Honda Civic Type R Mugen 2.2

The Honda Civic Type R Mugen debuted in 2010 to near-universal acclaim, and a 20-strong limited edition production run of the hand-built, motorsport-derived machines went on sale to UK enthusiasts.
Now technicians at Northampton-based Mugen Euro have worked their magic again, producing a unique version with even more power and torque.

The cylinder bore and stroke have been increased to create an overall capacity of 2,156cc, so the car has been christened the Honda Civic Type R Mugen 2.2.
The result of the change is a boost in engine output from 240 to 260PS, and additional torque is available throughout the rev range. Peak torque is now 240Nm at 6,000rpm. Compared to a standard Honda Civic Type R, both power and torque are up 30 per cent.
When coupled to the host of motorsport-derived components created exclusively by Mugen - including sports suspension, uprated brakes and a stunning performance bodykit - the Mugen 2.2 represents the ultimate expression of the Honda Civic Type R philosophy.
It has been created as a fitting tribute to the highly successful Honda K20 2.0-litre petrol engine, which has ceased production in Japan. Homologated by Mugen as an FIA Group N race series engine, the K20 has long been the powerplant of choice with tuners and motorsports competitors who want the very best in naturally aspirated performance.
Moreover, it has been at the very heart of everything Mugen Euro has achieved since the company was formed in 2006. Its skilled engineers have built or tuned almost 400 examples for race and rally competitors around the world.
The Honda K20 engine has also powered the only two complete road cars produced by Mugen; the Honda Civic Mugen RR four-door saloon sold in Japan, plus the limited Honda Civic Type R Mugen sold in the UK.
Hiro Toyoda, vice-president of Mugen Euro, commented: "Environmental pressures mean naturally aspirated engines are rapidly being superseded by other engine architectures and technologies. We may never see the like of the K20 in a mainstream production car again, so felt it only fitting we mark the occasion with this special 2.2 version of the Honda Civic Type R".

96-98 Honda Civic JDM Type-R Style Polyurethane Front Bumper Lip

Plans for the 2.2 car have yet to be finalised. Of the 20 limited edition 2.0-litre cars launched in 2010, four remain unsold and it's possible Mugen Euro may offer them with the reworked engine. Existing owners could also be invited to return their cars for an upgrade. A decision on these two proposals is expected to be made shortly.

Honda Civic Noise & Relaxation 2012

High Levels of Refinement For The New Honda Civic

In order for the new 2012 Honda Civic to provide a quieter and more refined driving experience, the development team focused on sharpening every detail of the design, build and aerodynamics resulting in optimal interior refinement.



The new Honda Civic was tested across Europe in order to tune the car to the varying road conditions found throughout the region. To fine tune the cabin insulation, the Civic was also tested in Honda's anechoic (echo-free) chamber in the Research & Development facility located in Swindon. As a result of the tests in the anechoic chamber, the design and construction of the roof lining and how it interacts with the bodywork was modified.

The aerodynamic efficiency of the new Honda Civic also has a key role for maximising refinement. Formula One experience offered by several members of the development team helped to provide a car combining low coefficient of drag in combination with high-speed stability. Performance, reduced fuel consumption and the quiet interior were the result of hours of meticulous work in the Honda wind tunnel.

"We did not improve the noise and refinement of the new Civic through just one technique," commented Kazuo Sunaoshi, Development Leader – Chassis. "It was the accumulation of lots of little details. My big challenge was to match the noise and vibration levels of our European competitors. I am proud to say that we have achieved our goals."

Source;

http://www.carpages.co.uk/honda/honda-civic-26-08-11.asp

Honda Civic Noise & Relaxation 2012

High Levels of Refinement For The New Honda Civic

In order for the new 2012 Honda Civic to provide a quieter and more refined driving experience, the development team focused on sharpening every detail of the design, build and aerodynamics resulting in optimal interior refinement.



The new Honda Civic was tested across Europe in order to tune the car to the varying road conditions found throughout the region. To fine tune the cabin insulation, the Civic was also tested in Honda's anechoic (echo-free) chamber in the Research & Development facility located in Swindon. As a result of the tests in the anechoic chamber, the design and construction of the roof lining and how it interacts with the bodywork was modified.

The aerodynamic efficiency of the new Honda Civic also has a key role for maximising refinement. Formula One experience offered by several members of the development team helped to provide a car combining low coefficient of drag in combination with high-speed stability. Performance, reduced fuel consumption and the quiet interior were the result of hours of meticulous work in the Honda wind tunnel.

"We did not improve the noise and refinement of the new Civic through just one technique," commented Kazuo Sunaoshi, Development Leader – Chassis. "It was the accumulation of lots of little details. My big challenge was to match the noise and vibration levels of our European competitors. I am proud to say that we have achieved our goals."

Source;

http://www.carpages.co.uk/honda/honda-civic-26-08-11.asp

Honda Installs Wind Tunnel Amid $355 Million Ohio Plant Upgrades

Honda Motor Co. is making $355 million of upgrades at plants in Ohio where it opened its first U.S. wind tunnel, seeking productivity and fuel-economy gains for models designed and built in North America.



The Ohio projects for Japan’s first company to make cars in the U.S. include $166 million of improvements to its factory in East Liberty and a $64 million stamping press at its Marysville plant, said Ron Lietzke, spokesman for the company’s assembly unit. Honda wouldn’t provide the cost of the wind tunnel or other additions to its engineering center in Raymond.



“The driver of the projects is to improve all our characteristics,” Lietzke said in an interview, declining to say whether the changes will lead to greater output. “If we end up increasing production capacity as a result, that’s fine,” he said, without elaborating.



Honda is refurbishing factories as it prepares to restore full North American production next month after parts shortages triggered by Japan’s March earthquake left Honda and Acura dealers short of models. The Tokyo-based company’s U.S. sales fell 2.6 percent this year through July, and market share shrank to 9.3 percent from 10.6 percent as industrywide deliveries rose 11 percent.



Output at Honda’s auto-assembly plants in the U.S., Canada and Mexico dropped 26 percent to 559,981 through July from 754,807 a year ago, according to company data.

Efficiency



Having opened Marysville in 1982, before Toyota Motor Corp. (7203), Nissan Motor Co. and other Asian companies began making cars in the U.S., Honda’s North America engineering and production units are among the region’s most sophisticated, said Jeffrey Liker, professor of engineering at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.



“By the most common productivity metrics, they’re among the most efficient,” said Liker, who studies automotive- assembly operations. “They have a history of developing exceptional people and actually keeping them. That allows them to accumulate knowledge and continue to learn.”



