TORRANCE, California, March 27, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The highly acclaimed 2018 Honda Accord has received a “2018 Must Test Drive Award” from Autotrader. Calling the new Accord the “best-ever” version of the model and noting its impressive fuel efficiency, the editorial experts at Autotrader chose the all-new Accord as one of only 12 award recipients.

“While most of the car-buying process has moved online, the in-person test drive continues to be a make or break aspect of the purchase decision, and it’s important to consider all your options,” said Brian Moody, executive editor for Autotrader.

The Autotrader Must Test Drive award was devised to direct shoppers to the best new cars worth taking for a spin before shoppers make their final purchase decision.

About Honda 
Honda offers a full line of reliable, fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive vehicles with advanced safety technologies sold through over 1,000 independent U.S. Honda dealers. The Honda lineup includes the Fit, Civic, Accord and Clarity series passenger cars, along with the HR-V, CR-V and Pilot sport/utility vehicles, the Ridgeline pickup and the Odyssey minivan.

Honda has been producing automobiles in America for more than 35 years and currently operates 19 major manufacturing facilities in North America. In 2017, 93% of all Honda and Acura vehicles sold in the U.S. were made in North America, using domestic and globally sourced parts.

For More Information
Consumer information is available at automobiles.honda.com. To join the Honda community on Facebook, visit facebook.com/honda. Additional media information including detailed pricing features and high-resolution photography of all 2018 Honda models is available at hondanews.com.

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SOURCE American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

NEW YORK, March 26, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The all-new, production version of the 2019 Insight will make its global production debut on March 28 at the 2018 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS), providing a first look at the latest entry in Honda’s expanding lineup of electrified vehicles. The new Insight, launching at Honda dealerships nationally in early summer, joins the Clarity series and just-launched 2018 Accord Hybrid as the fifth new Honda electrified vehicle introduced over the past year.  

As a premium compact sedan, Insight is positioned and priced between Civic and Accord in Honda’s passenger car lineup. The Insight is unique in providing universally appealing styling, with the packaging and refinement of a premium compact sedan and fuel efficiency competitive with leading hatchback hybrid models. Powered by the third generation of Honda’s innovative and efficient two-motor hybrid system, Insight’s 151 net system horsepower combines with a lightweight structure to deliver the best power-to-weight ratio in its class as well as up to 55-mpg in the city¹.

“The Honda Insight shows consumers that the efficiency of a hybrid car doesn’t mean sacrificing style, refinement or performance,” said Henio Arcangeli, Jr., senior vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “The Insight is another symbol of a new era in the evolution of Honda electrified vehicles, where customers can have everything they want with no compromises.”

Design and Packaging
The 2019 Honda Insight boasts a sleek sedan design with a low and wide stance highlighted by Honda’s signature “flying wing” grille and bold front fascia, low-profile LED headlights and taillights, sharp and dynamic character lines and sweeping coupe-like roofline. Inside, the new Insight features premium cabin appointments including a soft-touch instrument panel with real stitching, ergonomically sculpted seats, a 7-inch TFT color digital driver’s meter, available heated and leather-trimmed seating and an 8-inch Display Audio touchscreen with Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ integration.

The new Insight’s comparatively generous wheelbase (106.3 inches) and exceptional packaging efficiency yields best-in-class rear legroom of 37.4 inches, along with a spacious 15.1 cu.-ft. of trunk space that rivals gasoline versions of midsize cars. The placement of the lithium-ion hybrid battery pack beneath the rear seats allows for a fold-down rear seat (60/40-split on EX and Touring trims) to maximize cargo- and people-hauling flexibility.

Trims and Features
The 2019 Honda Insight will be available in three trims – the well-equipped Insight LX and EX and line-topping Insight Touring. Standard features include full LED headlights, LED daytime running lights and taillights, 16-inch alloy wheels, heated side mirrors, a 7-inch TFT digital driver’s meter, push-button start, a 6-speaker audio system, Bluetooth^®, Pandora^® compatibility and a folding rear seat. 

The Insight EX adds Smart Entry, two additional audio speakers, SiriusXM^® radio and an 8-inch Display Audio touchscreen with smartphone-like features and functionality, including customizable app tiles and home-screen shortcuts.

