Honda vs Suzuki

There are lots of cheap cars available for sale in the market launched by different manufacturers such as Honda And Suzuki. Honda Cars have been in the market from very long time and they have maintained a good reputation by providing the customers with unique features and technology. Most of the customers will notice common themes like thoughtful design, attention to safety, friendly nature and average fuel economy.

Honda is Japanese automobile manufacturing company which was found in the year 1948 by Soichiro Honda. The first motorcycles manufactured and launched by the company were quite easy to operate. One of the ultra-successful models of Honda Company was C100 Super Cub that featured a crossbar free frame. The first automobile launched by company was for Japanese market which later entered in Formula One Racing. Some of the most successful models of Honda were Civic which became quite popular and famous among United States enthusiasts and aficionados.
There are lots of affordable or cheap cars launched by Honda Company called Accord which was introduced in United States on 1982 and earned good reputation in the market by 1989. Honda Cars are known for safety, reliability and durability and in these recent years, company has created lots of innovations like VTEC variable valve timing, electric/gasoline hybrid powertrains, aluminium body construction and improved safety features. Today, company is a leading manufacturer of fuel-sipping hybrid vehicles, spacious minivans, family sedans, pickup trucks and rugged sport utility vehicles.
Some of the cheap cars are also manufactured and revealed by Suzuki Company. Suzuki is also a Japanese automobile manufacturer which is known for affordability and value. Suzuki was found by Michio Suzuki in the year 1909 and by 1950s, company expanded their production to automobiles and motorcycles. Suzuki Cars Company produced and revealed the first vehicles in 1955 called Suzulight, compact vehicle in its segment. After couple of years, company also expanded the production to sport utility vehicles. The production lineup of Suzuki Company includes Fronte passenger vehicle, Carry Van full cab van and subcompact Fronte 800. In the year 1970, company manufactured and launched the first sport utility vehicle called Jeep CJ-5 with four-wheel drive system.
The first model launched by Suzuki Cars was Samurai available in hardtop and convertible body styles. It was a compact sport utility vehicle. During 90s, company expanded the production to different categories like Hungary, Egypt and Vietnam and introduced couple of models called lightweight Wagon R and Cappuccino convertible. The Suzuki Esteem was launched in United States that replaced Samurai. In the year 2004, General Motors and Suzuki Cars acquired Daewoo that led to the production of two new models called Suzuki Verona and Suzuki Forenza. Suzuki is a Japanese multinational corporation located in Hamamatsu, Japan that specializes in producing compact automobiles, compact internal combustion engines, four-wheel drive vehicles, wheelchairs, full range of motorcycles, outboard marine engines and all-terrain vehicles. It is the ninth largest automobile producer in the world with employees more than 45,000 people, 133 distributors in 192 different countries and 35 manufacturing plants in 23 countries.

Sport car

The Honda S2000 is a two-door sports car manufactured by the Japanese automobile manufacturer, Honda, between 1999 and 2009. The S2000 was created to celebrate the manufacturers 50th anniversary. This article provides some information about the Honda S2000, its history, changes to specification and why you might want to buy one.

At the heart of all Honda automobiles are their engines and the engine designed for the Honda S2000 is a very special one indeed. Created using lightweight materials, the engine in the early S2000 sport scars are capable of revving up to 9000rpm, producing around 240hp. The early cars used a 1997cc engine mounted front-mid for optimum weight distribution. The VTEC unit in the Honda S2000 means that below 6000rpm the car is quite docile while driving through town but once you get above 6k the car springs to life with an eagerness to head to the red line as quick as possible. In S2000 terms this means a 0-60 sprint in around 6 seconds! The engine is mated to a manual gearbox with no option for automatic.

The Honda S2000 sports cars are available with two designs. The AP1 chassis was introduced in 1999 and ran until 2004 when the AP2 design started manufacture.

The AP1 Honda S2000 had remote central locking, airbags, cassette radio entertainment system and an immobilizer. From 2002 the model benefited from a heated rear screen and 2004 models were available in GT spec with hard top. From 2004 the car has heated mirrors, LED tail lights and an upgraded alarm system.

