Living with the 2011 Honda Accord SE for a Week

 2011 Honda Accord SedanEnlarge Photo

Considering the copious amounts of pressure being put on makers of all traditional family sedans by the 2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2011 Kia Optima as well as the upcoming 2012 VW Passat and soon to be revitalized Chevy Malibu, it is no wonder that Honda has added some new features and revamped the look of the 2011 Accord family sedan. Now, the Honda is an older design among most of the competition but it has stood as our favorite family sedan until even now against all of the myriad family sedans that we have tested recently.

Well, stay tuned even after we review this all new 2011 Honda Accord SE because Insider Car Reviews is going to compare this Accord SE with every family sedan that we have tested or will test this year for a week. (Note: That will include Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, Mazda6, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Ford Fusion, 2012 VW Passat, Chrysler 200, Subaru Legacy and hopefully a Chevy Malibu. We do try our best to be thorough but if interested in that model, keep checking our sister website TheCarConnection.com for their first review.)

This 2011 Honda Accord SE model we got to drive is positioned below the EX version we tested a year ago with its slightly more powerful 190 horsepower motor (the SE nets 177 horsepower) yet the SE model made up for that by giving us some of the best in class leather seats we have experienced. Also, possibly thanks to some re-engineered transmission internals for 2011 that made the Accord more fuel efficient, this SE model felt just as fast as last year’s EX model. Below the SE lie the LX and LX-P trim levels (check out the Honda.com website for specification details on those models. The mythological Accord DX model no longer exists on Honda price sheets.)

Sure, brand new models always hold the thrill of impressing your snooty neighbors by having the newest toy on the block but a family car needs to be looked at as a bit more serious of a financial investment. Decade’s worth of proven engineering excellence, peerless refinement, and an inimitable fun to drive attitude as well as the best interior comfort and ergonomics in its class all go a long way towards explaining why Honda sells so many Accords.

  2011 Honda Accord Sedan

Bulletproof reliability and residuals that don’t require the manufacturer guarantee them with gimmicks (cheap knock at Hyundai) all prove that the Accord offers tremendous value no matter which trim level you pick. But once you hear what Honda is practically giving away its luxury laden SE model for just $23,370, you may want to rethink that Sonata. Please. We beg you. Rethink the Sonata. 

For that price you get a 2.4 liter 177 horsepower/161 lb. feet of torque 4-cylinder and the aforementioned and upgraded five speed automatic which helps this Accord return EPA estimates of 23 city/34 highway. In our hands we got 25.4 miles per gallon over a week which is excellent considering how we drive and us 3 miles per gallon better than the last 2011 Sonata we tested.

Other standard features include full leather seating surfaces, air conditioning, power everything, alloy wheels, a 160-watt audio system with 6-speakers that delivers terrific sound (but lacks a USB/iPod connectivity function that comes with EX models), 8-way power driver’s seat, a power passenger seat, heated front seats, cruise control, tilt/telescoping steering wheel and floor mats. Although we love the full integration of a USB port to listen to our iPod, Honda does give you an auxiliary input jack with every SE and not everyone cares about their iPod as much as we do.

2012 Honda Civic Turns Macy’s Store Window Into New-Model Showroom

The fashion-forward 2012 Honda Civic Coupe, wearing the official livery of an IZOD IndyCar pace car, has taken up residence in the windows of the Herald Square and Roosevelt Macy’s stores to promote the Civic Racing Style sweepstakes heralding the arrival of the all-new, ninth generation Honda Civic.

Visitors to the Herald Square and Roosevelt Field Macy’s stores, or to any of 53 participating New York-area Honda dealerships, are eligible to join the Honda contest. Eleven (11) top-prize winners in the Civic Racing Style sweepstakes will win a 2012 Honda Civic LX Coupe and a $2,500 IZOD shopping spree. Twenty (20) runners up will win a “second chance” trip for two to the IZOD IndyCar World Championship race in Las Vegas, Nevada, which includes one more opportunity to win a 2012 Civic.