The Raymond R&D center, near the Marysville and East Liberty plants, is Honda’s main vehicle-development facility for the Americas. It’s responsible for designing and engineering the Pilot and Acura MDX sport-utility vehicles, Ridgeline pickup, Acura ZDX wagon and TL sedan, and North American version Odyssey minivan, all of which are built only in the region.



Fuel-Economy Push

Boosting fuel-economy on those models to meet tightening regulations is also its responsibility, Frank Paluch, senior vice present of Honda R&D Americas, said in an interview this month.

Last month, carmakers agreed to double the Corporate Average Fuel Economy, or CAFE, to 54.5 mpg by 2025. The first phase for the industry is to reach a U.S. average of 35.5 mpg by 2016.



“We are very aware of those targets and where our responsibility is for CAFE within the lineup. There are set plans how to meet them,” Paluch said. “By the 2016 model introductions, we’ll target about an 18 percent improvement, specifically for our areas.”



Improvements will come through enhanced engine and transmission performance, lighter-weight materials, and smaller and more-efficient components, said Paluch.



Such “evolutionary” changes were used when Ohio engineers revamped the Odyssey last year, raising fuel economy 17 percent, he said. Hitting the 2025 goal is a “bit more gray,” he said.



“If consumers are buying a lot more hybrids, we can easily meet those requirements,” Paluch said. “If consumers don’t buy a lot more hybrids or don’t buy more battery-electric vehicles, we’re going to have to think about other ways to meet those goals.”



Wind Tunnel

Honda hasn’t previously acknowledged the Ohio wind tunnel that was built in late 2010. It will help engineers improve vehicle aerodynamics for further efficiency gains, said John Dirrig, a manager and chief engineer at the Raymond center.



“The ability to do that type of analysis as early as possible in the development phase of new vehicles is a big deal,” he said.



Toyota, Nissan and Hyundai Motor Co. (005380) don’t have wind tunnels in the U.S. Toyota’s Technical Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan, uses one nearby operated by affiliate Denso Corp., said Bruce Brownlee, a Toyota spokesman.



Honda’s is a “half-scale” tunnel, intended for early prototypes.



‘Not Just a Big Fan’

Such a device may cost $25 million, while a full-size wind tunnel is at least $100 million, said Frank Ohlemacher, project manager at the Ohio State University’s Center for Automotive Research in Columbus. “This is sophisticated equipment, not just a big fan,” Ohlemacher said.

Honda won’t say how much it’s invested in Raymond, where more than 1,000 engineers work at desks in a central hall the length of 2.5 football fields, or 750 feet. It also has a crash- test center and laboratories to test electromagnetic interference and the effect of heat, rain and cold on vehicles.



Along with the Ohio upgrades, Honda said in March it’s spending $94 million to modify its Lincoln, Alabama, plant that builds Odysseys and Pilots. This month Honda said it will build an $800 million plant in central Mexico that will make 200,000 small cars a year after it opens in 2014.



Honda’s American depositary receipts, representing one ordinary share, rose 69 cents, or 2.3 percent, $31.30 yesterday in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. Its U.S. unit is based in Torrance, California.



Source;

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-25/honda-adds-wind-tunnel-in-ohio-amid-355-million-in-auto-plant-upgrades.html

Honda Installs Wind Tunnel Amid $355 Million Ohio Plant Upgrades

Honda Motor Co. is making $355 million of upgrades at plants in Ohio where it opened its first U.S. wind tunnel, seeking productivity and fuel-economy gains for models designed and built in North America.



The Ohio projects for Japan’s first company to make cars in the U.S. include $166 million of improvements to its factory in East Liberty and a $64 million stamping press at its Marysville plant, said Ron Lietzke, spokesman for the company’s assembly unit. Honda wouldn’t provide the cost of the wind tunnel or other additions to its engineering center in Raymond.



“The driver of the projects is to improve all our characteristics,” Lietzke said in an interview, declining to say whether the changes will lead to greater output. “If we end up increasing production capacity as a result, that’s fine,” he said, without elaborating.



Honda is refurbishing factories as it prepares to restore full North American production next month after parts shortages triggered by Japan’s March earthquake left Honda and Acura dealers short of models. The Tokyo-based company’s U.S. sales fell 2.6 percent this year through July, and market share shrank to 9.3 percent from 10.6 percent as industrywide deliveries rose 11 percent.



Output at Honda’s auto-assembly plants in the U.S., Canada and Mexico dropped 26 percent to 559,981 through July from 754,807 a year ago, according to company data.

Efficiency



Having opened Marysville in 1982, before Toyota Motor Corp. (7203), Nissan Motor Co. and other Asian companies began making cars in the U.S., Honda’s North America engineering and production units are among the region’s most sophisticated, said Jeffrey Liker, professor of engineering at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.



“By the most common productivity metrics, they’re among the most efficient,” said Liker, who studies automotive- assembly operations. “They have a history of developing exceptional people and actually keeping them. That allows them to accumulate knowledge and continue to learn.”



The Raymond R&D center, near the Marysville and East Liberty plants, is Honda’s main vehicle-development facility for the Americas. It’s responsible for designing and engineering the Pilot and Acura MDX sport-utility vehicles, Ridgeline pickup, Acura ZDX wagon and TL sedan, and North American version Odyssey minivan, all of which are built only in the region.



Fuel-Economy Push

Boosting fuel-economy on those models to meet tightening regulations is also its responsibility, Frank Paluch, senior vice present of Honda R&D Americas, said in an interview this month.

Last month, carmakers agreed to double the Corporate Average Fuel Economy, or CAFE, to 54.5 mpg by 2025. The first phase for the industry is to reach a U.S. average of 35.5 mpg by 2016.



“We are very aware of those targets and where our responsibility is for CAFE within the lineup. There are set plans how to meet them,” Paluch said. “By the 2016 model introductions, we’ll target about an 18 percent improvement, specifically for our areas.”



Improvements will come through enhanced engine and transmission performance, lighter-weight materials, and smaller and more-efficient components, said Paluch.



Such “evolutionary” changes were used when Ohio engineers revamped the Odyssey last year, raising fuel economy 17 percent, he said. Hitting the 2025 goal is a “bit more gray,” he said.



“If consumers are buying a lot more hybrids, we can easily meet those requirements,” Paluch said. “If consumers don’t buy a lot more hybrids or don’t buy more battery-electric vehicles, we’re going to have to think about other ways to meet those goals.”



