Countdown to the 2013 Honda Accord

Less than 20 days until the release of the 2013 Honda Accord! To help us look forward, we're taking a quick look back at the first-generation model:
The Accord debuted in the U.S. market in 1976 as a front-wheel drive, 3-door hatchback. When most Japanese cars at the time were rear-drive econoboxes, the Accord offered standard air conditioning, AM/FM radio and radial tires. Honda underestimated demand and some customers waited up to 3 months to take delivery.

The 2013 Accord's release is set for Sept. 19th.

Should Honda Build a 2013 Honda Accord Convertible?

When the 2013 Honda Accord was revealed a few weeks ago it got us thinking. The Accord has been one of the best-selling models in America for years, yet Honda has been hesitant to expand the model lineup beyond the basic coupe and sedan. Sure, there was the original hatchback, a wagon in the early '90s and even the recent Accord Crosstour experiment. But what about something a little more interesting? Something that might inject some life into Honda when it needs it the most? What about a 2013 Honda Accord Convertible?

With that in mind we asked some of our industry sources if such a vehicle had been considered for the latest Accord lineup. Sure enough, they said there was some internal discussion about just such a car. But as far as they could tell, that's about as far as the convertible got.

In fact, when we asked a Honda official if any Accord convertible prototypes existed, he responded with a light-hearted, "Yes! And the really cool thing about them is that at speeds over 60 mph, the wheels retract and high-efficiency jets pop out." We took that as a no, and he confirmed that rumors about such prototypes are "purely fictional."

The idea stuck in our heads, though, so our in-house Photoshop artist created a couple renderings of what an Accord convertible would look like. The result is an attractive look for the new Accord, with clean lines and a refined shape that convertible buyers in this category would likely find enticing.

And let's face it, the category is ripe for the taking. Consider what a Honda Accord convertible would be up against. The Camaro and Mustang convertibles are most often considered performance cars or kids convertibles, while the Chrysler 200 is either a rental car or an old person's car depending on whom you ask. Sure, there are more refined drop tops for more money (G37, Lexus IS 250 C, etc.) but an Accord convertible would appeal to those looking to have a little fun without appearing like they cashed out of their kids' college funds to do it.

Seems reasonable to us. Then again, we don't have to engineer the thing, but a basic soft-top mechanism shouldn't be that hard to work up. Honda did a fine job with the S2000's lid. Speaking of which, that car has been out of production for a few years, so it's high time Honda gets back into the convertible game once again. What do you think? Would this convertible be a good addition to the Accord family?

-Courtesy of Edmund's Inside Line

Monday Maintenance Tip: Keep Your Car Brakes Clean

Hey fans, here's a Monday maintenance tip: Make sure to keep your brakes free of dust and grime. If you leave it too long, the combination of road grime, moisture and heat from your brakes will bake it on to your wheels. Brake dust normally clings to wheels with static electricity so a damp sponge and clean cold water is the best way to get it off.

-Courtest of CarBibles.com

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Here's a recent customer response to service done at Honda of Gainesville:

"Went in for an oil change and was pleasantly surprised at receiving a carwash, etc. There was some issues that were pointed out to me during the multi-point inspection and I really liked having each issue broken down to me. Brad Craig went over how each of the issues could cause an issue, and what the risk was. It really was a good experience for me."

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Paint by Numbers: A Honda Environmental Short Film

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"I purchased my first Honda Civic in 2004, then graduated up to an Element 3-months later as I just needed a larger vehicle.  Both of these were purchased from Honda of Gainesville.  The Sales staff were the most professional, courteous and helpful folks I have ever dealt with.  For all of my service, body and other visits from 2004 to the present I have taken my Element into Honda of Gainesville and have never had anything to complain about.  When I have service and other work done the shuttle is awesome and works great around whatever schedule you work.  I have rated them #1 for over 8 years now and will purchase my next vehicle from them too!!!  I also take my other vehicle to them for the minor service visits and highly recommend this dealership and service department to anyone who will listen to me  :)"

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Honda begins production of new Accord in Ohio

The first mass-production version of the 2013 model year Honda Accord sedan, fully made over, rolled off an Ohio assembly line on Monday.

The 2013 Accord will go on sale at U.S. dealerships next month. The 2012 version of the Accord is the second-biggest-selling car in the United States so far this year.

The Accord has been made at the Honda plant northwest of Columbus, Ohio since 1982, when Honda became the first Japanese automaker with a U.S. plant.

Since then, more than 9 million Accord sedans have been made at the plant.

"For 30 years, the Accord has been the signature vehicle from Honda, and it remains the industry benchmark in a very competitive segment," said Hide Iwata, president and chief executive of Honda of America Manufacturing.

Honda hopes that the full makeover of the Accord will help it keep pace or outsell the likes of the Camry, Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion, Chevrolet  Malibu and Hyundai Sonata.

Sales generally spike when a model gets a makeover, and Honda expects that the ninth-generation of the Accord will follow that trend when it goes on sale next month. Sales for the current 2012 version of the Accord are up 28 percent this year.

