Category: Honda

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Formula 1 Honda McLaren

McLaren-Honda 2015 announcement imminent

Ayrton Senna, 1991 Belgian GP

The rumours of a McLaren–Honda reunification aren’t new, but an official announcement could be made as soon as today.

Japanese media have increased their coverage of Honda’s return to F1 in recent days and it’s expected Chief Executive Takanobu will release a statement confirming a new deal with McLaren to commence in 2015, one year after the introduction of the new 1.6 litre V6 turbocharged engine regulations.

An unnamed source said: “That incubator aspect of the sport makes Honda’s participation worthwhile.”

McLaren has an engine deal with Mercedes-Benz that is locked in place until the end of next season. With Mercedes likely to field engines for a number of customer teams in 2014 there should be no issues with supplying McLaren even if a new deal with Honda is confirmed.

[Source: Reuters F1 | Pic: Cahier Archive]

UPDATE: Honda’s confirmation been announced. We’ll bring their official press release when we can.

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Formula 1 Honda McLaren

McLaren-Honda reunification likely in 2015

McLaren-Honda MP4-5

Formula 1 fans from the 1980s and 1990s will welcome the news that a McLaren-Honda partnership is expected to return to the F1 grid in 2015.

McLaren currently has a contract with Mercedes-Benz that gives them the option of using their engines until the end of the 2015 season. However, when asked directly if McLaren would stick with Mercedes for the full term of their contract Martin Whitmarsh said: “We have a contract that covers the next three seasons at the moment and we will certainly go into next year with Mercedes-Benz.”

A specific mention for 2014, when the new V6 turbocharged engine regs come into play, but no mention of 2015. Autosport reports that Honda officials have confirmed with them that they are planning to reunite with McLaren in 2015.

As it stands 2014 faces the prospect of having just three engine makers in F1: Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Renault. Martin Whitmarsh says new manufacturers entering F1 would be a good thing “We have read the stories about Porsche, Hyundai and Honda and I think they are to be encouraged,” he said.

“The sport needs new automotive manufacturers to come in and if we can help that in any way, we will do so, but at the moment we are very focused on our partnership [with Mercedes], which has been a very good partnership.”

When McLaren last used Honda engines, 1988–92, the net result was four driver and constructor championship doubles.

Meanwhile, McLaren has confirmed that 2013 will be the last year it will carry Vodafone sponsorship. They say a new title sponsor has already been sewn up, but they won’t make any announcement until December, after the season has finished.

[Source: Autosport | Pic: Wikimedia Commons]

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2013 Geneva Motor Show in pictures – part 1

2013 Geneva Motor Show

The Geneva Motor Show is still underway over in Europe and while we’re sure almost all of our readers would love to be there we’re doing the best we can to bring you a little closer to the action. Here is the first installment of over 250 pictures from the show, from Alfa Romeo to Lamborghini, which includes some of the great and not so great models on display.

That Lamborghini’s not getting any prettier is it.

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Honda Motor Shows

Detroit 2013: Honda NSX Concept

Acura NSC Concept

Honda, or more accurately, Acura has turned up to Detroit with a new NSX Concept. Just like they did last year. Only this time they’ve tweaked the styling a little, making it more production-based and opened the doors to give us a look inside. Again, we expect the interior to be pretty close to final production spec.

Jon Ikeda, chief designer, Acura Design Studio, isn’t missing his chance to dabble in some first class hyperbole. “Consistent with the spirit of the original NSX, our intention is to support the psychological and emotional aspects of driving a super car at the limit, because we are insistent about delivering on the synergy between man and machine,” he said.

And, so long as you can get the interior in any colour other than bright red, we think Ikeda and his mates have done a pretty good job. Certainly, from the outside, the latest NSX concept still makes us want one.

Let’s not forget the all-new mid-mounted V6 and tricky electric bits driving the Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system either. We’re expecting the second-generation NSX to be very, very good. Just a shame we’re probably going to have to wait until 2015 to find out.

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Honda Motor Shows

AIMS 2012 gallery: Honda

Honda at the 2012 Australian International Motor Show

After casually browsing the Honda display at the 2012 Australian International Motor Show we have this message: Honda, please, go out and hire all the designers from Mazda, or even Kia. Now! Every single one of them. Then quietly move on the designers you currently have.

Because, right now, the best looking car in your model line up is the Odyssey. The rest are, frankly, a mess.

We also have one other plea. Can you ensure that the covers never come off the new CR-V ever again? It looks better that way.

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Formula 1 Honda

Honda R&D boss wants F1 return

Honda RA108

Honda could be set to return to Formula 1 in 2014 after its R&D boss, Yoshiharu Yamamoto, admitted a desire to compete again.

Yamamoto explained they would need rules to change in order to lure them back into the fold. And guess what, the rules are changing in 2014, with the introduction of turbocharged V6 engines.

Speaking to Autocar Yamamoto said: “On a personal level I love racing, but there is a lot involved when you are in F1—it is the very top of auto racing and that requires a large commitment. But it is true that we do look up at those races and hope that one day we can take part again.

“I do not personally think we can just go straight back immediately, but there is potential for the rules to change and attract us. I follow the rules, certainly, and if they present an opportunity then it would be nice to go back.”

Honda is embracing turbocharged engines for its future road cars, so the attraction to the new F1 engine rules is easy to see. Already, Honda has committed to the World Touring Car Championship with a 1.6 litre turbo engine.

