2012 Honda Insight Recieves Minor Model Change

The upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show will see Honda revealing the 2012MY Insight hybrid alongside the European market 2012 Civic 5d hatchback. But for now, we get the first official photograph and initial information on the Japanese carmaker's Prius rival.



The big news for the 2012 model year is that, for the first time, the Honda hybrid model's CO2 emissions drop below the 100 g/km mark, to 96 g/km.



The automaker say this has been achieved thanks to a series of enhancements, which include reduced engine friction, changes to the CVT transmission and to the air conditioning that benefits from a new cold storage system, further aiding the reduction of fuel consumption.



The 2012 MY Insight also features some subtle exterior changes, with the most notable being the new front grille and the redesigned front bumper. A slimmer spoiler at the rear allows for a larger glass area, and, along with the smaller wiper, better rear visibility.



Honda’s engineers have also changed the suspension settings in order to improve both stability and ride comfort, while changes on the interior are limited to the use of higher quality materials.

Full details are to be announced at a later date.



Source;

http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2011/09/honda-refreshes-insight-hybrid-for-2012.html

Honda Exec Downplays Impact of Consumer Reports Trashing

No maker can "always hit them out of the park."

by Paul A. Eisenstein on Aug.30, 2011

Timing is everything – and Mike Accavitti was clearly wondering whether he got it right the day he accepted his new job as head of marketing for American Honda, a couple months back.

That was the same day that the influential Consumer Reports magazine took a potshot at the Honda Civic, declaring that the 2012 remake of the long-popular subcompact, normally one of the non-profit publication’s favorite choices, “now…ranks near the bottom of its category.”

As if to drive the knife deeper, the magazine followed up with a second report raising serious questions about Honda itself. And CR wasn’t alone. The 2012 Honda Civic has received a rash of criticism while the maker itself has come under increasing fire from various media – including TheDetroitBureau.com – faulting it for a variety of issues, including timid design.

Further complicating matters, the maker was hit hard by the earthquake that struck Japan on March 11. The subsequent product shortages have probably reached their worst this month, says Accavitti, a former Chrysler executive.

“For a second, I thought, ‘Holy, moley, what did I get myself into?’” he says with a laugh that betrays his initial concerns. But despite Honda’s recent setbacks, the new marketing chief insists he’s in for a good ride.

“We still respect Consumer Reports, though we disagree with some of their findings,” he told TheDetroitBureau.com in an exclusive interview, comparing the criticism of the maker to the way an A student might be chastised for bringing home a B+. The competition, Accavitti suggested, is like a C student being heralded for getting a B. “Every time you step up to the plate you’re not going to hit them out of the park.”

The new Civic simply reflects the changing realities faced by Honda, which has gone from being a niche player to part of the automotive mainstream over the years. Today, “You have to be a little more conservative than when you have nothing to lose and can risk a roll of the dice,” insisted Accavitti.

In fact, Honda continues to take risks, he suggested, with products like the CR-Z, the Accord CrossTour and the Acura ZDX. While industry analysts might agree, they’d also point out that Honda has largely flopped with most of its recent niche offerings. The ZDX barely registers on the sales charts and aiming to spark new life into the hatchback, Honda has dropped the Accord name and will simply call it CrossTour for 2012.

Honda could boost sales, Accavitti asserted, if it wanted to play by the rules of the competition. But the maker has no intention of bumping up its incentives – as even Japanese arch-rival Toyota has done in a bid to revive lackluster sales – nor will Honda start dumping cars into fleet markets, a familiar tactic when Accavitti was at Chrysler.

“We’ve been hit hard,” said the new Honda vice president, and “August will be the worst month of the year from an industry situation,” but as inventories rebuild, he promises, Honda will show that it can overcome short-term setbacks, including criticism from a powerhouse like Consumer Reports.

Source;

http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2011/08/honda-exec-downplays-impact-of-consumer-reports-trashing/

Tata Motors sales fall 3 p.c. in August; Nano sales dip 85p.c.

Tata Motors today reported a 2.84 percent decline in total sales during August 2011, to 64,078 units with sales ofits small car Nano falling by 85 per cent during the month.

The company had sold 65,954 units in the samemonth of 2010, the company said in a statement.

The homegrown firm's total passenger vehiclessales in the domestic market stood at 16,829 units in July, a fall of 33.25 percent from 25,212 units in the same month last year.

The company's latest offering Nano's salesstood at 1,202 units during the month, down 85 per cent, the company said.

