Kia is preparing a four-wheel drive roadster and Soul

Manual Kia does not want to accept the fact that models of this brand are perceived as somewhat spineless and unimpressive in the background, such as Mazda and Honda. Decided to expand the range so that Kia has become a "fun brand", that is, would be "cool brand". And the most "cool" car should be a compact roadster Kia (on the graphics – a computer sketch made ​​designer edition AutoExpress).

The head of the European branch of the Korean brand Paul Philpott said bluntly that it would be an analogue of the Mazda MX-5. Japanese car for many years holds the title of best-selling open two-seater model in the world, and to repeat its success – seductively. However the popularity of the MX-5 is due to the fact that at very low prices (especially in the U.S.), this roadster boasts an original rear-drive platform and an excellent mood sport chassis. Guess what Kia is capable of similar, yet looks too bold. Especially against the background of what Honda has stopped production of the compact roadster S2000, but other companies do not even try to make these very specific model.

But voiced plans to release a modified four-wheel drive compact model Soul look more realistic and promising. This is now the world trend – miniature cars with transmission 4×4. The plans – the emergence of all-wheel drive Chevrolet Aveo (Sonic), Ford Fiesta and the Fiat 500. Something like that prepares and Peugeot, probably based on the model 207.

Earthquake damage during a Toyota factory in Miyagi

Toyota has told all thirteen of its U.S. plants to hope for for a probable shutdown because of parts shortages from Japan. Honda extends the shutdown of Japanese public plants through April 3.

Nissan will goon producing at least until serve notice as well as may even move U.S.-made engines to Japan. GM stopped manufacture in one engine plant as well as idled the pickup assembly plant in an additional. Suzuki has been out, as well as Mazda sees shortages forward.

So these parts stoppages are occasionally, capricious, as well as commencement to widespread opposite a creation. The earthquake/tsunami’s effects were so horrendous which damage comment has been delayed, not to mention tellurian rescue efforts and liberation of infrastructure. The latter will take years. You saw the cinema.

LeftLane Informs Nissan arch Carlos Ghosn suggesting that “there are rounded off 40 member suppliers in Japan which ‘remain in difficulty.’” Ghosn mentioned that a 3 hardest strike areas for automobile production include electric/electronic components, plastics, as well as rubber. Just-in-time manufacture, Toyota’s gift to a automobile industry, equates to really low tools inventories, and if one is blank, good, your automobile (with maybe 20,000 parts) won’t get built.

All this check as well as uncertainty equates to aloft prices coming for Japanese cars and, a single assumes, other products. GM’s North American Operations President Mark Reuss settled which a stroke of the supply line predicament as well as a plant closings could be “bigger than anybody knows today.”

One of a initial areas to feel the impact has been a used-car marketplace. Prices for the Toyota Prius have left up about 6 percent in March alone, a greatest rise entrance this final week. With increasing gas prices, that we recently discussed, and a whopping cost of new cars, I consider a situation could well be some-more dire than tgriffith Informed progressing this week.

As he hinted, if you’ve got the Japanese automobile, now competence be the great time to sell it. Check out our brand new Instant Market Value analyzer to see what it’s value in your marketplace. To that we supplement: You just competence find a little bargains in “less-desirable” U.S.-made gas guzzlers. Don’t discuss it anyone I recommended this – you only happened to discover them on DealFinder

Will a Prius sell for some-more than MSRP?

As supply dwindles as well as manufacture continues to burn, new-car shoppers have been already saying  higher prices for some of a some-more fuel-efficient Japanese vehicles.

The cost of the imports is starting up since earthquake-related manufacture shutdowns in Japan are shortening supply of the autos which people have been increasingly snatching off dealer lots.

That’s the elementary supply and direct equation, with cars like a Toyota Prius as well as Honda Fit apropos some-more renowned as gas prices get closer to $4 per gallon. It just so happens those are also dual of the cars hard-hit by manufacture slowdowns as well as dealers have been raising their prices, in a little cases, to over MSRP.

Will a similar cost enlarge drip down to used cars? It’s wholly probable.

A story during Autoweek yesterday forked out a little engaging facts:

John Mendel, American Honda’s senior manager clamp boss, let Honda as well as Acura dealers know the situation in Japan will disrupt play orders into May.The GM factory which produces the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon sealed because it was out of a Japanese-supplied part.Toyota and Subaru have both slowed production in North America to ration a use of tools.