Wind Tunnel

Honda hasn’t previously acknowledged the Ohio wind tunnel that was built in late 2010. It will help engineers improve vehicle aerodynamics for further efficiency gains, said John Dirrig, a manager and chief engineer at the Raymond center.



“The ability to do that type of analysis as early as possible in the development phase of new vehicles is a big deal,” he said.



Toyota, Nissan and Hyundai Motor Co. (005380) don’t have wind tunnels in the U.S. Toyota’s Technical Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan, uses one nearby operated by affiliate Denso Corp., said Bruce Brownlee, a Toyota spokesman.



Honda’s is a “half-scale” tunnel, intended for early prototypes.



‘Not Just a Big Fan’

Such a device may cost $25 million, while a full-size wind tunnel is at least $100 million, said Frank Ohlemacher, project manager at the Ohio State University’s Center for Automotive Research in Columbus. “This is sophisticated equipment, not just a big fan,” Ohlemacher said.

Honda won’t say how much it’s invested in Raymond, where more than 1,000 engineers work at desks in a central hall the length of 2.5 football fields, or 750 feet. It also has a crash- test center and laboratories to test electromagnetic interference and the effect of heat, rain and cold on vehicles.



Along with the Ohio upgrades, Honda said in March it’s spending $94 million to modify its Lincoln, Alabama, plant that builds Odysseys and Pilots. This month Honda said it will build an $800 million plant in central Mexico that will make 200,000 small cars a year after it opens in 2014.



Honda’s American depositary receipts, representing one ordinary share, rose 69 cents, or 2.3 percent, $31.30 yesterday in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. Its U.S. unit is based in Torrance, California.



Source;

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-25/honda-adds-wind-tunnel-in-ohio-amid-355-million-in-auto-plant-upgrades.html

Honda 1996

Honda 1996

Honda 1996

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 Honda 1996

 Honda 1996

 Honda 1996

Honda 1996

2008 honda

2008 honda

2008 honda

Hero Honda has brought into the picture a new model of the legendary CBZ - the CBZ Xtreme! The bike really lives up to its name. First looks really astonished me! The bike looked nothing less than cool.

2008 honda

The bike looked almost totally different when compared to the old CBZ. This is not actually a decrement, but is a small disappointment to CBZ fans in India. But overall, the bike looked really good. A very noticeable thing about the new Hero Honda CBZ Xtreme is that the indicators merge with the main lights. The bike really looks good from the side, with a big tank sporting the stylish CBZ logo. And I'd recommend choosing red, because the fiery red really makes it noticeable. The large silencer stands out, adding to the sporty looks of the bike.

2008 honda

If you have already discovered some of the details, you would have noticed that the new CBZ has a 149.2 cc engine while the old one had a 156 cc engine. But don't let that deceive you because the pickup character or symbol that stands for and mileage in the CBZ has radically improved. Hero Honda has definitely put in some real raw power into the CBZ Xtreme. Actually, if you're looking for performance, you might consider the Hero Honda Hunk as well, because both these bikes have the same 149.2 cc engine.

2008 honda

The Hero maker of trucks and motorcycles car and motorcycle produce by this Company in Japan family name CBZ Xtreme is a great bike for twenty-somethings of this generation. You could buy the CBZ just for its brand name! The name CBZ was adopted form CBR, a popular 600 cc bike in foreign countries. With numerous features that add to the uniqueness of the CBZ Xtreme, I would order the bike right away.

 2008 honda

 2008 honda

 2008 honda

2008 honda

Honda FCX Clarity fuel-cell car shown off

Honda has announced that it will be showing off what it claims is the world's first production fuel-cell car, the FCX Clarity, at the EcoVelocity show next month.



The FCX Clarity is designed to use hydrogen fuel cells as its power source, offering far greater performance than a traditional all-electric vehicle while maintaining the same zero harmful emission baseline.



While fuel-cell cars are nothing new, they've never made it to a production model before - and Honda claims that's exactly what it will be showing off at the EcoVelocity event, held between the 8th and the 11th of September at the Battersea Power Station.



The company is keeping full details of the Clarity's specifications under wraps until the show starts, but has explained that the vehicle offers an impressive 270-mile range per fill, is capable of topping up its hydrogen reserves as easily as a petrol or diesel car can refuel, and has water vapour as its only emission.



It's also keen to point out that the Clarity isn't an experiment, or a concept car, but a fully-certified road-legal vehicle built at the same factory as Honda's other models..



The company will also be showing off a redesigned five-door Insight, the CR-Z sporty hybrid, and a hybrid edition of the popular Jazz that extends its fuel economy to an impressive 64.2mpg - a 23 per cent improvement over the standard Jazz edition.



Author: Gareth Halfacree



Source;

http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/car-tech/1286842/honda-fcx-clarity-fuel-cell-car-shown-off

Honda FCX Clarity fuel-cell car shown off

Honda has announced that it will be showing off what it claims is the world's first production fuel-cell car, the FCX Clarity, at the EcoVelocity show next month.



The FCX Clarity is designed to use hydrogen fuel cells as its power source, offering far greater performance than a traditional all-electric vehicle while maintaining the same zero harmful emission baseline.



While fuel-cell cars are nothing new, they've never made it to a production model before - and Honda claims that's exactly what it will be showing off at the EcoVelocity event, held between the 8th and the 11th of September at the Battersea Power Station.



The company is keeping full details of the Clarity's specifications under wraps until the show starts, but has explained that the vehicle offers an impressive 270-mile range per fill, is capable of topping up its hydrogen reserves as easily as a petrol or diesel car can refuel, and has water vapour as its only emission.



It's also keen to point out that the Clarity isn't an experiment, or a concept car, but a fully-certified road-legal vehicle built at the same factory as Honda's other models..



The company will also be showing off a redesigned five-door Insight, the CR-Z sporty hybrid, and a hybrid edition of the popular Jazz that extends its fuel economy to an impressive 64.2mpg - a 23 per cent improvement over the standard Jazz edition.



Author: Gareth Halfacree



Source;

http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/car-tech/1286842/honda-fcx-clarity-fuel-cell-car-shown-off

Kelley's Blue Book: Big Things From Small Cars: Four new compacts compared

Like microbreweries, Lady Gaga hits and bad Ryan Reynolds movies, compact sedans are an inevitable part of the American consumer landscape. It is a given that at some time in our lives, each of us will drive a relatively affordable - starting at or below $17,000 and reaching up to the $24,000 mark - four-door like the four new cars we review in this comparison test. College car, commuter car, second car, empty nester car, rental car. Whatever the purpose, a small, fuel-efficient, utilitarian four-door is exactly right at some time in everyone's life.