However, Yamamoto thinks it may take a WTCC title before Honda aims for the heights of F1 once more. “This is my personal view—not that of Honda—but I feel the first thing we must do is win in the WTCC, and then perhaps we can look further afield,” he said.

Honda walked out on F1 at the end of 2008 amid the carmageddon suffered during the Global Financial Crisis.

[Source: Autocar]

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2012 Paris Motor Show in pictures – part 1

2012 Paris Motor Show

The 2012 Paris Motor Show is well underway and for those of us who can’t make it we’ve assembled a photo gallery, which highlights what a blue collar show this has turned out to be. There’s no real theme of haute coutoure motoring here. It’s mostly off the rack bread and butter models.

Thankfully, the Jaguar F-Type brings some style and class. Conversely, when you stop and think about it, someone must have actually signed off an be responsible for the Honda CR-V. They should be fired. It is just horrible.

After the break you’ll see manufacturers listed alphabetically from A–L. Stay tuned for part 2 from Paris soon.

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Honda Motorsports

VIDEO: Helter Skelta at Pikes Peak

Jeff Denmeade, 2012 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb

It’s often said if you want a job done right you have to do it yourself. And after featuring not one, but two videos of home grown lads getting it all wrong at Pikes Peak we can thank Aussie Jeff Denmeade and his Honda powered Skelta for showing the locals how it’s done.

After the break there are two videos showing Denmeade and Catherine Hammond climb their way to the top of the demanding Pike Peak course. The first from inside the cabin, the latter from the roof of the Australian-built Skelta.

We have to tip our hats to Jeff and Catherine, too, not only for making the return trip to Colorado, but with a time of 11:19.722 they also managed to finish third in the Pikes Peak Open Class (23rd overall). A very tidy effort considering the rain and sleet they encountered as they neared the summit.

Thanks also go to long time AUSmotive reader Stu for bringing our attention to these videos. Stu now lives in the States and was actually in Colorado for the event. A multiple Targa Tasmania competitor, he included this note:

I know why people who are not from the area get there a week before to acclimatise. The bottom of the mountain is already 1600m above sea level and by the time we drove to the top we were feeling quite light headed. Even driving a hire car up at slow pace its quite unnerving as you just have these sheer drop offs!

[Thanks to Stu for the tip | Pic: Jason Odell]

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Honda Motorsports

Casey Stoner to retire from MotoGP

Casey Stoner

Two-time MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner has announced he will retire from the sport at the end of the 2012 season. The 26-year-old Australian says he has lost the passion for MotoGP racing .

“After a long period of thought and numerous discussions with my wife and family, I have decided to stop competing at the end of the season,” Stoner said at a press conference ahead of this weekend’s French GP.

“After so many years taking part in this sport that I love, and with all the sacrifices that I have had to make, I no longer have the passion to continue and I think that it is best to stop.

“There are a lot of things that have disappointed me, and also a lot of things I have loved about this sport, but unfortunately the balance has gone in the wrong direction. And so, basically, we won’t be continuing any more.”

In February Stoner became a father for the first time when his wife Adriana gave birth to Alessandra; she was born on the same day as Valentino Rossi’s birthday.

Stoner started his MotoGP career in 2006 and his move to the factory Ducati team in 2007 paid immediate dividends when he won the world championship. He stayed four years at Ducati before switching to the Honda team last year. Stoner was dominant in 2011 winning 10 races, securing his second world title.

After winning two of the first three races so far in the 2012 season, Stoner leads the world championship by one point from 2010 champ Jorge Lorenzo.

On hearing the news MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi said, “It’s a huge surprise to me as it is for everyone else. It’s bad news for the world of MotoGP.

“At the end of the season, we are going to lose a great rider and a great rival, but it’s his decision.”

[Source: Fox Sports | Pic: caseystoner.com.au]

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2012 Geneva Motor Show in pictures – part 1

2012 Geneva Motor Show

After a couple of days for press previews the doors to the 2012 Geneva Motor Show are about to be opened to the public. Figuring you probably can’t make it we’re bringing you our biggest photo gallery ever. That’s right, there’ll be over 200 images from the floor of Geneva for you to enjoy.

We’ve kept things varied and ensured there’s dream cars, like the Ferrari F12berlinetta and Lamborghini Aventador J, as well as everyday stuff like the new Audi A3 and the Subaru Impreza Hatch. Then there’s the Valmet Automotive Dawn. We’re not quite sure what that is and you’ll see it in part 2 of our gallery, to be added later today.

After the break you can enjoy the first installment where we’ve taken an alphabetical approach and presented manufacturers from A–K.

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Honda

Honda NSX and its never-ending dreams

Honda NSX

Honda has released a new promo video for the NSX. Pleasingly, it’s not over-produced and there’s no Hollywood style voiceover. There’s lots of old skool footage of the original NSX lapping the Nürburgring Nordschleife before a GT5-style animation of the new NSX concept doing the same. About all we can fault is some of the audio seems a bit out of sync.

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Honda Video

Super Bowl XLVI ad: The Seinfeld Chronicles

Super Bowl XLVI Acura NSX with Jerry Seinfeld

Next up on the Super Bowl XLVI ad reel is Jerry Seinfeld and his crusade to become the very first owner of the new Acura/Honda NSX. The NSX concept was the star of the recent Detroit Motor Show and it’s a shame Jerry, and others, will have to wait until around 2015 to get their keys.

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