So price increases are probable from all automakers, not only those formed in Japan. Perhaps many revelation for a used market is a allude to to Autoweek from the senior manager VP during Sonic Automotive, the country’s 3rd largest dealer organisation,who pronounced which Sonic

is prepared to supplement the new-vehicle register with peculiarity nearly brand new used vehicles should the production disruptions interrupt brand new car register supplies longer than now anticipated.

I have the feeling that’ll be the common use until automakers have been back using at full steam. If shopping the used automobile is on your to-do list in the entrance weeks, you’d be wise to check DealFinder initial to make sure you get the most appropriate trade possible. If you’ve been toying the idea of offered your imported-from-Japan car, this might be a good  time to get top dollar for it. Fell gratis to use the CarGurus Instant Market Value tool anytime you want

2011 Honda Brio Interior View

2011 Honda Brio Rear Angle View

2011 Honda Brio Rear View

2011 Honda Brio Seating View

Honda has a brand new 2011 representation Brio, generally for India, Thailand as well as China announced. The manufacture automobile is probably the same as a antecedent of a prior year. It seems Honda Fit as well as 3 measures 610mm prolonged, 680mm far-reaching and 1 1 475mm in tallness.

The interior offers copiousness of space and great extravagant materials, but it’s flattering easy as well as there have been not most extras. However, a cost a automobile undiluted – $ 12,862 (390,000 baht). The car is programmed to a marketplace in late May, the hit as well as the company expects annual sales surpassing 40,000 units in a Thai market.

Brio is the 1.2 liter four-cylinder i-VTEC engine with 90 hp (66 kW) driven as well as completed an normal expenditure of about 5.0 l/100km (47 mpg).

]]> http://www.autosnewspaper.com/2011/03/19/2011-honda-brio/feed/ 0 http://www.autosnewspaper.com/2011/03/18/mugen-euro-to-setup-high-performance-honda-cr-z/ http://www.autosnewspaper.com/2011/03/18/mugen-euro-to-setup-high-performance-honda-cr-z/#comments Fri, 18 Mar 2011 13:51:17 +0000 admin http://www.autosnewspaper.com/2011/03/18/mugen-euro-to-setup-high-performance-honda-cr-z/

MUGEN Euro is developing a highly-tuned version of Honda’s CR-Z, which will broach “Type R-like” opening from a hybrid’s petrol-electric powertrain – as well as may offer even improved fuel economy.

This faster, some-more absolute automobile will make the universe entrance during a Goodwood Festival of Speed in July.

The CR-Z MUGEN will feature enhancements to both a 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine and a Honda IMA system to progress energy and torque, whilst bespoke brakes as well as suspension will be propitious to improve the framework dynamics.

The vital engine changes, and those made to empty as well as initiation, might even outcome in larger mpg and reduce CO2 emissions during some conditions. However, at this early development stage, final power, torque and fuel saving total have been not nonetheless well known.

Lightweight components, including the co fibre carp, will be employed to reduce the altogether weight, as well as a automobile will make use of MUGEN alloy wheels to reduce unsprung mass.

To urge aerodynamics as well as give the car an even some-more sporting look, MUGEN physique parts will be combined, together with front and rear bumpers, and a spoiler.

“We longed for to extend the performance of a CR-Z,” says Hiro Toyoda of MUGEN Euro. “It is already a fun car to drive, with an excellent chassis, though we thought which with some-more energy as well as extended torque smoothness it could be even some-more sparkling. However, as with all MUGEN projects, we have stayed loyal to a Honda pattern as well as philosophy, as well as the electric engine is still a vital part to progress opening as well as economy.”

The CR-Z MUGEN is a joint project in between Honda (UK) and MUGEN Euro – a Northampton-based subsidiary of Honda’s prolonged station tuning partner MUGEN. In 2009, MUGEN Euro constructed a Civic Type R MUGEN, an impassioned, 240PS chronicle of Honda popular prohibited induce.

“This will be a single quick hybrid,” says Martin Moll, Head of Marketing for Honda (UK). “With more torque, some-more energy and MUGEN’s knowledge of working with Honda cars, we’re awaiting great things. It promises to uncover how hybrid cars can be even some-more exciting to drive.”

At this stage, a CR-Z MUGEN is being grown quite as the one-off antecedent, with no plans for the manufacture chronicle.

Honda has opened the new Brio, that is privately written for rising markets such as India, Thailand, as well as China.

