The calendar might have just flipped over to a new year, but that doesn’t mean that auto show fever is subsiding anytime soon, especially since the 2012 North American International Auto Show just opened its doors. Many automakers are on hand to show off their newest concepts and production models, including Honda and their first preview version of the ninth-generation 2013 model set to go on-sale in Fall 2012. The Honda Accord Coupe Concept shows off a new exterior and interior design, as well as a choice of three all-new powertrains, including the first U.S. application of both a 2.4-liter direct-injected engine and two-motor plug-in hybrid system.
At the front of the new Accord will be a revised four-sided honeycomb grille and deeply set multi-reflector headlights, lower fog-light spoilers accented by crystallized chrome inlays, a trunk -lid spoiler, and larger exhaust finishers integrated into the bumper.
"Marking the 30th anniversary of U.S. production, this new ninth-generation Accord will raise the bar again through a tour de force of new Honda powertrain and safety technologies, geared to ensure that Honda and the Accord continue to lead in fuel economy, safety and fun-to-drive performance," said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda.
Hit the jump to read more about the 2012 Honda Accord Coupe Concept.
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Ever since the official launch of the Honda CR-Z, it has been rumored that it would be followed by a Type R version. We haven’t heard anything else about the possible sports upgrade for the past few months, but now it seems the rumors have returned. The first rendering of the future car was inspired by the CR-Z Hybrid R Concept and we have to admit, it looks pretty cool.
The most powerful CR-Z currently offered by Honda is the iCF Mugen announced earlier this year. It uses a modified 1.5-liter engine that delivers a total of 173 HP - a significant improvement over the car’s standard 124 HP. It has also been announced that Mugen will offer a more powerful version for the CR-Z, but these two versions will play second and third to Honda’s new, more powerful Type-R model. Previous rumors suggest that the Type-R version will go up to 200hp, thanks to a 2.0 liter four-cylinder engine developing a total of 150 HP and a larger 50 HP electric motor. The result will be a sprint from 0 to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds and a top speed of 140mph.
Ever since the Honda S2000 was dropped in 2009, rumors surrounding a a hybrid successor for the roadster have been buzzing. Turns out, those rumors may be true now that Honda has announced the EV-STER Concept at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Show. Could this be the beginning of the next small roadster? So far, signs point to yes. The Concept is being described as "a next-generation compact EV sports model, fun to drive while achieving excellent environmental performance." It is an all-electric vehicle that combines the pleasure of driving with zero CO2 emissions.
The new EV-STER Concept is made of carbon materials that help reduce the vehicle’s total weight. It is powered by an electric engine combined with a RWD system and a 10kWh lithium-ion battery that ensure a driving range of approximately 100 miles. The concept will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 5 seconds and will be capable of a top speed of 100 mph.
The concept uses an easy-to-operate twin-lever steering that was adopted for the thorough pursuit of the joy of driving. Moreover, the new concept model enables the driver to make his/her own adjustments to some vehicle characteristics such as motor output and suspension settings, to embody the joy of maneuvering to the fullest extent.
UPDATE 12/15/11: Honda has officially announced that the EV-STER Concept has been green-lighted for production. The news comes courtesy of Auto Motor und Sport, who stated that Honda CEO Takanobu Ito has said that the roadster is headed to production and could be offered as early as next year in both standard gasoline and electric powertrains.
For six months, Mugen has lead us all to believe that their Honda CR-Z Concept was just for display purposes, wiping away any hopes of ever seeing a production model. Now it seems as though they have come around and officially confirmed that the Honda CR-Z by Mugen will indeed see the light of production day. It will be put on sale in February 2012, with prices in the UK starting at £23,000 or about $36,000 at the current exchange rates.
The production version Mugen CR-Z will use a supercharger and a remapped ECU to increase power for the 1.5L four cylinder engine to 197 HP and 158 lb-ft of torque, up from the standard 122 HP and 128 lb-ft of torque. Next to the extra power, customers will also have the opportunity to choose between a wide range of Mugen accessories, including stiffer springs and dampers, larger wheels, bigger brakes, and replacement carbon bonnet and doors.
Maybe it’s a coincidence that Honda has confirmed the production version Mugen CR-Z at the same time Toyota and Subaru debuted the GT 86 and BRZ, respectively, or maybe they are developing this model solely for viable competition. Let us know what you think in the comments section below.
The 2012 Honda CR-Z Mugen is beginning to take shape with at least one special edition model already being announced. The 2012 CR-Z iCF Mugen is being prepared by Honda U.K., promising the kind of performance capabilities that are befitting of Mugen’s fine-tuning.
For now, the only details that have surfaced regarding the CR-Z iCF Mugen is that it will carry a modified 1.5-liter engine that comes with an added centrifugal forced air induction system and a remapped ECU that takes the output of the hot hatch to an impressive 173 horsepower. This improved powertrain system allows the car to hit 0-62 mph in just 6.1 seconds while boasting of a top speed of 130 mph.
There doesn’t appear to be any final declarations as to how many of these cars will be sold by Honda UK Mugen dealers in the coming future. But for those interested to know how much a piece will sell for, Honda has announced that one model will carry a price tag of £24,000, which is around $37,200 based on current exchange rates.
