2009 Honda FIT Updated

I hope that we get to keep the skylight from the Japan version. Looks nice.!

Here are a few official release shots of the Honda FIT in Japan. This is the model that will replace the model that we currently have, which was originally introduced in Japan in 2001. We have one more year in the current bodystyle that we cannot get enough of.

Variable Torque Mangement 4-Wheel Drive System (VTM-4™) Explained

After studying various all-wheel- and four-wheel-drive systems offered by the wide variety of pickups on the market today, Ridgeline engineers concluded that virtually every one had functional shortcomings and was undesirably bulky and heavy. The direct result of that research was to use Honda's innovative fully automatic VTM-4 system. This fully automatic 4WD system is the best match for the Ridgeline owner and proactively distributes torque to all four wheels as needed. This system provides front-wheel drive for dry-pavement cruising conditions and engages all-wheel drive when needed to improve stability or maneuverability. Unlike many competitive systems that use an engagement strategy triggered by wheel slippage, the Ridgeline's VTM-4 system anticipates the need for all-wheel drive and engages the rear wheels before slippage begins. Additional torque is redistributed to the rear for improved performance during acceleration, especially on low friction surfaces and during towing. In addition, the VSA system provides a limited-slip differential effect by applying braking force to a slipping front wheel thereby directing driving force to the wheel with more grip.

Another special feature is a "VTM-4" lock button, located on the instrument panel, which temporarily holds engagement of both rear wheels to aid traction.

There are three distinct modes of VTM-4 engagement. The first – called the acceleration torque control (ATC) mode – is unique to this system. It works even on dry pavement to proactively distribute driving torque to all four wheels as the Ridgeline accelerates from a stop to cruising speed. One notable benefit of this mode is that traction is immediately available to move the vehicle from rest through a slippery intersection before slippage occurs. (Once a wheel slips, the traction available for forward propulsion and lateral restraint is significantly diminished.)

A second advantage is that apportioning drive torque among all four wheels greatly diminishes the likelihood of torque steer. Handling dynamics are also improved. Reducing the propulsive force carried by the front tires leaves more adhesion for steering the vehicle into a tight bend or for holding cornering arc in the middle of a turn. In other words, the Ridgeline's dynamic balance is greatly enhanced by ATC logic.

Rear wheel torque rises smoothly from zero to the optimum setting in proportion to vehicle acceleration (both forward and reverse). At higher speeds, the front wheels are capable of providing the desired thrust with excellent handling so torque delivered to the rear wheels automatically diminishes with speed. While cruising, all driving torque is delivered by the front wheels in the interests of smoothness, quietness, and fuel efficiency.

The second engagement mode uses wheel slippage control logic. If the difference in rotational speed between front and rear wheels rises because of a slippery surface or poor traction at the front of the vehicle, that condition is detected by wheel-speed sensors which are monitored by VTM-4's ECU. In response, the ECU commands an increasing amount of torque for the rear wheels. Torque is proportional to both slip rate and the rate at which the slip rate is increasing. This operation is similar to conventional slip-based all-wheel-drive systems already on the market.

The third mode of all-wheel-drive engagement activates when the driver presses the lock button mounted on the instrument panel. The maximum amount of rear-drive torque is locked in until the vehicle gets moving and exceeds six mph, at which time rear drive torque is gradually diminished. By 29 km/h, the lock mode is fully disengaged. When vehicle speed drops below 29 km/h, the lock mode automatically reengages. The shift lever must be in the first, second, or reverse-gear position to use the lock mode.

The maximum torque delivered to the rear wheels allows the Ridgeline to claw up a 28-degree (53-percent slope) dirt grade. On a split-mu (split-friction) grade (different amounts of traction at each wheel), VTM-4 automatically provides sufficient rear-wheel torque to help the vehicle climb steep and slippery terrain such as a steep driveway with patches of snow and ice.