In addition to the Civic Racing Style sweepstakes, visitors to the Macy’s and Honda stores will be eligible to enter a second contest, the Honda Fastest Seat in Sports sweepstakes, in which winners will have the opportunity to ride along with legendary racecar driver Mario Andretti in a specially prepared, two-seat IndyCar for the start of an upcoming IZOD IndyCar race.

“Teaming with iconic brands like Macy’s and IZOD and offering consumers chances to win a new Honda Civic and the experience of starting an IndyCar race with Mario Andretti makes this one of the most unique promotions we have undertaken, there is nothing like it in sports,” said Richard Kent, senior marketing manager at American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

This unique partnership brings together Honda, Macy’s and IZOD, the presenting sponsor of the 2011 IndyCar season, to promote three of the world’s most popular consumer brands along with America’s preeminent open-wheel racing series, in conjunction with the launch of the all-new, completely redesigned 2012 Honda Civic, which is the ninth generation of Honda’s fast, fun and fuel efficient compact car.

The winners of the Honda’s Fastest Seat in Sports sweepstakes will be given an all-expenses-paid trip for two (3 nights/2 days) to one of four upcoming IndyCar races along with an all-access pass for two to the raceway, and $1,000 worth of IZOD apparel will be able to lead the start of an IndyCar race in the two-seat IndyCar driven by Mario Andretti. Participating races are the Firestone Twin 275s in Fort Worth, TX (6/11); the Honda Indy 200 in Lexington, Ohio (8/7); the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma in Sonoma, CA (8/28); and the Baltimore Grand Prix in Baltimore, MD (9/4)

Honda is planning to launch a diesel version Honda City model

Its official! Honda Siel Cars India (HSCI) is planning to launch a diesel version of the successful Honda City model.

“We are developing a diesel engine in Japan to power City. It could take us more than two years,” Jnaneswar Sen, senior vice-president (sales & marketing), HSCI was quoted as saying by the Business Standard.

Sen added that the rapid ‘dieselization’ of the market has happened only in the last one year as the difference between diesel and petrol prices has gone up from Rs. 10 to Rs. 21 per litre.

He also mentioned that Honda has no plans to import diesel engines and will continue to dominate in the petrol segment.

 

When do we expect it?

It will take 2 years for Honda to develop the new diesel variant and we can expect a launch in 2014. We are however sceptical about the market response to the City diesel since after 2 years the City diesel will have to face more competition than it would today. Currently, Honda City is losing a fair share of its buyers to the Volkswagen Vento and Maruti SX4, both of which already have diesel versions.

 

Honda City diesel Specifications

Honda has been a master in petrol engine technology, but it has got just one tried-and-tested diesel engine, the 2.2-litre i-Dtec that does duty in the European-specific Honda Accord and Accord Tourer.

However, this bigger engine will not find its place under the hood of the Honda City. Sen mentioned, the company will develop an entirely new engine for the City that may have an engine capacity of somewhere between 1.4 – 1.6 litres. Also read: Honda to launch facelifted Jazz by Diwali 2011

The current Honda City petrol version is powered by a 1.5 litre iVtec petrol motor that puts out 118 bhp of power at 6600 rpm and 146 Nm of torque at 4800 rpm.

 

Honda City Sales

HSCI sold 1,542 units of Honda City in April 2011, while Volkswagen sold 2,866 Vento’s and Maruti sold 2,102 units of SX4 cars snatching the top spot on the sales list from the Honda City. In the coming months we can expect the new Ford Fiesta and the new Hyundai Verna to reshuffle the sales charts.

This is one of the main reasons for Honda readying a diesel power plant for the City as they need to regain the top spot on sales chart.

 

How a Diesel version could boost sales?

Considering Honda’s expertise in making engines and developing new technologies, the diesel engine for the City will make the car’s running cost low and will have an edge over other models provided the company does not get too ambitious by pricing it high.