The line-topping Insight Touring adds 17-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lights, rain-sensing wipers, a power moonroof, LED side-mirror turn signals, perforated leather seating, heated front seats with 8-way power adjustment for the driver and 4-way power for the passenger, dual-zone climate control, embedded Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™, Honda HD Digital Traffic, 4G LTE Wi-Fi with mobile hotspot capability and Wi-Fi-enabled over-the-air system updates, next-generation HondaLink^® subscription services, a 10-speaker premium audio system, and HomeLink^® Remote System.

Body and Chassis
The Insight shares its basic platform architecture with the highly-praised 10^th-generation Civic. In keeping with its premium compact sedan character, the Insight gets numerous engineering enhancements to further improve ride quality, cabin quietness and efficiency. The body features Honda’s Advance Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure. An aluminum hood, unique to Insight, reduces weight, while additional sound insulation in the engine bay, front fenders, front firewall, and front and rear floor further aids cabin quietness.

The Insight’s new chassis is designed to provide a highly refined, confident and composed driving experience. It utilizes a fully-independent suspension system – Macpherson strut front and multi-link rear – with liquid-sealing compliance bushings at both ends (Touring only). Like Civic, the Insight also features variable-ratio dual-pinion electric power steering. Confident and linear braking performance is provided by an electro-servo brake system, which seamlessly combines efficient regenerative braking and mechanical (friction) braking for ultimate stopping performance.

Advanced New Powertrain
The all-new Insight is powered by the third generation of Honda’s two-motor hybrid system, featuring a highly efficient 1.5-liter Atkinson cycle engine, a powerful electric propulsion motor, and lithium-ion battery pack. Total system output is 151 horsepower and 197 lb.-ft. of electric motor torque. Under most conditions, the Insight operates as a series hybrid, in which the gasoline engine, connected to the generator motor, produces electricity that is supplied to either the electric propulsion motor and/or the 60-cell lithium-ion battery pack.

The Insight features three selectable driving modes – NORMAL, ECON, and SPORT – allowing drivers to customize their experience by maximizing efficiency or driving performance. Additionally, all Insights have steering wheel-mounted deceleration selectors to choose among three levels of regenerative braking performance, depending on driving conditions. In normal mode, the Insight is capable of all-electric driving for short distances of roughly a mile. Unlike competing systems, Honda’s two-motor hybrid technology works without the need for a conventional automatic transmission, with the electric propulsion motor directly powering the drive axles. During higher speed operation a lock-up clutch connects the engine to the drive axles to provide the most efficient operation during highway and freeway driving.

Advanced Safety Technology
The 2019 Honda Insight will include the Honda Sensing^® suite of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies as standard equipment, which includes Forward Collison Warning (FCW), Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™), Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assistance System, Road Departure Mitigation, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow and Traffic Sign Recognition. Insight EX and Touring trims will also come equipped with Honda LaneWatch™, and all trims will have a multi-angle rearview camera. The Insight targets top collision safety ratings, including an NCAP 5-star Overall Vehicle Score and IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK with a “Good” rating in all crash test modes and a “Superior” rating for front crash protection.

Manufacturing
The Insight will be manufactured alongside the Civic and CR-V at Honda’s plant in Greensburg, Indiana². The hybrid battery unit will be assembled at the company’s Marysville Auto Plant in Ohio, with the 1.5-liter Atkinson cycle engine manufactured by Honda’s Anna, Ohio engine plant, which also produces the engine for the Ohio-made 2018 Accord Hybrid.

About Honda
Honda offers a full line of reliable, fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive vehicles with advanced safety technologies sold through over 1,000 independent U.S. Honda dealers. The Honda lineup includes the Fit, Civic, Accord and Clarity series passenger cars, along with the HR-V, CR-V and Pilot sport/utility vehicles, the Ridgeline pickup and the Odyssey minivan.

Honda has been producing automobiles in America for more than 35 years and currently operates 19 major manufacturing facilities in North America. In 2017, nearly 93% of all Honda and Acura vehicles sold in the U.S. were made in North America, using domestic and globally sourced parts.

For More Information
Additional media information including high-resolution photography and video of the Honda Insight is available at hondanews.com/honda-automobiles/channels/insight. Consumer information is available at automobiles.honda.com/future-cars/insight-hybrid. To join the Insight community on Facebook, visit https://www.facebook.com/hondainsight.

¹ Based on Honda internal certification testing

² Using domestic and globally sourced parts

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SOURCE American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

NEW YORK, March 26, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Following recent launches of its stunning LS flagship sedan and three-row RXL luxury utility vehicle, Lexus is opening a new gateway into the brand with the all-new UX compact luxury crossover. Making its North American debut at the 2018 New York Auto Show, the UX introduces a bold new design, ultra-efficient new powertrains and innovative luxury features.