The 'Indica' range reported sales of 7,206units, down 4 per cent vis-a-vis August, 2010, Tata Motors said.

In addition, the 'Indigo' family recorded salesof 5,100 units, a decrease of 24 per cent in comparison to the same month lastyear. Sales of 'Sumo', 'Safari' and 'Aria' grew by 15 per cent to 3,321 units.

In the commercial vehicles segment, the companysold 43,045 units in the domestic market during the month under review comparedto 35,585 units in the same month last year, translating into an increase of20.96 per cent.

Light commercial vehicle sales during the monthamounted to 26,344 units, a growth of 27 per cent over last year, while mediumand heavy commercial vehicle sales stood at 16,701 units, a growth of 12 percent compared to August, 2010.

The company's exports fell by 18.48 per cent to4,204 units last month from 5,157 units in the same month last year, it added.

Recent Advances in Wireless Communications and Networks

Edited by: Jia-Chin Lin

ISBN 978-953-307-274-6, Hard cover, 454 pages
Publisher: InTech
Publication date: August 2011
Subject: Wireless and Mobile Communication

This book focuses on the current hottest issues from the lowest layers to the upper layers of wireless communication networks and provides “real-time” research progress on these issues. The authors have made every effort to systematically organize the information on these topics to make it easily accessible to readers of any level. This book also maintains the balance between current research results and their theoretical support. In this book, a variety of novel techniques in wireless communications and networks are investigated. The authors attempt to present these topics in detail. Insightful and reader-friendly descriptions are presented to nourish readers of any level, from practicing and knowledgeable communication engineers to beginning or professional researchers. All interested readers can easily find noteworthy materials in much greater detail than in previous publications and in the references cited in these chapters.

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Car and Driver: Ford Evos Concept - Auto Shows

Wow....

Good genes: Ford’s Frankfurt debutant defines a new design language for its global products.

BY STEVE SILER



At the 2005 Frankfurt auto show, Ford’s stunning Iosis concept car debuted the company’s “Kinetic” design language, which shortly thereafter debuted on non-U.S. models like the Mondeo, European Focus, C-Max, and Kuga. Our first taste of Kinetic design came more recently with the 2011 Fiesta and 2012 Focus models. But now Ford’s look is evolving, with another Frankfurt concept—the 2011 show’s gorgeous and aptly named Evos—previewing the next evolution (get it?) of Blue Oval design.



Sadly, the company won’t go so far as to adapt the Evos’s quad butterfly doors for production. But this fastback four-seater, which is shorter than a Focus sedan but wider than a Porsche Panamera, does embody a half dozen newly defined pillars of Ford global design—which will drop the Kinetic moniker. The Evos will provide the template for future Fords, and so we took a virtual tour of the car with Ford design chief J Mays, who explained those design pillars.



Ford’s New Global Design Language, Explained

The first two pillars of Ford’s new design language are “silhouette innovation” and “perceived efficiency.” The former, according to Mays, represents a profile “that defines your automobile and looks different than most of the other cars in a particular class on the road,” while the latter equates to visual lightness and sleekness. “We’d like to have lightweight pillars [and] a teardrop cabin [where] the lines on the side disappear at a vanishing point somewhere around 100 yards behind the car.” The gist? Think less ‘traditional three-box sedan’ and more ‘four-door coupe.’



“Refined surface language” refers to a smoothing out of Kinetically sculpted body surfaces, among them the architectural fenders, creased door skins, and sculpted hoods. This directive also appears to be a reaction to other manufacturers that Mays claims have “annexed” and subsequently exaggerated Ford’s Kinetic motifs. Ford is going in “exactly the opposite direction” now, he said, keeping what he called the “excitement” of Kinetic design but rendered in “beautiful shapes you’d love to run your hands over.”



An emphasis on the fourth pillar, “technical graphics,” basically refers to the lamps and lower body addenda. “Headlamps seem to be growing to absurd proportions,” said Mays. “They’ve become less about technology and more about design flourish and style. And we think that’s reached its complete evolution. So we’re going to the minimal height for the headlamps and the taillamps and we’re going to let the technology speak for the graphics rather than overt style.” The headlamps on the Evos are rendered in LEDs “designed in such a way that you probably haven’t seen before.” Will every future Ford model get “razor-cut” headlamps such as these? Yes, and Mays told us that he is committed to LED headlamps on every new Ford, although we’ll have to see if those make it past the accountants.