Honda CITY ZX VTEC

Hero Honda company has decided to grace Indian roads with the discovery of an exclusive, “Honda City ZX VTEC. Honda City ZX VTEC-style does not deviate from the model Idsi. Only a small addition of the exterior of the new fog lamps. This new car is an expensive city, you now can buy. The inside of the car has some new features that look great. Read this review of the Honda City ZX VTEC For more information about the details of the car to get to know.

In the car, you have the chrome knobs for the HVAC vents. These chrome inserts replace the existing timber inside and outside the dashboard. She also received two DIN cassette MP3 player. It has a small badge on the rear right rear who said VTEC. This is a unique feature of the car. The car seems more desirable with a new look and rear bumper. Luggage space is so large that its increased 490-500 liters. This machine has a single overhead camshaft configuration. Honda City ZX VTEC engine delivers a maximum torque 13.5 kilo grams of high-speed 4800rpm. The engine is not much noise. Most previous models that appear in the Hero Honda a busy, but it is not.

This particular car is able to draw from as low as 800 rpm. Engine Control Module seems preferable for the fuel. The fact is that Honda could play with all small capacity machines evident in this car. This machine has a car capable of giving you the power you need to check in even when the fuel is constant. This is a great thing.Transmission of the Honda City is very good.

It feels really good to ride the new ZX model. Suspension city is too cold. The city is able to absorb undulations of the road. Unfortunately, the car is 175mm thick rubber, which fell out 100bhp. Apart from this, the Honda City ZX VTEC put all the chassis and comes with four ventilated discs front and solid at the back. This is useful in crisis situations. The dynamics are very well looked after by Honda to help with the simple transfer of weight. This car was built with a completely different idea. It is not hunger and gasoline would be great for driving on the highway. Are you ready for your town now?

Honda launches 2011 Accord amid sagging sales, supply problems

MANILA, Philippines –  Despite sagging sales and raw material supply problems, Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) launched Tuesday night its flagship model – the Honda Accord – in a simple ceremony that was devoid of the pomp and pageantry that characterized product launches of the past.

The 2011 Honda Accord which became available in the local market starting yesterday, was described by HCPI president and general manager Tatsuya Natsume as “the ultimate premium vehicle of choice for those who truly understand power and technology.”

The new model retails at an introducty price of P1.7 million for the 2.4-liter variant and P2.05 million for the 3.5-liter variant with five colors to choose from: Brilliant White Pearl, Crystal Black, Polished Metal, Bold Beige and Urban Titanium.

The launching came amid a bleak scenario where the company expects to miss its sales target and may even post lower sales than last year’s as a result of supply problems spawned by the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan early this year.

In an interview on the sidelines of Tuesday night’s Honda Accord launch, corporate communications and vehicle sales head Voltaire Gonzales said their 17,600 units sales target is currently under review. In fact, he said there is a chance their sales will be even lower than the 16,600 units Honda sold last year.

“Our sales this year will be lower than our sales plan. It might even be lower than our sales last year,” he said.

Since April, Honda has been producing at 50-percent capacity and this is expected to continue until June. By that time Gonzales said they will have a clearer picture of the supply situation.

“We just want to warn everyone because the auto industry has an effect on other industries like banks and insurance. We just want to be honest and say we are still affected by the crisis,” he said.

“Everything is unstable at the moment,” Honda president Tatsuya Natsume said.

Before the crisis, they used to produce 45 to 50 units of City and Civic per day.

Even with the production cuts, Natsume said they have not laid off any worker or forced anybody to go on leave. He said that while others are in production, the remaining staff are undergoing training. The Sta. Rosa plant has 400 workers while Honda as a whole has 650 employees.

“What is important is that we keep on operating,” Natsume stressed.

He said another option is to cut their working days in half. They are now working six days a week. He said an option is to make it a three day work week but at the moment they are comfortable with their decision to simply cut the production.

For their completely built up units (CBUs), Natsume said that they have not encountered any problems so far. They source the parts from Thailand and Japan. However, he said they expect their CBU allocation to also be reduced by 50 percent.

