Honda designs car without steering wheel

Alot of people are speculating that this will be the DNA of the next Honda S2000....

By David Millward, Transport Editor, Geneva

Instead of the steering wheel, this car is controlled with the aid of two levers.
The EV-Steer is intended to give the motorist the same experience as somebody riding a motor bike, who uses the handlebars to turn.
Instead of turning the wheel, the driver pulls and pushes the levers according to the direction of travel.

"It's fun, it is very tactile and it is very accurate," a Honda spokesman insisted.
"The car keeps the driver alert, because it is very sensitive to movement. Your whole body is kept moving.
"In fact it is a mini-cross trainer," the spokesman added, without the slightest note of irony.
While the car may lack a steering wheel, it is not short of dashboards. In fact it has three.
The middle one would normally display the routine information such as speed.
Then on either side, just above each of the levers are two more dashboards, which can be configured according to the driverﾒs wishes.
One, for example, can be dedicated for the satellite navigation system, while the other could be used to control the audio system or car temperature.
The car. which has a top speed of just under 100 mph, has already been driven thousands of miles on a Japanese test track.
Fitted with an electric engine, the car can travel up to 100 miles on a single charge. Charging the battery takes around three hours.
A mid-range sports, Honda expects to go into full production of the EV-Steer within the next three years. and will have a price tag between £30,000 and £35,000.

Source;

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/9126441/Honda-designs-car-without-steering-wheel.html

Honda NSX Concept Unveiled to Europeans in Geneva

Geneva 2012: Honda CR-V European Prototype [Live Photos]

This handsome looking new crossover from Honda is the prototype for the CR-V that will replace the current one on the European market in autumn 2012. The styling is bolder and more upmarket than before, with a sculpted new grille and headlights.

The full production version of the 2012 CR-V is going to officially debut at the Paris Salon in autumn, but the looks will remain unchanged. As of yet, the interior is not fully complete, and the engine range has yet to be announced. But a bit of educated guesswork reveals petrol range will include a 2.0-liter i-VTEC, while the diesel one will focus on the 2.2 i-CTDi, which we know was refined for better economy in the new Civic hatchback. The 1.6-liter diesel that makes its debut in Geneva as well is unlikely to be offered at least for another year.

Source;

http://www.autoevolution.com/news/geneva-2012-honda-cr-v-european-prototype-live-photos-43168.html

Honda Sports up the Jazz with a New Si Limited Edition in Geneva

Honda quietly revealed a new special edition version of its Jazz supermini at this week's 2012 Geneva Motor Show. It's called the Si and it has been designed exclusively for the European market combining a sportier look inside and out with an uprated chassis.

The first thing you'll notice on the Jazz Si is the new aero package that consists of new front and rear bumpers, with deep valances and prominent side skirts, along with a set of 16-inch alloy wheels fitted with low profile sport tires.

In the cabin, you'll find new sport seats plus a leather-trimmed three-spoke steering wheel and gearshift lever, all of which feature silver stitching.

Unlike other special editions of the sort, the Jazz Si validates its sportier looks with an uprated chassis. Among other things, Honda's engineers combined new dampers with a larger front anti-roll bar to improve straight-line stability and body control, while the electric power-steering system was also modified for improved feel and response.

Power comes from Honda's familiar 1.4-litre i-VTEC 100PS (99bhp) engine matched to a five-speed manual gearbox that offers a top speed of 113mph (182km/h).

The new Si model will be available for order in Europe at the end of August.

Source;
http://www.carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/03/honda-sports-up-jazz-with-new-si.html

New Audi A3 2012

At the Geneva Motor Show 2012 Audi A3 presents finally the new generation. Visually, the new Audi A3 is still clearly recognizable as A3, yet he himself is sharper, more mature and seems to still nobler.

The engines for the new Audi A3 from 2012 consists of 8 units - 4 petrol and diesel. In all cases, it is turbo-charged four-cylinder direct injection engine with the abbreviations TFSI and TDI. In many engines, Audi even offers a start-stop system.

When the gasoline engine range starts with the 1.2 TFSI. The four-cylinder gets out of his little capacity at least 105 hp and 175 Nm of torque, mean he should be satisfied in conjunction with the S tronic with 5.3 liters of fuel per 100 km - at least according to official figures. The most powerful gasoline engine in the new Audi A3 is the 2.0 TFSI with 200 hp.