The final two newly defined design-isms are the “new face of Ford,” which involves pulling the trapezoid grille way up to the leading edge of the hood (it gives the Evos a sort of Mustang-esque shark nose), and a “visual sense of premium quality,” which—besides being less catchy than the others—basically means creating the sort of designs people associate with higher-end cars. “We’ve tried to eliminate one of the grilles on the vehicle, and focus on the other. And what that does is allow us to have a smaller inlet, gives us better aerodynamics, and also, I think, looks much more premium.”



If roadgoing Fords end up looking like the Evos, we say “mission accomplished” to the premium bit. Indeed, more than a few of us think that the “new face of Ford” looks a lot like the current face of Aston Martin, particularly, the slim, six-sided grille and Rapide-esque roofline. Could Ford be suffering from a case of “seller’s remorse” after getting rid of Aston Martin during the great fire sale of 2008? Mays didn’t admit any such—to borrow his own term—annexation of Aston’s designs, but when asked about the similarities, he seemed rather comfortable with the comparison.



Head in the “Cloud”

However Aston-y the Evos looks, it wouldn’t be a show car if it didn’t contain a boatload of future tech. Cloud-based connectivity supposedly helps the Evos identify and pre-arrange its various systems to match the preferences of the upcoming drive, thus promising “seamless connectivity” from home to car to office, which may or may not be a good thing. It also gauges the skills of the driver and, reconciling them with weather and road conditions, adjusts the powertrain and chassis to maintain “optimum safety”—which sounds a bit Hal 9000 to us. Then there are the “driver wellness” features, too, which include a heart-rate monitor; the car is able to use current and previous data via the cloud to monitor “the physical state and workload of the driver and adjusts the driving experience accordingly.” To the good, if you start driving aggressively, the Evos will also simplify the gauge cluster to provide only necessary info and switch the driver’s phone to “do not disturb mode.”



The Evos is powered by—what else?—the cloud. Just kidding. It features a lithium-ion-based, plug-in gas/electric powertrain that’s said to be able to deliver extended-range or parallel-hybrid propulsion, ultimately delivering the same sort of fuel economy as the Ford C-Max Energi that’s scheduled to arrive stateside next year. Ford gave no more details on the powertrain beyond this: The cloud would theoretically be heavily involved, directing the car when to make various on-the-fly powertrain adjustments, such as switching to electric mode when driving into a city center that may have emissions restrictions.



We won’t have to wait long to see the look previewed here on a saleable Ford product. The 2013 Fusion will be the first Ford to wear the new design language; we expect to see that car next January at the Detroit show. In the meantime, if you can make it to Frankfurt, check out the Evos—it’s a stunner.



Source;

http://www.caranddriver.com/news/car/11q3/ford_evos_concept-auto_shows

New 2012 Honda Brio test drive & review

Not for us in North America....Hyundai i10 and Chevrolet Beat beware, Honda has plans to upset the applecart

By:Rohin Nagrani Published :September 01, 2011 Photos: Pablo Chaterji



Honda has been, how do we really put it, fairly quiet for a long time now. Since the launch of the Jazz in 2009, there really have been no new car launches, except for the odd facelift. Two years certainly is a long time to be without a new car and in all that time the market has changed a fair bit. Diesels have gained prominence, a lot of brands have launched products that many would like to believe are relevant to a market like India and everyone has managed to increase marketshare, except for Honda.



It has seen a somewhat downward spiral, even though it has managed to improve sales every now and then. It's only because it hasn't had a credible small car in the portfolio. And a diesel option. The first is getting cured now, with the launch of the Brio this very month and first impressions are that it is going to shake up the established lot.



For those who believe that it's a Maruti Suzuki Swift rival, read again. It's more in the league of the Hyundai i10, Chevrolet Beat and Maruti Suzuki Ritz league, especially as price positioning goes. Sure, the odd Swift and Polo may figure in its crosshairs, especially the lower variants of the duo, but if you consider the whole deal, the Brio would certainly love to take potshots at them, while the re-positioned Jazz finishes the deal off.



We drove the Brio extensively, subjected it to a whole lot of highway driving, some urban and the odd hill drive at full-tilt for this first driving impression.



1. It's quite amazing how Honda have managed to package the Brio in such a tiny footprint. Measuring just 3.6 metres in length and with a turning radius of 4.5 m, the Brio makes for an ideal city car. What's more, Honda's philosophy of man maximum, machine minimum comes truly to the fore here. At 930 kg, it's considerably lighter than a lot of its competition, except for the larger Toyota Etios Liva at 900 kg.



