Honda Automobiles: 2013 Honda Insight Pricing and EPA Data

Model	Transmission	MSRP*	EPA** City/Hwy/Combined MPG
Insight	CVT1	$18,500	41/44/42
Insight LX	CVT	$20,275	41/44/42
Insight EX	CVT	$21,965	41/44/42
Insight EX w/ Navigation	CVT	$23,690	41/44/42
1CVT = Continuously Variable Transmission
*Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) excluding tax, license, registration, $790 destination charge and options. Dealer prices may vary.
**Based on 2012 EPA mileage estimates. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.

Source: hondanews.com

Honda Automobiles: All-New 2013 Accord 'It Starts With You' Campaign Highlights Honda's Customer- Focused Approach to Engineering

The all-new 2013 Honda Accord is launching September 19, with an emotionally driven, integrated multimedia campaign designed to artfully highlight the new Accord's sophisticated design, dynamic performance, rich feature content and value.

The 'It Starts with You' campaign, was built around the Honda philosophy of designing the Accord around the needs of the driver and occupants. The Accord campaign highlights numerous new technologies that enhance the model's dynamic driving experience, as well as, the styling cues that improve visibility and efficiency.

"This campaign demonstrates how Honda's deep understanding of the customer allowed our engineers to perfect the midsize sedan in the new Accord," said Mike Accavitti, vice president of automotive marketing at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "The new Accord excels in all areas that are important to the midsize buyer so we created an emotionally engaging launch campaign that delivers that message while showing what makes Honda different from the competition and the smart choice."

Starting this week, the Accord will maintain a heavy presence on TV with spots that have a decidedly real and earnest feel and are meant to capture everyday people living their busy lives.

"We didn't want to show a commercial-perfect representation of life. Our characters have flaws," said Jason Sperling, senior vice president and group creative director at RPA. "They get mad and pound the steering wheel. Sometimes they are happy, sometimes exhausted, sometimes frustrated or impatient. Sometimes they take their eyes off the road for a split second. Sometimes they just want a moment of peace."

The Accord campaign also extends to include unique culturally relevant elements for Hispanic and African American consumers.  Both campaigns were developed to be complementary with the general market but have a unique take on the "It Starts with You" campaign.

"The Hispanic market campaign focuses on the themes of achievement and moving forward without forgetting the past, which are representative of the Hispanic experience in the U.S.," said Robert Santiago, director of client services at Orci.
The Hispanic advertising campaign is titled "Pensado en Ti" (made with you in mind), while the African American campaign is told through the eyes of children in a spot called "Role Models".

"We wanted to highlight technology that would appeal to the African American consumer in a way that would resonate with their daily lives," said Wilky Lau, executive creative officer with Muse Communications. "Telling the story through children allows us to highlight the importance of the vehicle's innovative technology in real-life scenarios."

To establish the "It Starts with You" premise, Honda, for the first time, is airing a 90-second spot, "We Know You." Subsequent spots highlight specific areas of the Accord's new feature set: technology, luxury, performance and safety. A series of 15-second spots focus on specific features like Lane Departure Warning and Honda's exclusive LaneWatch™ blind spot camera system.

Spots will be seen during the Emmys® and during the most-talked-about new-season premieres, including "CSI," "Dancing with the Stars," "Fringe," "Mike and Molly," "Modern Family," "NCIS," "Revenge," "60 Minutes," "The Good Wife," "The Mentalist" and several others. There will be additional presence during the MLB World Series, college football, NFL, NHL Winter Classic and regular-season games and the NBA. Accord video units will also run prior to connected TV app content such as movies, TV and music via gaming consoles and Smart TV devises. In a Honda first, the Spanish-language TV spot will debut on an English-language network when it airs on NBC during the 2012 NCLR ALMA Awards on September 21.  

The print, outdoor and online extensions of the campaign take a lighter look at humanity. Simple and iconic portraits of people demonstrate the benefits of a particular advanced Accord feature. In one execution, a woman's overly large hairstyle hinders her peripheral vision, making a strong case for the vehicle's LaneWatch™ capability. Other ads feature a baby lulled to sleep by the Accord's extra-quiet interior and a bubble-gum-blowing executive whose view is blocked by an enormous bubble, showing a moment where the vehicle's new Forward Collision Warning could help prevent an accident.

Print will run in Forbes, People and Wired and in high-profile special issues, including Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition and TIME Person of the Year issue. Outdoor will be seen in 28 markets, and national in-theater will run in October.