The midsize sedan market is the most competitive in the United States. By year's end, most of the major competitors will be selling models that have been significantly updated in the past year.

Through July, five of the 11 top-selling models in the U.S. auto market were midsize sedans. And, excluding pickup trucks and SUVs, five of the top seven were midsize sedans.

The top-selling midsize through July was the Camry, updated last year, at 243,816 sold. In second was the Accord, followed closely by the Nissan Altima.

Most of those Altima sales were for its 2012 model, which is still on dealer lots, sharing space with the new 2013 Altima.

 

-Courtesy of the Chicago Tribune

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Fans, right now you can claim our Super Saver Offer-- $10.00 on any fluid exchange service! To print out your coupon and to view our other service offers, visit us online: http://bit.ly/Rx305u

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Honda's Fit EV gives battery cars a much-needed jolt

It is no secret that sales of electric vehicles haven't been burning up the track.

You can identify any number of reasons why: unsettled economic conditions, stable gasoline prices, lack of functionality, improved internal combustion engines, unrealistic expectations, growing interest in other alternative fuels. 

What EVs need are new models with greater capability that generate some enthusiasm for the segment. Despite some drawbacks, the Honda Fit EV could be one of the buzz-builders.

With only a smidgen of cars available, Honda loaned me a Fit EV for three days of driving, and it reawakened my belief in the potential of new technology. The Fit takes most of the mystery out of EVs, gives drivers a clear understanding of the car's potential as well as its limitations, and is more fun to drive than anything I've been in recently -- gasoline or electric.

The key is transparency. Honda has cleared away extraneous data from the instrument panel and prominently displayed the single piece of data most essential to EV drivers: range.

Moreover, the range decreases in a measured, methodical way that -- at least in my experience -- isn't subject to any stomach-churning drops. There's nothing like being ten miles from home after being abruptly informed that your EV range has sunk to nine miles.

All the factors that can affect driving range are clearly posted. The Fit EV has three levels of energy usage: Econ, Normal, and Sport. Select any of the three, and the change in range registers immediately. Turn on an energy-sucking accessory like air conditioning or heater, and another gauge passes on the bad news.

The Fit EV even has enough oomph to make it an eminently practical daily driver. Running in Econ mode, my fully recharged car registered a range of 116 miles. Shifting to normal driving and it dropped to 100 miles -- still ample for most uses. Sport mode exacted an additional mileage penalty of 10%, but it did increase the fun factor. Honda says the acceleration in sport mode is equivalent to a gasoline car like the Volkswagen Jetta with an engine displacement of 2.0 liters or more.

Quick and responsive, the gasoline-powered Fit has always been fun to drive, and the instant torque generated by the battery-powered motor makes it even more so. By, in effect, downshifting from Eco to Normal to Sport, you get an immediate and gratifying jump forward. Although the lithium-ion batteries add more than 600 pounds of weight, you hardly know they are there. This is the rare EV that feels light to the touch.

Price is a bit of a stumbling block. The Fit EV is only available for lease, and the tab for three years is $389 per month. Honda says that is equivalent to the monthly lease for a gas-powered Fit in similar upscale trim under similar terms with no money down. Both the Leaf and the Volt are a bit less expensive. Nissan recently cut the price for a Leaf lease to as low as $289 a month for 39 months. A three-year lease for the Volt goes for $369 a month.

 Honda plans to make only 1,100 Fit EVs available. Initially you'll only find them in California and Oregon -- states with the most built-out EV infrastructure. In early 2013 Honda will expand availability to six East Coast cities. That's a lot of ground to cover with only 1,100 cars. You won't have any trouble recognizing one if it turns up in your neighborhood, though. Customers can get a Fit EV in any color they want as long as it is electric blue.

Being a Honda, the Fit EV probably won't be getting as much visibility as other more publicized EV efforts. Moreover, the bloom may be coming off the entire EV movement. New technologies like hydrofracking are expanding the availability of oil, while supplies of natural gas keep growing, making compressed natural gas more attractive to fleet users. Still, the Fit EV brings some welcome energy to a segment that really needs it. 

Courtesy of CNN Money

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Or call it the Acura NSX if it makes you feel better. Regardless, it's still a Honda and it's the car that gave the likes of Ferrari and Lamborghini near fatal heart attacks in the early 1990s. The mid-engined, rear-wheel drive NSX literally proved overnight that supercars can also have superb build quality. At the time, many Ferraris, for example, had interiors that looked and felt like drug store bought cardboard.

The NSX also set a new benchmark in terms of overall reliability, as many early model examples are still on the road today. Back in 1984, Honda asked legendary Italian design house Pininfarina to style their upcoming HP-X (Honda Pininfarina Xperimental) car. Like the eventual production version, this tester featured a mid-mounted V6. Not long after, Honda management decided to pursue the project in full, but knew the ultimate goal was for it to be faster than its targeted Italian and German competitors.

