2015 Honda Cr-v Lx on 2040-cars

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Honda Civic 5-Door mule spotted testing

Rather than the current split between the North American Civic and the European version, Honda is taking the popular compact model global for its new generation. We've already caught glimpses of the next coupe in patent documents, covered in camouflage, and even in concept form in New York. However, the promised five-door hatch to be assembled in the UK but available in the US has remained more of a mystery – at least until these great spy shots. There's no mistaking that this mule started life as an Acura ILX, but the luxury sedan is highly modified for this duty. At the front, look closely to see where Honda's engineers tack on extra width around the wheel arches. Of course, the big star here is the rear end. The back is completely covered in camo, but the concealment isn't good enough to hide the hump of the hatchback. The sliced-off shape is actually somewhat reminiscent of Europe's current Civic five-door. Also, note that the taillights on this test car are similar to the ones on the concept in the Big Apple. Honda promises coupe, sedan and five-door body styles, and the next-gen Civic will be powered in the US by a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder with the choice between a six-speed manual and a CVT. The first of them go on sale here this fall, although not all the variants will likely launch at the same time.

Mom Accidentally Steals Honda In Brooklyn

The owner of a 1993 Honda Accord that was accidentally stolen by a young Brooklyn woman's mother has the car back in her possession, after amusing posters popped up all over town. Cheryl Thorpe traveled to New York from her home in Houston to watch her daughter's dog while she and her roommates went on vacation, according to New York Magazine. Thorpe was also left the task of moving the three girls' cars to legal parking spots on a street-cleaning day. She dutifully moved the Fiat, Honda CR-V and Accord, but when the trio returned from their vacation something was wrong. The owner of the Accord found her car right where she left it, thankfully free of parking tickets. The Accord Thorpe had moved belonged to someone else. As it turns out, some older Hondas have interchangeable keys. Thorpe was able to use the girl's keys to move Emily Hickert's car while she ate brunch. Hickert spent an entire week thinking a professional car thief had made off with her 21-year-old ride. "In less than 40 seconds she gets in the car and goes," Hickert told The New York Post, after reviewing security footage from a nearby business. "I thought she was a professional." Hickert filed a police report, while Thorpe's daughter posted fliers all over Brooklyn looking for the Accord's owner. Hickert was eventually reunited with her Honda, which had been towed after sitting parked on the street. She says she bears no ill will towards the women involved in the mix up. "I'm not upset with her," Hickert told The Post. "I'm glad it wasn't a thief. I just didn't know why anyone would steal a 1993 Honda." Related Gallery Honda's Redone 2013 Civic Pulls Icon Out Of The Fire Weird Car News Honda

Acura organizes new business division to confront falling sedan sales

Honda and Acura North America have announced a major restructuring of operations in hopes of turning around Acura's flagging business. For 2013, sales for Acura's sedans dropped 10.4 percent, while its CUV sales grew by 21 percent. The newly formed Acura Business Planning Office will attempt to right the ship.
As part of the restructuring, Acura is promoting Erik Berkman from President of Honda R&D Americas to lead a new division called the Acura Business Planning Office. Berkman has been with Honda since 1982 and led development of the 2006 Accord. He was also the first US engineer to head North American research and development and has been head of Honda Performance Development since 2008. "Erik's appointment to the new Acura Business Planning Office is a clear indication of the high priority we place on Acura," said Honda spokesperson Jeffrey Smith to Automotive News.
American Honda Motor President and CEO Tetsuo Iwamura is also going to be working to improve the business. He has been elected chairman of American Honda's board, and has simultaneously taken the new position of Corporate Brand Officer to improve the management of the company's brands.