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Not impressed by the sportiness of your Honda Insight hybrid? Well, let Japan’s Exclusive Zeus help you out. The Japanese tuner is offering a body kit for the Insight that offers a lowered suspension, a new front apron, side skirts, a blacked out grille, a new rear apron and a diffuser.

You also get a set of new alloy wheels wrapped in low-profile tires.

No performance upgrades are being offered, so you’re stuck with your 98-hp 1.3L SOHC i-VTEC engine mated to a CVT transmission. However, you’ll probably still enjoy 40/43 mpg (city/highway). [Source: egmCarTech]

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced plans to begin sales in Japan of the CR-Z sporty hybrid model in February 2010 and Fit Hybrid before the end of 2010. By combining these two models with the currently available Insight and Civic Hybrid, Honda will further enhance its lineup of compact hybrid models, which leverage the unique characteristics of Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA), including compact size, lightweight and high efficiency. In addition, Honda is currently developing a new hybrid system which is intended to be installed on mid- to large-size vehicles.

Honda also announced that, in addition to the No. 1 line at its Suzuka Factory, the production of Insight also began on Suzuka's No. 3 line in mid-June 2009, leveraging Honda's flexible production system.

In order to continue contributing to the global effort to reduce CO2 emissions, Honda will continue to focus on research and development of technologies which improve fuel-efficiency and strive to deliver products with improved environmental performance to as many customers as possible by making such products more accessible to all people. [Source: Honda Media Website]

Honda Fit and Honda Jazz becomes Japan's best selling vehicle for the first half of 2009 with 65,589 vehicles being sold between January and June 2009.[source: ホンダのWebサイト]

Following media speculation, MUGEN EURO Co., Ltd has confirmed the development of a highly-tuned Honda Civic Type R 'MUGEN' concept prototype road car, using the same powertrain as the Civic MUGEN RR saloon launched in 2007 in Japan.

The car is being developed in Japan by MUGEN EURO – the Northampton-based subsidiary of Honda’s long standing tuning partner MUGEN – and will be brought to the UK for testing later in the year. At this stage, the car is being prepared purely as a prototype model.

To enhance the performance of the already-impressive Civic Type R, MUGEN EURO will tune Honda’s 2.0-litre i-VTEC engine to produce more power and torque, as well as developing the brakes, exhaust and suspension. Externally, the Civic will take on an even more aggressive appearance, with a new aerodynamic package including a larger rear boot spoiler.

“In standard trim, the Civic Type R is a thrilling machine to drive,” said Hiro Toyoda, Vice President of MUGEN EURO. “It is a fantastic base model from which we hope to develop one of the quickest point to point front-wheel-drive road cars in the country.”

There are currently no plans for a production model. [Source: Newspress]

The latest issue of Honda Malaysia's 'With Dreams' newsletter has a feature on the CR-Z. Inside, it quotes a speech by the Honda Motor Co. Ltd. CEO in December 2008 that says that the CR-Z will be 'available for purchase by the end of 2010'. This suggests that the original target of a JDM launch at this year's Tokyo Motor Show has been cancelled and postphoned.

Source: Vtec.net

Honda revealed its new compact minivan today in Japan called the Freed. On sale today as well, the Freed can carry up to eight passengers within its diminutive dimensions thanks to a low, completely flat floor and some clever packaging. Opt for captains chairs in the second row and you can still ferry seven people between Kyoto and Tokyo in relative comfort. The Freed will also be offered in three versions that accommodate people in wheelchairs with ramps and lift-up seats. Honda’s JDM mini-minivan will be offered in front-wheel and all-wheel-drive models powered by a 1.5L VTEC four-cylinder engine mated to either a 5-speed automatic or CVT transmission. It looks like a promising vehicle that Japanese buyers will snap up like 10-cent sushi, and we bet Honda would find a market for the Freed here in the U.S. as well considering the current popularity of fuel-efficient vehicles packing tons of practicality.

The European versions of the three and five-door Honda Civic are being updated with refreshed styling and a more generous standard equipment list as part of the vehicle’s mid-cycle update. The 1.4L engine currently in the lineup will also be replaced with a new unit featuring Honda’s latest generation i-VTEC technology, which reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions and increases power and torque.

The new engine also has improved noise, vibration and harshness levels, and is now available in both the three and five-door Type S models.