Two premier digital firsts will position Accord creative in new and interesting places:

• One of the first advertisers to integrate with Pulse, a news aggregating mobile and tablet app and will be featured on many of the most popular feeds.
• Sponsor of NFL video content across desktop, mobile and tablet, including Video on Demand.

To create immediate reach, home-page takeovers are planned on AOL, MSN, Yahoo! and YouTube. The Accord will also be the presenting sponsor of a new original Yahoo! video series, "The Road to Saturday," which follows college football teams in a documentary style as they prepare for an upcoming game. In addition, Accord creative will also be integrated into the two largest mobile social games: Words With Friends and Scramble With Friends.

About Honda
Honda offers a complete lineup of Honda cars, trucks and service through a network of 1,037 Honda dealerships within the United States. In 2012, Honda will mark 30 years of producing automobiles in the region¹, which began with the Accord in Marysville, Ohio in November 1982. Having produced over 23 million vehicles in North America, Honda currently operates 7 major automobile manufacturing facilities in the region.

Connect with Honda:
Media Newsroom (for journalists): www.hondanews.com
For consumers: http://automobiles.honda.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Honda
YouTube: www.youtube.com/honda
Flickr: www.flickr.com/hondanews
Twitter: www.twitter.com/honda
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/honda
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+honda

¹Honda products are produced using domestic and globally sourced parts.

# # #

Source: hondanews.com

Honda Automobiles: 2013 Accord print advertisement, 'It Starts With You'