2. The Brio's design is rather unique and has some facets that make it cute and cuddly. It stays more or less true to the original concept we all first witnessed at the Delhi Auto Expo 2010. Takeaways from the design include a smallish front grille with the large Honda logo, the large airdam for the front bumper, a rising waistline and of course the glass hatch and the protruding tail lamps.



3. Many have asked about the tailgate and here's what we think of it. The original Maruti 800 also had one, but unlike that, this one doesn't have the fixed metal gate the 800 enjoyed. Nevertheless there is a degree of usefulness, what with it being lighter than a metal and glass tail gate and visibility through the rear glass is excellent. Honda Siel claims that the tailgate is made of tempered glass, like any other automobile, but uses a 5 mm thick variety instead of the usual 3 mm to account for safety and durability. However, one must remember, in case of an insurance claim in case of an accident, you won't be getting more than 50 per cent, so there's some food for thought.



4. On the inside, the Brio has its share of good points and some not so good ones. Let's first talk about what you get. The Brio in the highest trim, that is V, comes with twin airbags, ABS, alloy-wheels, fog lamps, all four-power windows, central locking, a USB/aux-in stereo system and stereo controls on the steering and electrically adjustable outside rear-view mirrors.. The trim below it, the S will come with all of that, minus alloy wheels, fog lamps and slightly different seat trim design. Two more trim levels are expected below the S as well, one of which we believe would be called the Brio E, going by general nomenclature and would come with all of the features from the S, minus airbags and ABS. Both the S and V come with a mult-trip meter with fuel-efficiency display. There are lots of bits and pieces from the City and Jazz on the Brio, which explains the recent price cut on the two.



5. Now here's what you won't get and here's where Honda have done some level of cost cutting. You will get single piece seats on all variants, you won't get a rear parcel tray nor a rear demister/defogger, let alone a rear wiper on any of the variants, which is very baffling to say the least. The Brio, like its other cousins, the Jazz and City doesn't come with auto climate control, nor a CD player. The front door pockets, though large don't wrap the door with plastic, instead you see exposed, painted metal. The rear power windows are of the toggle switch variety. The overall plastic quality though is decent and generally the cost-cutting isn't painfully evident, unless you decide to generally view things with a magnifying glass. Does this cost-cutting reflect on the price tag, we'll tell you a little later.



6. Space is quite good for this city-based hatch. At the front, the seats are comfortable and offer good support, but taller people may not like the under thigh support and there's overall a little less cushioning than one would have liked. At the rear, there's pretty good legroom and knee room. Even with someone like Pablo, who's close to 6-feet tall at the helm, I found at least two-inches of spare knee room sitting right behind. Legroom is decent and with a close to non-existent central tunnel, three medium sized people can squeeze in for short drives. What is disturbing is the fixed neck-restraints that are too short for anybody 5 feet 7 inches and above and any attempt to rest your head on them could result in your head kissing the roof. The boot is large and deep enough for a medium and small-sized suitcase together, and when flipped, the rear seat can accomodate two large golf bags easily. The rear seat however isn't of the split variety. Overall visibility from the car is very good, making it useful in choc-a-bloc urban traffic conditions.



7. Powering the Brio is the tried and tested 1.2-litre i-Vtec motor from the Jazz. It makes 87 bhp@6000 rpm and 11.1 kgm of peak torque at 4000 rpm. The powertrain, on the whole is identical, the only differences being to the gearing and ECU parameters. The motor is good enough to propel the Brio to 60 kph in about 5 seconds and by our rough estimation, should get the car to 100 kph in under 12 seconds. It's good enough to put Hyundai's 1.2 Kappa to shame as far as performance goes, while we still believe overall refinement at high revs is better in the little Hyundai.



8. The car moves with a lot of vigour and it doesn't feel out of breath even at low revs, thanks to some clever changes to the gearing and the low kerb weight, that makes the 11.1 kgm of peak torque more than sufficient. Honda claims that the Brio can return 18.4 kpl (ARAI), making it rather efficient too. The gearbox as always is a joy to use and the familiarity of the gear knob only re-affirms that smile on the face. It's slick and slots into place beautifully. The foot controls are light and that's a boon for most city users.



9. As far as driving dynamics go, the light weight Brio is good for the scoot and shoot conditions of the city. The small dimensions, coupled with the light steering and airy cabin gives the driver a shot in the arm to go hunting for gaps. It turns in very quickly into corners, aided by the power steering that feels a bit over-servoed. We wish it had more feel and weight as speeds build up, given the overall sporty pretensions of the chassis and engine.



