2020 Honda Accord Ex on 2040-cars

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Honda is spending $124 million on a new wind tunnel facility in Ohio

Ford isn't the only company building a multi-million dollar wind tunnel this year. Honda is also getting in on the action. Its new facility will cost less than Ford's at $124 million, and construction begins this summer. It will be built at the Transportation Research Center in Ohio, which is where Honda's NSX proving grounds are located. Honda will install a five-belt rolling road in the tunnel for testing of more pedestrian vehicles, and a wide, high-speed, single belt version for testing of sports cars and race cars. However, it seems the Honda facility will only be capable of testing wind speeds of up to 192 mph, whereas Ford claims a top speed of 200 mph. Cameras and microphones will also be set up inside the testing area at the Honda tunnel to help find wind noise trouble spots. Honda won't necessarily be the only company using the new wind tunnel either. The facility will be available for other groups and companies to use. There are even secure bays those groups can use for their work. Related Video:

2017 Honda CR-V gets turbo power, snazzier interior

The Civic is Honda's most vital vehicle. Right behind it is the CR-V, the company's second-best selling model and standard-bearer in the competitive compact crossover segment. It's lauded for comfort and utility and has remained popular with customers even though it hasn't had major updates in five years. Now comes the fifth generation, which Honda redesigned using all of its familiar tactics: More space, more technology, more safety features, slightly different styling, and some key pieces borrowed from the Civic. It's a playbook that works – about 4 million CR-Vs have been sold since 1997 and it's currently neck-and-neck with the Civic and Accord for the Honda sales crown. Put simply, "CR-V is extremely important to the Honda brand," said Alice Lee, Honda senior product planner. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Launching this winter, the 2017 model features a new turbocharged engine – the first for the CR-V – that's also used in the Civic. The 1.5-liter four-cylinder is expected to be rated at 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet. The torque maxes out from 2,000 to 5,000 rpm, adding a spunkier feel to Honda's buttoned-down ute. The naturally aspirated 2.4-liter four-cylinder continues, making 184 hp and 180 lb-ft. Both are paired with a continuously variable transmission. Final fuel economy figures weren't released, but the 2016 2.4-liter achieved 26 miles per gallon in the city and 33 mpg on the highway in front-wheel-drive trim (25/31 with AWD). Next year's model is lighter, but 2017 also brings revised adjustments to stated fuel economy figures - so expect some increase in real-world mpg, even if the window sticker number is different. The CR-V rides on a new platform derived from the Civic. It is 1.2 inches longer with a 1.6-inch gain between the wheels. It's also 1.4 inches taller and wider. Collectively, this means the cabin is roomier, and cargo volume with the rear seat up increases two cubic feet to 39.2 cu ft. But, the CR-V's interior goes way beyond numbers. The instrument panel is upgraded with two new screens, a seven-inch touchscreen in the middle and a colorful driver interface. The A-pillar is also thinner, which makes for better visibility. The navigation system, developed with Garmin, is also new. Perhaps hearing feedback from across the industry about confusing touchscreens, Honda proudly points to a volume knob in the center stack that eases use.

Translogic 189: 2015 LA Auto Show

The LA Auto Show has become known for its green cars and concepts, and 2015 was no exception. Translogic host Jonathon Buckley gets all the details on BMW's 330e plug-in hybrid straight from BMW President of North America Ludwig Willisch. Then we get up-to-date on Honda's latest FCX Clarity hydrogen fuel cell car. We round out our tour with a stop at the Elio Motors booth for a look at their updated, three-wheel P5 concept and a chat with CEO Paul Elio. But first, we jump in a time machine at the Volvo booth to discuss Concept 26, an interpretation of how car interiors might evolve in the era of self-driving cars. "The reason why we talked about it as a time machine [is] because, really, Concept 26 is giving you back something that is so precious," explained Volvo senior director of design Tisha Johnson. "We're letting you delegate driving to the car, so that you can then have that time to yourself." Click here to learn more about our host, Jonathon Buckley.