2013 Accord print advertisement, 'It Starts With You'

Source: hondanews.com

Honda Automobiles: 2013 Accord 'It Starts with You' 90 second spot

2013 Accord 'It Starts with You' 90 second spot.

Source: hondanews.com

Honda Automobiles: 2013 Honda Odyssey Specifications and Features

ENGINEERING	LX	EX	EX-L	Touring / Touring Elite
Engine Type	V-6	V-6	V-6	V-6
Engine Block/Cylinder Head	Aluminum-Alloy	Aluminum-Alloy	Aluminum-Alloy	Aluminum-Alloy
Displacement (L/cc)	3.5 / 3471	3.5 / 3471	3.5 / 3471	3.5 / 3471
Horsepower @ rpm (SAE net)	248 @ 5700	248 @ 5700	248 @ 5700	248 @ 5700
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm)	250 @ 4800	250 @ 4800	250 @ 4800	250 @ 4800
Redline (rpm)	6300	6300	6300	6300
Bore and Stroke (mm)	89 x 93	89 x 93	89 x 93	89 x 93
Compression Ratio	10.5:1	10.5:1	10.5:1	10.5:1
Valve Train	24-Valve SOHC i-VTEC®	24-Valve SOHC i-VTEC®	24-Valve SOHC i-VTEC®	24-Valve SOHC i-VTEC®
Multi-Point Fuel Injection	•	•	•	•
Drive-by-Wire™ Throttle System	•	•	•	•
Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM®)	•	•	•	•
Active Control Engine Mount System (ACM)	•	•	•	•
Active Noise Cancellation™ (ANC)	•	•	•	•
CARB Emissions Rating	ULEV-2†	ULEV-2†	ULEV-2†	ULEV-2†
Direct Ignition System with Immobilizer	•	•	•	•
100K +/- Miles No Scheduled Tune-Ups*	•	•	•	•
* Does not apply to fluid and filter changes. Will vary with driving conditions. Please see your Honda dealer for details. †ULEV-2 (Ultra-Low-Emission Vehicle) models as certified by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
TRANSMISSION	LX	EX	EX-L	Touring / Touring Elite
5-Speed Automatic Transmission	•	•	•
Gear Ratios: 1st: 2.697, 2nd: 1.606, 3rd: 1.071, 4th: 0.766, 5th: 0..612, Reverse: 1.888, Final Drive: 4.31
6-Speed Automatic Transmission				•
Gear Ratios: 1st: 3.359, 2nd: 2.095, 3rd: 1.485, 4th: 1.065, 5th: 0.754 6th: 0.556, Reverse: 2.269, Final Drive: 4.25
BODY/SUSPENSION/CHASSIS	LX	EX	EX-L	Touring / Touring Elite
Unit-Body Construction	•	•	•	•
MacPherson Strut Front Suspension	•	•	•	•
Multi-Link Double Wishbone Rear Suspension	•	•	•	•
Stabilizer Bar (mm., front)	24.0	24.0	24.0	24.0
Variable Power-Assisted Rack-and-Pinion Steering	•	•	•	•
Steering Wheel Turns, Lock-to-Lock	3.5	3.5	3.5	3.5
Steering Ratio	16.4	16.4	16.4	16.4
Turning Diameter, Curb-to-Curb (ft)	36.7	36.7	36.7	36.7
Power-Assisted Ventilated Front Disc/Solid Rear Disc Brakes (in)	12.6 / 13.1	12.6 / 13.1	12.6 / 13.1	12.6 / 13.1
Wheels (inches)	17 x 7 w/Full Covers	17 x 7 Alloy	17 x 7 Alloy	18 x 7 Alloy
All-Season Tires	235 / 65 R17 103T	235 / 65 R17 103T	235 / 65 R17 103T	235 / 60 R18 102T
Compact Spare Tire	T135 / 80 D17 103T	T135 / 80 D17 103T	T135 / 80 D17 103T	T135 / 80 D17 103T
EXTERIOR MEASUREMENTS	LX	EX	EX-L	Touring / Touring Elite
Wheelbase (in)	118.1	118.1	118.1	118.1
Length (in)	202.9	202.9	202.9	202.9
Height (in)	68.4	68.4	68.4	68.4
Width (in)	79.2	79.2	79.2	79.2
Track (in) front / rear	68.1 / 68.2	68.1 / 68.2	68.1 / 68.2	68.1 / 68.2
Curb Weight (lbs)	4337	4412	4483 / 4509 (w/RES) / 4500 (w/Navi)	4541 / 4560 (Elite)
Weight Distribution (%, front/rear)	57 / 43	56 / 44	56 / 44	56 / 44
Towing Capacity (lbs)	3500†	3500†	3500†	3500†
INTERIOR MEASUREMENTS	LX	EX	EX-L	Touring / Touring Elite
Headroom (in, front/middle/rear)	39.7 / 39.5 / 38.0	39.7 / 39.5 / 38.0	38.3 / 39.4 / 38.0	38.3 / 39.4 / 38.0
Headroom Wide-Mode (in, front/middle/rear)	39.7 / 38.8 / 38.0	39.7 / 38.8 / 38.0	38.3 / 38.8 / 38.0	38.3 / 38.8 / 38.0
Legroom (in, front/middle/rear)	40.9 / 40.9 / 42.4	40.9 / 40.9 / 42.4	40.9 / 40.9 / 42.4	40.9 / 40.9 / 42.4
Shoulder Room (in, front/middle/rear)	64.4 / 63.3 / 60.9	64.4 / 63.3 / 60.9	64.4 / 63.3 / 60.9	64.4 / 63.3 / 60.9
Hiproom (in, front/middle/rear)	58.2 / 66.1 / 48.4	58.2 / 66.1 / 48.4	58.2 / 66.1 / 48.4	58.2 / 66.1 / 48.4
Cargo Volume (cu ft, behind 3rd-row)	38.4	38.4	38.4	38.4
Cargo Volume (cu ft, behind 2nd-row)	93.1	93.1	93.1	93.1
Cargo Volume (cu ft, behind 1st-row)	148.5	148.5	148.5	148.5
Passenger Volume (cu ft)	172.5	172.5	170.1	170.1
Seating Capacity	7	8	8	8
EPA MILEAGE ESTIMATES*/FUEL	LX	EX	EX-L	Touring / Touring Elite