2008 Honda Accord Sedan Colours for Canada

I do not have a colour chart, but I do have the names that will be available, here goes;
Cloth Interior 4 Cylinder
Taffeta White / Gray Interior
Alabaster Silver Metallic / Gray Interior
Polished Metal Metallic / Gray Interior
Night Hawk Black Pearl / Gray Interior
Royal Blue Pearl / Gray Interior
Mystic Green Metallic / Black Interior
Basque Red Pearl / Gray Interior
Bold Beige Metallic / Ivory Interior
Cloth Interior V6
White Diamond Pearl / Gray Interior
Alabaster Silver Metallic / Gray Interior
Polished Metal Metallic / Gray Interior
Night Hawk Black Pearl / Gray Interior
Royal Blue Pearl / Gray Interior
Mystic Green Metallic / Black Interior
Basque Red Pearl / Gray Interior
Bold Beige Metallic / Ivory Interior
Leather Interior 4cyl and V6
White Diamond Pearl / Black Interior
Alabaster Silver Metallic / Black Interior
Polished Metal Metallic / Black Interior
Night Hawk Black Pearl / Black Interior
Night Hawk Black Pearl / Ivory Interior
Royal Blue Pearl / Black Interior
Royal Blue Pearl / Ivory Inteior
Mystic Green Metallic / Black Interior
Basque Red Pearl / Black Interior
Bold Beige Metallic / Ivory Interior

2008 Honda Accord Sedans for Canada

Here it is, the 2008 Honda Accord model summary for Canada;
LX
2.4L, 16 valve, DOHC i-VTEC® 4-cylinder
Horsepower: 177HP@ 6500 rpm (SAE net Rev 8/04, SAE J1349)
Torque: 161 lb.-ft. @ 4300 rpm (SAE net Rev 8/04, SAE J1349)
Fuel Type: Regular Unleaded
Estimated Fuel Economy (L/100km)
Manual Transmission (City/Hwy) 9.4/6.4
Automatic Transmission (City/Hwy) 9.9/6.5
Standard 5-speed manual transmission
Available 5-speed Automatic transmission with grade logic control
Front-wheel drive
Speed-sensing, variable power-assist rack-and-pinion steering
16" steel wheels with full covers
All-season tires: P215/60 R16 94H
Power-assisted, ventilated front disc/solid rear disc
Front independent double-wishbone suspension
Rear multi-link double wishbone suspension
Stabilizer bar 26.5 / 13 (mm, front/rear)
Dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags (SRS)
Front side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS)
Side curtain airbags
Active front seat head restraints
4-wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA®) with traction control
Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
3-point seat belts with pretensioners
Front Adjustable seat belt anchors
Lower anchors and tethers for children (LATCH)
Child-proof rear door locks
Immobilizer theft-deterrent system
Body-coloured bumpers
Body-coloured door handles
Body-coloured door mirrors
Power door mirrors
Heated door mirrors
Folding door mirrors
Rear window defroster
Speed-sensing, variable intermittent windshield wipers
Front splash guards
12-volt accessory outlet
Air conditioning with air-filtration system
Power door locks
Power windows with auto-up/down driver’s window and keyless operation
Remote entry system with power trunk release and power window control
Remote trunk release with lock and fuel filler door release
Cruise control with steering wheel mounted controls
Multi-reflector halogen headlights with auto-off
Front Beverage holders
Cargo area light
Center console and storage compartment
Driver's and front passenger's illuminated vanity mirrors
Front and rear door pockets
Illuminated power window switches (driver)
Illuminated door lock and mirror switches (driver)
Maintenance Minder system
Map lights
Rear seat center armrest with locking trunk pass-through
Seat-belt warning chime
Sunglasses holder
Tilt and telescopic steering column
Driver’s seat with 6-way manual adjustment
Driver's seat with manual height adjustment
Driver's and passenger seat back pocket
Fold-down rear seatback with lock
Floor mats
160-watt AM/FM/CD/MP3/WMA audio system with 6 speakers
Steering wheel-mounted audio controls with illumination
MP3/Auxiliary input jack