Natsume said they were forced to cut production for April and May because the flow of raw materials from Japan has been erratic. He said the production situation in Japan is yet to normalize and they think this will happen no sooner than the end of the year.

Natsume said they have not received new shipment of microcomputers from Renesus, the company producing this microchip. He said all their vehicles are fitted with this microcomputer that is why their entire production is affected. Natsume said Renesus has completely stopped its production and will only resume operations in June.

He said they are now using up their inventory and they have decided to assemble a mere half of their normal production to make the supply last longer.

Revisiting The 96-02 Honda City

The SX8 City was Honda’s ‘economical car’ specially designed for the ASEAN market during the downturn of 1996/1997. Rather than spending more resources on developing a completely new car, they looked in their parts bin, grabbed the previous EF-series Civic chassis, restyled the interior and exterior and plunked in their proven D-series engine. It may be mostly recycled but still pleasantly styled and had the looks of a smaller version of the then out-going EK-series Civic when launched.

Externally the City was rather compact, measuring 4225mm end-to-end. Next to the EF Civic donor, it was much rounded at the edges with noticeably increased ground clearance than the former’s sporty low slung profile. A facelift took place in 1999 giving it crystal lamps in front and rear, revised bumpers, new interior fabric pattern, more modern interior layout together with a new badge called the Type-Z. Before the final send off, it was offered with ABS in the VTEC-equipped version.

Like most Japanese cars of the 90s the interior layout is pretty much straight forward: easy to use, all controls within reach and of course acres of grey coloured panels made mostly from durable hard-plastics. Still, unlike some ‘cheap’ alternatives offered even now, all the parts were very well assembled and aligned consistently while 4-power windows were standard even for the base 1.3 model. Similar to the donor, the driver’s seat is a tad low and without height adjustment thus it was common for some drivers to add a cushion for extra height. Rear passenger space is more than sufficient for 2 but will experience a bit of shoulder-rubbing with 3. Of course, there is the 3^rd box in the rear to accommodate more items than a hatchback.

Back when it was first launched, there was just a 1.3-litre D13B mated to either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed slushbox. Drivetrain response was not to be hurried especially in the automatic. Later on, a bigger 1.5-litre unit was fitted, providing better pulling power for a more relaxed drive. The Type-Z version was offered only with auto transmissions and was finally fitted with a SOHC VTEC-controlled D15B after the turn of the millennium.

At the wheel, one gets reminded on how previous Hondas were related to their sporting pedigree. Whilst it lacked electric assisting gizmos, the mechanical setup from the all-round McPherson struts provides sufficient amount of grip and composure in the corners. The hydraulic driven steering is nicely weighted and feedbacks plenty of road-feel from the wheels. Of course the pick of the bunch is the VTEC for a more engaging drive although it is nothing like the B or H series when being engaged, even though the usual 1.5-litre Hyper engine will see through most daily needs, returning rather encouraging fuel efficiency.

Mechanically the City shares a lot of parts with the EF, and some from the EG or EK-series Civics beginning from the doors, steering system, D-series engine as well as transmission. However being a region-specific model, some cosmetic or external parts are easier to source from Thailand. Used prices start from a lowly RM13000 for a 1.3 to around RM30000 for a last batch of Type-Z VTEC.

Honda to bring out diesel version of popular sedan City

Honda to bring out diesel version of popular sedan City to counter competition

The Japanese automobile maker Honda whose mid size sedan City is a segment leader but is facing some serious competition now. According to a report in Business Standard, to stave off the challenge from competitors, Honda is developing a diesel engine for Honda City. It was mentioned that globally, Honda has only one diesel engine, developed for Europe. This 2.2-litre engine cannot be used as Honda City needs an engine of 1.4-1.6 litres. Also, it runs on fuel with low sulphur content, according to the report.

