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Honda previews new BR-V three-row crossover for Indonesia

Honda is planning to roll out a new seven-seat crossover in Indonesia. But before it does, it's giving the public a taste of what's to come with a concept to be unveiled in Tangerang, previewed in the pair of teaser renderings you see here. Dubbed the BR-V prototype (for Bold Runabout Vehicle), the Honda concept calls for a three-row crossover with room for seven passengers – just like the Pilot we get over here. But if the design sketches are anything to go by, it'll look better. We'll reserve final judgement on the styling until the actual thing is unveiled in the metal, though. Full technical specifications are likely still a ways off from being announced. However the Japanese automaker and its Indonesian importer have confirmed that the BR-V will be powered by a 1.5-liter gasoline engine of unspecified output, mated to a choice of two transmission options. We don't know whether one of those might include all-wheel drive or not, but Honda has indicated that it's built high ground clearance into the BR-V – which ought to keep it from being confused with the low-riding Subaru BRZ, to say nothing Honda's other similarly named crossovers like the CR-V or HR-V. That's about all we know for the time being, but the BR-V promises "to address various customer needs" with "a tough and solid exterior design" combined with a "comfortable and spacious cabin." Locals can start anticipating its unveiling at the Gaikindo Indonesian International Auto Show in Tangerang this August, when P.T. Honda Prospect Motor will already open up the order books. Related Video: All-New Honda BR-V Prototype to Make World Premiere at Gaikindo Indonesian International Auto Show JAKARTA, Indonesia 29 June 2015 – P.T. Honda Prospect Motor released the first official sketches of the all-new Honda BR-V Prototype which will make its world premiere at the upcoming Gaikindo Indonesian International Auto Show 2015, scheduled for 20 - 30 August 2015, in Tangerang, Indonesia. The new BR-V was jointly developed for the Asian market by Honda R&D Asia Pacific Co., Ltd., in Thailand, and P.T. Honda R&D Indonesia. This model will be introduced to the Indonesian market as Honda's new generation crossover utility vehicle to address various customer needs. The new BR-V features tough and solid exterior design with high ground clearance, big and stylish alloy wheels and sleek roof rails. The model also offers a comfortable and spacious cabin with seven seats in a 3-row configuration.

Weird Honda patent shows robot arm to charge an EV while driving

Despite big leaps in electric car range and charging times, EVs still haven't reached the point of being as convenient as gas-powered cars. A recently published patent from Honda seems to offer a possible, if questionable, solution to electric charging and range. The patent shows and describes a strange system in which a car would be equipped with a deployable arm with an electrical contact on the end. When extended, the arm would ride in a grooved rail along the side of the road. This rail would be connected to the electrical grid, and would allow the car to charge as it drives along. The idea is similar to old electric trolleys and buses that connected to overhead power lines. While novel, we're not sure that this would be a better solution than wireless charging systems that have also been proposed. Honda's idea would likely be easier and cheaper to build and maintain than a wireless system with electromagnetic coils embedded in the pavement. However, there are many potential issues. For one, that arm is just begging to be broken off. At some point, someone will forget it was deployed, or the retracting mechanism will break, and that driver will snap it off on a something like a street light. And while the charging rails would be easier to reach for maintenance, they might need more of it. In heavy snow, the rails may have to be cleared to be usable, and since the contacts will be rubbing against the rails all the time, people will have to inspect them to make sure they still work. We still have to give Honda some credit though. This is an interesting idea for solving the issues of range and charging. We just think there are other technologies that would work better long term. Related Video: Image Credit: United States Patent and Trademark Office Green Weird Car News Honda Technology Electric Future Vehicles patent

KBB 2013 Brand Image Awards has some obvious and oddball winners

The sixth edition of the Kelley Blue Book Brand Image Awards have crowned a wide range of winners - in a couple of cases the recipient of the laurels might say more about KBB users than they do about the actual winner. Compiled from the responses of more than 12,000 shoppers on KBB.com over the past year, there are 13 categories broken into non-luxury, luxury and truck segments "representing the combined wisdom of the American car-buying public."
The award categories have been revamped this year, with some dropping off, some new ones appearing and at least one other given a new term. What isn't surprising is that Honda won Most Trusted Brand for the second year running, Best Value Brand for the third year in a row and took Best Overall Brand, which wasn't on last year's list of awards.
On our own shores, in the non-luxury categories Chrysler got Most Refined Brand and Buick took Best Value Luxury Brand. Neither one of those marques won anything in last year's Brand Image Awards, while Cadillac, which won Best Interior Design Brand and Best Comfort Brand last year - those awards disappeared this year - went home without a single accolade.