Honda Releases New Photos and Spec Sheet on HSV-10 GT Racer

Today, Honda officially introduced its all-new HSV-010 GT racing car with which it will compete in the GT500 class of the Japanese 2010 Super GT series. The HSV-010 GT, which will take the place of the racing variant of the NSX, is all that has been left from Honda’s V10 powered supercar project that got canned at the end of 2008 due to the recession.

Instead of wasting all the work that went into the development of the Honda / Acura NSX’s spiritual replacement, the Japanese firm decided to use the supercar as a base for its Super GT contender.

Although the HSV-10 GT keeps the unfinished production model’s front-mounted engine, rear-wheel drive layout, Honda’s engineers ditched the V10 powerplant in favor of a naturally-aspirated 3.4-liter V8 unit that churns out more than 500-horsepower and over 392Nm or 289 lb-ft of peak torque.

Honda says that the blacked-out racing model tips the scales at a little over 1,100 kg or about 2,425 pounds and features a double wishbone suspension all around, steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters for the transmission and a rack and pinion system with electric power steering.

Honda HSV-010 GT Spec Sheet

Specifications and performance characteristics

Length x Width x Height (m): 4.675 x 2.000 x (not disclosed)

Wheelbase (m): 2.700

Vehicle weight (kg): 1,100 or more

Engine name: HR10EG

Configuration: Liquid-cooled, naturally aspirated, longitudinal V8

V angle (°): 90

Valve train: Gear-driven DOHC: 2 intake and 2 exhaust valves per cylinder

Displacement (cm3): 3,397

Bore x stroke (mm): 93.0 x 62.5

Compression ratio: (Not disclosed)

Maximum output: 500 or more

Maximum torque(Nm): 392 or more

Throttle control system: Mechanical

Fuel supply system: Programmed fuel injection system (Honda PGM-FI)

Fuel: Lead-free premium gasoline

Lubrication: Dry sump

Transmission mechanism: Constant mesh

Transmission shifting method: Steering paddle shifter

Steering system mechanism: Rack and pinion system with electric power steering (EPS)

Tyres: Front 330/40R18, Rear 330/45R17

Brake type and mechanism: Hydraulic ventilated disc system

Suspension system: Double wishbone

Stabilizer: Torsion bar

Note: The letters “HSV” stand for Honda Sports Velocity.

Honda S2000-Powered 1977 Toyota Celica GT Coupe

If you opened the hood of a 1977 Celica GT, you’d normally find a Toyota four-banger, but not on this one. This first-generation Celica packs a modern-day Honda S2000 engine complete with a 6-speed gearbox. The seller of the vehicle claims that the high-revving S2000 engine has been upgraded and now develops around 268-horsepower which should be more than enough output for such a lightweight coupe.

The owner of the car took the build a step further adding a Honda S2000 digital instrument panel, a pair of 2005 Celica GT sports seats and a four-point roll cage, just to mention a few of the mods.

If you’re interested, the 1977 Celica GT with the Honda heart is up for sale over at Hemmings for a “negotiable $18,000″.

Link: Hemmings – Kudos to Greg for the tip!

MUGEN Honda CR-Z Also Revealed in New Brochure Leak [High-Res]

In addition to yesterday’s leaked brochure shots containing official photos and details of the production version of the 2011 Honda CR-Z, a new scan featuring the JDM MUGEN variant escaped today onto Japanese automotive forums.

The new photo shows Honda’s hybrid-coupe in full MUGEN body ware with a new grille treatment, chunkier side skirts, front apron, large rear wing, a new rear bumper incorporating a diffuser and newly designed alloy wheels.

We assume that, like most MUGEN proposals, the complete package for the 2011 CR-Z will also include numerous other upgrades such as suspension and brake kits, a sport exhaust system and interior options.

The new Honda CR-Z will be launched in its home market in February 2010.