10. Ride quality is on the softer side. Unlike most Hondas, the front-end isn't as stiff and the rear is setup to be even softer. Net result is a car that rides over bad surfaces quite well for its size and weight, but the problem is the vertical movements of the suspension are a touch too much. Long after you have ridden over bumps, the suspension continues its vertical movement which can get a bit disconcerting. It should tell you that it's good for the city and expressways, but not B-roads and state highways where the surface isn't necessarily well laid.



11. Overall, the Brio works well as a city car. Heck, it's even fun-to-drive and has all the elements of a warm urban hatch. Sure, the steering could have had better weight and the suspension a bit more stiffness, but then again for the 95 percentile urban commuter, the car works very well indeed. Some more features could have been added, especially a rear demister, which we feel works against the car. But what may not work against is the price. Considering all the trims, we believe the car could be priced in the region of Rs 3.8 lakh to 4.8 lakh, ex-showroom. At that price, Honda could very well set a precedent and possibly even start a price war in this segment.



Source;

http://www.bsmotoring.com/news/new-honda-brio-test-drivereview/3947/1

2012 Honda Pilot Debuts with Sleek New Look, Improved Fuel Economy and Upgraded Interior Features

25 mpg Pilot 2WD achieves top highway EPA rating for an eight-passenger SUV

08/31/2011 - TORRANCE, Calif.

The Honda Pilot eight-passenger SUV receives a wide range of upgrades for 2012 with a sleeker front-end design, enhanced interior features and an EPA highway fuel economy rating of 25 mpg on two-wheel-drive models, an increase of 2 mpg compared to 2011 models.

The new styling for the front fascia, with its three-bar chrome-style grille, conveys a more sophisticated crossover SUV appearance. Interior styling changes focus on instrument panel refinement and a more intuitive button layout. For 2012, audio system upgrades on Pilot EX and EX-L models include a 2 GB CD-Library (CD-L) and Bluetooth® Audio Streaming, along with the addition of Bluetooth HandsFreeLink® to those trim levels.

Feature upgrades on the Pilot EX-L include the addition of a full-color 8-inch intelligent Multi-Information Display (i-MID) for audio and vehicle information. Models equipped with the available Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System for 2012 receive subscription-free FM Traffic, 15 GB audio hard disk drive memory (HDD), and a higher-resolution display.

The fuel economy gains for 2012 result from combined improvements to the powertrain, chassis and vehicle aerodynamics. The 250 horsepower i-VTEC V-6 engine includes additional measures for friction reduction and improved efficiency. The 2012 Pilot becomes quieter with additional noise insulation and other enhancements throughout the vehicle.

Body

The 2012 Pilot's new grille and front fascia replace the prior model's six-sided grille insert with a distinctive three-bar horizontal design. Reconfigured multi-reflector halogen headlights and turn signals contribute to the new look with a layout that relocates the turn signal from an outboard position to an inboard position within the headlight housing. A new front air dam and optimized strakes (the rectangular air deflector in front of the wheels) help reduce frontal area and unwanted air turbulence, both of which impact fuel economy. Rounding out the exterior design changes, Pilot EX and above models receive an all-new five-spoke, 18-inch aluminum alloy wheel design (plus 1-inch compared to the previous model). Pilot Touring alloy wheels feature an exclusive six-spoke design with a high-contrast machined surface. Pilot LX models are equipped with 17-inch styled-steel wheels.

Exterior dimensions for 2012 are similar to 2011 with identical measurements for width (78.5 inches), height (71.0 inches for Pilot LX and 72.7 inches for Pilot EX, EX-L and Touring) wheelbase (109.2 inches) and track (front 67.7 / rear 67.5 inches). Overall length increases 0.5 inches to 191.4 inches as a result of the front styling changes. Ground clearance is basically the same at 7.97 inches, down slightly from 8.00 inches in the previous model.

Interior

Interior styling changes are designed to increase refinement throughout the cabin while also enhancing the intuitive nature of the controls. The instrument panel uses a more unified color theme with less contrast between panels. A glossy black center panel for audio controls replaces the high-contrast silver panel of the previous model. Speedometer and tachometer gauge faces incorporate a new look with distinct segments surrounding each meter's perimeter, along with white background illumination for nighttime driving instead of the previous model's aqua-blue background illumination. The redesigned center stack adds a subtle U-shaped character line and different textures to create a layered effect on the panel. Ideal for phones and audio players, a larger center storage pocket is 0.4-inches taller. A simplified layout for the climate controls replaces some of the buttons with dials for a more intuitive, easy-to-use overall design.

