New Honda New car review 2008-2009

Honda Civic Type R - oxygen not suppliedThe hatchback brings with it two main demographics that tend to part with their cash more than anyone else in society - the very young and the very old. For the old, a shiny hatchback represents an economical, safe and pleasant way to get to and from the shops, bingo and church. The Honda Civic range has been king of the grey-haired brigade for decades and brings with it an unassuming, sensible and reliable transport solution for getting from A to B.

For young people - mostly males with fluff stuck to their upper lip, the Honda Civic and it’s hatchback rivals represent the cheapest way of getting a car, insuring it and then thrashing it to within an inch of it’s life every night in a McDonalds car park. The fun doesn’t stop there either. Since the initial conception of Max Power magazine in the early nineties, car modification has gone through the roof. Even Hollywood has got in on the act with the Fast and the Furious trilogy seeing more neon lights in cinema car parks than an Ibiza club.

Much like the punk movement, it’s the DIY aesthetic of personalising your car from a million different options and standing out from the crowd that appeals. With its bullet proof reliability and extensive catalogue of performance and styling parts, the Honda Civic has simultaneously become the favoured choice at both ends of the circle of life - but for very different reasons.

Honda aren’t stupid and having seen the mass market appeal for ‘hot hatches’ thought they’d better produce one for the British market - and thus was born the Civic Type R in 2001. Top lip fluff brigade were beside themselves with excitement. Grey haired brigade were happy with the standard issue model. Either way, Honda was onto a winner with a huge percentage of the population.

The Type R was an exceptional car too, with a 0-60mph time of 6.6 seconds and the ever-eager VTEC engine revving to 8,250rpm. Stylistically it wasn’t too different from the standard model, with 17 inch alloy wheels and a spoiler adorning the rear the main differences. It was on the road that the little Honda Civic really delighted with the Japanese firm clearly utilising their Formula One programme for the good of their hot hatch. The Civic Type R became the biggest selling performance hatchback in the noughties - with over 35,000 units sold - so it was no surprise at the 2006 British Motor Show when everyone’s legs turned to jelly when they clasped eyes on the new one.

The new Civic is all triangles and space-age - a highly risky direction change for a company happily catering for such a diverse range of customers. However Honda have always wanted to shed their image of being an old-persons car maker and the newest Civic is a styling exercise with the sole intention of keeping its young fan base and stealing the middle aged away from their Volkswagen Golfs. The Type R for the record didn’t just turn my legs to jelly at the motor show - I needed a crash team and some oxygen.

The production model is only a tad watered down from the final concept in 2006, with the body kit identical. That means that unlike the previous Civic Type R, you don’t need to check the badge to know this isn’t the base model. I don’t know where to start to be honest - seeing one will say everything I need to, as you’ll either love it or hate it. It looks as though a spaceship has crashed into the Pyramids and driven off - but for me, it works.

Crucially Honda haven’t messed with the engine, so the new Type R retains the 2.0 litre, 197bhp engine from its predecessor. Although this will of course save on Honda’s design costs, it’s a clear case of ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’. Honda say they have made this new model more refined, with a suspension that isn’t as racy the previous model, yet it’s somehow firmer and unfortunately not refined in the slightest. This criticism aside, the new Type R has every reason to feel confident in an already crowded market place most notably featuring the Ford Focus ST, Renault Clio 197 and Volkswagen Golf GTi.

Brand loyalty counts for a lot and when the last model sold 2333% more than anticipated, the fluff brigade are surely going to be reaching for the oxygen and their cash too.

What Makes a Car a Hybrid?

Essentially, a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that runs on two different fuel sources. A great example would be a sailboat that runs on rowing as well as electric power. Hybrid cars on the other hand run on both fuel and electricity. It then allows the car to run longer on lesser fuel. That makes the hybrid car an environmentally and wallet friendly vehicle.

Hybrid Cars and the Environment

Other than consuming lesser fuel, hybrid cars also generates lesser amounts of harmful car emissions compared to other vehicles. Here are a few ways that Hybrid cars save on fuel.

SUFFICIENT BATTERIES - The secondary power source of Hybrid cars are the batteries. Hybrid car batteries are capable of saving and reusing energy. It works similarly to electric cars, sans the plug, making it more convenient.

GASOLINE/ DIESEL CHOKE - regular cars use up a lot of gasoline when the engines continue running even when the car is at a standstill. Hybrid cars supplement that. They are designed to shut off the gasoline or diesel engine when it is not moving. During this time, the car relies on the power provided by the battery. A decrease in fuel use also means a decrease in car emissions.

Top Hybrid Cars in the Market Today

Hybrid cars are all the rage today because not only are they fuel efficient, they do the environment good too. The top three hybrid cars available today are as follows.

TOYOTA PRIUS - The Prius has been in the market for nearly a decade. Such longevity can only attest to the quality of the vehicle. It is the best car if you want to save money. This little beauty can run for miles and miles and still have a gallon or two to spare. The great thing about the Prius is that its manufacturers have made it functional as well. Unlike other hybrid models, the Prius comes with a spacious cargo hatch. It is also one of the most affordable hybrids in the market today.

SATURN VUE GREEN LINE - It may not be considered as a full hybrid, but the Saturn Vue Green Line can certainly hold off on fuel use. And, if you are looking for an SUV and save money on fuel at the same time, then this is the hybrid car for you. The only problem with this SUV hybrid is that it’s doesn’t have a 4-wheel drive option.