Source: Axfc 

VIDEO: 2011 Honda CR-Z Hybrid Sports Coupe – The Inside Story

Revealed to the public for the first time in production trim at last week’s Detroit motor show, the Honda CR-Z hybrid sports coupe is one of the most anticipated new cars of the year.

In this first official film, the CR-Z’s project leader, Norio Tomobe, and one of its chief engineers, Terukazu Torikai, provide an insight into the development process behind the new model focusing primarily on the car’s handling qualities.

“During the development if the CR-Z we drove many cars and also bought several models for comparison and benchmarking including the MINI, the VW Scirocco coupe and also a Lotus Elise. The target of this car was to realize enhanced handling.” says Terukazu Torikai.

Then again, with a mere 122-horsepower from its 1.5-liter gasoline-electric hybrid powerplant, the CR-Z had better handle well…

New model based on this concept sometime in 2011.

The New Small Concept is Honda’s proposal for a low-cost five-door hatchback in booming emerging markets such as India and it was introduced today at the Auto Expo 2010 in New Delhi. Honda was quite secretive about the five-seater supermini’s underpinnings and mechanical hardware, but the company did reveal that it is planning to introduce a new model based on this concept sometime in 2011.

The supermini will initially be sold in India and in Thailand, though it has been reported that the vehicle is engineered to be a global car so don’t be surprised if the small Honda makes its way in certain Western markets.

It goes without saying that the series model’s styling will be toned down a notch or two compared to the concept, though some features such as the hidden rear-door handles could make it into production.

Tommy Kaira Makes the Honda Insight Hybrid a Little Bit More Interesting to Look at

The new Honda Insight hybrid is one of those vehicles that makes us wonder if the team responsible for its styling fell asleep during the design stage. Tommy Kaira has tried to address this “problem” by developing a new sport package for the Japanese hybrid.

The tuner’s offerings includes an aero kit that is also available in carbon-fiber trim and comprises of a front spoiler, a new grille, side skirts and a rear apron with an integrated diffuser that can optionally house four tail-pipes for an all-show, no-go appearance.

The package can be rounded off with new 15- or 16-inch alloy wheels, a sport suspension that lowers the car by 30 to 35mm and various other accessories and parts such as sport seats, sill plates etc.

2010 Honda CR-Z Sales Brochure: The Full Monty in Pictures

From what we know, Honda will toss the covers off the production version of the CR-Z hybrid coupe at the Detroit Show on Monday afternoon. And even though we’ve shown you brochure images of both the standard and MUGEN variants, as well as still video shots of the CR-X’s spiritual successor, Carscoop reader S.Z. pointed us to a Japanese blog that just posted more than 30 scanned pictures of what is said to be the domestic market sales leaflet. Hit the jump to check out the complete set of photos.

Via: Gazoo G-blog – Hat tip to S.Z!

2011 Honda CR-Z Hybrid Coupe with 122HP and up to 38mpg Unveiled in Production Form at Detroit

The long-awaited 2011 Honda CR-Z hybrid sports coupe made its world premiere in production guise at Detroit Motor Show today. Compared to last year’s Tokyo show concept, the U.S.-spec model seen here has remained more or less the same with changes limited to the different alloy wheels, the larger exterior mirrors, the Honda logo that has moved from the grille to under the bonnet and the revised tail lamp crystals.

The strictly two-seater CR-Z also retains the concept model’s lightly futuristic interior boasting a multi-layer dashboard and three-dimensional instruments with a blue color scheme.

The coupe also gets a mid-ship console behind the front seats to optimize cargo space while a hard-shell separator can be closed to create additional hidden storage.

At the heart of the coupe is a 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine with Honda’s compact and lightweight Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid-electric system.

The CR-Z’s 10kW electric motor assists in acceleration and also acts as a generator during braking or coasting to capture kinetic energy that recharges the 100-volt IMA nickel-metal hydride battery pack. The gasoline engine can automatically turn off during vehicle stops to further improve efficiency.

The hybrid system delivers a combined peak output of 122 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 128 lb-ft. of torque at 1,000 to 1,500 rpm with the standard six-speed manual gearbox and 123 lb-ft when combined with the optional CVT.