Manual versions of the latest Civic will gain a shift light indicator, which combined with the existing ‘Eco Driving’ light helps improve fuel economy. Diesel versions receive slightly revised gearing designed to help reduce CO2 emissions.

Changes to the Civic’s styling include a new grille, revised bumpers, and a new rear light cluster. Inside, the cars are available with an optional iPod connector and rear parking sensors. readmore

The Geneva Motor Show next month will witness the unveiling of the ‘Small Hybrid Sports Concept’, a small car which has been designed by Honda R&D Europe in Offenbach, Germany. This Honda sports fuel cell car is indeed what the company claims to be a thriller of speed with a top speed limit of 160 km/h. The hybrid sports car of Honda is a juxtaposition of stylish design, driving enjoyment and low environmental impact.

Make: Honda
Model: Civic Coupe EM1 1.6L
Year: 1994
Output: 210
Description: My Civic was made in 1994. I have started my tuning in 1998. There is completely modified interior: the flocked console, sporting seats, aluminium pedals. Exterior styling contains new bumpers, side sills, yellow finish with airbrushed painting, allow wheels and colored brake units. Performance modifications contains from the new ECU, modified exhaust system, Nitro, fully adjustable air suspension, brake system.

The "news" today was also about how the Touareg would serve as precursor to Porsche's Cayenne SUV. But as Porsche's engineers told me last year, a hybrid version of the Cayenne has been planned for quite some time. It would make sense though for the Touareg to turn hybrid based on the Cayenne since both vehicles share the same platform (a lot of people don't like to hear that after spending so much money on the Cayenne). Either way, I would expect the Touareg to be Volkswagen's debut hybrid model, whenever that will be.

The Honda Fit (known as the Honda Jazz in many parts of the world – we think Honda didn't call it the Jazz in North-America because they already have a motorcycle with that name). When introduced in Japan, the Fit/Jazz sold more than the Toyota Corolla, a car that has been at the top of the best-selling list in Japan for 33 consecutive years! You can find incredibly in depth reviews of the car here and here. It is not clear exactly what engines will be available for North-America, but the 1.5 liters VTEC version of the Fit is officially rated at 5.0l/100 km (47 mpg).

Swing over to eGMCarTech to read up on the hydrogen powered fuel cell car Honda just unveiled at the LA Auto Show. It’s expected to be hit the actual market next summer, getting 68 MPG and a range of 270 miles. The sales will be limited to three years leases at $600/month. eGMCarTech also has a big gallery of photos of the car.

Swing over to eGMCarTech to read up on the hydrogen powered fuel cell car Honda just unveiled at the LA Auto Show. It’s expected to be hit the actual market next summer, getting 68 MPG and a range of 270 miles. The sales will be limited to three years leases at $600/month. eGMCarTech also has a big gallery of photos of the car.

Honda is currently prepping a new performance version of the Civic sedan that’s set for release in the Japan this September. Based on the already sporty Type R, the new Honda Civic Mugen RR was transformed after undergoing a power upgrade and weight reduction program in collaboration with the help of its Mugen racing division.

Power is up 15hp over the standard Type R, producing 240hp at 8,000rpm and 160lb-ft at 7,000 revs. The jump comes from modifications to the intake system and new cams as well as high-flow exhaust. Weight has been cut back with the replacement of some panels with carbon-fiber and aluminum, down 10kg once again over the standard Type R.

Other enhancements include Bridgestone Potenza tires designed specifically for the Mugen RR, a new sports suspension and uprated brakes. Inside, the car gets Recaro bucket seats with unique Mugen RR labeling. Only 300 cars will be produced, and all will be limited to Honda’s Milan Red finish.


Honda Civic Mugen RR sports

A Honda Civic kitted out with Mugen gewgaws and sold in the US? You are correct, sir. Honda says 1,000 copies of the Civic Mugen Si, shown as a SEMA concept last year, will hit US dealerships for around 30 large this October. It's outfitted with such sporting effects as a lowered, sport-tuned suspension, forged aluminum wheels, and full body dress. Under the hood will be the basic Si's 2.0-liter four producing 197 horses, and hooked to a six-speed manual. It's the first Mugen-tuned Honda to arrive in the states, though not the best, and hopefully not the last.