It was reported that the premium mid-sized sedan segment is one of the fastest-growing, with sales rising 25 per cent a year on an average. About 140,000 units were sold in 2010-11. Honda City has been the leader for a decade. Its share was 35 per cent in 2010. Its

The report mentions that Honda Siel Cars India (HSCI), the Indian arm of Honda Motor Company, also plans to develop a car smaller than Brio, its passenger car. With a price of less than Rs 5 lakh, it will mark Honda’s entry into the mass market. The report stated that in the premium mid-size sedan segment, 65 per cent cars sold by City’s competitors run on diesel. The growing difference between petrol and diesel prices has seen newcomer Volkswagen Vento (which has both petrol and diesel versions) race ahead of City in the last two months. Volkswagen sold 3,973 units of Vento in March, as compared to City’s 2,773 units.

The report quoted Jnaneswar Sen, senior vice-president (sales & marketing), HSCI as saying “We are developing a diesel engine in Japan to power City. It could take us more than two years.” He also mentioned that “The rapid dieselisation of the market has happened only in the last one year, as the price difference between diesel and petrol has gone up from Rs 10 to Rs 21. We had to prioritise our efforts to be a big brand with big volumes, which will come from Brio.” It was also reported that he ruled out importing diesel engines, as many others had done. He said “We believe we make the best engines and, therefore, there is no question of importing. Till then, we will continue to dominate the petrol segment.”

The segment is already heating and according to report, the leader in passenger cars Maruti Suzuki has already introduced SX4 petrol, but could sell 800-2,000 units a month. This February, it launched a diesel model. There have been over 10,000 bookings so far. Another competitor Hyundai Motor has launched the new Verna this week, with diesel variants priced between Rs 8.09 lakh and Rs 10.75 lakh. Ford Global Fiesta’s petrol and diesel versions will be launched in July, according to the report.

Honda city zx vtec review

Honda city zx vtec review

The Honda city is considered to be the perfect companion on your journeys and to reach you safely to your destination. The Honda city ZXVTEC is the new car from Honda that has come to help you have a more comfortable and easy drive. The car comes with great innovative features and delivers power along with style. You will find many interesting features in this new car. The car is built with style and elegance to suit your personality. Much thought has been given to the style and the design of the car.

Design and style

The Honda city ZXVTEC can give you effortless drive on a road full of traffic due to the proper design that has been especially built to handle the traffic on the Indian roads. It is evident that the design is splendid and gives perfect protection side molding, side mirror that give a great view and are located perfectly. You will also find the bumper, door handle and the side mirror in the color of the car. The front of the car comes with fog lamps that give extra safety. The other improved parts in the Honda city are the 3D multi-reflector headlamps that are quite powerful, the tall light cluster for better viewing and the front chrome grille that enhances the look of the car.

The key features

The car has been built with ultimate care and safety features. you will find the car has electric power steering that can tilt the way you like and has extra features like the power door lock, central door lock, child proof rear door locks plus a warning light in case the door is left ajar. Apart from this you can also get the most important safety features that are life saving like the Dual Front SRS airbags, Central Door Lock Switch and Antilock Brake system. The Honda city ZXVTEC is equipped with 1497cc OHC engine and come with 100 PS at 5800 rpm power. The maximum torque created is 133 Nm at 4800 rpm. For those who are a little short in height, are provided with adjustable driver seat for easy driving comfort. The rear and the front suspension give the driver a real driving experience.

The Highlights

The most important thing about a car for the average user is its fuel efficiency. The car gives an overall mileage of 12.1 kmpl and holds PGM-FI system. The Honda city ZXVTEC reviews are positive and helpful.

Honda City Car Overview

Honda City Car Overview

Honda City is another model released by Honda for those peoples who love driving smoothly. Every person desires to have a good looking car which attracts others and give you better driving. This model of Honda is most famous because of its outstanding performance. The cutting edge design attracts most peoples, so for this purpose Hondas made a model with the name of Honda City. It’s a first class vehicle with almost every functions and reliability in it. This model of Honda explores the world of advanced technology with the new and luxurious model ever released.