The AP2 Honda S2000 has remote central locking, airbags, electronic brake force distribution and ABS as standard on the later models.

Options:
If you buy a S2000 then you'll be pleased with the array options which come as standard on a S2000. The S2000 has leather seats available in a variety of colours including some two-tone shades.

From 2004 the GT specification comes with a hardtop as well as the folding roof to help keep you warm in the winter months. The hardtop has a glass heated rear screen.

Of course, all manufacturers produce a list of optional extras for your car and the S2000 benefits from an optional spoiler for extra racy looks, front and rear protectors and extra speakers for the hifi.

Colours:
The Honda S2000 is available in Berlina Black, Moon rock metallic grey, Silverstone Metallic Silver, Lime Green Metallic; Royal Navy Blue Pearl; Neuburgring Blue Metallic; New Formula Red; Monza Red Pearl; Imola Orange Pearl and New Indy Yellow Pearl. Popular colours for the Honda S2000 are the Neuburgring Blue, Moon rock and Silverstone metallic silver colours. Inside the cockpit, the leather seats are available in Red, Black and Tan, or blue for the Neuburgring coloured cars. Two-tone red-black seats are also available.

Size:
The Honda S2000 is approximately 4100mm long by 1750mm wide.

 

Running costs:
If your looking for a low cost runabout then you probably should be looking elsewhere. That nippy engine earns the Honda S2000 an insurance group 20 quote! Take it steady on the motorway and you could get upto 35mpg though combined cycle will get more like 28mpg. Also road tax could quite easily be between £200-£400 at time of writing. Servicing costs aren't too bad

Prices
The Honda S2000 has been around for quite a long time now and there are many higher mileage cars around the £5k area. A good well cared for model can be had for around £8-10K for an AP1 spec or £12k plus for an AP2. Prices are representative at the time of writing. Honda has an excellent reputation for reliability so buying an older car shouldn't represent too much of a risk when compared with other options.

City car

About 2 months ago, Honda Malaysia has launched the 3rd generation of Honda City. It is among one of the best-selling model in this country and no wonder, the launching of this car has been very much anticipated by many. Previously, the original colors available for this model are available in Alabaster Silver, Polished Metal, Crystal Black Pearl, Deep Lapis Blue Metallic and Bold Beige Metallic. However, with the new line up, Honda Malaysia has taken the move to remove Blue and Beige color which is rather odd. All this while, they have been using the Deep Lapis Blue Metallic to promote as well as for their advertisement.

However, Honda Malaysia seems to be making the right move to introduce the Taffeta White in the new line of Honda City. So far, customers are raving for it. Out of 36 000 units sold since its launching, 40% out of that number is for the new colour. Before this, the Taffeta White colour is only available for the fully imported Honda Jazz. Some customers are even willing to pay more to get the colour. Now, Honda Malaysia is slowly implementing this new colour scheme on their CKD models such as Civic, CRV and City being their latest recipient. So, some of you may be wondering what is the fuss with the new Honda City? Well, there seems to be no difference in the specification of the two trim levels that are the Grade S and Grade E with the same OTR price. I guess, the only major change will be the ability for you to purchase your Taffeta White Honda City without actually digging a bigger hole into your pocket. With that said, if you have the opportunity, you should drop by one of the Honda showrooms to get a glimpse of the new car. It really looks good making the Honda City far handsomer than it should be. There is a reason why the Taffeta White consist of 30% of the sales made by Honda Malaysia. Why stick to the same old colors when you can opt for something new and exciting?