5-Speed Automatic (City/Highway/Combined)	18 / 27 / 21	18 / 27 / 21	18 / 27 / 21
6-Speed Automatic (City/Highway/Combined)				19 / 28 / 22
Fuel (gal)	21.0	21.0	21.0	21.0
Required Fuel	Regular Unleaded	Regular Unleaded	Regular Unleaded	Regular Unleaded
* Based on 2012 EPA mileage estimates. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.
SAFETY	LX	EX	EX-L	Touring / Touring Elite
3-Point Seat Belts at all Seating Positions	•	•	•	•
Front 3-Point Seat Belts with Automatic Tensioning System	•	•	•	•
Driver's and Front Passenger's Seat Belt Reminder	•	•	•	•
Dual-Stage, Multiple-Threshold Front Airbags (SRS)	•	•	•	•
Front Side Airbags with Passenger-Side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS)	•	•	•	•
Three-Row Side Curtain Airbags with Rollover Sensor	•	•	•	•
Driver's and Front Passenger's Active Head Restraints	•	•	•	•
Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) Body Structure	•	•	•	•
Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)	•	•	•	•
Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD)	•	•	•	•
Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) with Traction Control	•	•	•	•
Brake Assist	•	•	•	•
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)	•	•	•	•
Daytime Running Lights (DRL)	•	•	•	•
Side-Impact Door Beams	•	•	•	•
Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH): Lower Anchors (2nd-Row All, 3rd-Row Outboard), Tether Anchors (2nd-Row All, 3rd-Row All)	•	•	•	•
Child-Proof Rear Door Locks	•	•	•	•
EXTERIOR FEATURES	LX	EX	EX-L	Touring / Touring Elite
Power Moonroof			•	•
Power Sliding Doors		•	•	•
Power Tailgate			•	•
Fog Lights				•
Two-Speed/Variable Intermittent Windshield Wipers	•	•	•	•
Intermittent Rear Window Wiper/Washer	•	•	•	•
Remote Entry System	•	Programmable	Programmable	Programmable
Security System		•	•	•
Power Side Mirrors	•	Heated	Heated	Heated with Integrated Turn Indicators
Memory-Linked Side Mirrors with Reverse Gear Tilt-Down				•
Heat-Rejecting Glass	•	•	•	•
Rear Privacy Glass	•	•	•	•
Acoustic Windshield				•
Rear Roofline Spoiler with Integrated Brakelight	•	•	•	•
Projector-Beam Halogen Headlights with Auto-Off	•	with Auto-On/Off	with Auto-On/Off	with Auto-On/Off (Touring)
High-Intensity Discharge (HID) Headlights with Auto-On/Off				Touring Elite
Body-Colored Parking Sensors (front/rear)				•
Tailgate Garnish	Chrome	Chrome	Chrome	Clear
COMFORT & CONVENIENCE	LX	EX	EX-L	Touring / Touring Elite
Air Conditioning (Manual, Front and Rear)	•
Tri-Zone Automatic Climate Control System with Humidity Control and Air Filtration		•	•	•
Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with Voice Recognition, FM Traffic and Multi-Angle Rearview Camera with Guidelines			Available	•
Honda DVD Rear Entertainment System			Available	•
Honda DVD Ultrawide Rear Entertainment System with HDMI® Technology				Touring Elite
i-MID with 8-Inch High-Resolution Screen	•	•	•	•
Interface Dial with Scrolling and Multi-Line Display	•	•	•	•
Rearview Camera with Guidelines	•	•	•	•
Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®	•	•	•	•
Power Windows with Auto-Up/Down Driver's and Front Passenger's Window	•	•	•	•
Programmable Power Door and Tailgate Locks	•	•	•	•
Cruise Control	•	•	•	•
Illuminated Steering Wheel-Mounted Controls	Cruise / Audio / Phone	Cruise / Audio / Phone	Cruise / Audio / Phone / Navi (available)	Cruise / Audio / Phone / Navi
Blind Spot Information System (BSI)				Touring Elite
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Column	•	•	•	•
Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel			•	•
HomeLink® Remote System		•	•	•
Front Center Floor Tray with Beverage Holders	•
Removable Front Center Console with Storage and Flip-up Trash Bag Ring		•	•	•
Center Stack Storage with Utility Tray	•	•	•	•
Cool Box			•	•
Ambient Console Lighting	•	•	•	•
Ambient Footwell Lighting				•
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror			•	•
Driver's and Front Passenger's Illuminated Vanity Mirrors	•	•	•	•
Front Bag Hook	•	•	•	•
Conversation Mirror with Sunglasses Holder		•	•	•
Sunglasses Holder	•