The four compact sedans in this test -- a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, 2012 Ford Focus, 2012 Honda Civic, and 2011 Hyundai Elantra - each represent a fresh-foot forward for their manufacturers.

The 2011 Chevy Cruze is a new face in this field, with many advocates pointing to it as the weather vane for the coming era in American cars. Recent sales and strong consumer interest in the Cruze despite on-again/off-again economic forecasts point to a healthy wind blowing in.

New for 2012, the Ford Focus is a "world car" with European sensibilities trying to find a home in America. Riding on a new platform, running with new engines and staring at itself in the mirror with new sheet metal, the 2012 Focus is a more substantial small sedan than the car it replaces.

Also new this year, the 2012 Honda Civic bears a lot of responsibility as the next generation of a wildly popular car. With every player in the compact-sedan segment getting stronger overall, Honda had to decide: Do we take a risk, or do we stand firm with a proven formula? The 2012 Honda Civic stands firm.

The most anticipated major redesign among small-car fans and auto-show enthusiasts belongs to the 2011 Hyundai Elantra. After what seemed like permanent also-ran status, Hyundai scored back-to-back styling and value wins with its new Genesis and Sonata four-doors, but what about the small sedan that needed to be a numbers car for the Korean carmaker?

And thus our stage is set: Can the new kids from Detroit - the all-new 2011 Chevy Cruze and 2012 Ford Focus - and a principled, compact upstart from Korea - the all-new 2011 Hyundai Elantra - dislodge the fully redesigned 2012 Honda Civic from its perch in the hearts and minds of American drivers? Take a seat at your desk, pop the top off some Redhook Ale and read on to learn. If for no other reason than to avoid seeing "The Change-Up."

Fourth Place: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze LTZ

Strengths: The inside story - quiet, comfortable, stylish - is excellent

Weaknesses: Frustratingly low fun-to-drive factor

Synopsis: The Chevy Cruze just misses being very good by thaaat much



It's impossible to know for sure how Chevy Cruze sales might have fared in a world that never suffered a devastating earthquake in Japan that hobbled Honda Civic production over the past five months, but the fact remains: The Chevrolet Cruze is selling hot like fire. (Our test car was priced at $23,565.)



The 2011 Chevy Cruze LTZ that came to do battle in our comparison is a good example of why it's a popular choice - the Cruze is an easy place to relax.



For starters, the standard leather interior is one of the nicer environments we've seen in this class. The front seats took top honors in the competition for support and comfort over the long haul, and the interior design was easily up to the competitive standards set by the class. In the rear seats, headroom abounds, but like every vehicle in this test, long legs had no room to stretch.



In our back-to-back drives, the Cruze tied with the Honda Civic for ride comfort and as being the easiest car to see out of and maneuver through traffic. But the Chevy stood alone at the top of the quiet standings, making it a cinch to have a regular conversation with your passengers even blasting along at highway speeds.



Despite having a turbocharger attached to its 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission, the Chevy Cruze LTZ powertrain didn't gain our favor, either in sprints or while trying to accelerate to escape the gravity of slower cars on the Interstate. Having standard sport suspension and 18-inch wheels, on the other hand, did move the Cruze LTZ up in our esteem, giving it sporting authority in corners.



Just below the clean-if-not-flashy exterior lines of the Chevy Cruze LTZ skin, there lurks a safety story that stands tall all on its own. Superb five-star frontal and side-impact results can be your best friends on a bad day. A full guard of airbags - including side-impact protection for the outboard rear passengers - add to a rather impressive protection roster.



Certainly, the elements are all there to put the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze LTZ on America's compact-sedan wish list. It belongs in the bigs. But until the Chevy Cruze really excels at something, something that raises it above all of its unforgiving competitors, Chevy will have to console itself with healthy sales rather than comparison-test wins.



Comparison Test Results: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze LTZ

Overall Editors' Rating: 6.7 out of 10

Interior: 2nd

Exterior: 4th

Performance: 4th

Comfort & Convenience: 3rd

Value: 3rd

Read Consumer Reviews for the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze LTZ



Third Place: 2012 Ford Focus SEL

Strengths: Most horsepower in this field of competitors

Weaknesses: Senseless user interface for audio and phone system

Synopsis: The Ford Focus SEL is the athlete of this bunch



The reinvented-for-2012 Ford Focus SEL is the most macho compact sedan in this test. Certainly it's the triathlete. The new Focus inherits its firm-riding platform, big power and attitude from Europe (where attitude comes from). And it enjoys the fruits of all three.



For attitude, it carries a snarly face around -- part rally car, part predator. Trust us, you'd lose a stare-off. That attitude is backed by a 160-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that lifts the Focus SEL to freeway speeds with a serious dose of quick. Even more serious, and infinitely more European than any of the other sedans in this test, was the way the Focus took the stress out of corners. The Ford didn't hesitate or complain, it just dove into corners and did the work with self-assured poise.



The only performance category that the Focus SEL didn't absorb was braking. Responding more with a shrug than any kind of responsive absorption of speed, the four-wheel discs were out of character with the Ford's unmistakable personality strengths.



That personality begins to thin when you go inside the Focus SEL. While the interior is generally a match for the exterior, and a very good shot at modern-angular styling, there's very little about the SEL cockpit that makes you want to take up residence there. And it's not just because leather doesn't come standard (as it did in our other test cars). And it's not just because the Focus suffered from being the smallest interior of the group.



Nope, the 2012 Ford Focus SEL's problem is one of abandonment. When you enter the car, you are greeted by 10,000 controls leading to as much chaos. Whether the task is connecting a phone or presetting a radio station, it's a labor of love, not logic. That alienation-level is upped by the presence of a touchscreen, which should ease the frustration, but only serves to elevate it.

If your task as a driver is intimidate, or rather announce your sporting presence as you arrive, the 2012 Ford Focus SEL, starting at $20,300, might be the calling card you're looking for. Its strengths are all so good, but beware its weaknesses. It takes gifts just to run in this crowd, and sometimes the Focus SEL runs at the very front.