Looking probably matching to last year’s prototype, a manufacture representation resembles the pint-sized Fit which measures 3,610mm prolonged, 1,680mm far-reaching as well as 1,475mm high. Inside, the cabin is pretty simple but offers the appreciative pattern as well as high peculiarity materials.

Power is supposing by a 1.2-liter i-VTEC four-cylinder engine that develops 90 PS (66 kW / 89 hp) and returns an average fuel consumption of about 5.0 L/100km (47 mpg US).

The Thai-spec representation, seen here, will go upon sale in late May as well as pricing starts during 390,000 baht ($12,862 / €9,155). If all goes according to devise, Honda expects to sell 40,000 Brios annually in a Thai marketplace.

Source: Honda
Press Release()

The brand new tiny automobile in Thailand BRIO was released

Honda’s Thai auxiliary, Honda Automotive (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Bangkok, President: Atsushi Fujimoto), so voiced the following day, March 17, 2011, will beam a content.

Honda has grown the brand new compress automobile for the Asian market “BRIO (Brio),” voiced currently, the government’s eco-car acceptance representation 1 ? upon sale in late May as Thailand.

“Brio” is a newly grown tiny automobile market for Entorika expanding in Asia, Thailand as well as India. Honda’s M · M (Man Maximum / Minimum Mechanical) Thought 2 ? developed, compact physique distance of any city easy 3 ? , a satisfied pattern as well as atmospheric interior participation to claim.

Thailand selection car, 1.2L i-VTEC engine that is a government’s eco-car acceptance standards 5L/100Km ? 4 or some-more fuel potency, Euro4 Emissions 5 ? analogous environmental performance. In addition, while standard equipment upon all grades airbags newcomer and driver chair, 390,000 price 9,900 baht (1.07 million to about 9,730 yen 6 ? ) as well as environment from the affordable prices as well as opening compulsory in the Thai marketplace This model has both.

Honda Automobile Production (Thailand) Company Limited has done, has sole 40,000 units a year from recover. Also, in a future additionally intentions to trade to adjacent countries.
“Brio” is followed by manufacture as well as sales in Thailand have been additionally intentions to export to adjacent countries from a production as well as sale in India after this year.

1 ?Engine emissions, fuel expenditure, and vehicle requirements such as clearing the emissions regulations as well as standards, a 17% reduction in excise duty
2 ?M · M as well as Honda’s truth is “to showoff space for people, smallest space for mechanisms” which “people centered” notion of working in Honda’s automobile production is the simple thought
3 ?Takeshi Tamotsu breadth 3,610 mm × 1,680 mm × 1,485 mm Tamotsu Takashi
4 ?ECE R101-mode measurement
5 ?Emissions regulations have been enforced in Europe
6 ?Rate of about 1 baht = 2.7 yen

Honda CR Z by Mugen Euro Front Side View

Honda CR Z by Mugen Euro Rear Side View

Mugen Euro expelled today a initial two sketches of the single, Honda CR-Z antecedent. Unfortunately, says Honda bureau tuner, there have been no plans to sell her Honda CR-Z antecedent. The universe premiere of a Euro-Mugen Honda CR-Z refers to the Goodwood Festival of Speed hold in July.

Powered by the 1.5-liter i-VTEC gasoline engine used a €-Mugen Honda CR-Z to raise a automaker’s IMA scheme of energy as well as torque. The ability to hoop the extra oomph, law brand new Mugen Honda CR-Z facilities with incomparable brakes, the stiffer cessation as well as softened handling facilities.

Mugen believes that, notwithstanding a actuality which some-more energy, their Honda CR-Z antecedent could be improved in sequence to broach fuel in marked down CO2 emissions. There is, however, a force, torque, fuel consumption and CO2 glimmer is not been assessed.

The euro Mugen Honda CR-Z comes with softened aerodynamics, the co fiber metal cover, amalgamate wheels, front and back bumpers and the back spoiler.

]]> http://www.autosnewspaper.com/2011/03/17/honda-cr-z-by-mugen-euro/feed/ 0 http://www.autosnewspaper.com/2011/03/17/honda-cr-z-mugen-foretasteed-for-uk/ http://www.autosnewspaper.com/2011/03/17/honda-cr-z-mugen-foretasteed-for-uk/#comments Thu, 17 Mar 2011 19:15:48 +0000 admin http://www.autosnewspaper.com/2011/03/17/honda-cr-z-mugen-foretasteed-for-uk/

MUGEN Euro, the U.K.-based auxiliary of Honda’s Japanese tuning partner MUGEN, is building a performance various of a CR-Z hybrid that a tuner says will yield it with a Type-R-like opening experience.