The CR-Z also gets a three-mode drive system that allows the driver to select between individual modes of performance for Sport, Normal and Economy driving styles. The system, which affects the settings for steering, engine response, motor assist and air conditioning, is activated through three backlit buttons to the left of the steering wheel.

While Honda did not announce performance figures for the U.S.-spec model, a leaked brochure of the JDM CR-Z makes word of a 0-100km/h (62mph) time of 9.7 seconds, which if true, isn’t exactly what you’d expect from a car that’s the spiritual successor of the CR-X.

What the Japanese automaker did reveal are the preliminary fuel economy estimates. Honda anticipates that the CR-Z will achieve an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 36 city/38 highway mpg for the CVT-equipped models and 31 city/37 highway mpg (7.6 lt and 6.4 lt/100km respectively) for the manual cars.

Again, nothing to be excited about. For example, the latest Toyota Prius that is powered by a 134HP hybrid powerplant and can sprint from 0 to 60mph in 9.8 seconds returns 51mpg city and 48mpg highway. Heck, even the BMW 335d sedan with its mighty 260HP diesel achieves 36mpg on the highway.

When the CR-Z arrives at Honda’s U.S. dealers later this summer, it will be offered in two trim levels, base and EX.

Standard features on the base model include Vehicle Stability Assist, an audio system with six speakers, automatic climate control, power windows and door locks, remote entry and cruise control.

The CR-Z EX will add High-Intensity Discharge (HID) Headlights with Auto-On/Off, fog lights, a 360-Watt premium audio system with seven speakers including subwoofer and Bluetooth, and perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Honda to Debut Insight Sports Modulo and other Models at Tokyo Auto Salon

A tricked out Insight hybrid that looks like it came straight off the set of a cheesy sci-fi B-movie will be the crown jewel of Honda’s fleet of cars at this week’s Tokyo Auto Salon 2010. The largest aftermarket tuning show in Japan will be held from January 15 to 17 at the Makuhari Messe in Chiba.

The Insight Sports concept has been modified by Honda’s own Modulo customization brand and features numerous aero parts that glow in the dark along with a set of oddly styled alloy rims.

The hybrid model’s interior has been upgraded with bucket seats trimmed in Alcantara, while the same material is also found on the three-spoke steering wheel.

Honda did not say if the Insight Sports Modulo concept features any kind of performance modifications.

Aside from the Insight, the Japanese automaker will also showcase various other vehicles including the Freed Styling Study and Life Styling Study.

LA Auto Show: Honda P-NUT Micro Coupe Concept

This… Imperial Stormtrooper-faced (yes, we’re referring to the fictional soldiers from Star Wars) concept car is the Honda Personal-Neo Urban Transport, or P-NUT for short, and it made its world debut today at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Measuring in at just 3,400 mm in length, 1,750 mm in width and 1,439 mm in height, the P-NUT is a futuristic-looking proposal for a micro coupe that’s larger than a Smart Fortwo but more compact than the Fiat 500.

“The objective of the exterior and interior designers was to explore the potential for a new type of small-segment-category vehicle that overcomes many of the objections for existing micro-car designs,” said Dave Marek, director of advanced design for Honda R&D Americas. “While the Honda P-NUT concept introduces function-oriented concepts, it also shows that small cars don’t have to compromise on style or amenities.”

The P-NUT can accommodate three passengers with the center driving position flanked by two rear seats that Honda says provide the same legroom as a mid-sized sedan.

According to the Japanese automaker, the concept car has been designed to be fitted with a variety of rear-mounted powerplants including a conventional small displacement internal combustion engine, a hybrid gasoline-electric powertrain, or a battery-electric powertrain.

Specifications

Size class: Ultra-compact

Layout: Rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive

Passengers: 3

Length: 3,400 mm

Width: 1,750 mm

Height: 1,439 mm

Powertrain: Internal-combustion engine, hybrid-electric or battery-electric