Toyota and Honda top automotive brands in consumer perception

Automakers spend billions of dollars to promote their vehicles and build brand awareness. Yet, marketing alone does not shape consumer perception without a clear connection to the vehicles in the showroom. In the latest Auto Pulse survey conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, Toyota and Honda brands ranked first and second, respectively, by dominant margins over all others. Likewise, the vehicles from those brands have consistently performed well in our testing, often ranking among the best in their classes, and have been mostly at the top of our reliability ratings over the years. Lets your journey with world car brand.............

Friday, August 21, 2009

HONDA

2010 Honda Insight
The 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid made its world debut at the 2009 Detroit Show. It went on sale in April and prices started from $19,800 for the LX version and from $21,300 for the EX version.
All Insights are powered by an advanced 1.3-liter SOHC aluminum-alloy i-VTEC engine and CVT, along with a new generation of Honda’s IMA hybrid system that incorporates a 13 hp electric motor and a compact Intelligent Power Unit (IPU). The car delivers an estimated maximum driving range in excess of 400 miles.
The 2010 Insight is being offered with dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags; front-side airbags with a passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); side curtain airbag system; anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution (EBD); driver- and front-passenger active head restraints and a front body designed to mitigate pedestrian injuries.
The EX models add alloy wheels, cruise control, 6-speaker audio system with USB audio interface, steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters, Honda Vehicle Stability Assist and an available Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with Voice Recognition.
2010 Honda Pilot
With prices starting from $27,895, the 2010 Honda Pilot keeps offering practical SUV capabilities with the driving sophistication and refinement that people expect from a Honda. For 2010, the Pilot if being offered in four trims: EX, LX, EX-L and Touring with either 2WD and 4WD configuration.
Every Honda Pilot is powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that delivers an impressive 250 hp and 253 lb.-ft of torque. The engine is mated to a 5-Speed Automatic Transmission with Grade Logic Control. Fuel economy is an EPA-estimated4 city/highway/combined fuel economy of 17/23/19 mpg on two-wheel-drive models and 16/22/18 mpg on four-wheel-drive models.
This transmission uses the engine’s broad torque curve for brisk acceleration, optimal fuel economy and smooth-shifting characteristics. Grade Logic Control improves efficiency under a wide variety of driving conditions, such as uphill/downhill and city-traffic driving. It "knows" when the Pilot is on a hill and automatically holds the engine in a lower gear for better climbing power and increased engine braking when going downhill. This decreases annoying "gear hunting" that can often occur with other automatic transmissions in these situations.
2009 Honda Fit/Jazz
The next generation Fit (sold as Jazz in European markets) will debut at the Tokyo Motor Show on 24 October, 2007. The car will go on sale in Japan in January ’08 but plans to bring the next generation model to the UK are still over 12 months away. Five years into its model life and Jazz remains Honda’s most successful small car. Its clever packaging, space and value for money have been a winning formula ensuring global demand and increased production capability.
2009 Honda Pilot Prototype
The prototype conveys design features of the more boldly-styled 2009 Pilot, set to debut in spring 2008, which emphasizes authentic SUV styling, clever and more accommodating interior packaging and advanced technologies for safety, fuel efficiency and convenience."The Pilot’s pioneering formula improves for 2009 by enhancing its combination of refinement and efficiency with even more traditional SUV strengths," said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda. "A powerful exterior design communicates strength and allows for more space inside."
2009 Honda Accord
Honda unveiled today the European version of the all-new 2009 Accord that will make its world debut at the Geneva motor Show next month. All the engines in the new Accord are equipped with the Euro 5 emissions system, available starting September 2009.
Significantly wider and slightly lower, the styling adopts a more emotional, sporty motif. The ‘sharp-edged’ design, with pronounced muscular wheelarches that emphasize the car’s wider track, gives the Accord a distinctive, strong stance with a solid, planted feel. The distinctive nose and more flowing lines deliver a tauter and more athletic shape.
First choice of engine is the new i-DTEC engine that delivers 147 HP at 4,000 rpm, and a peak torque of 350 Nm at 2,000 rpm. The 2.0-liter i-VTEC offers similar levels of performance to its predecessor – 156 PS at 6,300 rpm – but builds on its class leading fuel economy. Key technological changes include increased diameter intake valves, further optimized valve lift and timing and increased inlet and exhaust air flow volumes.
The 2.4-liter engine is more powerful, delivering 200 PS at 7000 rpm and peak torque of 233 Nm at 4500 rpm – up from 190 PS and 223 Nm. Behind the figures are a compression ratio increased from 10.5 to 11.0:1, larger diameter valves, revised valve timing, and reduced exhaust system pressures.
All three engines are matched to a 6-speed manual transmission, while both petrol engines have the option of a 5-speed automatic.
2009 Honda S2000 successor
Honda will launch the next generation S2000 next year to celebrate the company’s 60th anniversary! The S2000 Roadster first launched in 1999 encountered a few changes in its short life time, but none of them being impressive.
The future S2000 will feature a more aggressive design, with a totally new front-end, with bigger air intakes and the high-tech optic units.
About the next generation S2000 there are two kinds of rumors. First one says the 2009 S2000 will grow in size and will be a four-seats convertible that will compete with models like Mercedes SLK and BMW Z4. Not very big changes for this to happen!
The second rumor, and the most plausible one, says the future S200 will be smaller, the same size with its biggest competitor Mazda MX-5 Miata. And we think this is the way Honda will go.
As about its engines, Honda will keep the current one: a 237 hp, 2.2-liter, 16-valve DOHC VTEC(R) 4-cylinder engine mated by a six speed manual transmission.