EX
added to or replacing features on the LX
2.4L, 16 valve, DOHC i-VTEC® 4-cylinder
Horsepower: 190HP@ 7000 rpm (SAE net Rev 8/04, SAE J1349)
Torque: 162 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm (SAE net Rev 8/04, SAE J1349)
17" aluminium-alloy wheels
All-season tires: P225/50 R17 93V
Security system
Power moonroof with tilt feature
Chrome exhaust finisher
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) – AT only
Power windows with auto-up/down driver’s and passenger window and keyless operation
Ambient console lighting
Front and Rear Beverage holders
Illuminated power window switches (driver & passenger)
Illuminated door lock and mirror switches (driver & passenger)
Rear-seat heater ducts
Driver’s seat with 8-way power adjustment
Driver's seat with height adjustment Power
Power lumbar support
160-watt AM/FM/CD/MP3/WMA audio system with 6-disc in-dash CD changer and 6 speakers
Anti-theft feature

EX-L
added to or replacing the EX trim features
Available Honda Navigation system with Bilingual voice recognition and HandsFreeLink™ - Bluetooth® wireless telephone interface
Dual-zone automatic climate control system with air-filtration
Exterior temperature indicator
Multi-reflector halogen headlights with Auto-on/off headlights
Auto dimming rear view mirror
Leather-trimmed seating surfaces
Leather-wrapped shift knob
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
Heated front seats
270-watt AM/FM/CD/MP3/WMA premium audio system with 6-disc in-dash CD changer and 7 speakers including subwoofer
XM® Satellite Radio with 3 month introductory subscription

EX-V6 (No leather)
added to or replacing the EX 4cyl features
3.5L, 24-Valve, SOHC i-VTEC® 6-cylinder
Horsepower: 268HP@ 6300 rpm (SAE net Rev 8/04, SAE J1349)
Torque: 248 lb.-ft. @ 5000 rpm
Advanced Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM™)
11.0/6.7 L/100km (City/Hwy)
Standard 5-speed automatic transmission with grade logic control
Manual transmission not available
Chrome door handles

EX-L V6 (2 models, one with Navi, one without)
added to or replacing the EX-V6 features
Front fog lights
Dual-zone automatic climate control system with air-filtration
Power windows with auto-up/down driver’s window and keyless operation
Available Honda Navigation system with Bilingual voice recognition
Available HandsFreeLink™ - Bluetooth® wireless telephone interface
Exterior temperature indicator
HomeLink®
Multi-reflector halogen headlights with Auto-on/off headlights
Auto dimming rear view mirror
Passenger’s seat with 4-way power adjustment
Leather-trimmed seating surfaces
Leather-wrapped shift knob
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
Heated front seats
270-watt AM/FM/CD/MP3/WMA premium audio system with 6-disc in-dash CD changer and 7 speakers including subwoofer
XM® Satellite Radio
Dual exhaust finishers

2008 Honda Civic Si Sedan is coming to Canada!

It has been confirmed, the 2008 Honda Civic Si Sedan is coming to Canada! For those of you in the US, you've been familiar with this car for almost a full year now.

I have put together a list of features over and above the top of the line Civic EX (as far as I know the Si does not come in leather).

-197 hp 2.0litre DOHC 4 cylinder engine

-6 speed manual transmission

-Helical style Limited Slip Differential(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limited_slip_differential)

-Sports Tuned Suspension

-Electric Variable power-assisted rack and pinion steering (a la S2000)

-17" aluminum alloy wheels

-Rear-wing spoiler with LED brakelight

-Aluminum shift knob with leather

-Sport seats and leather wrapped steering wheel

Here is a nice write up to the 2007 car, enjoy!

http://cars.about.com/b/a/216982.htm

'Clean Diesel' to North America 2010

Alot of you have been inquiring about the new clean diesel engine that Honda has been developing, so I went out and grabbed a link to all the available information. Here goes;

http://world.honda.com/Diesel/

2009 Honda Stream

For those who remember, the 1995 - 1998 Honda Odyssey, you'll remember it was a smaller van (actually built on the then Accord platform), was a 4 cylinder van, and had 4 doors that opened like a sedan, not the sliding doors. Due to demand in the US for a bigger van, in 1999, the Odyssey grew into it's current incarnation with a V6 and sliding doors. The smaller van survived in Japan (I think was even still called an Odyssey) and continued to do well. In the US and Canada, the demand for a smaller van was still there, and it looks like we are going to be bringing the small van back!

Here's a link to what I found;

http://news.windingroad.com/countriesmarkets/japan/japan-report-honda-stream-headed-to-us-in-2009/