Similar, or matching to, a formerly announced tuning job in Japan, a body kit includes the brand new front apron, grille with LED daytimers, roof-mounted wing as well as side dress.

MUGEN Euro are promising a performance progress for the 1.5 liter petrol-run hybrid system but have not released details.

The tuner additionally says the CR-Z MUGEN ‘might’ even broach better mileage to the CR-Z hybrid, likely by weight-saving measures.

“We longed for to magnify a performance of a CR-Z,” said Hiro Toyoda of MUGEN Euro in the press recover. “It is already the fun automobile to drive, with an glorious chassis, though we thought that with some-more energy as well as extended torque smoothness it could be even some-more sparkling. ”

“This will be a single discerning hybrid,” says Martin Moll, Head of Marketing for Honda (UK).

But MUGEN Euro says a CR-Z MUGEN is still in the growth phase with no plans for the manufacture chronicle.

We guess it will be only a uncover automobile Doubt it…

Source: Honda
Press Release()

MUGEN EURO to build high-performance Honda CR-Z

MUGEN Euro is developing a highly-tuned version of Honda’s CR-Z, that will broach “Type R-like” performance from a hybrid’s petrol-electric powertrain – and might suggest even better fuel economy.

This faster, more absolute automobile will have the world entrance at a Goodwood Festival of Speed in July.

The CR-Z MUGEN will feature enhancements to both the 1.5-litre i-VTEC motor fuel engine and the Honda IMA scheme to progress power as well as torque, whilst bespoke brakes as well as suspension will be propitious to improve a chassis dynamics.

The vital engine changes, as well as those done to exhaust and induction, may even outcome in greater mpg as well as lower CO2 emissions during a little conditions. However, during this early growth theatre, last energy, torque as well as fuel economy figures have been not nonetheless known.

Lightweight components, including the co twine carp, will be in use to lower a overall weight, and the automobile will make use of MUGEN amalgamate wheels to reduce unsprung mass.

To improve aerodynamics as well as give the car an even more sporting look, MUGEN physique tools will be combined, including front as well as rear bumpers, as well as the spoiler.

“We wanted to magnify a opening of the CR-Z,” says Hiro Toyoda of MUGEN Euro. “It is already the fun automobile to drive, with an excellent chassis, though we suspicion that with some-more energy and enhanced torque smoothness it could be even more sparkling. However, as with all MUGEN projects, we have stayed loyal to a Honda design and truth, as well as a electric motor is still the critical part to boost performance as well as saving.”

The CR-Z MUGEN is the corner plan between Honda (UK) as well as MUGEN Euro – a Northampton-based auxiliary of Honda’s long station tuning partner MUGEN. In 2009, MUGEN Euro constructed a Civic Type R MUGEN, an extreme, 240PS version of Honda renowned hot hatch.

“This will be a single quick hybrid,” says Martin Moll, Head of Marketing for Honda (UK). “With more torque, some-more energy as well as MUGEN’s knowledge of operative with Honda cars, we’re awaiting great things. It promises to show how hybrid cars can be even more exciting to drive.”

At this theatre, a CR-Z MUGEN is being grown quite as a one-off antecedent, with no plans for the manufacture chronicle.

Japan’s auto attention has taken a huge strike after the earthquake and tsunami (and subsequent nuclear emergency) which struck a nation last Friday.

Most major Japanese automakers have had their manufacture slowed or close down utterly by a disaster, including Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda Mitsubishi as well as Subaru.

Toyota has shuttered all production in Japan until Wednesday (today) in sequence to preserve energy as a nation deals with rolling blackouts due to power failures and a threat of the meltdown during its Fukushima chief power plant.

Honda has close down manufacture during multiform plants, including a Suzuka where it creates several high-demand hybrid models.

The threat is additionally entrance from suppliers who’s operations have been disrupted by a disaster and cannot deliver parts on time to automakers’ assembly plants. The large-scale supply sequence is very complex as well as interdependent as well as a tsunami can come to affect production in other countries as well.

Mazda as well as Subaru have lengthened their Japanese plant shutdowns until Sunday due to the parts necessity. That necessity additionally affects Subaru and Toyota production in a United States during a Subaru plant in Lafayette, Indiana, that builds a Subaru Legacy, Outback as well as Tribeca models as good as a Toyota Camry. The plant had to suspend production due to the shortage of parts.