Honda car

One of the most popular and reliable car manufacturers in the automotive industry right now is Honda. They are a popular Japanese car maker that has automotive plants all over the globe, including the US. One of Honda's most famous models is the Civic. However, Honda has also extended into the production of the sport-utility vehicle or SUV. At present, Honda's premiere SUV is the CR-V. The CR-V was originally built as a compact station wagon, but as the years have gone by, this vehicle has gradually transformed into a crossover and is currently sold to car finders in markets throughout the globe.
Brief History of the CR-V
The Honda CR-V was introduced to the automotive market in 1995. The CR-V was originally intended to be a niche vehicle. That was due in part because Honda was hesitant in marketing this model on a large scale. Honda was uncertain if the CR-V would be capable of taking the place of the Honda Passport as an entry-level SUV in the U.S.
Honda's worries were put to rest after entering the CR-V in the 1996 Chicago Auto Show. Car buyers and enthusiasts alike had paid close attention to the CR-V, which was thought to be a good indication of potential sales. In addition to this, Honda also began taking note of the successes Toyota's RAV4 had achieved when it was released to the market.
Due to these factors, the CR-V was released in the US in 1997, alongside other SUVs, such as the Subaru Forrester. Since then, the CR-V has started building its reputation as an in-demand and reliable SUV. As of present, Honda is about to release their fourth generation Honda CR-V, which has many new exciting features that are being offered.
What does "CR-V" means?
With all its success and popularity, there is still a question that remains uncertain about the Honda CR-V. What does "CR-V" mean? All through the years, Honda has yet to come up with a concrete answer as to what CR-V stands for. In fact there are a lot of interpretations as to what it stands for.
Many car experts have researched the meaning of CR-V. One of the possible answers could be "Civic Recreation Vehicle." This assumption was based on the notion that the CR-V was built on the Civic platform. Many observers believe that this vehicle was originally produced as an extension of the Civic line to satisfy the needs of Honda car finders who are after Honda-made SUVs. On the other hand, several sales literature's in the UK consider the CR-Vs acronym to stand for "Compact Recreational Vehicle", while the official fact book of Honda Japan CR-V states that it is an acronym for "Comfortable Runabout Vehicle".
Despite the uncertainties connected to its name, the Honda CR-V still enjoys significant increases in demand, as well as new vehicle upgrades that improve its capability of being a great SUV.
4 Generations of Honda CR-Vs
As mentioned earlier, the CR-V is one of Honda's longest running models. To trace its history, here is a brief summary of the Honda CR-V's existence.
1. 1st Generation (1995-2001)
The first generation of CR-Vs were introduced in 1995 and production continued until 2001. In early production, the CR-V had only one trim and was powered by a 2.0L straight-4 B20B. That engine was capable of producing a maximum power output of 128 horsepower and 133 lb.-ft. of torque. Honda also used a uni-body chassis when they created their 4-wheel double-wishbone suspension. The interior is quite spacious and the rear seats can be folded to accommodate larger cargoes.
The external aspects of the first generation CR-Vs in the US was dominated by plastics, particularly in its rear and front bumpers, as well as the right and left fenders. After a few years, a new trim was offered for the CR-V and thus the EX trim was introduced. Honda had added some features to the EX trim which was not found on the LX trim. Other features included the anti-lock braking system. In this particular period, buyers were given two drive train options, front-wheel drive and the Real Time 4WD.
Honda has received a lot of criticism particularly on the CR-Vs lack of power to carry its 3,200 lbs. of weight. Due to this, Honda has used the 2.0L B20Z engine with a maximum power output of about 146 horsepower at 6200 rpm and up to 143 lb.-ft. of torque at 4500 rpm as a replacement. With this engine, the recorded fuel economy ratings were 23 miles per gallon in the city and 28 miles per gallon on the highway. Despite the change in engine and increased power, the price of the CR-V remained the same, which encouraged more car buyers to purchase this SUV.