The diesel engines that range from the 1.6 TDI with 90 hp to the 2.0 TDI, which delivers 170 horsepower. The most efficient engine in the series is the 1.6-liter TDI with 105 hp. The most fuel-efficient version, he is content, according to Audi in A3Sportback manual transmission with an average of 3.9 liters of fuel per 100 km.

For engines above 140 hp Audi offers for sale the adaptive damper control system Audi magnetic ride. It allows the choice between a comfortable or sporty characteristic. Within this framework, the system changes the damping forces. If necessary, even in the millisecond range. The body has been lowered by 15 millimeters. Alternatively, a conventional sports suspension and the tight S line sports suspension from quattro GmbH.

Available on the Audi A3 Audi website Mediaguide.de's massive information on the new A3: Update 03.06.2012 16.25 clock.

Update 06.03.2012 20.10 clock: Audi has released the first trailer for the new Audi A3:

Update 06.03.2012 20.20 clock: Audi has released a great 3D model of the new A3:

(Photo: Audi)

New Mercedes A-Class 2012

At the Geneva Motor Show presents his new Mercedes A-Class. First Erlkönig were fired at a close union somewhere between "great" and "less sparkling." The first, now published photos show: the new Mercedes A-class is to have succeeded well in shades and with his two previous generations fortunately not even begin to compare.

Against this background and the resulting new opportunities are arising, Mercedes combative. "A stands for attack: The A-Class is a clear statement about the new dynamics of the Mercedes-Benz," says Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars. "She is new to the last detail. This is an opportunity to start with a blank sheet of paper, it is often not in the car development. Our engineers and designers have used them convincingly. "

Design and dynamic signals the new A-class at first sight and ducks up to 18 centimeters lower than its predecessor on the road. Which was the "Concept A-CLASS" presented and enthusiastically welcomed worldwide radical formal language consistently implemented in the series: With a new interpretation of the classic two-box design, the Mercedes designers have created an emotional exterior with a very sporty character. "Implement the new dynamic style of Mercedes-Benz in the compact class - the challenge has been so much fun," says Gordon Wagener, Head of Design at Mercedes-Benz. "Typically, the Mercedes A-Class Sculptural form. The character lines, especially in the pages give the A-class structure, and then tension. "

For the first time involved early in the development of the compact class, the performance specialists AMG. Result is the most dynamic version of the series - the A-Class Sports engineered by AMG, where the visual relationship with the Concept A-CLASS is particularly evident - especially the new diamond grill. The A-Class Sports has exclusive AMG light-alloy wheels, 5-spoke design, size 18 with tires 235/40 R 18 all around, high-gloss black painted finish and red brake calipers: Optical evidence for the particular dynamic qualities of A250 sports and A 220 CDI Sports which are characterized by, among other things, developed by AMG front and to the corresponding tuned suspension.

In addition, red accents to underline AMG front and rear aprons, the positioning of the expressive model. Interior continues the contrast between black and red accents features: The contrast stitching on the steering wheel and seats, the color signal as well as the wear safety belts. Also, the red light mood of the instruments and the accent rings in the air nozzles.

The range of new petrol engine generation with 1.6 and 2.0 liter capacity ranges from 115 hp in the A180 through A200 in the 156 hp to 211 hp in the A250. Common features are the combination of direct injection with turbocharging, an advanced combustion system and advanced coating areas for lean by fast-switching injectors for multiple injections of fuel demand and multiple firings. The Camtronic celebrates an innovation its world premiere at the 1.6-liter engine: the adjustment of valve lift on the intake side, the limited amount of fresh gas in the partial load range and reduced fuel consumption.

The diesel engines will start the A 180 CDI with 109 hp, the A 200 CDI, the maximum power 136 hp, maximum torque reaches 300 Nm. The A 220 CDI has a 2.2 liter, 170 hp and 350 Nm.

All engines of the new A-Class series is equipped with the ECO start-stop function. The motors can be combined with the new six-speed manual or optional automatic transmission with double clutch transmission 7G-DCT, the comfort and sportiness in a special way with each other.

(Photo: Mercedes-Benz)

Honda Motor Europe President, Manabu Nishimae delivers Geneva Press Conference Speech

-New Civic with 1.6-litre i-DTEC diesel engine will deliver CO2 emissions of 95 g/km*
-NSX will be sold in Europe as a Honda
-New European CR-V prototype makes debut
-UK factory to double 2012 production volumes to 180,000

A full transcript of the speech follows:

Good morning, and welcome to Honda's media conference. I am very pleased to be here with you today.

