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Honda, Audi sweep European tin-top championships

Despite his win at the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend, Sebastian Vettel still has another race or two to go before he can claim his fourth consecutive World Championship in Formula 1. Back in Europe, however, this weekend saw several championship titles decided in a variety of tin-top racing series.
In the British Touring Car Championship, Gordon Shedden won the final round at Brands Hatch this weekend, but that wasn't enough to defend his title. Instead, the ultimate glory went to Andrew Jordan, also driving a Honda Civic, coming in ninth place to take a seven-point victory over Shedden in the final standings. Little wonder then that Honda took the constructors' championship and the Honda Yuasa Racing team took the teams' title. Four-time BTCC champion and Fifth Gear co-host Jason Plato, now driving for MG, landed third in the standings.
While Honda dominated the British championship, it was Audi that reigned supreme in mainland Europe. In the Superstars International Series - Italy's touring-car championship - Gianni Morbidelli drove the Audi RS5 to his fifth title, finishing the season's final race in a calculated third place behind the BMW racecars of Giovanni Berton and Max Mugelli. It's the second consecutive win for the RS5 in the Superstars series (Johan Kristoffersson won the title last year), and the second this year following Mike Rockenfeller's title in the RS5 DTM.

2015 Honda Jazz should Fit right in

When is a Honda Fit not a Honda Fit? When it's a Honda Jazz. In other markets around the world, our pleasant little Fit hatchback uses a jazzier nomenclature, but what you're looking at here isn't simply a rebadged version of the car we know and love. For starters, the Euro-spec Jazz uses a 1.3-liter VTEC engine from Honda's Earth Dreams line, tuned to produce 101 horsepower. (The US-spec Fit, meanwhile, cranks out 130 hp from its larger, 1.5-liter engine.) That powerplant is mated to either a six-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable unit, and will be the only engine initially available at launch. From there, it's pretty much the same, save the small running lamps that flank the foglamps. The Jazz should fit nicely within not only the Honda lineup, but the booming subcompact class, with lots of onboard technology, excellent packaging (including the company's Magic Seat rear bench), and – we assume – a relatively affordable price point. Check out Honda's Euro-Fit in our fresh gallery of live shots, above. ALL-NEW HONDA JAZZ REDEFINES B-SEGMENT WITH ADDED SPACE, VERSATILITY, REFINEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY - Third generation Jazz based on Honda's global B-segment platform - New 1.3 litre i-VTEC petrol engine from Earth Dreams Technology series - Extra interior space, made versatile with Magic Seats® system - Bold, fresh exterior and refined cabin - New Honda Connect infotainment system - Advanced Driver Assist Systems enhance safety 24.02.2015 -- Arriving in Europe in summer 2015, the third-generation Jazz features bold yet sophisticated exterior and interior design, with unrivalled interior space and versatility. Occupants will benefit from increased refinement and advanced safety and infotainment technologies, as well as a highly efficient and dynamic driving experience. While the newcomer retains the classic Jazz silhouette, it exhibits distinctive contemporary styling including a powerful new face and strong lines. The use of Honda's cleverly packaged new global B-segment chassis means that the latest Jazz is even bigger on the inside. The company's Magic Seats ® system ensures the interior offers unmatched versatility as well as class-leading space, with a range of configurations for carrying cargo and passengers. High-quality soft-touch materials and thoughtful interior design provide a sophisticated ambience.

Honda integrating Siri into select models

Honda has partnered up with Apple to bring Siri to the Accord, Acura RDX and ILX. Owners who have an iPhone running iOS 6 will be able to ask the software to perform a number of tasks via voice command using the vehicle's on board microphone and speaker systems. What's more, the tech will put the iPhone into an "eyes free" mode, which turns the screen off to help reduce distraction while driving. Honda says it has reworked its Bluetooth and HandsFreeLink systems to accommodate the Siri functionality. While the tech will only be available on three of the company's models right now, we imagine it won't be long before it shows up elsewhere.
As you may recall, Chevrolet integrated Siri into its products with vehicles like the Spark and Sonic, but Mercedes-Benz and Chrysler have also toyed with the tech to varying degrees. The seamless voice command seems to be light years ahead of the tech manufacturers are currently playing with. Check out the full press release from Honda below for more information.