In terms of safety, the 1995-2001 CR-V models have only obtained marginal ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This is because the results of the crash tests conducted by the IIHS revealed that there is a great possibility for the driver and other car occupants to incur left leg injuries. The agency has also noticed that the dummies used, went through the airbags during the collision and this could possibly cause minor concussions. It only earned a good rating in the vehicle's capability to provide chest protection to its occupants. Due to these not so impressive findings, Honda was encouraged to improve the safety features of future CR-Vs.
2. 2nd Generation (2002-2006)
Based on the negative feedback the first generation CR-V received, Honda introduced the fully refreshed version of the CR-V in 2002. These vehicles were considered as the second generation CR-Vs. These models were based on the platform used by the seventh generation Civic and the former engine was replaced by the K24A1 engine. The new engine produces 160 horsepower and 162 lb.-ft. of torque. Despite the increase in power, this model of the CRV has retained its fuel economy. This was made possible by using the i-VTEC system.
After these improvements, the CR-V was only subjected to minor changes up to 2004. The CR-V has once again received a major face lift in 2005 and the SE trim was added to the two existing trims. The improvements implemented were focused on the vehicle's wheel size, taillights and headlights, as well as other external changes. There were also revisions made to the CR-V's interior in 2005. That included the mounting of audio controls on the vehicle's steering wheel, the stereo was changed, and the rear seat headrests were revised to improve the driver's view of the rear.
In terms of safety, the second generation CR-Vs sold in the US were equipped with front-seat mounted airbags and side curtain airbags with rollover sensors to protect all of the occupants. Honda had also installed ABS, Traction Control, Vehicle Stability Assist, and the Electronic brake force distribution systems.
3. 3rd Generation (2007-2011)
The third generation CR-V was introduced in 2007. This CR-V model is shorter, lower, and wider, compared to the previous models. The reduction in length was achieved by removing the CR-V's spare tire from the rear and was transferred underneath the rear cargo area. The moving of the spare tire had also reduced the vehicle's center of gravity.
Honda had also changed the engine used on the third generation CR-Vs. The earlier model engine was removed and the 2.0L 4-cylinder version was used. This engine produces 166 horsepower and 161 lb.-ft. of torque which is stronger compared to the previous maximum power output. Due to this engine revision, the fuel economy ratings of the CR-V have declined to 20 miles per gallon in the city and 26 miles per gallon on the highway.
For CR-Vs sold in the US, Honda had dropped the manual transmission in exchange for the automatic. With this transmission, the CR-V has obtained better shifting and more manageable handling.
Due to these improvements, the Honda CR-V became one of the best-selling SUVs in the US in 2007. In fact, the CR-V has beaten some of its closest competitors, such as the Toyota RAV4, Ford Escape, and Chevrolet Tahoe. It even reached the point that the CR-V became the number one selling vehicle in the US by beating the Ford Explorer in terms of the number of demands. The Ford Explorer has been the best-selling SUV in the US since 1991 only to be beaten by the CR-V in 2007.
4. 4th Generation (2012)
The fourth generation CR-V will be released in the US during the later part of this year. Honda has even released a photo of the upcoming model to tease car buyers. In its newest model, the CR-V has made significant changes to its exterior design. The cars curves and lines were further improved to give the vehicle an upscale and tougher look. This version is also expected to be more fuel-efficient compared to the previous models.