Last year proved to be a very challenging year due to the natural disasters in Japan and in Thailand that impacted on our supply of new vehicles. Our ability to deliver cars to the customers who wanted them was restricted. Our Thai plant resumes full production within a month and all other production activity is fully restored. Whilst we must learn from recent history, we now look forward to what is an exciting future.

This is an important show for Honda. We are displaying products and technologies that will be at the heart of our growth plans for Europe. We are now entering a period of numerous product launches which will see Honda increase production volumes and increase sales.

In 2012, our UK factory will double production volumes to 180,000 units. In May, the New Civic assembly line will start a double shift and 500 new workers will join us.
Later in the year we start production of the New European CR-V.

The all New CR-V will be built in Europe and will be introduced in the Autumn with improved quality, performance, and enhanced fuel economy, along with new features unique for the European market. Today, we are showing a European CR-V prototype. We will display the production model at the Paris show in September.

Honda will also renew our entire European engine line-up, with a new engine series called Earth Dreams Technology. With these engines we aim to be Number 1 in fuel economy in each sector within 3 years.

The first engine from this series will be a new 1.6 litre diesel engine. Designed for Europe, it is expected to deliver 95 grammes per kilometre CO2 emissions and is the world's lightest engine in its class. It will be introduced on the New Civic and production starts at our UK factory at the end of this year.

Earth Dreams Technology engines will also deliver excellent performance characteristics. And at the summit of this range.... There is the new NSX.

This NSX Concept is powered by a mid-engine V6 ... and a new Sport Hybrid All-Wheel Drive system that comprises of 1 motor on the rear axle and 2 on the front. Supercar acceleration and outstanding efficiency will be the hallmarks of this revolutionary powertrain. The two motors in the front axle enable independent control of the left and right wheels to realize a ground-breaking "On-the-rail-cornering" experience. New NSX is set to define a new standard of Super Sport.
The US will launch new NSX with the Acura brand in 3 years. I can confirm the NSX will come to Europe....as a Honda.

NSX is the ultimate top-line Sports model, could we develop a smaller one? The EV-STER is another European premiere. This small sports EV Concept indicates the direction of how environmental technology can be incorporated with the pure joy of driving.

Our sporty plans are not limited to new models. A half century ago, Honda established the Suzuka circuit in Japan. It was the first racing track in Asia.

In October, at the Suzuka round, we plan to enter a European Civic into the FIA World Touring Car Championship. This celebrates the 50th anniversary of Suzuka Circuit. It also marks the 40th anniversary of Civic.

This racing Civic will be powered by Honda's new 1.6 direct injection turbo racing engine solely developed by Honda R&D. This is an important first step as we enhance the sportiness of Civic and the Honda brand.

Through Earth Dreams Technology, Honda will continue to minimise our environmental footprint so that we will all be able to enjoy sports driving for future generations and preserve Blue Skies for Our Children.

Thank you for your attention.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.eu/en/news/index.pmode/modul,detail,0,2198-DEFAULT,21,text,1/index.pmode

Geneva 2012: New Opel Astra OPC with 280 hp

As the official apple premiere of the new Opel Astra OPC J in March at the Geneva Motor Show angle 2012th This Opel News busy with two new photos of the new Astra OPC.

With 280 hp at atomic on paper, sleeker way as the capital battling VW Scirocco R (265 hp). And even the attending of the Astra OPC is still aggravating to get beneath so subtle: advancing accessory with ample air inlets, which act in the Rüsselsheim hardly able version. The Opel works but not absolutely as advanced and deep, but what is ashore in the basal adaptation zivilieren. The rear end forms a double-flow bankrupt arrangement with its somewhat techno architecture looks a bit too abundant like Battlestar Galactica. A archetypal double-tube architecture for purists accomplishment would accept been welcome. But it's all the time.

He 280 bhp 2-liter turbo petrol engine delivers a whopping 400 Nm of best torque and allows a best speed? acceleration of 250 km / h Astra was not so far so fast. At atomic according to Opel's information, because, as always, exceptions prove the rule.

In aggregate with the alleged flex-ride chassis, which appearance a appropriate Sport approach and the OPC, the Astra OPC offers altered administration capabilities.

The new brazier seats action up to 18 altered acclimation possibilities. The use of "organic sheets," the weight of the seats could be bargain as compared to 45 percent with accepted components.

Images [automobil-blog.de]