A Ride in Rosie Pope's Odyssey
Published Monday, 06 May, 2013 by Robert Diaz.
 | A Ride in Rosie Pope's Odyssey Discover how Rosie Pope's Honda Odyssey fits well into her busy New York lifestyle. | |
| Time:02:02 | More inAutos & Vehicles |
2014 Honda Odyssey set to clean up in NY with world's first in-car vacuum
Published Wednesday, 27 March, 2013 by Robert Diaz.
Filed under: Minivan/Van, Technology, Honda, Design/Style
Much of the minivan segment's volume has been sucked up by the industry's ever-increasing appetite for crossovers, but a few major players are hanging in there, eager to serve as beasts of burden for America's families. Chief among those players is Honda, which is showing its revamped 2014 Odyssey at this week's New York Auto Show with a potential game-changing feature - an in-car vacuum.
Co-developed with Shop-Vac, the HondaVAC system will come standard on the range-topping Touring Elite model. The system includes a replaceable filter and canister bag, along with a range of attachments located in the cargo hold. Honda says this first-ever feature includes a hose that is long enough to clean the entire interior. Better still, the vacuum will run for up to eight minutes after the vehicle is turned off, so you can get every last Cheerio out of the seat cushions, and it never needs plugging in or recharging, as it runs off of the vehicle's electrical system.In other news, the 2014 Odyssey gets a new aluminum hood and fenders to pair with its revamped grille and lower fascia. Headlamps get a more sinister look thanks to darker surrounds, and there are new LED taillamps out back, as well as revamped side mirrors on the doors. Underneath the skin, Honda says the 2014 Odyssey has received structural changes to help it ace the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety's new small-overlap frontal crash test, and it's also added active safety features like lane departure warning and forward collision warning to the optional features list.
Honda has chosen to make no mention of any drivetrain innovations, so we assume it will continue to be motivated by a 248-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 powering the front wheels.
Inside, existing Odyssey owners will note a revamped center stack and new trim finishes, along with available new features including pushbutton start, HondaLink cloud-based infotainment options with smartphone integration, HD radio and so on.
Us? We just want to go spill some things and try out that vacuum. In the meantime, sit tight, kids - we'll have live photos of the new Odyssey from its New York debut before you can finish sucking down that sippy cup.
Continue reading 2014 Honda Odyssey set to clean up in NY with world's first in-car vacuum
2014 Honda Odyssey set to clean up in NY with world's first in-car vacuum originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Mar 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsRead Across America Day with Honda Manufacturing of Alabama Associates
Published Wednesday, 13 March, 2013 by Robert Diaz.
 | Read Across America Day with Honda Manufacturing of Alabama Associates On March 1, a group of Honda associates traveled to Stemley Road Elementary School in Talladega to share their favorite childhood stories with students in honor of annual "Read Across America" day.Sponsored by the National Education Association, "Read Across America" is an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading. March 2 is designated as the honorary "Read Across America" day each year because it is the birthday of beloved children's author, Dr. Seuss. | |
| Time:02:32 | More inAutos & Vehicles |
The 2013 Honda Civic Hybrid - "Things Can Always Be Better"
Published Monday, 25 February, 2013 by Robert Diaz.
 | The 2013 Honda Civic Hybrid - "Things Can Always Be Better" For the dreamers who know things can always be better, meet our best design yet: the 2013 Civic Hybrid. Discover the changes here: http://automobiles.honda.com/civic-hybridSong Credits:Artist: Santigold Song: "Disparate Youth" | |
| Time:00:31 | More inAutos & Vehicles |
Honda Automobiles: Honda ECO Assist Named to Green Car Journal's Top 10 Green Car Technology List for 2013
Published Monday, 04 February, 2013 by Robert Diaz.
Honda's ECO Assist technology can help drivers develop driving habits that enhance fuel efficiency by observing the speedometer background's response to driving practices. Fuel-saving behaviors like smooth acceleration and braking make the meter glow green. Less fuel-efficient driving habits will cause the meter glow blue-green, while aggressive starts and stops that consume extra fuel cause the meter to glow blue. In addition to the ECO Assist technology, drivers can also engage the green, dash-mounted "ECON" button to further optimize control of the transmission, engine and other powertrain elements to help conserve additional fuel.
"Honda developed the driver guidance and driver feedback functions of ECO Assist to help drivers improve their fuel economy, and in turn, to also benefit our environment," said Art St. Cyr, vice president of product planning and logistics at American Honda. "The visual nature of the technology is intended to help drivers improve their efficient driving skills by making it a more fun and rewarding experience."
On Honda hybrid and alternative fuel models, a fuel efficiency scoring function located in the gauge-cluster's Multi-Information Display (MID) provides further feedback about cumulative, long-term driving style. The MID also allows drivers to view fuel economy figures for the past three trips, as well as instantaneous and average fuel economy statistics. The scoring function encourages drivers to take an interest in developing fuel efficient driving habits over the long term and rewards their efforts with growing foliage.
The Green Car Technology Award honors important enabling technology helping to create a new generation of fuel-efficient, alternative-fuel, or low-emission vehicles. Technologies considered for the award range from advanced powerplants and drivetrain components to on-board systems that work toward increasing efficiencies, reducing petroleum use or improving environmental impact. Qualifying technologies must be in use by vehicle models currently on the market today.
"Honda's ECO Assist system was selected as a Green Car Technology Award finalist for its innate ability to help drivers enhance their fuel efficiency," said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of the Green Car Journal and www.CarsOfChange.com. "In an era of increased demands on environmental performance from consumers and government alike, we wanted to highlight the innovative technologies like ECO Assist that make their incredible achievements possible."
