Civic Type R Goes On Sale

After a blazing but abbreviated first model year, the Civic Type R accelerates into 2018 today following the June launch of the limited production run 2017 model. The first Civic Type R Honda ever sold in America, this hottest of hot hatchbacks has been widely praised for its dynamic poise and track prowess. The Civic Type R returns for 2018 with a Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $34,100 (excluding $890 destination and other charges).

With a peak output of 306 horsepower (SAE net) and 295 lb.-ft. of torque (SAE net) from its muscular 2.0-liter DOHC direct-injected VTEC Turbo® engine, the Civic Type R is the most powerful Honda ever sold in America. As before, the 2018 Type R is available in one fully equipped trim with a short-throw 6-speed manual transmission, limited slip differential, Adaptive Damper System and an ingenious dual-axis strut front suspension design that virtually eliminates torque steer.

The Honda Civic Type R’s Adaptive Damper System continually adjusts damping force at all four corners and is tied into the Three-Mode Driving System with comfort, sport and track-focused +R modes. The system modifies damper and throttle response along with steering assist, in accordance with the driver’s chosen setting.

Similar to many Civic trims, the 2018 Honda Civic Type R incorporates advanced in-vehicle connectivity and technologies as standard features. These features include Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ compatibility, Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with Voice Recognition and more, offering drivers a comfortable and convenient in-vehicle experience.

Along with the in-vehicle connectivity features, the 2018 Civic Type R is also equipped with advanced safety features, including Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) with Traction Control, Advanced 4-Channel ABS, Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist, a multi-angle rearview camera with guidelines, and an Indirect Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

The 2018 Civic Type R for the U.S. market is produced exclusively in Honda’s Swindon, UK plant with the engine produced in Anna, Ohio, using domestic and globally-sourced parts.

courtesy: hondanews.com