The top of the center stack on each Pilot model contains a unique display that varies by model. Pilot LX and EX models contain a three-line display. Pilot EX-L models for 2012 (without navigation) receive the new i-MID, which provides a convenient platform for integration of vehicle information and compatible personal electronics through a color LCD screen and intuitive steering wheel controls. The Pilot EX-L rearview camera display appears in the i-MID and includes guidelines for judging parking distance. The i-MID also shows HandsFreeLink® operation, user-loaded wallpaper such as photos, a fuel-economy display and an audio interface.

Available on Pilot EX-L and standard on Touring, the 2012 Pilot adopts the latest version of the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™2. Now with 60 GB of total system memory (includes 15 GB allocated for user media) and voice recognition for three languages, this system uses multiple global positioning satellites covering all of the U.S. including Alaska and Hawaii, as well as Canada and Puerto Rico. Its new FM Traffic feature provides free, continuous updates on traffic and incidents, helping drivers avoid gridlock. The hard drive can store thousands of minutes of music, which is accessible by simple voice commands using the Song By Voice™ feature. Additionally, 2012 Pilot models with navigation feature a multi-view rear camera (wide view, normal view and top-down view), with the image displayed on the navigation screen for convenient parking help when in Reverse.

Adding to the comfort level of the 2012 Pilot is a reduction in noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). Enhanced body seam sealing around the unit-body connection points, and re-tuned rear suspension sub-frame mounts, result in lower noise levels in the passenger cabin. Other specific NVH countermeasures include body-seam sealants to reduce air leaks, enhanced pillar separators, revised insulation materials and acoustic windshield glass on all models.

The tailgate features a lift-up glass hatch for convenient access to the rearmost cargo area. The model's 18.0 cubic-feet of cargo space behind the third row matches or exceeds the trunk space of a typical large sedan and can accommodate items as large as a mid-size cooler or a folded stroller. For maximum cargo space, the second and third rows fold flat into the floor to create 87.0 cubic feet of storage capacity, while also providing sufficient width for 4-foot-wide items.

The cargo area has a hidden storage well that provides 2.8 cu-ft. of additional space and can combine with the above floor storage area by securing the hinged cover against the seatback. The Pilot Touring also provides a load-supporting cargo net (20 lbs. maximum weight) to further subdivide the rear cargo area.

Key interior dimensions are identical to the previous Pilot model, including front headroom (40.0 in. for Pilot LX and EX, 39.3 in. for moonroof-equipped Pilot EX-L and Touring), second-row headroom (39.8 in.) and rear headroom (38.2 in.), legroom (front 41.4 in., second-row 38.5 in., and third-row 32.1 in.). Passenger volumes are likewise identical (153.7 cu-ft. for Pilot LX and EX, 152.7 cu-ft. for Pilot EX-L and Touring), as are cargo volumes (87.0 cu-ft. total, 47.7 cu-ft. behind second-row seats, and 18.0 cu-ft. behind third-row seats).

Safety

Safety technology includes the Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure that helps reduce the amount of crash energy reaching the passenger compartment and can enhance frontal collision compatibility. Additional safety equipment includes three-row side curtain airbags with a rollover sensor, driver's and front passenger's side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS), active front seat head restraints and anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution and brake assist. Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®), commonly referred to as Electronic Stability Control, is standard on all models. The 2012 Pilot also meets new federal regulations with taller rear head restraints.

Honda has targeted the new Pilot to achieve best-in-class safety ratings, including a NHTSA 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score, and a TOP SAFETY PICK designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reflecting the institute's new procedures for Front Offset, Side Impact Collision Evaluation (SICE), Roof Crush and Head Restraint tests.

Powertrain

Power comes from an advanced 24-valve, all-aluminum engine with "intelligent" Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (i-VTEC) technology with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM). The VCM system allows the V-6 engine to operate in six-cylinder mode for power and four- or three-cylinder modes for efficiency. Fuel economy improves for 2012 with an EPA-estimated1 city/highway/combined fuel economy of 17/24/20 mpg on 4-wheel-drive models and 18/25/21 mpg on 2-wheel-drive models. Representing a 1-mpg increase in City, a 2-mpg increase in Highway and a 2-mpg increase in Combined, this gives the 2012 Pilot 2WD the highest fuel economy of any 8-passenger SUV and the Pilot 4WD the highest fuel economy for any mid-size 4WD SUV.