Honda Environmental Leadership
In addition to the ECO Assist system, Honda is committed to further advancements in fuel efficiency, with a focus on the broad application of technologies such as VTEC and Variable Cylinder Management (VCM), and the expanded application of Honda hybrid technology. In October 2011, Honda debuted a new lineup of advanced gasoline engines using new 'Earth Dreams' powertrain technology, which will serve as the foundational technology to advance the fuel efficiency of Honda and Acura vehicles. Honda has also led the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) rankings of overall vehicle environmental performance since 2000, and a Honda vehicle has topped the list of America's greenest vehicles from the America Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) for 15 consecutive years.
Connect with Honda:
Media Newsroom (for journalists): www.hondanews.com
For consumers: http://automobiles.honda.com
YouTube: www.youtube.com/honda
Flickr: www.flickr.com/hondanews
Twitter: www.twitter.com/honda
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Honda
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/honda/
On Google+
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Honda Mfg. of Alabama Associates Volunteer for MLK Day of Service
Published Monday, 28 January, 2013 by Robert Diaz.
 | Honda Mfg. of Alabama Associates Volunteer for MLK Day of Service On Monday, Jan. 21, a team of more than 85 Honda Mfg. of Alabama (HMA) associates volunteered as part of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. HMA partnered with Hands on Birmingham and the City of Birmingham to refurbish Downey Park in Birmingham. HMA volunteers and family members painted (picnic tables, benches, pavilion, playground equipment, basketball goals); resurfaced the basketball and volleyball courts; landscaped (weeding, planting flowers and spreading mulch); and made swing set repairs. | |
| Time:03:00 | More inAutos & Vehicles |
The 2013 Honda Civic Hybrid Interactive Tour: "Clockwork Commute"
Published Monday, 28 January, 2013 by Robert Diaz.
 | The 2013 Honda Civic Hybrid Interactive Tour: "Clockwork Commute" Introducing the 2013 Honda Civic Hybrid, a vehicle that puts the driver in total control. Equipped with tools for staying connected on the go, you can maximize your efficiency in the best way possible. Discover more features here: http://automobiles.honda.com/civic-hybrid | |
| Time:02:04 | More inAutos & Vehicles |
Honda Gear concept explored at Montreal Auto Show
Published Wednesday, 23 January, 2013 by Robert Diaz.
Filed under: Concept Cars, Hatchback, Honda, Design/Style, Montreal Auto Show
Our friends at Autoblog Canada have just come away with a closer look at Honda's surprise Gear Concept at the Montreal Auto Show. The little three-door hatchback is arguably the automaker's first real shot at the North American city car market (the Gear is much smaller than the Fit) and may be an indication that Honda is getting serious about going after Scion on this side of the world after the CR-Z hybrid failed to deliver. Honda says the Gear Concept takes its inspiration from the fixed-gear bicycle scene, and should allow buyers an unprecedented level of customization. Designers also wanted to show that a car can be both fun and practical.
We're all for a compact stylish three door with functional room inside, but given Honda's propensity for draining the personality from its concepts on the way to production (at least the ones that don't look showroom ready), we don't hold much hope for the Gear. You can check out the full press release below for more information.
Continue reading Honda Gear concept explored at Montreal Auto Show
Honda Gear concept explored at Montreal Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Jan 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsThe Incredible New Accord Plug-In
Published Monday, 21 January, 2013 by Robert Diaz.
 | The Incredible New Accord Plug-In We've taken an enormous step in hybrid-electric technology. The all-new, incredibly efficient Accord Plug-In features a rechargeable power source and three driving modes. But what makes the Plug-In truly special is that it never stopped being an Accord, offering all the performance, engineering and comfort that you've come to expect from our flagship vehicle. We've set a new standard for hybrid-electric driving, and it's all made possible by our unwavering commitment to green technologies and the joy of driving. [2] Charging time is measured from initial illumination of the low state-of-charge indicator, not from full depletion. Honda recommends the use of a dedicated 120-volt GFCI outlet tested for use by an electrician[3] The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc., and any use of such marks by Honda Motor Co., Ltd., is under license.[5] Compatible smart phone required. All Aha platform feeds are audible, not visual in nature. Vehicle does not provide any feeds. Some state laws prohibit the operation of handheld electronic devices while operating a vehicle. Launch smartphone applications only when the vehicle is safely parked. Aha is a trademark of Harman International Industries, Inc. Your wireless carrier's rates may apply.[6] The Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System? is standard in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. (HondaLink Real-Time Traffic service only available in the United States, except Alaska). Please see your Honda dealer for details.[8] Pandora, logo and trade dress are owned by Pandora Media, Inc., and used with permission. Compatible with select smartphones. See: www.pandora.com/everywhere/mobile. Wireless carrier's rates apply.[9] Compatible with select phones with Bluetooth®. Your wireless carrier's rate plans apply. State or local laws may limit use of texting feature. Only use texting feature when conditions allow you to do so safely. | |
| Time:01:13 | More inAutos & Vehicles |
All-New Honda Urban SUV Concept Wrap-up
Published Monday, 21 January, 2013 by Robert Diaz.
 | All-New Honda Urban SUV Concept Wrap-up Versatile interior, next-generation connectivity and high fuel efficiency are just a few of the many benefits the all-new Honda Urban SUV Concept has to offer. Discover how this future vehicle will fit into your active lifestyle with this newly released video. | |
| Time:01:19 | More inAutos & Vehicles |