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Monday, April 29, 2013

2013 Honda Fit Sport Review


By  Zach Bowman

The current Honda Fit has been around the block a few times. The subcompact hatch has soldiered on without significant revision since its first update for US customers in 2009, and while Honda is on the verge of launching a third generation, we thought we'd take the time to see how the runabout stacks up against the new wave of small, efficient and plucky five-doors now on the American market. Those include old standbys like the Nissan Versa and Toyota Yaris, as well as relative newcomers like the Chevrolet Sonic and Ford Fiesta.

Those machines may have all covered ground on the Fit, but Honda's wee machine holds a pleasant surprise for those buyers still willing to give the car the time of day. While the rest of the Japanese automaker's lineup has succumbed to dreaded model bloat, the Fit has remained true to the spirit of Honda that we remember from our vagabond youths. This may very well still be the closest genetic ancestor to the Civic models of old.

Outside, the Fit Sport continues to wear its "I'm the meanest June Bug" looks with pride. The oversized, wedge-shaped headlamps and aggressive lower fascia help lend the design plenty of attitude up front, and our tester's 16-inch alloy wheels keep this Honda from looking like it was the cheapest thing on the lot. Still, with a massive windscreen, tall greenhouse and short wheelbase, the Fit Sport can't help but look over-inflated, but that's a criticism we could levy at nearly every other product in this segment as well.

Continue reading here: http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/29/2013-honda-fit-sport-review/#continued

Source: autoblog.com

Friday, April 26, 2013

Honda Civic Tour Sweepstakes

Don't miss your chance to enter the Honda Civic Tour Sweepstakes for a chance to win a hooked up flyaway trip to see Maroon 5, and Kelly Clarkson perform live:https://www.facebook.com/HondaCivicTour?sk=app_298901566903600&app_data=Fly-Away-Sweeps


2013 Honda Fit EV Named Among Greenest Cars



A few years ago, when it started to become clear that more and more automakers would be pushing out more and more hybrid and all-electric vehicles, we could only dream of the day when some of our favorite models would have EV counterparts. Here in 2013, however, cars like the 2013 Honda Fit EV are helping to make the all-electric vehicle more popular than ever, and according to Kelley Blue Book, that particular model is one of the Top 10 Best Green Cars of 2013.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

M Concept: How do you think it would do in the US?



By Steven J. Ewing

 Yes, it looks a bit, uh, toothy, but what you see here is a concept that previews a brand new small MPV specifically designed for the Chinese market. Called the Concept M, the swoopy Honda was designed in Japan and the automaker is currently aiming to launch a production version in China sometime in 2014. Honda hasn't released many details about its small van concept, simply saying that it "offers the attributes of a passenger car while adding new value through the realization of a comfortable and spacious cabin space made possible by Honda's packaging technologies, and the fun of driving." Doesn't sound too bad to us. Have a glance at the Concept M in the gallery above (full disclosure: we don't have live shots of this one), and take a look below for the official press blast direct from the MPV's Shanghai debut, as well as a promotional video showing the new concept from all angles. Oh, and be sure to turn your volume down before pushing the play button.

Source: Honda/ Autoblog

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Used Honda Civic Gets Etch-A-Sketch Makeover

Patience is an art, and by that standard the majority of human beings just aren’t particularly artistic. On the other end of that spectrum, however, is artist Shawn Lisjack, who used a Dremel with a diamond-bit drill to completely transform a used Honda Civic into something that would probably be more at home in a museum than on a highway.

The vehicle (or “artwork,” if you should feel so inclined to refer to it as such—and yes, we certainly do) is a pristine 1992 Honda Civic VX hatchback that first hit roads at the peak of Nirvana’s popularity, but today it’s completely etched from bumper to bumper with original Japanese-inspired doodles. The whole effect is pretty incredible. While it does look great from far away, particularly with fun bright-orange rims, up close it’s very easy to get overwhelmed by the details. It’s amazing what an incredible job Lisjack did with this vehicle, and we’re just glad Honda was able to provide the man his canvas.