Fuel-efficiency enhancements include the application of engine friction-reduction technologies including a plateau-honed engine block, low-friction piston treatments, ion-plated oil rings and a load-variable alternator. The use of dual-electrode spark plugs, 0W-20 low-friction oil and low-friction automatic transmission fluid contribute to higher efficiency. The VCM operation range has also been expanded.

The 5-speed automatic transmission features Grade Logic Control to help maintain the most appropriate gear when going uphill or downhill, thereby avoiding gear "hunting." The available VTM-4 system on Pilot 4WD models adds fully automatic 4-wheel-drive capability. VTM-4 delivers seamless, "decision-free" application of 4-wheel-drive when needed, a key benefit compared to conventional systems. The system also provides a "lock mode" – available when in first or second gears up to 18 mph and activated by a button on the instrument panel – that can deliver the maximum-possible torque transfer to the rear wheels to aid in extraction from extremely low traction or stuck conditions.

Chassis

The suspension is a fully independent system with front MacPherson strut and rear multi-link with trailing arm designs that contribute to responsive driving characteristics for an SUV. The 109.2-inch wheelbase facilitates a smooth ride. A tight turning diameter of 37.9 feet aids maneuverability in tight parking situations.

Chassis improvements that directly improve fuel economy include a variable-displacement power steering pump, low-rolling-resistance tires, and low-drag front ventilated and rear disc brakes. Improved aerodynamics, the front strakes, splash shields and inner fenders, and reduced frontal area also contribute to improved fuel economy.

Models and Features

As with the prior model year, the 2012 Pilot is available in four model choices (Pilot LX, EX, EX-L and Touring), and each is offered in either 2-wheel-drive or 4-wheel-drive configuration.

Pilot LX

Standard comfort and convenience features on the Pilot LX include a front and rear air conditioning system with air-filtration system, keyless entry with simplified operation, tilt and telescope steering column, cruise control, power windows with auto-up/down driver's and passenger's window, power door and tailgate locks, AM/FM/CD stereo system with seven speakers including a subwoofer and Radio Data System (RDS), trip computer, heat-rejecting tinted glass, integrated Class III towing receiver, and more. For 2012, the Pilot LX adds AAC audio file playback capability from data discs to the CD player.

Pilot EX

The Pilot EX adds a tri-zone automatic climate control system with humidity control and air filtration, a power driver's seat with 10-way power adjustment with lumbar support, security system, XM Radio®5, body-colored side mirrors and door handles, alloy wheels, roof rails, fog lights, exterior temperature indicator, HomeLink® Remote System, and more. For 2012, the Pilot EX now also features Bluetooth HandsFreeLink (previously exclusive to EX-L with Navi and above models), Bluetooth audio streaming and a new 2 GB CD Library (CD-L) replaces the previous 6-disc CD changer.

Pilot EX-L

Additional Pilot EX-L features include leather-trimmed seating surfaces, heated front seats, 4-way power front passenger's seat, one-touch power moonroof, an automatic-dimming rearview mirror and the availability of either the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™2 or the Honda DVD Rear Entertainment System with a 9-inch screen. The addition of either the navigation or the entertainment system also adds a 115-volt power outlet. New for 2012 is the addition of a power tailgate to the Pilot EX-L, a USB Audio Interface, and an intelligent Multi-Information Display (i-MID) with QVGA resolution. The i-MID includes a rearview camera display, iPod album artwork display and a user-loadable wallpaper function.

Pilot EX-L with Navigation (Not available in Canada)

The Pilot EX-L with Navigation adds an upgraded navigation system with higher VGA resolution replacing the previous QVGA display and an internal hard drive that replaces the previous model's DVD-based system. New features include FM Traffic, Song by Voice™, rearview camera with a 3-mode display and a Multi-Information Display in the center of the gauge cluster.

Pilot Touring

The top-of-the-line Pilot Touring includes the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™2 with rearview camera, a Premium Audio System with 10 speakers, Bluetooth HandsFreeLink4 and Audio Streaming (with selected phones), the Honda DVD Rear Entertainment System, two-position memory seats, roof rails, corner and backup sensors, side-mirror integrated turn indicators and more.

