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Last fall, Hot Wheels announced its first-ever Designer's Challenge, inviting designers from leading automotive manufacturers the chance to design and create an original Hot Wheels vehicle. Proving that car enthusiasts never truly grow up, several automakers submitted their own designs for potential immortalization at 1/64th scale. The selected designs will be the basis of a new 40th-anniversary Designer's Challenge product line. Honda R&D Americas designed this sharp car, creatively named the Honda Racer. The key element to the design of the entire car is that the body is in the shape of the Honda "H" emblem. The exterior shape resembles an imaginative side-by-side racecar of 1960s vintage that encloses a driver and a navigator. The general shape, styling and paint scheme is further inspired by Honda's early participation in Formula 1 racing and its 1967 RA 273 race car. The white and red paint scheme, the open cockpits, large exhaust system, and open wheels are all elements inspired by the historic Honda race car. A powerful Honda V-10 VTEC engine sits between the piloting team. If brought up to scale, this engine would displace 2.0 liters per cylinder. Other...
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The automotive marketplace has seen a shift, as consumers move to more fuel-efficient models to reduce gasoline costs and the troubled economy disrupts the traditional buying patterns. As national sales figures have shown, consumers are buying thrifty, affordable models as a result, though overall sales are expected to be down for the year. No surprise, as car owners are often finding that they have less disposable income than when they last bought a car; they are resistant to compromise on size or power; some are holding out for the much-hyped plug-in hybrids ; and still others have found their current gas-guzzling vehicle experienced rapid acceleration. In the last two months, consumer interest in the overall compact car segment at NADAguides.com increased an average of 96 percent -- a fact the company's experts believe is closely related to an average nationwide increase in fuel prices of 19 cents per gallon during that same timeframe. Having a more enthusiast-based audience than the National Automotive Dealers Association (NADA), autoMedia.com sees the phenomenon translate to more searches for mainstream models and lower-trims of premium vehicles this year. For instance, we...
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Honda unveiled the all-new 2009 Honda Fit at the New York International Auto Show, revealing a model that has evolved from the first-generation car without changing the successful formula. During the press days, Honda remained tight-lipped on technical details, especially for a car that is already on sale in overseas markets. What we do know is that the ’09 Fit is incrementally longer and wider than the outgoing model, with the base of the windshield moved five inches forward—increasing the interior space. This change allows for larger glass sail panels in the forked base of the A-pillars, enhancing visibility. Less obvious changes include a focus on improved structure for occupant safety, adapting the much-touted Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) design approach. The fancy acronym boils down to a dedicated, computer-engineered structure that addresses common collision parameters and smartly controls forces to best protect passengers. Good stuff. In addition, the Fit includes active head restraints, side and side-curtain airbags, and anti-lock brakes. Electronic stability control is available. Comfort is improved by addressing driver leg room and offering a tilt/telescope steering...
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At the North American International Auto Show, aka Detroit auto show , Honda displayed a hybrid concept vehicle whose appearance and name instantly conjured fond memories of the sporty, second-generation CRX. It feels like the right model, at the right time – an affordable, hybrid coupe radiating personality. Thus far, Honda has been mum on technical details, but it is presumed to have an evolution of the Civic Hybrid’s powertrain. Placed in a smaller, lighter-weight car, this mild powertrain would have more verve than in the staid sedan, though the sports character would likely come from its handling acumen. In theory, such concepts are shown at major auto shows to gauge attendee reaction and prepare the public for a production model. However, there isn’t always a means to give direct feedback. In this case, Honda has posted a survey on its consumer site. ( CR-Z survey .) It also has a special section for previewing other concepts and future models, including the redesign Fit schedule to debut next week. We’ll have the scoop here once the cover is pulled back in New York. For now, what do you think of the CR-Z? Fill out the survey, and share your comments below. See our highlights...
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