Map Lights (all rows)	•	•	•	•
Instrument Panel-Mounted Shifter	•	•	•	•
Beverage Holders (# per row: 1st/2nd/3rd)	5/2/3	5/7/3	5/7/3	5/7/3
12-Volt Power Outlets (# per row: 1st/3rd)	1/1	2/1	2/1	2/1
115-Volt Power Outlet (3rd-Row)			with RES	•
Seatback Pockets (Front-Row)	Passenger-Side	•	•	•
Seatback Pockets (2nd-Row)		•	•	•
Coin Holder	•	•	•	•
Passenger-Assist Grips Front and 2nd-Row	•	•	•	•
Integrated Sunshades		2nd-Row	2nd-Row	2nd and 3rd-Rows
Remote Fuel Filler Door Release	•	•	•	•
Front Door Courtesy Lights	•	•	•	•
Rear Window Defroster	•	•	•	•
Rear-Seat Heater Ducts	•	•	•	•
Floor Mats	Front- and 2nd-Row	All Rows	All Rows	All Rows
Cargo Area Light	•	•	•	•
Rear Storage Well	•	•	•	•
Cargo Area Bag Hooks (4 total)	•	•	•	•
SEATING	LX	EX	EX-L	Touring / Touring Elite
Driver's Seat with 8-Way Power Adjustment	•
Driver's Seat with 10-Way Power Adjustment, including Power Lumbar Support		•	•	with Two-Position Memory
Passenger's Seat with 4-Way Power Adjustment			•	•
Wide-Mode Adjustable 2nd-Row Seats with Armrests and Walk-in Feature	•	•	•	•
Multi-Function Second-Row Center Seat		•	•	•
One-Motion 60/40 Split 3rd-Row Magic Seat®	•	•	•	with Folding Center Armrest
Adjustable Seat-Belt Anchors (Front- and 2nd-Row)	•	•	•	•
Leather-Trimmed Seats (Front and Outboard 2nd-Row)			•	•
Heated Front Seats			•	•
Head Restraints at all Seating Positions	•	•	•	•
AUDIO SYSTEMS	LX	EX	EX-L	Touring / Touring Elite
229-Watt AM/FM//CD Audio System with 7 Speakers including Subwoofer	•	•	without Navigation
246-Watt AM/FM/CD Audio System with 7 Speakers including Subwoofer			with Navigation	Touring
650-Watt AM/FM/CD Premium Audio System with 12 Speakers including Subwoofer and 5.1 Surround Sound Theater Mode				Touring Elite
Hard Disk Drive (HDD) with 15-GB Audio Memory			with Navigation	•
2-GB CD-Library	•	•	without Navigation
XM® Radio			•	•
USB Audio Interface	•	•	•	•
MP3/Auxilary Input Jack	•	•	•	•
MP3/Windows Media® Audio (WMA) and Advanced Audio Codec (AAC) Playback Capability	•	•	•	•
Radio Data System (RDS)	•	•	•	•
Integrated Glass Antenna	•	•	•	•
INFORMATION DISPLAY / MULTI-INFORMATION DISPLAY	LX	EX	EX-L	Touring / Touring Elite
Average Fuel Economy Indicator	•	•	•	•
Average Speed Indicator				•
Customizable Door Lock Settings				•
Customizable Driver's Seat and Side Mirror Settings				•
Customizable Lighting Settings				•
Customizable Language Settings				•
Digital Odometer and Digital Trip Meters (2)	•	•	•	•
Elapsed Time Indicator				•
Engine Oil Life Indicator	•	•	•	•
Exterior Temperature Indicator		•	•	•
Instant Fuel Economy Indicator	•	•	•	•
Miles-to-Empty Indicator	•	•	•	•
Maintenance Minder™ System	•	•	•	•
INSTRUMENTATION	LX	EX	EX-L	Touring / Touring Elite
12-Volt Battery Charging System Indicator	•	•	•	•
ABS Indicator	•	•	•	•
Airbag System Indicator	•	•	•	•
Blind Spot Information System Indicator				Touring Elite
Brake System Indicator	•	•	•	•
Clock	•	•	•	•
Coolant Temperature Indicator	•	•	•	•
Cruise Control Indicators	•	•	•	•
Door and Tailgate Open Indicator	•	•	•	•
DRL Indicator	•	•	•	•
Fog Light Indicator				•
Fuel Economy Indicator	•	•	•	•
Fuel Level Indicator	•	•	•	•
Headlight-On Indicator	•	•	•	•
High-Beam Indicator	•	•	•	•
Immobilizer System Indicator	•	•	•	•
Low-Fuel Indicator	•	•	•	•
Low-Oil Pressure Indicator	•	•	•	•
Low-Tire Pressure Indicator	•	•	•	•
Maintenance Minder Indicator	•	•	•	•
Malfunction Indicator	•	•	•	•
Parking Brake Indicator	•	•	•	•
Parking Sensor Indicator				•
Passenger-Side Side Airbag-Off Indicator	•	•	•	•
Power Sliding Door Indicator		•	•	•
Power Tailgate Indicator			•	•
Seat Belt Reminder Indicator	•	•	•	•
Security System Indicator		•	•	•
Shift Lever Position Indicator	•	•	•	•
Speedometer	•	•	•	•
Starter System Indicator	•	•	•	•
System Message Indicator				•
Tachometer	•	•	•	•
TPMS System Indicator	•	•	•	•
Turn Signal/Hazard Indicators	•	•	•	•
VSA System and VSA Off Indicators	•	•	•	•
American Honda Motor Co., Inc., reserves the right to make changes at any time, without notice or obligation, in colors, specifications, accessories, materials and models.