Colors available for 2012 include Alabaster Silver Metallic, Bali Blue Pearl, Crystal Black Pearl, Dark Cherry Pearl, Polished Metal Metallic, Taffeta White, White Diamond Pearl, new Dark Amber Metallic (replaces Mocha Metallic) and new Glacier White (Pilot Touring). Fabric and leather interior color choices, which are matched to selected exterior colors, include beige, black or gray.

Awards and Accolades

From building initial quality impressions to providing fun-to-drive character with lasting durability and reliability, the Pilot carries forward the essential DNA that defines all Honda vehicles. These traits have previously earned the Pilot multiple awards, including "Best Value of the Year" from IntelliChoice, Edmunds.com's "Most Wanted SUV," and it was named one of Kelley Blue Book's "Top 50 Most Popular Cars." The Honda brand has also won the Edmunds.com “Best Retained Value Award” for Non-Luxury Brands.

The Pilot is assembled from domestic and globally sourced parts at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama in Lincoln, Alabama. Honda R&D Americas designed and developed the Pilot in Raymond, Ohio, and Torrance, California. The 2012 model became available for sale on August 31.

2012 Pilot Feature Change Summary

All-new front fascia, grille and headlights

New 18-inch aluminum wheels (17-inch styled steel on Pilot LX)

Upgraded interior materials and revised instrument panel with new center stack layout

Acoustic windshield glass (previously exclusive to Pilot EX-L and Touring)

Upgraded audio and available navigation systems

Improved EPA-estimated1 fuel economy (+1 mpg City/+2 mpg Highway/+2 mpg Combined)

Pilot LX adds:

AAC audio file playback from data discs to the CD player

Pilot EX adds or replaces:

18-inch aluminum wheels and P235/60R18 all-season tires

Bluetooth HandsFreeLink and Bluetooth audio streaming

2 GB CD Library (CD-L)

Pilot EX-L adds or replaces:

Power tailgate

Intelligent Multi-Information Display (i-MID) with QVGA resolution (includes backup camera display, album artwork display and user-loadable wallpaper function)

USB Audio Interface

Pilot EX-L with Navigation adds or replaces:

Upgraded navigation system with higher VGA resolution and 60-GB hard drive (includes 15 GB audio hard drive memory) and FM Traffic

Song by Voice™

Wide-view rearview camera with 3-mode display

Basic Specs:

Engine: 3.5-liter 24-valve SOHC i-VTEC® V-6

Horsepower: 250 hp @ 5,700 rpm

Torque: 253 lb-ft. @ 4,800 rpm

EPA-estimated1 fuel economy, City/Hwy/Comb.: 17/24/20 (4WD), 18/25/21 (2WD)

Seating capacity: 8

Passenger volume: 153.7 cu-ft.

Cargo volume: 18.0 cu-ft. (minimum), 87.0 cu-ft. (maximum)

Towing capacity: 4,500 lbs. (4WD), 2,000 lbs. (2WD)3

Standard airbags: Driver's and front-passenger's dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags; driver's and front passenger's side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); and 3-row side-curtain airbags with rollover sensor

Standard Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) and an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution and Brake Assist

Additional media information including detailed pricing features and high-resolution photography of the 2012 Honda Pilot is available at www.hondanews.com. Consumer information is available at automobiles.honda.com/pilot.

Connect with Honda: Honda Media Newsroom (for journalists): www.hondanews.comHonda Pilot (for consumers): automobiles.honda.com/pilotHonda Pilot on Facebook: www.facebook.com/hondapilotHonda on YouTube: www.youtube.com/hondaHonda on Flickr: www.flickr.com/hondanewsHonda on Twitter: www.twitter.com/honda

1Based on 2012 EPA mileage estimates. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.

2The Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ is available on the Pilot EX-L model in the United States, except Alaska. Please see the navigation system manual for details.

3Requires surge-type or electric trailer brakes, available Honda accessory towing package with automatic transmission cooler and hitch ball. Premium unleaded fuel is recommended when towing above 3,500 lbs. Towing capacity for Pilot 2WD without automatic transmission cooler is 2,000 lbs.

4The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc., and any use of such marks by Honda Motor Co., Ltd., is under license.

5Required XM Radio subscription sold separately after 90-day trial period. Subscriptions are governed by the XM Customer Agreement available at xmradio.com/serviceterms.

Source;

http://www.hondanews.com/channels/corporate-headlines/releases/2012-honda-pilot-debuts-with-sleek-new-look-improved-fuel-economy-and-upgraded-interior-features