Honda's market researched turned up an interesting fact: The people most likely to buy hybrid cars are young people who can't afford them. Enter the 2010 Insight, a purpose-built four-seat hybrid designed to bring high mileage to the masses...In the Insight Honda has created a compact car with outstanding fuel efficiency and all the best dynamic traits of the Fit. What it loses is some of the incredible packaging of its sibling. The lower profile means less passenger volume and the loss of the Fit's... Source: Theyreviewed
User Comments:
An editor of the LA Times drove the new Insight and his lasting comment when in comparing it to the current Prius (not driven the new one yet, but doubt it will change) is that the Honda like all Honda’s is fun to drive, good handling and the driver feels more a part of it. The Prius is like driving your Microwave. (his comment!) Same could always be said in Civic vs Corolla, Accord vs Camray, etc. Depends on what you want out of a car. (ScotsNewsletter)
..Compared to the original Insight, this new Insight is safer, roomier, quieter and more powerful, so it will appeal to more buyers. Compared to the Prius, it will be less expensive - making a better economic arguement, and have smaller "hybrid artifacts" in the powertrain - giving a driving experience closer to a conventional... (USAToday)
Related Links:
2010 Honda Insight Bottom Line. (TheCarConnection.Com)
Driving the 2010 Honda Insight. (Reviews.Cnet.com)
2010 Honda Insight Hybrid Review and Specs. (TheAutoChannel.com)
February 8, 2009
2009-2010 Honda Insight Hybrid Road Test
February 1, 2009
Buzz: Porsche 911 GT2 RS On The Way
The hypothetical Porsche 911 GT2 RS would improve on every aspect of the standard turbocharged rear-wheel-drive coupe, beginning with an additional 50 ponies, bringing output up to 580 hp. Center-locking wheels are rumored to be part of the package, along with Plexiglas rear windows... Source: GermanCarBlog
User Coments
How would they save 200 kilos weight?Even removing the air-con,stereo,sound deadening,carpets,glass rear window,etc,would save no more than 50 kilos.So it would probably have to be clad in carbon panels,rolling on magnesium wheels and spitting through titanium exhaust... (PistonHeads)
Given how well the standard GT2 compares to the more expensive 430 Scuderia, I would be excited to see Ferrari's response to an RS. (Autoblog)
Related Links
Porsche: preparing a resounding 911 GT2 RS.. (Autocrunch.com)
January 17, 2009
VW Polo Preparing For US Debut
According to Automotive News, Volkswagen has determined that Americans might like a Polo, so it's bringing the 80-hp subcompact Stateside in the not-too-distant future. Until now, the importation of the Polo was all conjecture, but now we have confirmation, straight from the horse's mouth. No specifics were given about the diminutive hatchback's U.S. debut... Source: Autoblog
User Comments:
It will most likely be the next generation Polo, not the one in the picture above. (AutoSpies)
U.S.? How about Quebec? We got alot of small hatches running around here. More Echo and Yaris hatchbacks sold here than anywhere in North America. (WorldCarFans)
Related Links:
Volkswagen to Bring the Polo to the U.S. (Latimes.com)
Volkswagen Polo Coming to U.S. (Automobilemag.com)
Ford Focus C-Max For US Being Tested
Ford’s European development engineers are apparently back from their Holiday breaks, as our spy photographers have caught them out and testing the new C-Max people mover. Ford might be planning two versions of the C-Max this time round, five- and seven-seat configurations, which would explain the noticeably larger exterior dimensions of the mule spotted here. Source: NextAutos.com
User Comments:
I own a Mazda 5 and have been VERY pleased with it. I was in Germany last year and rented the C-Max. It's great. Same Mazda platform, but better looking and a really well put together interior. Very nice. Bring it. It may be a niche, but a growing niche. Go Ford! (Autoblog)
September 19, 2008
2009 Honda Fit (Price)
| 09 Honda Fit/Jazz Review | Photos | Videos | Page 5 of 5 | Next>> |
Although we didn't get testing numbers, our guess is the Fit will likely be a touch quicker to 60 mph (most likely in the low 9s), but give a big bump up in our figure-eight test... The bottom line here is that this second-iteration Fit gives more in every way, for a small bump in price.
Pricing for the new Fit jumps a bit. Base model 2009 Fits will start at $15,190 for the manual trans; the Sport automatic will start in the $17,550 neighborhood; a fully loaded Fit Sport with nav and VSA will play in the $19,400 ballpark. Certainly no longer cheap, but still a big bang-for-the-buck player.
[...motortrend.com] Continue...
| 09 Honda Fit/Jazz Review | Photos | Videos | Page 5 of 5 | Next>> |
Source: MotorTrend | Read More: Honda Fit , Reviews
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First Drive: 2009 Honda Fit Sport (Road Test)
| 09 Honda Fit/Jazz Review | Photos | Videos | Page 4 of 5 | Next>> |
We hit the road in a brilliant blue Fit Sport with a 5-speed manual gearbox and a navigation system...The shift throws were short and very precise. There was no slop to speak of in the shifter and the engagement of the clutch also made it very easy to drive smoothly and quickly. Also rating high praise was the steering. Unlike the Acura TL and TSX which had inconsistent weighting and poor feedback from their electrically assisted systems, the Fit's system felt great.
...The structure felt solid and the suspension was well damped while never feeling harsh. Wind and other ambient noise was remarkably low inside for an economy car. Probably the most remarkable aspect with regard to noise was when the car came to a stop. The Fit was so silent at idle that after recently driving other cars with auto start-stop systems, I thought the Honda was equipped with one. I had to glance at the tachometer to realize it was still running.
[...autobloggreen.com] Continue...
| 09 Honda Fit/Jazz Review | Photos | Videos | Page 4 of 5 | Next>> |
Source: AutoBlogGreen | Read More: Honda Fit , Reviews
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September 15, 2008
2009 Honda Fit Test Drive (Engine Specs)
| 09 Honda Fit/Jazz Review | Photos | Videos | Page 3 of 5 | Next>> |
Lift the hood and you'll find a 1.5-liter four-cylinder just like before. But Honda is an engineering company first. So now it's got stronger internals, larger intake valves, improved coolant flow and a redesigned intake manifold as well as a more advanced version of Honda's i-VTEC system to vary intake valve timing and lift. All this tinkering results in 117 hp at 6600 rpm and 106 lb.-ft. of torque at 4800 rpm. That's a slight bump of 8 hp and 1 lb.-ft. of torque over the previous model.
There's more good news as you move further along the drivetrain. The brilliant five-speed manual transmission returns with revised gear ratios and modifications to improve shift feel—as if it needed any. But the majority of buyers will likely opt for the new five-speed automatic. Fit Sports even get paddle shifters on the steering wheel too with two shift logics, one for normal driving and one for sport.
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| 09 Honda Fit/Jazz Review | Photos | Videos | Page 3 of 5 | Next>> |
Source: PopularMechanics | Read More: Honda Fit , Reviews
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