The original NSX benchmark was the Ferrari 328, but it had to have superior performance and build quality - all at a cheaper price.Because it couldn't handle the required performance, the 2.0 V6 was soon dropped in favor of the more powerful 3.0-liter VTEC V6. The exterior design was inspired by the 360 degree visibility of an F-16 fighter jet cockpit. Above all, the NSX was specifically meant to showcase Honda's F1 technologies. The NSX was also the first production car to have an all-aluminum monocoque body, complete with an aluminum alloy frame and suspension.

Not only did this body considerably cut weight (441 lbs.) over the steel alternative, the suspension reduced weight by an additional 44 lbs. Other advances included an anti-lock brake system, titanium connecting rods in the engine, and electric power steering.

 

 

The production version was revealed in 1989 at the Chicago and Tokyo Auto Show to rave reviews. Performance and power wise, the 3.0-liter VTEC V6 produced 270hp and could go from 0 to 60 mph in 5.03 seconds and had a quarter mile time of 13.47 seconds. Automotive publications throughout the world declared that Ferrari, Lamborghini and even Jaguar had been put on notice. Buyers could choose between a four-speed automatic or a five-speed (later a six-speed) manual. Early model year examples weighed a total of just 2,976 lbs. Throughout the NSX's lifetime, it also received some power upgrades and various special editions.

Production ceased in 2005, but the NSX name and legacy has never died. Honda has been fully aware of this and just last January they unveiled their all-new NSX concept. They have confirmed that it will go into production by the 2015 model year.The owner of this 1992 NSX has opted to keep it mostly original. Only minor modifications have been done, such as lowering it by 1.5 inches, a set of new wheels, and a bodykit. He describes it as "simple and beautiful."

 

 

There are still many NSXs on the road today with more than 100,000 miles - you can't say that about many (or all) of the Ferraris from that era. And if Honda does things right, the next NSX may also become an exotic sports car legend.

Courtesy of Car Buzz

Honda releases first photos of redone, shorter 2013 Accord

The next Honda Accord is being revealed today, a sleeker, more-fuel-efficient sedan that faces tough rivals.

At least Honda has great timing: The current Accord has re-established itself as a best seller after a difficult year in which supplies were interrupted by Japan's tsunami. Last month, Accord was second only to Toyota's Camry as America's best-selling car, and it was the fourth-best-selling vehicle of any kind.

Honda says the new look for 2013 is more sculpted. "It doesn't scream and shout, but it's sophisticated and refined," says Vicki Poponi, an assistant vice president.

The new Accord is 3 inches shorter than the one it replaces but retains about the same interior size. The trunk is a cubic-foot larger. Honda engineers have an "obsession with getting the most interior (space)," she says.

The ninth generation of Accord will compete in the big but ever-tougher midsize-car market, where automakers are placing huge bets. New products have poured into the segment. Besides the just year-old redone Camry and Volkswagen Passat and 2-year-old Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima, redone 2013 models newly on sale or soon to be include Chevrolet Malibu, Nissan Altima and Ford Fusion.

"This is going to be a real battleground," says George Peterson, president of AutoPacific. "It's going to take an Accord to bring back the same level of excellence, high value and quality (Honda) has had in the past."

Honda says it's going to stay ahead of the competition by giving the new Accord more upscale touches and new technology. It will get LED headlights, taillights and running lights, a feature typically found in luxury cars. The four-cylinder base engine will be paired with a more gas-efficient continuously variable transmission, or CVT, rather than a conventional automatic transmission. The new transmission is "not rubber-bandy" feeling, a reputation of many CVTs, Poponi asserts. Unlike many others, Accord still will offer a V-6, too.

Although Honda didn't reveal the expected fuel-economy figures — or the price — the new Accord is designed for extra-low wind drag, with flush-mounted window glass and wipers and a smoother underbody.

Peterson says Honda doesn't need to be the segment leader to win customers when it comes to fuel economy, but it will have to post in the high-30-miles-per-gallon range in highway driving.

Accord has the advantage of having an army of happy customers behind it, points out Joseph Phillippi of AutoTrends. "Maybe (the styling) is a little conservative, but there is a huge cadre of loyal owners out there," he says.

-Courtesy of USA Today

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Don't Miss Out on the Honda Summer Clearance

Hey fans, the Honda Summer Clearance event is still on. Score some great incentives on new Hondas, like the 2012 Civic. Find out more about these great incentives by visiting us online! http://bit.ly/OZBOKn

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"Stopped by today just to look. Fully plan on making a used car purchase sometime in the next few weeks, but am just looking for now. Steven was very helpful, not pushy. Even though I made it clear I would not be buying or even test driving today, he spent time with me. I have a pretty low price range I'm looking at, and he did not keep encouraging me to go over my budget, which the two other dealers I stopped at did.
I may be coming back to buy a car from them, just because of the service today."

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Car Care Tip

Have a lot of junk in your trunk? That’s not such a good thing, at least not when it comes to fuel economy. Every hundred extra pounds your car carries diminishes fuel economy by 2%. Be sure to only carry the essentials to improve fuel economy and minimize drag.