Companys

Honda Motors Company Ltd. is a Japanese-based car maker registered as a public multinational corporation currently stationed at Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Honda was founded by Soichiro Honda on September 24, 1948. Soichiro was a mechanic and a self-taught engineer who first worked at a Japanese tuning shop named "Art Shokai."

Soichiro, at first worked on developing a piston that he could sell to Toyota, but his first attempt was rejected by the Japanese car maker. After the first rejection, Soichiro worked hard to perfect the design of his piston and a few years later it was accepted by Toyota. After this, Honda opened his own factory which was later damaged by the earthquake. Shortage of gasoline supply due to World War II had further worsened Honda's business situation. Due to this, Honda had failed to sell his cars.

Despite the initial failure, Honda's decided he would attempt to attach a small engine to a bicycle. This instantly became a hit. Honda's idea would eventually lead to the invention of the motorcycle. Honda received the needed capital and began producing the first batch of motorcycles. These events marked the actual start of the Honda Motor Company. Due to stable sales and rising demands for his products, Honda had emerged as the world's largest producer of motorcycles in 1964.

Honda then ventured into developing the company's own version of automobiles. It was in August of 1963 when Honda started the production of his first automobile. The first model that was produced was the T360, a mini pickup truck that was powered by a 356 cc straight-4 engine. Two months after that, Honda was able to produce his first ever car, known as the S500 sports car. The S500 was a rear-wheel drive vehicle driven by chains, just like a motorcycle.

After a few decades, Honda extended its production to other products. At the present, Honda is producing products such as automobiles, motorcycles, and power equipment. Aside from these, the company has also ventured into the production of engines, robots and air crafts, however, its automobile production still remains as one of the largest globally distributed products.

Honda opened its first store in the US in the year 1959. This was established in Los Angeles with only 6 employees. After a few years, Honda's sales in the US had increased and the demand for the products they sell had increased, which led to further expansion. Due to this, Honda established more stores in different areas of the US to meet the needs of its growing customers.

At present, the American Honda Motor Company is currently based in Torrance, California. This regional division of the Japanese car maker is now in-charge of the production and distribution of Honda vehicles all over the US. In Canada, all of the company's sales and production efforts are handled by Honda Canada Inc., which is based in its corporate headquarters at Markham, Ontario. In addition to this, there is also Honda of Canada Manufacturing, based in Alliston, Ontario.

As of now, Honda has many assembling plants all over the globe. Some of these are located in Asia, America, and Europe. With this expansion, Honda emerged as the second largest Japanese car maker in 2001, surpassing Nissan. In August 2008, Honda was able to surpass Chrysler's sales and production. This made Honda the fourth largest car manufacturer in the US and the sixth largest all over the globe.

Honda's position as a leading automobile manufacturer however was affected by the March 2011 earthquake in Japan. The effect of this natural calamity has somehow crippled Honda's production and even forced some of the company's assembling plants to slow their vehicle production down. Honda has subsequently recovered from this particular challenge and is currently making its way back to producing more vehicles and meet the demands of its consumers worldwide.

For now, Honda offers an impressive vehicle line-up, consisting of the Civic, Accord, Insight, Fit, Odyssey, and the CR-V worldwide. Each of these vehicles vary depending on the region where they are purchased. Many of the vehicles vary in engine, accessories and options in order to meet the needs of that particular area.

In the US market, Honda is still experiencing higher demands for its Civic, a line of compact cars which is also the company's second-largest nameplate. This model has been competing with the Toyota Corolla since it was first introduced to the market and up to the present. In order to provide US consumers with more car choices, Honda has introduced other models such as the Fit and the Accord. Both of these models are currently experiencing impressive sales in the US.

In terms of SUV, Honda continues to produce its Pilot and Element for the US, while its production of trucks is only limited to the Ridgeline, since the demand for this type of vehicle has gone down. This is also the case for the minivan. Honda is currently offering the Odyssey as the sole minivan model, since only a few consumers would want to buy this type of vehicle.

In order to tackle the issue of the continuing rise of gasoline prices, as well as the rising environmental concerns about harmful effects of carbon emissions on the natural environment, Honda has also made several hybrids with better fuel economy. These vehicles are composed of the Civic Hybrid, FCX Clarity, Insight, and the CR-Z. Aside from these, Honda is also exploring the possibilities of producing vehicles that are powered by engines that use alternative fuels such as compressed natural gas.

Given these efforts and operational strategies, Honda Motors Company Limited Still remains as one of the most reliable and prestigious car manufacturers in the world that continues to look for ways to provide car finders with vehicles that suit their diverse needs.

Car 77

evolution

modern car

bank it

Mercedes Benz LKS 2012 solar roof to be unveiled at Geneva Auto Salon 2011

When it went on sale in the United States in 2005, the E-class–based CLS popularized the “four-door coupe” shape via a plunging roofline and a slim greenhouse, and would earn 40,000 sales in the U.S. over the next five years. It also spawned a number of copycat designs such as the Audi A7, the Volkswagen CC, and the Jaguar XF.