“The first-ever Lexus UX is designed for the modern urban explorer seeking a fresh, contemporary and dynamic take on luxury driving,” said Chika Kako, Executive Vice President of Lexus International and Chief Engineer of the UX. “We designed the UX to appeal to buyers in their 30s who seek not only what is new and exciting, but what is also relevant to their lifestyles.”

The 2019 Lexus UX will be available in two powertrains: the front-wheel drive UX 200 introduces a new 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine coupled with a new Direct-Shift continuously variable transmission (CVT) while the UX 250h pairs an Atikinson Cycle version of the same 2.0-liter gas engine with a new fourth generation hybrid drive system and eAWD.

Daring Design Meets Urban Versatility
The UX makes a bold statement in a segment characterized by conventional SUV themes. The striking design, notable for its crisp, prominent sculpting and dramatically flared front and rear fenders, surrounds a cabin that provides a driver-focused cockpit and a roomy, relaxing space for passengers.

A 103.9-in. wheelbase contributes to a smooth, stable ride and ample passenger space, while the compact 177-inch overall length and best-in-class 17.1 ft. turning radius lets the Lexus UX easily maneuver into convenient “compact only” parking spaces.

At the rear, an elegantly simple styling treatment contrasts sharply with the flared fenders to emphasize the UX’s dynamic and strong crossover qualities. Full-width taillights project a distinctive nighttime signature formed by a sequence of 120 LEDs and tapering to 3 millimeters at its thinnest toward the center.

A Solid Basis for Efficient Performance
Compact and infused with dynamic attitude, the 2019 Lexus UX is engineered to deliver “elegant performance” thanks to the first use of the brand’s GA-C (Global Architecture – Compact) platform. The super-rigid structure and low center of gravity help the UX deliver both precise handling and exemplary ride comfort.

The MacPherson strut front suspension and double wishbone type rear suspension system are specially tuned for a combination of urban agility and comfort over well-worn streets. Even the smallest of details like the quality of the damper oil, oil seals and friction control in the shock absorbers were tested and retested to assure the optimum ride quality. The electric power steering system features a new compact and highly rigid column assist that helps deliver crisp, immediate response to driver inputs and a precise steering feel.

UX 200: High Efficiency Engine and New Direct Shift CVT
Engaging performance and high fuel efficiency are the calling cards of the new 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine in the UX 200. Delivering up to 168 horsepower to the front wheels, the all-new engine utilizes advanced technologies like multi-hole direct fuel injectors, a continuously variable capacity oil pump and VVT-iE intelligent variable valve-timing on the intake side to achieve maximum thermal efficiency of nearly 40 percent – an exceptional number for a passenger vehicle engine.

A new Direct Shift-CVT also debuts in the UX 200. It combines the smooth, fuel-efficient performance of a conventional continuously variable transmission with the more direct feel of a traditional gear-driven automatic. A conventional CVT uses two variable pulleys, connected by a belt, to change the effective gear ratio. The Lexus Direct Shift-CVT adds a traditional gearset for starting from a stop, giving the UX quicker, more linear acceleration off the line. Because the gears reduce the need for the CVT’s pulleys and belt mechanism to be used in the low range, more of the CVT’s ratio spread can be dedicated to the higher range which helps the UX 200 deliver an estimate 33 mpg in combined driving. Paddle shifters are added on F SPORT models.

UX 250h: The Latest Generation of Hybrid Technology
Lexus introduced the world’s first luxury hybrid vehicle 15 years ago, and the brand remains the luxury hybrid leader. The 2019 UX 250h underscores that position with a new-generation hybrid powertrain that delivers engaging performance and exemplary fuel efficiency.

The UX 250h combines an Atkinson Cycle version of the 2.0-liter gas engine found in the UX 200 with a hybrid system for a projected output of 176 total system horsepower, and estimated 38 combined MPG. Optimizing the level of electric motor assistance and engine RPM produces a linear acceleration feel without the engine running at high revs. Engine speed is synchronized with vehicle speed to create an immediate and continuous acceleration feel.

All Wheel Drive to Suit All Situations
The UX 250h model in the U.S. will feature eAWD which adds an electric motor to the rear axle. Power distribution between the front and rear axles is automatically optimized when accelerating, cornering, or driving on slippery surfaces.

Capable of not only adjusting the power split when the front wheels lose grip, eAWD is sophisticated enough to improve stability by introducing drag or adding power to help correct an over- or understeer situation.

Predictive Efficient Drive
The UX 250h is the first Lexus to offer Predictive Efficient Drive, a system that analyzes driving habits along with road and traffic conditions to optimize charging and discharging of the hybrid battery.

One element of the Predictive Efficient Drive system is Predictive Deceleration Support which uses accumulated knowledge about a driver’s behavior to predict when and where the vehicle is likely to slow down or stop. For example, when the UX approaches a location where the driver has slowed or stopped in the past, and the driver releases the accelerator pedal, Predictive Deceleration Support increases regenerative braking, allowing more efficient energy recovery and recharging of the hybrid battery.

Another feature in the Predictive Efficient Drive system is the all-new Predictive State of Charge (SOC) control for the hybrid battery. A first for any Lexus hybrid, the SOC system uses data from the navigation system to predict the optimal times for recharging the battery. For instance, if the system detects a downhill section approaching, it will utilize additional electric motor power on the way up the hill to preserve fuel and make room in the battery for the excess regenerative power that will be recaptured on the way down the hill.

Connected Technologies for Today’s Digital Drivers
Staying connected on the road is essential to today’s drivers, so the UX makes it easier with a number of standard technology features.  Lexus is among the first luxury automakers to feature Amazon Alexa integration, so UX drivers can ask Alexa to play music and media, read Kindle books, control smart home devices, and more.

All UX models will also come standard with Apple CarPlay phone functionality. Once a compatible iPhone is connected through a USB cable, drivers can access Apple Music, maps, make phone calls, and send and receive messages all through the multimedia display or with voice control through Siri.

Safety
The UX, the new gateway to the brand, will offer the Lexus Safety System+ as standard equipment. It includes advanced safety technologies including Lane Tracing Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Automatic High Beams, Road Sign Assist and a Pre-Collision System that can recognize pedestrians at night.  Additionally, PCS radar capability has been extended to enable detection of cyclists during the day – road users who are involved in a high number of traffic accidents.

A New Way To Access a Lexus
When the UX goes on sale in December of 2018, there will be a new option in addition to the usual purchase and lease processes. For the first time in the history of Lexus, the UX will be offered through a subscription service. Details will be announced closer to the UX on-sale date.

The UX and RxArt Together in New York
The debut of the Lexus UX in North America will be marked by a unique piece of urban artwork commissioned by Lexus in collaboration with RxArt, a non-profit organization that helps children deal with serious illnesses by bringing art to their hospital spaces. Noted Brooklyn artist, Daniel Heidkamp, will produce the work that will be displayed alongside the UX at an event prior to the New York auto show. After the show, Heidkamp’s work will be repurposed for display at the Hassenfield Children’s Hospital at NYU Lagone.

AVAILABILITY
The UX 200 and UX 250h will start production this fall and go on sale in the U.S. in December. Pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale date.

Lexus’ passion for brave design, imaginative technology, and exhilarating performance enables the luxury lifestyle brand to create amazing experiences for its customers. Lexus began its journey in 1989 with two luxury sedans and a commitment to pursue perfection. Since then, Lexus has developed its lineup to meet the needs of global luxury customers in more than 90 countries. In the United States, Lexus vehicles are sold through 240 dealers offering a full lineup of luxury vehicles. With six models incorporating Lexus Hybrid Drive, Lexus is the luxury hybrid leader. Lexus also offers six F SPORT models and two F performance models. Lexus is committed to being a visionary brand that anticipates the future for luxury customers.

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Note to Editors: Lexus product information and images are available online via our news media web site http://LexusNewsroom.com.

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SOURCE Lexus

– Honda Civic Type R TCR makes North American debut with first global podiums

– Ryan Eversley claims third-place finishes in both races of doubleheader race weekend

– Tom O’Gorman starts TCA championship challenge with second and first-place results

AUSTIN, Texas, March 25, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — RealTime Racing and driver Ryan Eversley recorded the first podiums globally for the new Honda Civic Type R TCR, finishing third in both rounds of Pirelli World Challenge doubleheader race weekend at the Circuit of the Americas.

Meanwhile, in his first races with RealTime, Tom O’Gorman started his second season of TCA class competition in near perfect fashion, taking his Honda Civic Si to a second-place result on Saturday, and a commanding victory in Sunday’s race.