2009Honda OSM Honda unveiled at the British Motor Show the OSM (for Open Study Model), a low-emission sportscar study model.
The exterior design is a balance of smooth, rounded curves and sharp lines to provide definition in key areas. The headlights are cleverly integrated into the front end, stretching from the nose to the top of the wheel arches to look more like a part of the original body.

Inside, this uninterrupted, fluid approach is continued, with long sweeping curves extending from both door panels to form a frame for the instrument display. The concept for the dashboard was to avoid creating the traditional block of ‘heavy’ color and material in front of the driver; in keeping with the clean and lightweight theme. For that reason, the dash is broken into sections, with the most important instruments in direct line-of-sight of the driver.

2009 Honda (Fit) Jazz
Honda revealed the official informations about the 2009 Jazz, known as the Fit in the U.S. First launched in 2001, the Jazz grows in size and gets two new engines.
At the exterior Jazz only feature subtle changes and retains the concepts of the previous Jazz with its center fuel tank layout and Magic Seats which gave it world beating interior flexibility.
The car features larger wheels, revised suspension and a longer wheelbase/wider track bring greater agility while enhancing ride comfort. And new 90 PS 1.2-litre and 100 PS 1.4-litre i-VTEC engines deliver better performance characteristics while boosting economy to exceptional levels - 5.1 and 5.3 l/100 km combined, respectively.
CO2 emissions for both the 1.2-litre and 1.4-litre engines have also been significantly reduced. The 1.2 litre engine now emits just 120g/km (down from 129g/km), while the 1.4 litre produces 123g/km in manual or 120g/km with the i-SHIFT transmission (down from 137g/km).

2009 Honda Ridgeline
Honda released details on the 2009 Ridgeline, a pick-up that comes with a total of 50 significant changes and new features.
Front and rear styling updates combine to create a more-chiseled overall appearance with revisions to the grille, bumpers, and headlight and taillight color combinations. Inside, styling updates include revised three-dimensional-style meters, a new steering wheel design, and enhanced controls, buttons and displays for the air conditioning, audio, cruise control and headlights.
New technology-friendly features include the addition of a 115-volt power outlet on the Ridgeline RTL, MP3/auxiliary input jack on the Ridgeline RTS and RTL, and all audio systems become MP3/WMA compatible. New safety features include active front seat head restraints and daytime running lights. Capable of accommodating 4-foot-wide sheets of plywood between the wheel wells, the composite cargo bed, gains two cargo tie-down points.
All 2009 Ridgelines are powered by a 250-horsepower, 3.5-liter VTEC V-6 engine. A 5-speed electronically-controlled automatic transmission and a Variable Torque Management® 4-wheel drive system are standard. The EPA rates city/highway/combined fuel economy at 15/20/17.
2009 Honda S2000
Honda today revealed details about the 2009 S2000 that will go on sale at a price of $34,795 for the S2000 and $36,795 for the lightweight S2000 CR.
The S2000 is powered by a 4-cylinder engine that delivers 237 hp. The engine is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. The S2000 includes an electronic Drive-by-Wire (DBW) Throttle System, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Maintenance Minder system, standard headrest speakers, an outside temperature gauge and an engine start button. Air conditioning and an AM/FM/CD audio system are standard equipment on the S2000, optional on the S2000 CR for weight savings.
For 2009, the S2000 is available in six colors, including, Laguna Blue Pearl, Silverstone Metallic, New Formula Red, Rio Yellow Pearl, Berlina Black and Grand Prix White. The S2000 CR is available in four colors: Rio Yellow Pearl; Grand Prix White; Berlina Black; and the CR exclusive, Apex Blue Pearl.
2009 Honda Legend
Honda revealed the redesigned 2009 Legened, European version of the Acura RL. The most noticeable change is to the exterior style of the Legend, with new lights, bonnet, front wings, boot lid, bumpers and the adoption of standard 18" wheels.
Under the hood Honda placed a new 3.7 liter V6 engine that has VTEC added to the exhaust valves, joining the system already fitted on the inlet side. These realised a 20% increase in torque in the mid-range. The engine is coupled to an all-new 5-speed gearbox.
The new Legend can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.1 seconds, 0.2 seconds quicker than before. Fuel economy and CO2 have also improved over the previous model, despite the improved acceleration performance. 2009 Japan only: Honda Odyssey
Honda sells a different version of the Odyssey in Japan than it does in the U.S. Although Honda calls it a minivan and it seats the same as the U.S. Odyssey, this car shares more in common with the first generation Odyssey that Honda sold in the U.S. from 1995 to 1998. The Japan Odyssey is shorter in all dimensions, it has four hinged passenger doors, and looks more like a wagon than a minivan.
On sale today, the new Odyssey is equipped with a 2.4l DOHC i-VTEC engine and torque converter-equipped CVT transmission. It is also equipped with advanced safety technologies, including the new Multi-view Camera System. A special mobility-assistive version equipped with a lift-up front passenger seat will go on sale in November.
2009 Honda Element
Honda gave the Element a very mild restyle for 2009. Gone is the somewhat menacing grin from the front, and in its place is a happier look that’s more in line with its Pilot brother. The Element is on sale at a price starting from $20,175 for the 2009 Element 2WD LX.
All three Element trim levels (LX,EX and SC) are powered by a 2.4-liter i-VTEC 166 hp 4-cylinder engine available with either a standard 5-speed manual transmission or an available 5-speed automatic transmission. Both the LX and EX have available all-wheel-drive.