Comparison Test Results: 2012 Ford Focus SEL

Overall Editors' Rating: 6.9 out of 10

Interior: 3rd

Exterior: 2nd

Performance: 2nd

Comfort & Convenience: 4th

Value: 3rd

Read Consumer Reviews for the 2012 Ford Focus SEL



The Winners, Part One: 2011 Hyundai Elantra Limited



Strengths: Striking exterior, lovely interior, gorgeous price

Weaknesses: Competent performance, but no better

Synopsis: The 2011 Hyundai Elantra is the fashionista of this test



When the 2011 Hyundai Elantra Limited sedan showed up for our test, it arrived as a gut-shot to the entire compact sedan class. It started with the all-new Elantra shape, a small-sedan variation of the look that we already love on the Genesis and Sonata. It continued with a leather-lined, feature-filled interior that would have been considered excessive in a car from the next class up. And it ended, as all automotive transactions do, at the cash register. At $22,830, the Hyundai Elantra Limited was the least expensive compact sedan in our quartet. It also got the highest fuel economy and Hyundai's new-car warranty is legendary.



The Chevy Cruze LTZ had a nervous breakdown. We spotted sweat on the Ford Focus SEL's lip spoiler. And even the 2012 Honda Civic was having trouble catching its breath.



In spite of what network television and TMZ are trying to convince us, looks alone are not the most assured road to success. Winning a comparison test in a field as tight and terrific as this one requires talent too.



The Hyundai Elantra Limited is loaded with talent. Its 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission don't brag the most power in the compact-sedan class, but the 148 horsepower it does have stretches out nicely across the powerband - it won't leave you hanging when you want to get up to speed or get around a rolling paperweight. And getting 29 mpg in the city along with 40 mpg on the highway is a segment-winning argument all its own.



The Elantra Limited isn't the quietest car in our test, or the softest riding. Nor does it have the roomiest rear seat (though none of the cars in our test should brag). What it does have, however, is a keen eye for what matters when you're living with a car: a moonroof, an audio system that rock and roll can be proud of, a generous, usable trunk. And the leather upholstery is nice. Really nice.



If this were a beauty contest or a price war, the 2011 Hyundai Elantra would win it hands down. Instead, this story has a second act, and a second winner: the 2012 Honda Civic EX-L Navi.



Comparison Test Results: 2011 Hyundai Elantra Limited

Overall Editors' Rating: 7.5 out of 10

Interior: 1stExterior: 1st

Performance: 3rd

Comfort & Convenience: 1st

Value: 2nd

Read Consumer Reviews for the 2011 Hyundai Elantra Limited



Winners: 2012 Honda Civic EX-L Navi

Strengths: This is the Mercedes-Benz of compact sedans

Weaknesses: No longer a class style leader

Synopsis: A superb example of balance, value and pedigree

To understand why the 2012 Honda Civic EX-L Navi (you call that a car name?!) shares the top honors with the Hyundai Elantra Limited in this comparison test, you need to understand what made Mercedes-Benz great. Once, in an era when luxury cars were great and the competition was strong, Mercedes-Benz was the greatest luxury carmaker in the world.

Now, other automakers build faster cars than Mercedes-Benz, and prettier cars than Mercedes, and more reliable cars, more comfortable cars, better-handling cars, more value-laden cars than Mercedes...but not all at once.

That "nobody does it better all at once" territory is prime Honda real estate, and the all-new Civic still rules that land. How the Civic does it, however, is a bit of a mystery.

In the heat of our four-car comparison, the 2012 Civic tanked on its exterior styling, and also bottomed the list on interior styling. Same goes for its limited trunk space. And while the 1.8-liter engine was completely competitive in its fuel-economy numbers, the power output was nothing to brag about and the Civic's five-speed automatic transmission seems iffy at best in a class where six forward gears is now the norm.

Yet somehow, the 2012 Honda Civic EX-L Navi pulls it off. The underpowered engine and under-geared transmission work together beautifully, seamlessly to make certain that you're never stranded at the deep end of the onramp. Like most Honda engines, the Civic's 1.8 really shines at higher revs. The four-wheel disc brakes do a superb job of nestling the Civic to a stop, and while the ride/handling balance places ride far above handling, the steering feel and response belong in a "How to Do Everything Right" textbook.

Slipping inside the Civic EX-L Navi, you'll note that the "L" stands for standard "Leather" and the "Navi" stands for standard "Navigation" - the only compact sedan in our test that came with standard Nav (although the $24,225 price made the Civic EX-L Navi the most expensive car in our test).

Also worth noting is that the Civic was the only vehicle in our test that was ready (or even able) to accommodate a long-legged passenger in the rear seats.

To our surprise and delight, the all-new 2012 Honda Civic EX-L Navi succeeds a lot and fails nowhere. To our even bigger delight the four compact sedans in this comparison can all see the top of the mountain from where they stand, because each of them fits the needs of a certain buyer with his or her own set of priorities.

Comparison Test Results: 2012 Honda Civic EX-L Navi

Overall Editors' Rating: 7.5 out of 10

Interior: 4th

Exterior: 3rd

Performance: 1st

Comfort & Convenience: 2nd

Value: 1st

Read Consumer Reviews for the 2012 Honda Civic EX-L Navi

Source;

http://www.kbb.com/car-news/all-the-latest/2011-2012-compact-sedan-comparison-test/

Kelley's Blue Book: Big Things From Small Cars: Four new compacts compared

Like microbreweries, Lady Gaga hits and bad Ryan Reynolds movies, compact sedans are an inevitable part of the American consumer landscape. It is a given that at some time in our lives, each of us will drive a relatively affordable - starting at or below $17,000 and reaching up to the $24,000 mark - four-door like the four new cars we review in this comparison test. College car, commuter car, second car, empty nester car, rental car. Whatever the purpose, a small, fuel-efficient, utilitarian four-door is exactly right at some time in everyone's life.

The four compact sedans in this test -- a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, 2012 Ford Focus, 2012 Honda Civic, and 2011 Hyundai Elantra - each represent a fresh-foot forward for their manufacturers.

The 2011 Chevy Cruze is a new face in this field, with many advocates pointing to it as the weather vane for the coming era in American cars. Recent sales and strong consumer interest in the Cruze despite on-again/off-again economic forecasts point to a healthy wind blowing in.

New for 2012, the Ford Focus is a "world car" with European sensibilities trying to find a home in America. Riding on a new platform, running with new engines and staring at itself in the mirror with new sheet metal, the 2012 Focus is a more substantial small sedan than the car it replaces.

Also new this year, the 2012 Honda Civic bears a lot of responsibility as the next generation of a wildly popular car. With every player in the compact-sedan segment getting stronger overall, Honda had to decide: Do we take a risk, or do we stand firm with a proven formula? The 2012 Honda Civic stands firm.

