2000 Honda Prelude Base Coupe 2-door 2.2l on 2040-cars

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FIA levels F1 playing field for Honda

Formula One may place a high emphasis on technical innovation, but it also demands an equal playing field. So after the FIA regulations handed Mercedes a technical advantage for next season, a loophole was opened up to allow Ferrari and Renault to update their engines throughout the year. That left engine-supplier-to-be Honda in the dust, but now the motorsport governing body has awarded the Japanese automaker the same courtesy. As is often the case, the issue revolves around the specific wording of the regulations. Ferrari and Renault successfully argued that, contrary to its spirit, the letter of the law (or regulations, in any event) didn't actually specify when existing engine suppliers had to complete their revisions for the upcoming championship. The thing is that the rules were more clear when it came to new suppliers, so Honda was told that it would have to complete its design before the start of the season – unlike Ferrari, Renault and Mercedes, which would be allowed to continue development (albeit on a limited basis) throughout the year. Recognizing the inherent injustice of the resulting regulations, the FIA has consented to Honda's request that it be afforded the same opportunities as its rivals. The Japanese manufacturer, which returns to the paddock this season with McLaren, will therefore be allowed to make adjustments to its engines as its first season back on the grid progresses, just like the other engine suppliers. News Source: AutosportImage Credit: McLaren Motorsports Honda McLaren F1 fia regulations

Honda ready for 'late 2016' arrival of Clarity Fuel Cell in US

Two years ago at the LA Auto Show, Honda showed off the first concept for what we now know is the Clarity fuel cell vehicle. At the time, Honda said it would arrive at some point in 2015. Since then, Honda has said simply that the Clarity would arrive some time after the March 2016 on-sale date in Japan and even gave itself an out in case the debut slipped to the first half of 2017. Yesterday, at a preview event at the Honda Advanced Design Studio in downtown LA, Honda narrowed that down a bit more to, "late 2016." Honda representatives said this was all still in line with internal targets for the US launch of the car. They already know when the car will arrive here, but are not yet able to say, since things like crash tests and other homologation issues could still change the timeline. The company is happy to see the expansion in the number of hydrogen refueling stations in California and is working a number of dealers in the Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay Area to get them ready to sell the Clarity. Everything that has happened since the company officially set its internal fuel cell clock has been going to plan, Honda representatives told AutoblogGreen. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles from Hyundai and Toyota are available now, while those from other automakers (like BMW and Nissan) may arrive in or after 2020. Honda still won't confirm, on the record, that an all-electric model will be the third vehicle to use the platform that the Clarity and the upcoming plug-in hybrid (due in 2018) use, as we suspect. But, during a casual discussion about Honda happenings, I heard one executive say that he's busy working on the follow-up "products" that will use the platform, so this remains something to keep in mind. We recently got the chance to drive the Clarity in Japan, which you can read about here.

Chevy Bolt EV, Chrysler Pacifica, Honda Ridgeline take 2017 NACTOY prizes

Every year the 2017 North American International Auto Show kicks off with the North American Car of the Year Awards. We say "awards" after all those mentions of our home continent because it's not just cars. This year, in fact, the awards spread out to three separate honors: Car, Truck, and Utility. And without further ado, here are the winners. The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV is the Car of the Year, the Honda Ridgeline is the Truck of the Year, and the Chrysler Pacifica is the Utility of the Year. Honda's win is perhaps the biggest surprise, upsetting favorite the Ford F Super Duty for the win. The second-generation Ridgeline rides on a unibody platform and is offered in front- or all-wheel-drive, which is unconventional for a pickup. But the layout also offers a cargo bed with an in-floor trunk and solid fuel economy figures of 19 city, 26 highway in its most-efficient form. The Chevy Bolt EV, however, was probably the easiest winner to predict. Its 238-mile range and sub-$30,000 starting price after tax credits make it a breakthrough in the landscape of electric vehicles. With the Chrysler Pacifica available in a plug-in hybrid form, this year's award illustrates the industry's shift towards efficiency and electrification. And with Ford's recent announcement on future EVs, it might not be long will it be until we see a hybrid truck on the award stage as well.Related Video: