Australian International Motor Show 2011

MELBOURNE – July 1, 2011: Committed to delivering products that provide freedom and mobility, Honda’s Australian International Motor Show (AIMS) stand will showcase the all-new CR-Z, due for release in Australia in late 2011; as well as recently upgraded models; Accord, Accord Euro and Jazz.

Honda offers engineering excellence and worry-free motoring and the AIMS stand will highlight Honda’s value for money proposition and the exceptional driving experience of its current and future model range.

With a history of delivering more from less, Honda also announces its new global CO2 emission reduction targets.

Honda CR-Z
The all-new Honda CR-Z is unique. This stylish coupe combines the advantages of a clean, efficient petrol-electric hybrid powertrain with a 6-speed manual and a CVT transmission. It will change the perception of hybrids.

The responsive 1.5 litre four- cylinder i-VTEC engine coupled with Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) produces 91 kilowatts (@6100 rpm) and 174 Newton metres (@1000-1500 rpm). The electric motor boosts torque at low and medium revs, which gives the CR-Z in-gear flexibility usually associated with turbocharged engines.

The manual gearbox is a core part of the driver engagement that Honda’s engineers wanted to bring to the CR-Z. The flexibility of the IMA system allows it to be used with a range of transmissions, not just CVT-based gearboxes.

Fuel consumption for the manual transmission is 5l/100km (combined) and for the CVT transmission the figure is 4.7l/100km (combined).

To maximise driver choice and enhance day to day driveability, the CR-Z is fitted with a 3-Mode Drive System (NORMAL, ECON and SPORT). This unique feature allows the driver to choose between the driving modes, which alter the responses of the throttle, steering, climate control and the level of assistance provided by the IMA system. The driver can adapt the car’s settings to enjoy their favourite road, maximise economy or strike a balance between the two.

The ambient lighting of the speedometer is used in the same way as in the Insight IMA – assisting to achieve more economical and ecological driving. In addition, the CR-Z’s ambient meter lighting is linked to the 3-Mode Drive system. In NORMAL mode and ECON mode the speedometer is illuminated blue, glowing green when driven economically. In ECON mode it has a green eco flower lit in the mode indicator. When the speedometer is illuminated in a red ambient light, this indicates the CR-Z is in SPORT mode.

The Honda CR-Z will arrive in Honda showrooms in late 2011.

Honda Accord
The 2011 Accord range has been updated, bringing even more elegance and sophistication and including a new variant, additional features and greater value.

Since its introduction to Australia in 1977, the Accord nameplate has won friends with buyers and the motoring media alike. The Accord was the first Japanese car to win the coveted Wheels Car of the Year award in 1977 and is Honda’s most decorated car globally. The eighth-generation Accord won Drive Car of the Year in 2008 as well as Drive’s Best Large Car award the same year.

The Accord range offers buyers a choice of engines; a powerful 202 kW V6 with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) that allows the engine to operate on either six, four or three cylinders for maximum fuel and emission efficiency; and a 133 kW 2.4 litre four-cylinder engine that sips 8.7 litres/100kms (combined), an improvement on the previous figure, which was 8.8l/100kms.

The Accord’s exterior has been refreshed across the range, with the previous black grille replaced with two chrome bars along with a revised bumper design. At the rear, a chrome highlight strip across the boot-lid adds a touch of elegance.

Inside, the Accord’s audio controls have been simplified for easier navigation and a USB included to allow connection of personal music devices. A-pillar mounted Bluetooth is a further technology addition along with an auto-dimming rear view mirror to improve night driving – all these features are new across the range.

For added safety and convenience, front parking sensors and a new foldaway key design (Jack knife) are now standard across the range.

A new variant is also available – the VTi-LN – that has satellite navigation, reversing camera, a premium audio system with subwoofer, intelligent dual air-conditioning and new five twin-spoke 17 inch alloy wheels.

Honda Accord Euro
The Accord Euro – Wheels Car of the Year 2008 – acclaimed for its sporty nature and high-level of creature comforts, has received luxury and safety upgrades.

When the first-generation Accord Euro debuted in 2003, it revived the medium car segment, providing a rewarding driving experience on twisty country roads as well as the urban scrum.

The second-generation Accord Euro, launched in 2008, built on these strengths with even higher levels of driver enjoyment and came packed with standard features. It also gained a roomier, more sumptuous cabin.

The Accord Euro has been one of Honda Australia’s best sellers, with over 45,600 first-generation and more than 16,300 second-generation units sold.

Powered by a 148 kW four-cylinder engine with a slick six-speed manual or smooth five-speed auto with Grade Logic Control, the Accord Euro is both sporty and fuel efficient.

The Accord Euro has enhanced exterior features including a new two-bar grille replacing the three-bar version and resculptured front bumper, fog light surrounds and ventilation apertures. The rear lights have been recoloured to a soft red and there is now a chrome strip on the boot-lid.

Inside, the Euro has a new satin-finish garnish on the door handles, console, steering wheel and other interior components. An anti-dust feature has been applied to the cloth trim on the entry model.

Further upgrades across the Accord Euro range include steering wheel integrated Bluetooth, a new foldaway key design, USB connectivity and Trailer Stability Assist on all models.

The entry model gains the option of 18 inch alloy wheels, auto headlights and rain-sensing wipers. The Luxury Navi benefits from new bi-HID headlights with auto low/high beam and a cornering function which operates at speeds up to 40kmh, a first for Honda.

Fuel efficiency has also improved, with the new Euro using 8.7l/100kms (combined) for the manual transmission (an improvement of 2.2 percent on the previous model) and 8.5l/100kms (combined) for the automatic transmission (an improvement of 4.5 percent).

Honda Jazz
Honda’s 2011 Jazz has hit another high note, with equipment, safety and styling upgrades.

The Jazz created history in Japan at its debut in 2001, becoming Honda’s fastest selling new model, selling over 100,000 units in the first six months. In light of this stellar performance, Jazz won Japan Car of the Year twice, the Auto Express Car of the Year and the New Zealand National Business Review Small Car of the Year.

In Australia, the Jazz impressed the motoring media and was a finalist in the 2002 Wheels Car of the Year award. It went one step further that same year in Queensland, winning the Courier Mail’s Car of the Year award and followed through with Light Car of the Year in 2003.

Launched in Australia almost a decade ago, the Jazz has won many hearts, selling over 50,000 units between November 2002 and May 2008. Buyers all over the world were captivated by the roominess, versatility and outstanding value that Jazz offered.

Capitalising on the strength and success of the original model, the second-generation was introduced to Australia in August 2008 and has proved to be just as popular, with over 23,000 sold.

The new and improved 2011 Jazz receives exterior enhancements across all models including LED tail lights and a sporty, mesh-style grille, resembling a happy face.

Engine choices remain the same, with a frugal 1.3 litre as well as a zippy 1.5 litre model.

The 1.5 litre VTi receives cruise control, revised 15 inch alloy wheels and a full size alloy spare. The VTi and VTi-S share new sporty bumpers, side skirts, fog lamps and a gunmetal grey grille. The VTi-S gains a tailgate spoiler and newly designed 16 inch alloy wheels.

Inside, all models receive a new look satin finish centre dash panel, which houses the audio and heating/cooling system controls, as well as a multi-information display within the speedometre giving fuel consumption, time travelled, trip meters and more.

Jazz now has USB connectivity and A-pillar mounted Bluetooth for the first time.

Safety is of course paramount, with every Jazz in the range receiving front, side and curtain airbags, front and rear seatbelt reminder, multi information display, ABS with Brake Assist and Vehicle Stability Assist.

Importantly, all Jazz models receive a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

Two new colours – Polished Metal and Fresh Lime Green – have been added to the existing palette (Taffetta White, Alabaster Silver, Rallye Red, Cerulean Blue and Crystal Black).

Honda’s Commitment To Sustainability
Honda Motor Co. has set new global CO2 emission reduction targets on all products, to 30 percent by the end of 2020 (compared to year 2000 levels).

In addition to reducing CO2 emissions during production and the supply chain, Honda will strengthen its efforts to reduce CO2 emissions through all of its corporate activities. Honda will also strengthen its efforts to advance technologies in the area of total energy management, to reduce CO2 emissions through people’s everyday mobility.

Honda Motor Co. established its 2020 CO2 emission reduction targets within the Honda Environmental Vision in order to address the important business management issues of climate change and energy. At the same time, Honda introduced a global environmental slogan; “Blue Skies for Our Children.”

Honda has been pursuing its own environmental targets and is committed to proactive environmental conservation activities. In 2006, Honda set a goal to reduce global CO2 emissions from use of its motorcycles, automobiles and power products by 10 percent by the end of 2010 (compared to year 2000 levels). In 2010, the goal was attained by all products.

Honda has also established a new global environmental slogan as an expression of its commitment to progress its environmental efforts on a global basis; realising “the Joy and Freedom of Mobility” and “a Sustainable Society where People Can Enjoy Life”.

With this slogan, Honda will strive to become a leader in the area of environmental and energy technologies. The new global environmental slogan and symbol will be used with Honda’s internal and external environmental activities and communications around the world.

Honda engineers, who took on the challenge to meet the stringent new emissions standards of the 1970s U.S. Clean Air Act, used the phrase “blue skies for our children” as a passionate rallying cry to devote themselves to this effort. Honda wants to pass on the “joy and freedom of mobility to the next generation” (for our children), therefore, we want to realise a sustainable society where people can enjoy life (blue skies). This slogan continues to represent Honda’s passion toward its environmental commitment, which has not wavered and will remain resolute in the future.

The circular graphic represents the earth and sun with blue skies (clean air), clean water, and lush green land expressing the bounty of nature that is necessary for us to realise a sustainable society where people can enjoy life. The white line through the middle represents a road where freedom of mobility is realised, while the heart represents Honda’s thinking and passion toward our environmental commitment.