Here’s a first look at the Honda Accord Crosstour in these pics, and we’re not quite sure what to think - beautiful? Original? Perhaps more the latter. The front grill looks a little out of place, while the rear doesn’t seem to belong to the front.

The images are highly stylised and so we think maybe it’s the graphic effect going on that’s giving it this awkward look. The Honda Accord Crosstour will be released early next month, so here’s hoping a sleek, smooth Honda will be presented.

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According to reports, an electric Honda will be presented in October at the Tokyo Motor Show as a preview to an electric model that will be ready by 2015. Honda has already delved into hybrid and hydrogen technologies with its CR-Z, Jazz and FCX Clarity vehicles.

While Honda will make a choice between lithium ion and fuel cell technology for its car, the new Honda electric will debut in city car form. The race is now on among the Japanese car manufacturers for the crown of best electric car.

Source | EGM CarTech

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The new Jaguar XJ has been seen testing, in full BMW-style camouflage. The BMW style is not limited merely to the disguise, but can also be found at the front in the double grill look of the vehicle.

It’s still difficult to form an idea of the overall look that the next XJ will eventually take on, although we can make our judgments come 2010 with the appearance of the sedan on the market.

Some time ago though, Jaguar design head Ian Callum revealed that he was enchanted by the lines of the Mercedes CLS, although he added that the new XJ would not be based on the latter, maintaining a more traditional sedan look.

We should see quite a close relationship in terms of style, however, with the smaller Jaguar XF. The more solid look certainly reflects Jaguar’s recent efforts, and we should see this organic “family feeling” grow further among Jaguar models.

Source | AutoWereld

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Honda has cancelled its appearance at the Frankfurt show, saying that resources will be concentrating on other areas. Current priorities are said to be the development of its hybrid and research on fuel cells, but this occurs in shades of economic downturns as the automobile market experiences a decline that has no precedents.

So this is not a period of superfluous spending as Honda reduces costs in strategic areas, despite the huge success of the Honda Insight in Japan and the US. Sales of the CR-Z Coupé Hybrid will start next year, after which we should also see the Jazz Hybrid on the market: the first small model of its kind in Europe.

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A significant downturn in the Japanese auto market has been registered for the month of February, with a 50 percent drop in the number of cars manufactured for Sol Levante. This comes after the 41 percent drop experienced in January.

Nissan saw the greatest decline with a drop of 68.8 percent in vehicles destined for the local market, and a 37.8 percent drop in those headed for export. Mitsubishi and Toyota also followed with a 65 and 64 percent decline in the Japanese market.

Dramatic figures also come from Mazda and Honda with a drop of 54.6 and 48.4 percent respectively, while Suzuki is the only manufacturer managing to maintain decline at 19.6 percent.

Source | LeBlog Auto

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After the official shots and technical details of the new Honda Insight, here is the official video of the new hybrid, up for competition in the field of the Toyota Prius. Just like its more famous rival, the Honda Insight is planning on production of 200,000 examples in 2009 in the North American market, with hopes to recoup from the crisis experienced by more traditional models.

The Insight price should be more convenient than the Prius, coming in at around 21,000 euros, compared to 26,000 in the American market. In April we will see the model on the European market. The Insight has a 1.3 litre petrol engine at 88hp and 123 Nm, combined with an electric unit of nearly 14hp and 103 Nm, with average consumption sitting at 4.4 litres/100km, and only 101 g/km of CO2 emissions.

Source | Quanteruote

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While the competition will only heat up at the Paris motor show, tomorrow Honda is already revealing the shots of a new hybrid concept car that will give the market a clear idea of the challenger to the Toyota Prius. According to some reports the debut of the final version will occur in January in Detroit.

John Kingston, manager of the development of alternative cars at Honda, has revealed how important this new hybrid will be to the future of Honda. “It is a very important car for Honda and our future direction. This is a car that will change customer perception of hybrids.”

He has also underlined that the strong point of this model will be the price: “Hybrids have to be made more affordable - the key barrier to hybrid sales is price.” Constructed on a totally new platform, this five-door hatch will likely be equipped with a totally new engine from the Civic Hybrid.

Source | CarScoop

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The next Toyota Prius is expected in the course of 2009, and preparations are currently underway for the heir to what we could define as the first true mass hybrid. The photos you see here come from AutoWeek and the European headquarters of the Japanese company.

The heavy camouflage means no judgement on the car’s style can be made, but it appears to point to similarities to the current model. What is certain in that the new Prius will have cleaner lines than the current model: the roof, for example, will be carpeted with solar panels which should guarantee the functioning of the air conditioning, and a plug-in model is currently planned.

Continue reading: Toyota Prius: next generation in testing phase

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How could we define this as anything but protectionist spirit? The comparison offered by Auto Express is hardly believable, reporting that the Honda NSX will challenge the Aston Martin V8, Jaguar XKR and even the Maserati GranTurismo. Although if the numbers offered by the Japanese company are correct, this model will beat the European coupés with its eyes shut.

The V10 5.5 should see some technical solutions strictly derived from Formula One technology, with even the possibility of deactivating some cylinders to reduce consumption and emissions. Power and torque will hit 590hp and 600Nm, while the F1 will provide top-end aerodynamics. According to some rumours, the final part of the car is like one large wing.

Continue reading: Honda NSX: Formula One brings winds of change in Europe

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Honda has presented its OSM (Open Study Model) concept at the London show, returning to a theme dear to the English heart: a small spider, sporty and simple. Although Honda has avoided all associations, this concept is quite close to the CR-Z hybrid coupè, already in production.

Designed by Honda’s German branch, the OSM should show how attractive an environmentally friendly car can be, with low emissions while not giving up driving pleasure. This confirms that some of the CR-Z parentage has wriggled its way into the project, even if no technical data is available yet. Unfortunately no production has yet been foreseen, but we’ve got our fingers crossed.

Via | Carscoop

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