The second-generation CLS, which goes on sale here early next summer as a 2012 model, isn’t as pretty as the first one. The new body is a mixture of unimpeachable proportions and jarring design details. The overall envelope is elegant, but Mercedes embroiders it with brash details such as aggressive air scoops around the front bumper and sharp creases along the flanks.

As with virtually every car that comes to market these days, the CLS is bigger than the vehicle it replaces. The wheelbase has grown from 112.4 inches to 113.2, and the overall length is now 194.5 inches, up from 193.6. The car is slightly taller and wider, at 55.8 and 74.1 inches, respectively. The running gear comes from the new E-class sedan, but the CLS has a slightly wider track in front and back.

Although it’s still a striking car, the CLS places equal emphasis on its bevy of safety features. There are nine standard airbags and no fewer than 12 assistance systems. New among these are three active systems to help with parking, staying in the appropriate lane, and monitoring blind spots. The ­latter doesn’t merely alert a driver to a car in a blind spot; it uses the brakes to tug the CLS away from an approaching vehicle.
More important to enthusiasts, Mercedes is using its new 4.7-liter, direct-injection twin-turbo V-8 in place of a naturally aspirated 5.5-liter engine. (It seems that Mercedes’ naming conventions have followed BMW’s lead, in that they tell you ­absolutely nothing about what’s underhood.) This engine made its debut in the CL550, where it was rated at 429 horsepower. In the CLS, the power is down to 402, although that’s still 20 more horses than in the previous CLS550. The old engine made 391 pound-feet of torque, which grows here to 443, available from 1600 rpm.
Mercedes claims the twin-turbo engine is 10 to 15 percent more fuel efficient, thanks to the smaller displacement, direct injection, and a stop-start system that will not come to the U.S. on this engine, instead waiting to appear on the upcoming AMG model. The engine is mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive will be available later. Performance should remain similar to that of the previous model; the last CLS550 we tested managed the 0-to-60-mph sprint in 4.7 seconds. But by  the middle of next year when the car launches here, it’s likely that Mercedes also will introduce the CLS63 with a twin-turbo 5.5-liter V-8 making about 550 horsepower.

Compared with the previous model, the new CLS interior provides a little more shoulder room (up by 0.9 and 0.5 inch, front and rear), thanks to slimmer door trim. The interior quality is also better, with actual metal rather than plastic on some of the switches, real wood panels, and gorgeous, thick leather. The old, fiddly COMAND ­system used to access the navigation, audio, and telematics is gone, replaced by an iDrive-style controller. Overall, the quality and ambience come close to those of the S-class.
Over the road, the CLS550 provides something similar to the E550 experience—which is to say, biased toward luxury rather than sport. The engine sounds good, but it’s very muted, and under full throttle the V-8 growl fades beneath a blanket of turbo whoosh. The power delivery is sensational, though, with no perceptible turbo lag.

The air suspension and continuously variable damping combine for a plush highway ride. Ultimately, however, it lacks a convincing degree of athleticism: Though precise and linear, the new electric power steering provides far more feedback than does the chassis, which is pretty inert.

The CLS is still an expressive machine, and it remains a stylish alternative to an E550 sedan. We just wish it had a little more fire. Perhaps the upcoming CLS63 AMG will satisfy  that desire.

ludruk

Volkswagen Touareg II: Royal GT 470 by Hofele Design

Hofele Design has unveiled a new tuning program for the Volkswagen Touareg II.

Dubbed the Royal GT 470, the package features a revised grille, modified fascias, wheel arch extensions and a stainless steel four-tailpipe exhaust system. Customers can also order an electric lowering module (which reduces the ride height by 40mm when parked or traveling at speeds less than 80 kph /50 mph) and 20- to 22-inch alloy wheels.

Under the hood, the 3.0-liter TDI engine can be equipped with a revised ECU which enables it to produce 275 PS (202 kW / 271 hp) and 580 Nm (428 lb-ft) of torque - an increase of 35 PS (26 kW / 35 hp) and 80 Nm (59 lb-ft). Thanks to the extra power, the SUV can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 6.9 seconds and hit a top speed of 229 km/h (142 mph).