TCR
Two new Honda Civic Type R TCRs made their North American debuts this weekend, in the hands of veteran RealTime Racing drivers Eversley and Nick Esayian.  In Saturday’s opening race, Eversley had a straightforward run to third in the 40-minute, timed event.  Meanwhile, Esayian recovered from a first-lap spin that dropped him to the rear of the 28-car starting field, coming through the field to finish 12^th. 

In Sunday’s race, it was Eversley who had the dramatic day.  Contact while fighting for third place on the second lap resulted in a “drive-through” (pit lane) penalty, dropping Eversley to 13^th in the TCA field.  He recovered to claim 10^th just as a full-course caution for a damaged car on track bunched the field.  Taking the green with just under half the 40-minute race remaining, Eversley gained positions each lap to take the checkers in fourth – which then became third after rival Anthony Geraci was penalized for exceeding track limits on the final lap.  In the second RealTime Civic Type R, Esayian had a drama-free run to 11^th in Sunday’s closer.

TCA and TC
Starting second in his RealTime Racing Honda Civic Si in Saturday’s opening round, Tom O’Gorman briefly led the TCA class, powering around the Mazda MX-5 of pole qualifier Bryan Ortiz.  O’Gorman then went on to battle Eric Powell for the class victory, finishing just 17 hundredths of a second behind after 40 minutes of hard, but fair, racing.

On Sunday, O’Gorman was not to be denied, taking his Civic Si to the lead at the green flag and remaining at the point throughout the contest.  The victory was O’Gorman’s second career TCA win, and ties him for the championship lead with Powell heading into the next round, April 28-29 at Virginia International Raceway.

In Saturday’s opening race of the day, for the TC class, the Honda associate-led Team HMA entry of Honda Manufacturing of Alabama engineer Josh Foran persevered to a 14^th-place finish in a Civic Type R and followed that up with a run to 15^th on Sunday.  Unlike TCR Honda Civic Type R, where many racing components are utilized with the production engine and chassis, World Challenge TC technical regulations require the car to be very close to the production version, with only minor safety and suspension changes allowed.

Video recaps from this weekend’s Pirelli World Challenge races at the Circuit of the Americas are being posted on the “Honda Racing/HPD” YouTube channel.  Produced by the Carolinas Production Group, the video packages can be found in the 2018 HPD Trackside Video Playlist at: https://www.youtube.com/HondaRacingHPDTV.

Quotes

Steve Eriksen (Vice President & COO, Honda Performance Development) on this weekend’s Honda race results: “Two double podiums in two days of racing!  We had three types of Honda Civics racing in three different classes here.  It was an impressive debut for the Civic Type R TCR, with the first global podium results for that model.  It also was an impressive start for Tom O’Gorman with his Civic Si in the TCA class, with a second-place finish yesterday and today’s win.  Team HMA certainly learned a lot this weekend, racing its production model Civic Type R in the TC category, and we anticipate further improvement from them as their season plays out.  Congratulations to both RealTime Racing and Team HMA, and to all of our associates who worked hard to get us these results.”

Ryan Eversley (driver, #43 RealTime Racing Honda Civic Type R) 3^rd in TCR in both Saturday and Sunday races, first podium finish worldwide for the new Honda Civic Type R: “I feel bad about the contact with Martin [Jensen].  I thought I had a run on him on the outside, but when he transitioned back across the track, I locked up the brakes and just clouted him.  I knew I deserved a [pit lane drive-through] penalty for that, and served it right away.  Then, it was ‘let’s put my head down and go get a result out of this’.  We got lucky with a [full-course caution] yellow. That bunched everyone back up and, on the restart, I was just trying to get as many positions back as possible.  In the end, it worked out in our favor. I think we maximized our results with a pair of podium finishes for the Honda Civic Type R.”

Tom O’Gorman (driver, #94 RealTime Racing Honda Civic Si) 1^st in TCA Sunday, 2^nd on Saturday, on Sunday’s race win: “I knew I needed to lead, set the pace and break away from the draft.  Then, I could manage the race from the front, manage the tires, and the brakes.  The car was ‘on point’ all weekend.  The Honda Civic Si is so awesome. It’s the momentum and handling car in this class.  The car is just incredible, I can’t wait for [the next round at] Virginia International Raceway.”

Pirelli World Challenge Grand Prix of Texas
Circuit: Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas
Weather: Overcast, mild 76 degrees F Saturday; morning showers Sunday, 72 degrees F

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SOURCE Honda Racing