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Honda CR-Z carbon-fiber prototype

When Honda rolled out the CR-Z a few years ago, it hoped to bridge the gap between those who would save the planet and those who would rather burn all of its resources in a glorious cloud of tire smoke. But enthusiasts recalling the CRX of 1980s vintage balked, imploring Honda to ditch the heavy battery packs and electric motors in favor of a lighter-weight, more conventional powertrain. At this point it seems less likely that Honda would do so at one end of the market than Porsche would ditch the hybrid component of its 918 Spyder at the other. But that doesn't mean Honda isn't still cooking up ways to curb the CR-Z's weight. And it had just one such idea waiting for us when we visited its Japanese R&D center at Tochigi last week.
Nestled in between the JDM hatchbacks, powertrain test mules and new technology prototypes Honda rolled out for us sat the experimental CR-Z you see here. While it may look mostly like the hybrid sport-hatch you can pick up at your local dealer (albeit blacked out), nearly all of this prototype's bodywork has been completely replaced, as have its basic underpinnings, with carbon-fiber reinforced plastic. The exotic material is usually reserved for high-end exotics, but like BMW is democratizing its use in the new i3, so too is Honda researching ways to implement the use of carbon fiber on a mass scale. This one-of-a-kind CR-Z prototype stands, for the time being, as the embodiment of that effort.
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Autoblog Minute: VW finds CO2 'irregularities', Takata dropped by automakers, SEMA recap

Volkswagen's diesel emissions scandal gets a new wrinkle, US regulators hit Takata Corporation with a substantial fine, and we head to Las Vegas for a look at tuner paradise at the 2015 SEMA show. Autoblog senior editor Greg Migliore reports on this edition of Autoblog Minute Weekly Recap. Show full video transcript text [00:00:00] Volkswagen's diesel emissions scandal gets a new wrinkle. US regulators issue a significant fine to Takata Corporation. And we take a peek inside tuner paradise at the 2015 SEMA show. I'm senior editor Greg Migliore and this is your Autoblog Minute Weekly Recap. The VW diesel emissions scandal, first brought to light in September, gets a new wrinkle, as an internal investigation by the German automaker revealed [00:00:30] irregularities in CO2 emissions that could affect approximately 800,000 vehicles. VW estimates the issue could pose a 2-billion euro economic risk. VW claims that most of the vehicles affected have diesel engines, but industry analysts say a 1.4-liter gas engine is also affected. VW says that fuel consumption figures were set too low during the CO2 certification process. During all of this, sales of some diesel-powered Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche models [00:01:00] have been halted. Takata Corporation is back in the news in connection with its deadly airbag scandal. Federal regulators fined Takata $70 million. If the parts supplier does not comply, the fine could balloon to $200 million. Takata was also dropped this week by its biggest customer, Honda. And now, Toyota and Mazda will be following Honda's lead in dropping Takata. We're also hearing that Mitsubishi and Subaru are considering a switch in air-bag inflator suppliers. SEMA 2015 [00:01:30] came and went. We saw offerings from Mopar, like the AWD Challenger concept. Honda unveiled a Ridgeline that it will race at the Baja 1000, which gives us a hint at what future production model could look like. The celebrity presence was also felt in Vegas as it always is. Kid Rock brought a Duramax Diesel Chevy Silverado, and Acura restored and presented Ludacris with his now famous 1993 Acura Legend. Those are the highlights from the week that was. Be sure to come back on Saturday for my full recap, [00:02:00] where I'll have some added insight into Hyundai's foray into the luxury sector. For Autoblog, I'm Greg Migliore. Autoblog Minute is a short-form video news series reporting on all things automotive.

Honda Civic Concept is your average neon green, turbocharged show stealer [w/video]

At an auto show where the hottest cars and concepts are increasingly shown off the night before the official doors even open, surprises are rare. But Honda pulled off a big one this afternoon, with a nuclear green Civic Concept that takes dead aim at the brand's naysayers. Honda "concept" cars have tended towards the literal in recent years, and never has that been more exciting than with this coupe. The prelude to the tenth-generation Civic has a face that fits in well enough with the company's current lineup, but the rest of the bodywork feels far more JDM-inspired. The sides are complex without being too busy, and the bold graphic elements, especially the wraparound taillight, seem punctuate the mass. You might not dig the green meanie as much as we do, but if you're a Honda fan (even lapsed) the performance news should have you high-fiving your nearest bro. To start, Honda has confirmed that this Civic will be the first in the US to incorporate turbocharged VTEC engines. The turbo'd 1.5-liter four will get hooked up to both a six-speed manual and a CVT. Civic is also going to get a bodystyle that Honda has neglected in our country for too long: the five-door hatchback. A moment of silence, please... Of course sedans and coupes will be part of the mix, too. But perhaps the most exciting news for lead-footed fan boys will be the inclusion of both a Civic Si and the Nurburgring-champion Civic Type R for our market. We'd both hoped and suspected that the Type R might make the leap to North America, and Honda hasn't disappointed. The gen-ten Civic will go on sale in the US this fall, though no specifics have yet been offered about which variants will be first and last. Stay tuned. Honda Debuts Sportiest Civic Design in Brand History with 10th-Generation Civic Concept at New York International Auto Show - 10th-generation, 2016 model year Civic focuses on sporty, fun-to-drive dynamics - Civic lineup to include Sedan, Coupe, and 5-door Hatchback body types, as well as Si and Type-R versions - First Honda model to apply new VTEC® Turbo engines in North America Civic, America's most popular small car is designed, developed and produced in North America Today Honda unveiled its ultra-sporty Civic Concept at the New York International Auto Show as the brand prepares to launch its completely reimagined 10th-Generation Civic models beginning this fall.