The most anticipated major redesign among small-car fans and auto-show enthusiasts belongs to the 2011 Hyundai Elantra. After what seemed like permanent also-ran status, Hyundai scored back-to-back styling and value wins with its new Genesis and Sonata four-doors, but what about the small sedan that needed to be a numbers car for the Korean carmaker?

And thus our stage is set: Can the new kids from Detroit - the all-new 2011 Chevy Cruze and 2012 Ford Focus - and a principled, compact upstart from Korea - the all-new 2011 Hyundai Elantra - dislodge the fully redesigned 2012 Honda Civic from its perch in the hearts and minds of American drivers? Take a seat at your desk, pop the top off some Redhook Ale and read on to learn. If for no other reason than to avoid seeing "The Change-Up."

Fourth Place: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze LTZ

Strengths: The inside story - quiet, comfortable, stylish - is excellent

Weaknesses: Frustratingly low fun-to-drive factor

Synopsis: The Chevy Cruze just misses being very good by thaaat much



It's impossible to know for sure how Chevy Cruze sales might have fared in a world that never suffered a devastating earthquake in Japan that hobbled Honda Civic production over the past five months, but the fact remains: The Chevrolet Cruze is selling hot like fire. (Our test car was priced at $23,565.)



The 2011 Chevy Cruze LTZ that came to do battle in our comparison is a good example of why it's a popular choice - the Cruze is an easy place to relax.



For starters, the standard leather interior is one of the nicer environments we've seen in this class. The front seats took top honors in the competition for support and comfort over the long haul, and the interior design was easily up to the competitive standards set by the class. In the rear seats, headroom abounds, but like every vehicle in this test, long legs had no room to stretch.



In our back-to-back drives, the Cruze tied with the Honda Civic for ride comfort and as being the easiest car to see out of and maneuver through traffic. But the Chevy stood alone at the top of the quiet standings, making it a cinch to have a regular conversation with your passengers even blasting along at highway speeds.



Despite having a turbocharger attached to its 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission, the Chevy Cruze LTZ powertrain didn't gain our favor, either in sprints or while trying to accelerate to escape the gravity of slower cars on the Interstate. Having standard sport suspension and 18-inch wheels, on the other hand, did move the Cruze LTZ up in our esteem, giving it sporting authority in corners.



Just below the clean-if-not-flashy exterior lines of the Chevy Cruze LTZ skin, there lurks a safety story that stands tall all on its own. Superb five-star frontal and side-impact results can be your best friends on a bad day. A full guard of airbags - including side-impact protection for the outboard rear passengers - add to a rather impressive protection roster.



Certainly, the elements are all there to put the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze LTZ on America's compact-sedan wish list. It belongs in the bigs. But until the Chevy Cruze really excels at something, something that raises it above all of its unforgiving competitors, Chevy will have to console itself with healthy sales rather than comparison-test wins.



Comparison Test Results: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze LTZ

Overall Editors' Rating: 6.7 out of 10

Interior: 2nd

Exterior: 4th

Performance: 4th

Comfort & Convenience: 3rd

Value: 3rd

Read Consumer Reviews for the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze LTZ



Third Place: 2012 Ford Focus SEL

Strengths: Most horsepower in this field of competitors

Weaknesses: Senseless user interface for audio and phone system

Synopsis: The Ford Focus SEL is the athlete of this bunch



The reinvented-for-2012 Ford Focus SEL is the most macho compact sedan in this test. Certainly it's the triathlete. The new Focus inherits its firm-riding platform, big power and attitude from Europe (where attitude comes from). And it enjoys the fruits of all three.



For attitude, it carries a snarly face around -- part rally car, part predator. Trust us, you'd lose a stare-off. That attitude is backed by a 160-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that lifts the Focus SEL to freeway speeds with a serious dose of quick. Even more serious, and infinitely more European than any of the other sedans in this test, was the way the Focus took the stress out of corners. The Ford didn't hesitate or complain, it just dove into corners and did the work with self-assured poise.



The only performance category that the Focus SEL didn't absorb was braking. Responding more with a shrug than any kind of responsive absorption of speed, the four-wheel discs were out of character with the Ford's unmistakable personality strengths.



That personality begins to thin when you go inside the Focus SEL. While the interior is generally a match for the exterior, and a very good shot at modern-angular styling, there's very little about the SEL cockpit that makes you want to take up residence there. And it's not just because leather doesn't come standard (as it did in our other test cars). And it's not just because the Focus suffered from being the smallest interior of the group.



Nope, the 2012 Ford Focus SEL's problem is one of abandonment. When you enter the car, you are greeted by 10,000 controls leading to as much chaos. Whether the task is connecting a phone or presetting a radio station, it's a labor of love, not logic. That alienation-level is upped by the presence of a touchscreen, which should ease the frustration, but only serves to elevate it.

If your task as a driver is intimidate, or rather announce your sporting presence as you arrive, the 2012 Ford Focus SEL, starting at $20,300, might be the calling card you're looking for. Its strengths are all so good, but beware its weaknesses. It takes gifts just to run in this crowd, and sometimes the Focus SEL runs at the very front.



Comparison Test Results: 2012 Ford Focus SEL

Overall Editors' Rating: 6.9 out of 10

Interior: 3rd

Exterior: 2nd

Performance: 2nd

Comfort & Convenience: 4th

Value: 3rd

Read Consumer Reviews for the 2012 Ford Focus SEL



The Winners, Part One: 2011 Hyundai Elantra Limited



Strengths: Striking exterior, lovely interior, gorgeous price

Weaknesses: Competent performance, but no better

Synopsis: The 2011 Hyundai Elantra is the fashionista of this test



When the 2011 Hyundai Elantra Limited sedan showed up for our test, it arrived as a gut-shot to the entire compact sedan class. It started with the all-new Elantra shape, a small-sedan variation of the look that we already love on the Genesis and Sonata. It continued with a leather-lined, feature-filled interior that would have been considered excessive in a car from the next class up. And it ended, as all automotive transactions do, at the cash register. At $22,830, the Hyundai Elantra Limited was the least expensive compact sedan in our quartet. It also got the highest fuel economy and Hyundai's new-car warranty is legendary.



The Chevy Cruze LTZ had a nervous breakdown. We spotted sweat on the Ford Focus SEL's lip spoiler. And even the 2012 Honda Civic was having trouble catching its breath.



In spite of what network television and TMZ are trying to convince us, looks alone are not the most assured road to success. Winning a comparison test in a field as tight and terrific as this one requires talent too.