Source: hondanews.com

Honda Automobiles: 2013 Honda Insight Hybrid Combines Advanced Technology and Exceptional Fuel Efficiency in U.S.'s Most Affordable Hybrid

The 2013 Honda Insight provides a roomy interior, versatile hatchback design, fun-to-drive nature and an award-winning low cost of ownership. The Honda Insight received a 2012 Total Cost of Ownership Award from Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com¹, with a key contributor being the 5-door Insight's impressive city/highway/combined EPA fuel economy rating² of 41/44/42 mpg.

After extensive changes for 2012 including updated exterior styling, an enhanced interior, additional features on selected models, and an EPA fuel economy-rating² improvement, the Insight continues unchanged for 2013. The 2013 Honda Insight remains the most affordable hybrid for sale in the U.S., and pricing is unchanged for 2013, starting at $18,500³. The 2013 Insight goes on sale September 18.

The 2013 Insight is offered in three models. The value-oriented base model is simply designated as Insight, and is well equipped with a 160-watt audio system, automatic climate control, power windows, and more. The Insight LX adds a USB audio interface, cruise control, armrest console, floor mats, security system and steering-wheel mounted audio controls. The Insight EX adds alloy wheels, six-speaker audio system, heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals, Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®, automatic headlights and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The Insight EX is also available with the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System⁴ with voice recognition and rearview camera.

Powertrain
A Honda Integrated Motor Assist™ (IMA™) system powers the Insight. Comprised of a 1.3-liter i‑VTEC® gasoline 4-cylinder engine and a 10-kilowatt electric motor, the combination develops 98 horsepower at 5800 rpm and 123 lb-ft. of torque at 1000-1700 rpm. To maximize fuel efficiency, friction-reducing measures are used throughout the engine and the transmission.

Fully automatic in operation, the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is an advanced unit that substitutes the gears found in more traditional transmissions and replaces them with a metal push-belt running between a pair of variable-width pulleys. Combined with the Drive-by-Wire™ throttle system, the CVT constantly adjusts to provide the most efficient drive ratio possible depending on torque load. Honda's CVT provides better fuel efficiency and acceleration when compared to a conventional transmission. On EX models, the steering wheel includes paddle shifters, which allow manually shifting though a range of seven fixed ratios for a sporty driving experience.

The Insight comes equipped with fuel-efficiency enhancement technology called Eco Assist™. A push of the dash-mounted ECON button modifies throttle control, CVT operation, idle-stop duration, air conditioning and cruise-control operation (if so equipped) to minimize energy use and increase fuel efficiency. A sophisticated feedback system uses ambient color behind the speedometer to indicate overall driving efficiency. An Eco Display provides feedback on braking and acceleration. Plus, Eco Score provides ongoing support of an efficient driving style.

Body
The Insight was given significant updates for the 2012 model year, including a more distinctive grille design with a blue accent bar representing the Insight's high-tech hybrid identity. To improve aerodynamic performance, the strakes ahead of the front wheels were extended by 0.4 inches to better direct air around the front tires. The shape of the engine bay underbody cover was also fine-tuned, and air diffusers were added under the rear bumper to smooth airflow behind the vehicle. The changes combined to net a 2-percent increase in aerodynamic performance.

Chassis
The Insight rides on MacPherson strut front suspension, combined with a torsion-beam rear suspension that helps maximize interior space. Electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion power steering (EPS) offers predictable and linear steering feel, while also saving fuel compared to traditional hydraulic systems that put a greater load on the engine. With its 36.1-foot turning diameter, the Insight offers good maneuverability in congested urban settings. Insight and Insight LX models have 15-inch stamped-steel wheels with wheel covers and the Insight EX has 15-inch alloy wheels.