Lisjack told Motoramic, "I wanted to create something that was truly unique and 'one of a kind' that the world has never seen before," adding that he has spent approximately 5,000 hours working on the vehicle, with another 1,000 hours or so left to go before it’s completely done. Working ten hours a day every day, that equates to about 20 straight months of work, so we’ll at least give the guy his props and say we love this particular Honda Civic. Linda Vista art fans (and auto fans) are sure to love it, too.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Honda Reins In Three Brand Image Awards


There’s no question that, when it comes to the auto industry, image is everything. Every automaker on the face of the planet wants the general public to view their vehicles as safe, attractive, reliable, affordable, and technologically advanced, but building that image is something that takes a lot of time and energy, and some manufacturers still never quite get there, no matter how hard they work.

Great 2014 Honda Odyssey Overview

Monday, April 8, 2013

2013 HONDA CR-V LX AUTO LEASE SPECIAL

Don't miss out on all of the crazy specials going on at Pacific Honda during the Really Big Spring Event!!  Check out all of our amazing deals, like the 2013 Honda CR-V LX AUTO that can be yours for only $7 a day!!!



VISIT US ONLINE @ www.pacifichonda.com

Saturday, April 6, 2013

2014 Honda Odyssey to Offer Built-In Vacuum

It’s probably safe to say that the overwhelming majority of people that purchase a new minivan are doing so because they’ve got too many children (with too much stuff) for a more traditional family sedan, and it’s also probably safe to say that the overwhelming majority of those children care little for the cleanliness of said minivan.

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Honda Steps Up International Safety Standards



Under the concept of "offering collision-free vehicles to more drivers," Honda Motor Co., Ltd. developed the "City-Brake Active System," an accident avoidance support system, and bundled it into the "Safety Package (tentative name)" with enhanced safety features that also includes vehicle occupant protection technology such as side airbags and side curtain airbags. The "Safety Package" will be adopted for the all-new Fit which will go on sale in this year.
While driving at speeds of less than approximately 30km/h, the City-Brake Active System gives audio and visual warnings to the driver when the system recognizes* a high risk of collision by the laser radar installed in the upper part of front windshield in order to support the avoidance and to mitigate the level of damage of an accident. If the driver does not take action to slow down, the system will apply brakes automatically.
The City-Brake Active System also features a function that restrains the false start of the vehicle. While remaining stationary or driving at speeds of less than approximately 10km/h, if the system determines that the driver stepped too hard on the accelerator pedal -- for instance by mistakenly stepping on the accelerator pedal instead of the brake pedal -- when there is an obstacle within approximately four meters in front of the vehicle, the driver will receive audio and visual warnings, and the system will control engine output to restrain the vehicle from moving forward.
Under the global slogan of "Safety for Everyone," Honda will continue to advance its commitment to its customers in the area of safety and continue striving to realize an accident-free mobility society where people and mobility coexist safely.
Source: honda.com/news

Monday, April 1, 2013

KBB Brand Image Awards: Honda Best Overall Brand



By Jonathon Ramsey



The sixth edition of the Kelley Blue Book Brand Image Awards have crowned a wide range of winners – in a couple of cases the recipient of the laurels might say more about KBB users than they do about the actual winner. Compiled from the responses of more than 12,000 shoppers on KBB.com over the past year, there are 13 categories broken into non-luxury, luxury and truck segments "representing the combined wisdom of the American car-buying public."

The award categories have been revamped this year, with some dropping off, some new ones appearing and at least one other given a new term. What isn't surprising is that Honda won Most Trusted Brand for the second year running, Best Value Brand for the third year in a row and took Best Overall Brand, which wasn't on last year's list of awards.

On our own shores, in the non-luxury categories Chrysler got Most Refined Brand and Buick took Best Value Luxury Brand. Neither one of those marques won anything in last year's Brand Image Awards, whileCadillac, which won Best Interior Design Brand and Best Comfort Brand last year – those awards disappeared this year – went home without a single accolade.

Winners that made us go "Hmmm..." are Toyota for Best Overall Truck Brand and Mini for Best Performance Brand in the non-luxury segment. Last year's truck award was for the Most Rugged Truck Brand and was won by Ford; the switch to "overall" takes things in a completely different direction for KBB users, it seems. And Mini dominating non-luxury performance is something we'd like to hold some focus groups to find out more about.


News Source: Kelley Blue Book & Autoblog.com