Honda CEO Confirms New NSX and “Hot” 2012 Civic Type R

[2003 Honda HSC Concept pictured above]

Last April, we told you about Honda CEO Takanobu Ito's plans for a successor to the much-missed NSX supercar. Ito had then hinted that the “new NSX” would be more environmentally friendly, possibly using a hybrid powertrain like the Japanese firm's new small coupe, the CR-Z.

On the sidelines of this year's Frankfurt Motor Show, Ito-San reaffirmed the company's commitment to build an NSX successor.

“I spent part of my early career at Honda developing the NSX, and specifically the aluminium body," Ito told reporters from UK's Autocar. "I really enjoyed the experience and learned much, so my wish is that Honda engineers have the experience of developing a sportscar like the NSX in the future. Within Honda, our engineers are already looking at developing such a car,” he added.

Ito was not willing to give away any information other than that the new model would be quite different compared to the old NSX.

“The original NSX was about high power but also about good driving experience. Today power-to-weight is what we have to focus on. The NSX was known for its aluminium body, so when we develop our new sportcar we don’t want to copy Ferrari for power, but to also chase efficiency as well," Ito said.

This is the second coming of the NSX successor: in 2003, Honda displayed the HSC concept pictured here at the Tokyo Motor Show, hinting at a production model. Indeed the company was scheduling a 2010 launch, but the plan was cancelled by then-Honda CEO Takeo Fukui in the middle of the economic crisis.

The high-tech supercar isn’t the only performance model that Honda is developing at the moment. The 2012 Civic's chief engineer, Mitsuru Kariya said that a hot version is also under development.

It seems like Honda’s management changed its mind because it initially denied planning such a version as it didn’t fit in its new, “green” image.

“The performance version is already under discussion”, said Kariya. “We know the Type R was a big success, and we are looking for a car developed in that direction. Whether it will be called Type R is not certain though.”

It’s OK, Mr. Kariya, as long as you stay true to the hardcore character of the original. After all, a rose by any other name would still smell as sweet.

Story sources: Autocar

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SEMA Preview: Fox Marketing Working on Monster 2012 Honda Civic Coupe with More than 500HP

Even though we are still wrapping up the goods from the 64th International Auto Show in Frankfurt, we are keeping an eye on upcoming automotive events such as the 2011 Specialty Equipment Marketing Association, more commonly referred to as SEMA, that will take place in Las Vegas from November 1 to 4.

One of the project cars currently being developed for the largest aftermarket gathering in the world is a highly modified 2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe from Fox Marketing.

The crew over at Fox is preparing an outrageous tune that will see the Japanese carmaker's latest Civic Coupe gaining a turbocharged engine producing north of 500-horsepower.

The car will also feature an upgraded chassis and extensive exterior modifications.

You can get a sneak preview of what Fox Marketing is working on in the gallery below.

Story source: Fox Marketing

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Videos: 2012 Honda Civic Hatchback Filmed In, Out and on the Road

The new Honda Civic hatchback is perhaps one of the most significant production models to make its world premiere at this week's Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany.

We've already brought you a barrage of photos and all the preliminary details on the ninth generation of the European market Civic that will launch early next year as a five-door hatchback, so now it's time to show off Honda's latest creation on film.

Under the bonnet the 2012 Civic will offer buyers an initial choice of three engines, including a 100HP 1.4-liter gasoline unit, a 142HP 1.8-liter gasoline four-banger, and a 150HP 2.2-liter turbo diesel. The latter is not only the most powerful engine of the range, it is also the most efficient with an average fuel consumption of just 4.2 lt/100 km (56.0mpg US) with 110 g of CO2/km.

However, Honda is planning to launch an even more frugal and environmentally friendly powerplant in the form of a smaller displacement diesel engine.

"By the end of 2012, we will add a newly developed smaller diesel engine to the Civic range," stated Honda Motor President and CEO, Takanobu Ito, during the Frankfur Motor Show presentation. "Designed specifically for the European market, the new engine will further reduce CO2 emissions," he added.

The new five-door Civic will be produced exclusively at Honda's Swindon factory in the UK, and at least for the time being, it will be only be offered in Europe.

Videos

IAA 2011: Honda Unveils New Civic Hatch, Says It is “Two Generations Ahead”

Honda Motor President and CEO, Takanobu Ito, was the one to lift the curtains on the all-new 2012 Civic hatchback at the 64th Frankfurt Motor Show . Designed, engineered and built in Europe at Honda's Swindon plant in the UK, the five-door model promises to offer improved driving dynamics and a higher-quality cabin The new Civic hatchback is roughly the same size as its predecessor measuring 4,300mm long, 1,700mm wide and 1,440 mm tall while riding on a 2.595 mm long wheelbase. When it goes on sale in Europe in October, it will be offered with two gasoline engines and a single turbo diesel.

The 1.4-liter petrol engine has an output of 100HP and returns an average fuel consumption of 5.4 lt/100 km (43.5 US mpg) with 129g of CO2/km. The larger 1.8-liter petrol engine has 142 HP and is available with a manual or automatic transmission. The manual-gearbox version has a combined consumption of 5.8 lt/100 km (40.5 US mpg) while the automatic consumes 6.3 lt/100 km (37.3 US mpg). CO2 emissions are 137 and 148 g/km respectively.

The most powerful engine available for the new Civic is the revised 2.2-liter i-DTEC turbodiesel with 150 HP. However, it is also the most frugal and environment-friendly, with an average fuel consumption of just 4.2 lt/100 km (56.0 mpg) with 110 g of CO2/km.

Mr. Ito noted that Honda is on target to meet its goal to reduce CO2 emissions across its range by 30% until 2020, and that the ninth generation of the Civic is first step in that direction, with its 1.8-liter gasoline engine featuring a 10% reduction in CO2 emissions and the new 2.2 diesel a 20% reduction, while at the same time offering better performance.

During the presentation of the Civic, Honda's CEO said that the company's latest model is “not just an evolution, it is an evolutionary revolution," adding that "we [Honda] have jumped two generations ahead of our current model.”

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