The Hyundai Elantra Limited is loaded with talent. Its 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission don't brag the most power in the compact-sedan class, but the 148 horsepower it does have stretches out nicely across the powerband - it won't leave you hanging when you want to get up to speed or get around a rolling paperweight. And getting 29 mpg in the city along with 40 mpg on the highway is a segment-winning argument all its own.



The Elantra Limited isn't the quietest car in our test, or the softest riding. Nor does it have the roomiest rear seat (though none of the cars in our test should brag). What it does have, however, is a keen eye for what matters when you're living with a car: a moonroof, an audio system that rock and roll can be proud of, a generous, usable trunk. And the leather upholstery is nice. Really nice.



If this were a beauty contest or a price war, the 2011 Hyundai Elantra would win it hands down. Instead, this story has a second act, and a second winner: the 2012 Honda Civic EX-L Navi.



Comparison Test Results: 2011 Hyundai Elantra Limited

Overall Editors' Rating: 7.5 out of 10

Interior: 1stExterior: 1st

Performance: 3rd

Comfort & Convenience: 1st

Value: 2nd

Read Consumer Reviews for the 2011 Hyundai Elantra Limited



Winners: 2012 Honda Civic EX-L Navi

Strengths: This is the Mercedes-Benz of compact sedans

Weaknesses: No longer a class style leader

Synopsis: A superb example of balance, value and pedigree

To understand why the 2012 Honda Civic EX-L Navi (you call that a car name?!) shares the top honors with the Hyundai Elantra Limited in this comparison test, you need to understand what made Mercedes-Benz great. Once, in an era when luxury cars were great and the competition was strong, Mercedes-Benz was the greatest luxury carmaker in the world.

Now, other automakers build faster cars than Mercedes-Benz, and prettier cars than Mercedes, and more reliable cars, more comfortable cars, better-handling cars, more value-laden cars than Mercedes...but not all at once.

That "nobody does it better all at once" territory is prime Honda real estate, and the all-new Civic still rules that land. How the Civic does it, however, is a bit of a mystery.

In the heat of our four-car comparison, the 2012 Civic tanked on its exterior styling, and also bottomed the list on interior styling. Same goes for its limited trunk space. And while the 1.8-liter engine was completely competitive in its fuel-economy numbers, the power output was nothing to brag about and the Civic's five-speed automatic transmission seems iffy at best in a class where six forward gears is now the norm.

Yet somehow, the 2012 Honda Civic EX-L Navi pulls it off. The underpowered engine and under-geared transmission work together beautifully, seamlessly to make certain that you're never stranded at the deep end of the onramp. Like most Honda engines, the Civic's 1.8 really shines at higher revs. The four-wheel disc brakes do a superb job of nestling the Civic to a stop, and while the ride/handling balance places ride far above handling, the steering feel and response belong in a "How to Do Everything Right" textbook.

Slipping inside the Civic EX-L Navi, you'll note that the "L" stands for standard "Leather" and the "Navi" stands for standard "Navigation" - the only compact sedan in our test that came with standard Nav (although the $24,225 price made the Civic EX-L Navi the most expensive car in our test).

Also worth noting is that the Civic was the only vehicle in our test that was ready (or even able) to accommodate a long-legged passenger in the rear seats.

To our surprise and delight, the all-new 2012 Honda Civic EX-L Navi succeeds a lot and fails nowhere. To our even bigger delight the four compact sedans in this comparison can all see the top of the mountain from where they stand, because each of them fits the needs of a certain buyer with his or her own set of priorities.

Comparison Test Results: 2012 Honda Civic EX-L Navi

Overall Editors' Rating: 7.5 out of 10

Interior: 4th

Exterior: 3rd

Performance: 1st

Comfort & Convenience: 2nd

Value: 1st

Read Consumer Reviews for the 2012 Honda Civic EX-L Navi

Source;

http://www.kbb.com/car-news/all-the-latest/2011-2012-compact-sedan-comparison-test/

Audi A8 Hybrid 2013

The power of a six-cylinder model, the fuel consumption of a four-cylinder version: Audi will be starting series production of the Audi A8 hybrid in 2012. Its gasoline engine - a 2.0 TFSI - and an electric motor develop peak output of 180 kW (245 hp) and 480 Nm (345.03 lb-ft) of torque. Average fuel consumption is below 6.4 liters per 100 km (36.75 US mpg). The sedan can travel at speeds of up to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) on electric power alone, and cover around three kilometers (1.86 miles) with zero local emissions at a constant speed of 60 km/h (37.28 mph).

The Audi flagship model is designed as a highly efficient parallel hybrid. The 2.0 TFSI, which has been modified in some areas, generates an output of 155 kW (211 hp) and 350 Nm (258.15 lb-ft) of torque, which is available between 1,500 and 4,200 rpm. The combustion engine works together with a disc-shaped electric motor which develops 40 kW (54 hp) and 210 Nm (154.89 lb-ft).
The permanent magnet synchronous motor is mounted in the space usually occupied by the torque converter in front of the modified eight-speed tiptronic. A multi-plate clutch that operates in an oil bath connects or disconnects the electric motor and the TFSI engine. The clutch operates ultra-precisely and gently in all situations. The highly comfortable and fast-shifting hybrid transmission guides the torque to the front wheels; with its wide gear spread it contributes to the efficiency of the Audi A8 hybrid.
The short-term system output of 180 kW (245 hp) and the system torque of 480 Nm (354.03 lb-ft) ensure highly agile performance. The Audi A8 hybrid reaches 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 7.7 seconds from a standing start and has a top speed of 235 km/h (146.02 mph). Its fuel consumption in the EU cycle is less than 6.4 liters per 100 km (36.75 US mpg), and CO2 emissions are below 148 grams per km (238.18 g/mile). Please note that all figures are provisional.
The Audi A8 hybrid can drive at up to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) purely on electric power and has a range of up to three kilometers (1.86 miles) at a constant 60 km/h (37.28 mph). This gives the driver the choice of three modes: The EV characteristic map gives priority to the electric drive, while the D mode efficiently controls both the engine and the electric motor. The S mode and the tiptronic gate are designed for a sporty driving style. The hybrid sedan has five operating states: with the TFSI engine alone, with electric drive only or in hybrid mode; recuperation and boosting are also possible. Two displays show the driver all operating modes in detail.
The lithium-ion battery, which weighs 36.7 kilograms (80.91 lb), is located in a crash-proof area in the trunk. It provides 1.3 kWh of nominal energy and up to 40 kW of power. Two different methods are used to air-cool the battery, depending on need: with air blown from the passenger compartment by a fan and via a separate cooling circuit coupled to the automatic air conditioning system. The battery is thus kept within the temperature window required for it to perform to its full potential over a wide range. The electric motor and the compact power electronics which serve as a controller between the electric motor and the battery are water-cooled.
In visual terms, the Audi A8 hybrid is distinguished by subtle details. The ten spokes of its alloy wheels - which have a diameter of 18 inches as standard and 19 inches as an option - are reminiscent of turbine blades. The body features hybrid badges, and Arctic Silver is available as an exclusive paint finish. The metallic paint finish, three-zone automatic air conditioning, LED headlights and the BOSE sound system come standard.
Thanks to the brand's ultra-lightweight construction expertise, the Audi A8 hybrid will be one of the lightest sedans in its category. Its ASF (Audi Space Frame) body is made entirely of aluminum, while the B-pillars are of hot-shaped, ultra-high-strength steel. Weighing just 231 kilograms (509.27 lb), it is roughly 40 percent lighter than a comparable steel construction.