Mitsubishi close down its public plants upon Monday and Tuesday though pronounced it will free them today as well as consider how to pierce forward with manufacture given a possibility of running out of parts from their Japanese suppliers.

The tsunami additionally damaged or destroyed 2,300 Nissan as well as Infiniti vehicles during a Port of Hitachi in Ibaraki prefecture that may start deliveries as well as batch in the United States where a bulk of those vehicles were headed.

Source: LATimes.com around autonews.com (sub req)

[Screenshot credit: NHK World]

On Friday, the large trembler struck off a coast of Japan causing the inauspicious detriment of life as well as critical damage to multiform automotive comforts.

Toyota is Informing which no one was harmed during any of their plants or corporate offices but the Hokkaido, Tohoku, Miyagi, as well as Iwate factories are offline. The latter dual plants setup a Toyota Yaris as well as Scion xB / xD.

Honda has announced serious repairs was caused during dual of their investigate as well as growth centers as good as the Tochigi bureau as well as Honda Engineering complex. Tragically, one person was killed and more than 30 people were injured.  The company is still accessing a incident and will suspend operations until next week.

Nissan appears to be one of the hardest hit as a company is stating poignant repairs during six different comforts. Additionally, over 2,300 vehicles suffered repairs while available shipment.

Suzuki says there doesn’t appear to be any repairs to their comforts and all personal have transient unharmed. However, a company is having difficulties substantiating communications with a affected areas so things could shift.

Subaru hasn’t expelled most sum about their situation, though the company has Informedly halted operations for a time being.

Mazda says they were comparatively unaffected as a company’s factories and domicile didn’t undergo any repairs.  As the pointer of respect, the company will stop operations until March 17th.

Over the next couple of days, a automakers will entrance their situation as well as adjust intentions thus. Sadly, Japan’s ports as well as electrical infrastructure have suffered poignant damage so it could be months or years prior to all earnings to normal.

Source: Honda, Toyota, Mazda, Suzuki as well as Nissan
Press Release()

About the Major Earthquake in Northeastern Japan

TOKYO, Japan, March 14, 2011 – Honda would like to demonstrate the deepest magnetism as well as condolences to a victims of The 2011 Off a Pacific Coast of Tohoku Earthquake in northeastern Japan as well as the frank hopes for the earliest probable relief as well as liberation of a influenced areas.

Considering a stream incident of a nationwide recovery efforts in Japan, Honda has motionless a following:
? As of March 14, all production activities are dangling during the following Honda plants: Sayama Plant at Saitama Factory (Sayama, Saitama), Ogawa Plant (Ogawa-machi, Hiki-gun Saitama), Tochigi Factory (Moka, Tochigi), Hamamatsu Factory (Hamamatsu, Shizuoka) and Suzuka Factory (Suzuka, Mie).
? From March 15 through 20, Honda will postpone all manufacture activities at the plants listed on top of as good as during Kumamoto Factory (Ozu-machi, Kikuchi-gun, Kumamoto).
? From March 14 through 20, Honda will suspend regular operations during all Honda comforts in a Tochigi area, where damage was some-more critical, (including Tochigi Factory, Honda R&D Co., Ltd. Automobile R&D Center (Tochigi) , Honda Engineering Co., Ltd., etc.), as well as focus upon a liberation of each operation. Honda associates will not come to work during this time.

With a hope to minister to a beginning probable relief as well as liberation of influenced areas, Honda will yield a following aid:
? 300 million yen toward a relief as well as liberation effort.
? A sum of 1,000 generators (gasoline-powered and home-use gas canister-powered), along with 5,000 gas canisters. Honda additionally will dispatch the staff to insist how to use a donated generators.

Honda will concur to a electrical energy charge efforts as well as a rolling blackout, prioritizing a relief as well as recovery of influenced areas.

Honda motionless a following per its recruiting activities so which victims of a earthquake can focus upon liberation.
? Prospective associates, who have been scheduled to stick on the company in April, can select to delay their initial day of work by up to two months if they or their family groups have been influenced by a earthquake.
? For those who have practical for subsequent year’s recruiting routine starting in April of this year (associates who would stick on a association in April 2012) from a influenced areas (six prefectures in Tohoku areas and Ibaraki prefecture), Honda will safeguard which a testing/interviewing of those applicants will be conducted in June or later. More sum will be posted on the recruiting territory of a Honda website in April.