NCFHEJBD: September 2010

Thursday, September 30, 2010

2010 Aston Martin Rapide

2010 Aston Martin Rapide Car

Aston Martin Cars

Aston Martin Car

Monday, September 27, 2010

Saturday, September 25, 2010

2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Black

2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Sport Look

2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Front View

2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Front

Volkswagen Car

Volkswagen Car Concept

Volkswagen Car Image

Volkswagen Car Photo

Volkswagen Car

Monday, September 6, 2010

While Honda’s smaller Fit is only offered in a hatchback body style, with a single engine available, the larger Honda Civic has one of the most extensive model lineups among small cars. In addition to base and mid-level models, there’s a sports-oriented Si version, along with a natural-gas version in the form of the Honda Civic GX. And all but the GX are offered in a choice of coupe or sedan. There’s also a high-mileage Hybrid model, but that’s only offered as a sedan and it’s covered by TheCarConnection.com in a separate review.

As the 2010 model year arrives, the Honda Civic has now gone four years since its last major redesign, yet it still manages to look fresh. That’s because at the time of its introduction, the Civic was a little far out design-wise, with a swoopier, more ached roofline; a stubbier, yet more aerodynamic front end; and a bold, two-tiered video-game-like instrument panel that made other small-car dashes look plain. Now, several years later, several other small-car models have emulated some of the Civic’s cues so that it still looks quite fresh.

The 140-horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that comes in base DX, mid-level EX, and the best-equipped LX models is no penalty box. It’s smooth, quick-revving, and refined, and pairs well with either the five-speed manual or five-speed automatic. The manual gearbox is light and quick-shifting in the Civic and a step better than the linkages in most other small cars. Either transmission delivers exceptional fuel economy, with EPA estimates for the manual of 26 mpg city, 34 highway for the manual gearbox and 25/36 mpg for the automatic.

2010 Honda Civic Sedan LX

2010 Honda Civic Sedan LX Black

2010 Honda Civic Sedan LX Side View

2010 Honda Civic Sedan LX Interior

2010 Honda Civic Type R Mugen : First Drive

Maybe you've heard of Mugen, the Japanese tuning outfit that specializes in making street-legal Hondas hotter when it's not building race car engines. Founded in 1973 by Hirotoshi Honda, son of Soichiro, Mugen (the name means 'infinite' or 'unlimited' in Japanese) has earned a solid reputation in its homeland. From 1991 to 2000, for example, Mugen built and prepped engines for a number of Formula One teams, including Tyrell, Prost, Ligier and Jordan. Despite such achievements, the Mugen name isn't yet as well known as, for example, Mercedes-Benz's go-fast division AMG.

With the recent confirmation that Mugen's European division, based in Northampton, England, is to build a limited run of super-quick, ultra-exclusive and hyper-expensive Civic Type Rs (with Honda's full approval), it seems that the brand is seeking a little long-overdue recognition outside Japan.

Moving into uncharted territory, Mugen was cautious. Although it had earlier sold every one of 300 Civic Type RR sedans it built for the Japanese market in a six-minute online frenzy, Mugen dipped its toe in British waters with a 'concept'. This was exhibited at shows and loaned to key media outlets over period of several months, and the reaction carefully gauged. The Mugen men must have liked what they heard and read, because the decision to build a run of "up to 20" duplicates during 2010 was announced in late October.

Based on the 2.0-liter, 198-hp Civic Type R three-door hatchback built in Honda's British factory, Mugen's engine modifications up the already impressive max power figure by 20 percent.

It's a classic tuner job; high-compression pistons, new cams, free breathing induction system, totally new stainless steel exhaust system, and a Mugen ECU that permits a 500 rpm increase over the standard Honda H20A engine's 8000-rpm ceiling.

2010 Honda Civic Type R Mugen

2010 Honda Civic Coupe Si Preview

The 2010 Honda Civic Coupe Si is a sports-themed trim, with a larger 2.0-liter engine, six-speed manual transmission, limited-slip differential, and traction control. You also get upgraded, four-wheel antilock disc brakes with brake assist and an antiskid system. You also get a sport-tuned suspension, foglights, and a rear spoiler, not to mention 17-inch alloys wrapped in performance tires. You’ll also get power windows, door locks, mirrors, and a power sunroof. There’s cruise control and air conditioning for traveling comfort, and several safety features, including six standard airbags and a tire pressure monitor.