Porsche 911 Carrera

Porsche is proud to present the new Porsche 911 Carrera, a completely new generation of the iconic coupe that has been acclaimed as one of the world's benchmark sports cars since its launch in 1963.
Tradition meets modernity
True to the 911 tradition, the distinctive Porsche design language exudes power and elegance. The unmistakable silhouette still catches the eye while incorporating new, exciting contours and precisely designed details; a 100mm longer wheelbase for improved stability and greater interior space; front and rear overhangs are shorter, maintaining the compact footprint that has been a longstanding 911 attribute; the sporting stance is emphasised by the lower roof line and a wider front track increases on-road presence further still while raising the renowned chassis dynamics.

The rear-mounted, flat six cylinder engine is an equally symbolic component of the 911 identity; and behind the rear axle of the new car lies an uprated range of powerful, efficient and evocative 'boxer' engines. The Porsche 911 Carrera is powered by a new 3.4-litre engine developing 350 hp, and the Carrera S features a 400 hp version of the familiar 3.8-litre. These new engines offer performance improvements for both models. The 3.4-litre Carrera with PDK accelerates from 0-62mph in 4.6 sec, 0.1 sec quicker than the prior model. Pressing the Sport Plus button on the optional Sport Chrono Pack cuts that to 4.4 sec. The 3.8-litre Carrera S with PDK can accelerate from 0- 62 mph in 4.3 sec (Sport Plus 4.1 sec), 0.2sec quicker than its predecessor.

2012 Honda CRV Trim Levels and Colours for Canada

Same trim levels as 2011 anyway....

2012 Honda CRV LX-2WD

NH-731P Black ext / Black int

NH-700M Silver ext / Black int

G-532M Green / Grey int



2012 Honda CRV LX-4WD

same as above adding;

B-570M Blue ext / Grey int



2012 Honda CRV EX-2WD

same as above adding;

NH-737M Grey ext / Black int

changing int colour for B-570MX Blue ext / Beige int



2012 Honda CRV EX-4WD

same as above including both Blue interiors and adding;

NH-731PX Black ext / Beige int



2012 Honda CRV EX-L 4WD

same as above



2012 Honda CRV EX-L Navi 4WD

same as above



Source;

Honda Canada

2012 Honda CRV Trim Levels and Colours for Canada

Same trim levels as 2011 anyway....

2012 Honda CRV LX-2WD

NH-731P Black ext / Black int

NH-700M Silver ext / Black int

G-532M Green / Grey int



2012 Honda CRV LX-4WD

same as above adding;

B-570M Blue ext / Grey int



2012 Honda CRV EX-2WD

same as above adding;

NH-737M Grey ext / Black int

changing int colour for B-570MX Blue ext / Beige int



2012 Honda CRV EX-4WD

same as above including both Blue interiors and adding;

NH-731PX Black ext / Beige int



2012 Honda CRV EX-L 4WD

same as above



2012 Honda CRV EX-L Navi 4WD

same as above



Source;

Honda Canada

Honda Motor Assigned Patent

08/23/2011

By Targeted News Service



ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 23 -- Honda Motor, Tokyo, has been assigned a patent (7,997,070) developed by Yuji Yasui, Saitama-ken, Japan, and Ikue Kawasumi, Saitama, Japan, for an "exhaust emission control device for internal combustion engine."



The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An exhaust emission control device for an internal combustion engine, capable of supplying a just enough amount of reducing agent to a selective reduction catalyst even when a NOx purification ratio of the catalyst is changed by various causes, thereby enabling a high NOx purification ratio and very low exhaust emissions to be maintained. An ECU calculates a filtered value based on a signal from an exhaust gas concentration sensor, calculates a moving average value of a product of the filtered value and a reference input, calculates a control input such that the moving average value becomes equal to 0, and adds a reference input to the control input to calculate an FB injection amount. The ECU calculates an FF injection amount with a predetermined feedforward control algorithm, and adds the FF injection amount to the FB injection amount, to thereby calculate a urea injection amount."



The patent application was filed on June 6, 2008 (12/134,670). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=7,997,070.PN.&OS=PN/7,997,070&RS=PN/7,997,070



Written by Shabnam Sheikh; edited by Jaya Anand.



Source;

http://www.power-eng.com/news/2011/08/1484687165/honda-motor-assigned-patent.html

Honda Motor Assigned Patent

08/23/2011

By Targeted News Service



ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 23 -- Honda Motor, Tokyo, has been assigned a patent (7,997,070) developed by Yuji Yasui, Saitama-ken, Japan, and Ikue Kawasumi, Saitama, Japan, for an "exhaust emission control device for internal combustion engine."



The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An exhaust emission control device for an internal combustion engine, capable of supplying a just enough amount of reducing agent to a selective reduction catalyst even when a NOx purification ratio of the catalyst is changed by various causes, thereby enabling a high NOx purification ratio and very low exhaust emissions to be maintained. An ECU calculates a filtered value based on a signal from an exhaust gas concentration sensor, calculates a moving average value of a product of the filtered value and a reference input, calculates a control input such that the moving average value becomes equal to 0, and adds a reference input to the control input to calculate an FB injection amount. The ECU calculates an FF injection amount with a predetermined feedforward control algorithm, and adds the FF injection amount to the FB injection amount, to thereby calculate a urea injection amount."



The patent application was filed on June 6, 2008 (12/134,670). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=7,997,070.PN.&OS=PN/7,997,070&RS=PN/7,997,070



Written by Shabnam Sheikh; edited by Jaya Anand.



Source;

http://www.power-eng.com/news/2011/08/1484687165/honda-motor-assigned-patent.html