Interior
The Insight's roomy interior offers comfortable seating for up to five passengers. Versatility is a key Insight strong point, and the 60/40 split rear seatbacks fold down to create a large 31.5 cubic-foot cargo space and make it easy to mix passengers and cargo.

Advanced instrumentation gives the Insight an upscale look, and provides the driver with key information at a glance. A large digital speed display is positioned high in the instrument cluster, close to the driver's sightline and easy to see. The convenient Multi-Information Display (MID) allows quick access to a range of useful information with convenient steering-wheel mounted controls. Automatic climate control is standard on all grades. The Insight LX has premium seat fabric, while the Insight EX is upholstered with a combination of synthetic leather and premium fabric.

Available on Insight EX models, the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with voice recognition⁴ includes a rearview camera and provides routing and guidance to individual addresses and more than 7-million points of interest within the continental United States. With its 16-GB memory system, it offers fast route calculation and includes FM traffic, a subscription-free service that alerts drivers to traffic conditions.

Safety
Standard safety features on all Insight models include dual-stage, multiple-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's and front-passenger's active head restraints, and a front body structure designed to help mitigate pedestrian injuries. The Insight also features Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure, which provides improved occupant protection and crash compatibility between vehicles of different sizes and ride heights in frontal crashes.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named the Insight a "2012 Top Safety Pick." IIHS rates vehicles on performance in front and side crash tests, a rollover test, and evaluations of seat/head restraints for protection against neck injuries in rear impacts. To earn a 2012 Top Safety Pick rating, a vehicle must have good results (the highest possible) in all four Institute tests.

Manufacturing and Awards
The Insight is manufactured by Honda in Suzuka, Japan. Though the Insight features advanced hybrid technology, that doesn't mean it takes a lot of money to buy or maintain one. The Honda Insight received a 2012 Total Cost of Ownership Award from Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com. With its low starting price, excellent fuel mileage and exceptional Honda reliability, the Insight is a great value.

Additional media information, including detailed features and high-resolution photography of the 2013 Honda Insight, is available at www.hondanews.com. Consumer information is available at automobiles.honda.com.

Connect with Honda:
Media Newsroom (for journalists): www.hondanews.com
Website (for consumers): http://automobiles.honda.com/insight-hybrid/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/hondainsight
YouTube: www.youtube.com/honda
Twitter: www.twitter.com/honda
Google+: http://plus.google.com/+Honda

¹2012 model-year vehicle's projected ownership costs are based on the average Kelley Blue Book Total Cost of Ownership data for the initial five-year ownership period. For more information, visit www.kbb.com.

²Based on 2013 EPA mileage estimates. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.

³MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, $790.00 destination charge and options. Dealer prices may vary.

⁴The Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ is available on Insight EX models in the United States, except Alaska. See your Honda dealer for details. Certain functions that rely on a satellite signal will not work correctly in Hawaii and Alaska. These functions include, but are not limited to, automatic clock updates and time zone adjustments.

Third-party trademark: The Bluetooth word mark and logos are owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc., and any use of such marks by Honda Motor Co., Ltd., is under license.

 

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Source: hondanews.com

Anti-Japan protests in China cause Honda, Mazda, Nissan to suspend production

Filed under: China, Government/Legal, Japan, Plants/Manufacturing, Honda, Mazda, Toyota

Reuters is reporting That Honda, Mazda and Nissan have been forced to stop production in China after a series of anti-Japan protests erupted over a territorial dispute between the two countries. The stoppage will see a total of four Honda plants go dark for two days, thanks in part to the fact that local dealers have been under attack and can't receive shipments. Mazda, meanwhile, plans to close its facility in Nanjing for a total of four days, starting on Tuesday. The report sites Luo Lei, the deputy secretary general of the China Automobile Dealers Association, as saying many dealerships have shut down after a few were vandalized. One dealership saw a Honda Civic set on fire in Shanghai.

Lei also said buyers are boycotting Japanese goods, especially cars, over safety concerns.

Honda and Mazda aren't alone, either. Toyota and Panasonic both reported fire damage at their facilities, and one Toyota dealership was set ablaze as well. Protesters overturned cars and smashed windshields in some cities as well, as the September 18 anniversary of the Manchurian Incident approaches. The date marks the anniversary of Japan's invasion into northeastern China in 1931.

Anti-Japan protests in China cause Honda, Mazda, Nissan to suspend production originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: www.autoblog.com