Archive for January, 2010
Honda Sweeps Which? Car Reliability Honors
HONDA has emerged victorious in UKs 2007 Which? Car reliability study of new models its Jazz supermini besting all other contenders to emerge as the overall ratings with a rating from owners of 96 per cent.
Honda also maker of top of the line auto parts like Honda ball joint has also either won or shared top spot in the medium car bracket with the previous generation Civic; in the large car group with the Accord; in the peoplecarrier section with the FRV and among offroaders with the old CRV.
The only disappointment the automaker so far had was with its latest Civic which earned a poor reliability rating of only 82 per cent. Overall average for new cars was 88 per cent.
According to Which? Car the least reliable new model based from its survey of 93365 motorists was the Land Rover Discovery 3 “not as big and tough as it thinks it is” with a rating of 79 per cent.
Which? Car also noted that the VW Passat contrary to Volkswagen’s reputation for reliability was a disappointment same with the Peugeot 307 and Renault Megane all with 82 per cent.
Honda also won Which? Cars manufacturers’ league table taking the overall reliability index of 86 per cent with Toyota following closely behind with just one point to sit in the second place.
Following in the list were other Far Eastern manufacturers: Daihatsu Hyundai Lexus Mazda Subaru and Suzuki were all vying for the third place all of which scored 82 per cent.
At the bottom of the list was Land Rover with 68 per cent just behind Renault and Fiat.
Honda is setting the benchmark in car reliability and its up to other manufacturers to raise their standards to match. Which? Car Editor Richard Headland said
Complete List:
Category: Superminis
Most reliable new cars
Honda Jazz 96 per cent
Least reliable new cars
Fiat Grande Punto 85 per cent
Category: Medium cars
Most reliable new cars
Honda Civica Mazda 3
both 94 per cent
Least reliable new cars
Citron C4 Honda Civic Peugeot 307 Renault Mgane all 82 per cent
Category: Large cars
Most reliable new cars
BMW 3 Series Honda Accord Toyota Avensis all 94 per cent
Least reliable new cars
Peugeot 407 Skoda Octavia VW Passat Volvo S40/V50 all 82 per cent
Category: Luxury cars
Most reliable new cars
Audi A6 91 per cent
Least reliable new cars
BMW 5 Series Jaguar Stype Saab 95 Volvo V70 all 85 per cent
Category: Mini MPVs
Most reliable new cars
Nissan Note 94 per cent
Least reliable new cars
Ford Fusion Vauxhall Meriva both 88 per cent
Category: MPVs people carriers
Most reliable new cars
Honda FRV 91 per cent
Least reliable new cars
Chrysler Grand Voyager Ford
CMax Renault Scnic all 82 per cent
Category: Sports/coups
Most reliable new cars
Mazda MX5 94 per cent
Least reliable new cars
Mazda RX8 82 per cent
Category: Offroaders
Most reliable new cars
Honda CRVa Toyota RAV4 both 94 per cent
Least reliable new cars
Land Rover Discovery 3 79 per cent
About the writer: Ally Wahlberg is a Computer Information Systems specialist. Ally leads an active lifestyle and he is a fan of extreme sports. He is also a car enthusiast and writing about his interests is one of his passions.
Honda Reveals New Concepts At Iaa Frankfurt And More
Honda Motor Europe Ltd. the Japanese automaker’s European arm has recently stirred the crowd at the 2007 International Motor Show IAA in Frankfurt Germany with the display of Accord Tourer Concept. According to a Honda official press release the premiere of the Accord Tourer Concept at IAA Frankfurt showcase the design characteristics of the all new Accord Tourer production model that is scheduled to hit the European market starting in 2008.
The Honda Accord Tourer Concept presented at IAA Frankfurt features a wider lower and sportier look compared to other Honda Accord models. The aggressive and sporty exterior styling of the Honda Accord Tourer Concept is complemented by the car’s comfortable and functional interior with spacious cabin. This offers a “strong degree of versatility and practicality” according to the Japanese automaker.
At the heart of this new Honda concept comes a 2.0 or a 2.4litre two iVTEC petrol engine. Honda is also planning to include the newly developed 2.2litre iDTEC nextgeneration diesel engine in the powertrain lineup. All engines comply with the EURO 5 emissions standards. Other details of the Honda Accord Tourer Concept will be revealed at the upcoming 2008 Geneva Motor Show when the Japanese automaker unveils the production model for this concept. Probably standard Honda parts like Honda cornering light will be included in the production model.
Meanwhile Honda Motor Europe Ltd. is also poised to present other production and concept models as well as new powertrain systems at the IAA Frankfurt. First off is Small Hybrid Sports Concept that was developed at Honda RD in Offenbach Germany. This environmental friendly concept model features the advancement of hybrid technology combined with the aggressive driving characteristics of a sports car model. European car fans should expect this new concept to have these features like IMA petrol/electric hybrid powertrain system twodoor sports coupe design short front and rear overhangs accentuated arrowlike nose onepiece glass roof additional vertical window good power to weight ratio and 2350 mm.
Also on the Honda stand is the Civic Hybrid 24H Race. This model will be on the “Sports” section at IAA Frankfurt and will join the Honda RA107 F1 race car. The Honda “Sports” stand will also feature the other high performance Honda vehicle models and will showcase the company’s heritage in motor sports. Other models include the 1967 RA300 race car and the production models of the Honda Civic Type R and Honda S2000. In addition Honda will also present the Repsol Honda RC212V 800 cc motorcycle that currently competes in MotoGP.
About the writer: Anthony Fontanelle is a 35yearold automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.
Honda FCX Clarity Zero-emission Environment Friendly Cars
Due to growing environmental concern there is always a need for the vehicle that must be environment friendly and does not emit gases like carbon dioxide and carbon mono oxide which are harmful and injurious to health. To serve that reason many companies introduced vehicles which are instead of gasoline operated by other means. But no company could start commercial production of cars.
Honda was working on zeroemission hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicle that is no more an imagination but it is now became the reality by the endeavor of Honda the one of the leading Japanese car manufacturer which started commercial production of zeroemission hydrogen powered fuel cell cars for the first time that help slow down greenhouse gases.
Honda labeled fourseater sedan car as FCX Clarity that is powered by the Honda V Flow fuel cell stack with an output of 100kW as well as enhanced cold climate performance that enables it to start in temperatures as low as 30C. It is lightweight and has compact design where the only byproduct from the car is water vapor. The FCX Clarity offers superior design packaging and smooth driving performance. According to the company the car emits no carbon dioxide and is certified by the California Air Resources Board and the Environmental Protection Agency.
The company has begun the first production in the mid of 2008 of that firstgeneration dedicated hydrogen powered fuel cell vehicle in southern California which is one of the few places in the world where hydrogen fuel stations are present. This car is now available on lease in USA as well as in Japan. Honda expects to lease about 200 units within three years
The hydrogen cars will diminish reliance upon oil that has everincreasing prices. Hence give a great relieve to the overburdened pocket of the car owners. The Honda FCX Clarity is not only the ultimate environment friendly but also offers genuine performance.
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About the writer: Marketing Manager is the incharge of all correspondence including writing and analyzing the news and articles searching for new developments in the area of consideration.