Monthly Archives: December 2014


The final production version of the 2016 Acura NSX is coming Jan. 12

The final production version of the 2016 Acura NSX is coming Jan. 12

+Honda has released teaser images of the car we've been seeing in various concept forms since at least 2007. The real thing will be shown in a few weeks at the 2015 North American International Auto Show?


Do you find big data and predictive navigation super-useful or just creepy?? 2

Do you find big data and predictive navigation super-useful or just creepy??

With Predictive Navigation, Smart Cars Find Their Own Way
The flood of available data from many sources – traffic updates, GPS, onboard sensors, etc. – will change the ways in which we’ll get around in the coming years.  One tangible manifestation, happen…

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Production 2016 Acura NSX to Debut at Detroit Auto Show

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After what seems like about 63 concept versions of a second-generation NSX since 2007, Acura will finally reveal the definitive production model at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 12, 2015. The following day, at the Honda press conference, the company will show the final concept version of the new fuel cell car that will go on sale in early 2016. American Honda executive vice president John Mendel declared that 2015 would be the “Year of Honda.”

Over the next 12 months, Honda will launch the new NSX, begin deliveries of the HondaJet executive jet, return to Formula One racing with McLaren and start production of a new downsized turbocharged engine at the Anna, Ohio engine plant. This winter, Honda will also launch the new subcompact crossover HR-V followed by an all-new Pilot in the spring.

The first production HondaJet achieved its first flight on Friday, June 27, 2014. The flight marks another milestone toward aircraft certification and entry into service in 2015.

The first production HondaJet achieved its first flight on Friday, June 27, 2014. The flight marks another milestone toward aircraft certification and entry into service in 2015.

For enthusiasts, the big news is the production NSX with an all-new engine and a three-motor hybrid system. The three motor layout was announced at the 2013 Detroit show with two motors on the front axle for all-wheel-drive and a third motor integrated with the new V6 engine at the back. In a teaser video to be released by Honda today, we get our first hint of what the NSX will sound like and it’s clear that this is no Prius.

Honda hasn’t yet revealed details about the displacement or configuration of the new Ohio-built engine or which cars it will be installed in. It will be part of the first turbocharged member of the Earth Dreams family of direct-injected engines and will of course use Honda’s VTEC variable valve timing system.

 


If you are out partying with your friends this holiday season, download this app before you head out

If you are out partying with your friends this holiday season, download this app before you head out

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has created an app to help you  get a ride and provide your location if you've had too many adult beverages this holiday season. ?


If you are out partying with your friends this holiday season, download this app…

If you are out partying with your friends this holiday season, download this app before you head out

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has created an app to help you  get a ride and provide your location if you've had too many adult beverages this holiday season. ?

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The Prius is a great fuel-efficient car, but save the $6,000 on the plug

The Prius is a great fuel-efficient car, but save the $6,000 on the plug

The +TOYOTA Prius is as good as ever for efficiency minded, but the non-plug version is the one to buy. If you really want zero emissions driving, buy a BEV like the Nissan Leaf or at least a longer-range PHEV like the +Ford Motor Company Fusion Energi or +Chevrolet Volt.?


2014 Prius PHV – Skip the Plug on This One

prius phv 07

Back in 2006 when I first started writing professionally about cars, plug-in cars were just starting to make a comeback to the marketplace with the reveal of the Tesla Roadster. At the time, a number of fans of the second-generation Toyota Prius wanted in on the action and started adding bigger battery packs to turn them into plug-in hybrids. A combination of wanting to grease that squeaky wheel and plug-in vehicle mandates from the state of California eventually led Toyota to produce a plug-in variant of the third-gen Prius and I recently got to spend a week driving one.

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The security of electronics in cars is an important issue, let's not desensitize people by overblowing trivial stuff

The security of electronics in cars is an important issue, let's not desensitize people by overblowing trivial stuff

Over at +Jalopnik, +Jason Torchinsky does an excellent job of debunking an overwrought post from Cult of Mac. Charlie Miller does a lot of important research and automakers should be encouraging this so they can find and fix the wholes in their systems. But what Miller accomplished on this vehicle is more of an annoyance than a real problem. Let's keep a watchful eye on this worry when we really need to.?

There’s an article out now about how Apple security expert and intrepid car-hacking experimenter managed to ‘brick’ his new Jeep Cherokee. Fascinating story, right? Guy destroys his own car with a laptop? Too bad it’s not true. Well, I guess good for the Jeep owner/experimenter.