HONDA CIVIC HYBRID - The Honda Civic is one most recognizable car in the world. That is why it’s such a treat that the company has come up with a hybrid version. The Civic Hybrid can run up to 54% longer on a full tank of gas compared to a regular car. Not bad. As an added bonus, the Civic Hybrid is also a great car to drive.

Hybrid cars definitely help fight the pollution problem by reducing emissions.Hybrid cars combine a gasoline engine with a battery-powered electric motor. The electric motor kicks in at certain because of this hybrid engine gets significantly better gas mileage than a conventional gas engine.

Hybrids consume less gas and produce less pollution per mile than conventional gasoline engines. Hybrid cars have been on the market in the United States since 1999, but more and more are being developed and introduced each year.

The hybrid engine currently sold in the Honda Civic Hybrid gets 10 to 15 miles more per gallon than a regular gas engine in the same car. The hybrid engine of the Prius, made by Toyota, produces 90 percent fewer harmful emissions than a comparable gasoline engine. No doubt about it, these cars are good for the environment!

Hybrids are more expensive. Just like with any new technology, you will pay for the privilege of being a pioneer. The hybrid cars on the market today cost as much as $6000 more per car than comparable cars with conventional gas engines.

This means that the amount of money you save, or don’t save, by buying a hybrid is very much dependent on gasoline prices and also depends upon how long you intend to keep the vehicle.

If you are the type person who trades every two years you may very well not benefit from the savings. If gas is priced at $1.80 per gallon (we wish), it could take the average driver (15,000 miles per year) between 10 and 15 years to amortize the $3500 increase in the initial price.

If gas prices stay the way they are at the time of this writing in October, 2005 you will realize savings much more quickly.

The Federal government is still offering tax breaks to buyers of hybrid cars through 2006. The amount of the tax break you are able to claim depends on the year in which you file and the tax bracket you’re in. Some individual states also offer tax breaks for hybrid buyers. So maybe being an environmentalist has its tax advantages.

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Based on their functionality, style, and reliability, Honda Motorbikes are without a doubt some of the best motorcycles available today. The great thing about these bikes is that their functionality are matched by practicality and design which make them a perfect starter bike or one for advanced riders.For example there is the attractive Honda CBR1000, the amazing Honda 599, and the gorgeous Honda CBR250 are among the best product lines ever designed by Honda Motors Co. All these wonderful machines combine style and efficiency to create super motorcycles for every type of rider there is.

Since the start of its motorcycling business in 1949, Honda Motors Co. has maintained the beauty and efficiency of its extensive line of Honda Motorbikes. Year after year, it continuously improves its wide array of product offerings, featuring excellent innovations and other technological advances as the years go by. Aside from the company’s never ending quest to enhance its service, the high quality and efficiency of its products never fail to amaze all the motorcycle lovers out there.

The amazing Honda 599 is one of the finest motorbikes available today, with special features such as a six-notch transmission, computerized ignition controls, and 4-cylinder engine. With all these exciting capacities and features, the price for this super speed Honda Motorbike is set at $7399. In the meantime, the gorgeous Honda CBR 250 is a very appealing sports motorcycle available in seven exciting variants. Despite being the most powerful 4-stroke motorbike available these days, it requires very low maintenance from the customers.

Honda CBR1000 is a very attractive Honda Motorbike complete with excellent original features like a computer-operated valve, a Unit Pro-Link rear suspension, and a Dual Stage Fuel Injection System. Because of its 998cc engine, this Honda Motorbike is a really efficient, lightweight, and fast machine. Meanwhile, the travel-friendly Honda ST1100 is an outstanding motorbike specifically designed for longer distances of travel. An optional anti-lock brake system, 40 amp air-cooled alternator, and 7.4-U.S. gallon capacity fuel tank are among its very impressive features.

Another exciting Honda Motorbike available today is the easy-to-handle Honda RVF400, which is nicely designed with exciting features like upside-down front forks, colorful designs, and superior handling. This specific product line includes two of the most important changes from its predecessors, namely the exhaust valves and carburetors. Meanwhile, the company has its best 400cc machine in the form of the stunning Honda VFR400. According to many motorbike enthusiasts, they love this product for three main reasons, namely the air system, upside-down forks, as well as its stunning appearance.

Moreover, Honda XR600 is a hybrid motorbike that combines some of the best engine features of RFVC and XR500 product lines. Many observers easily notice the reliability and flexibility of this machine’s engine, which easily translates into better output. Lastly, Honda CBR60 completes the company’s latest roster of super outstanding Honda Motorbikes. After years of fruitful and successful designs, the vast developments and improvements in all of Honda’s product offerings are very much evident.

Gas prices have stabilized somewhat over the last few weeks and even dipped a bit. That’s great news for folks who have long commutes, or who operate vehicle fleets. Most of us seem to relax when gas prices go down ten cents or so, if only because that means that they are at least not rising. In doing so we lose sight of the fact that gas is still really expensive.The current national average price of gas is $3.94 a gallon and while that is somewhat better than the $4.07 a gallon a month ago, we quickly forget that a year ago gasoline was $2.89 at the pump. That’s a 27% increase in price. Can you imagine if other things in your life were to go up 27%? Most people exist with less than a 10% margin between their income and their bills. An increase of that size in too many things would drive most people irreparably into the red.

So what are we going to do about it?

Well, to start with, we know that it’s energy in general that is becoming more expensive. While there are certainly people standing to profit from this increase the main cause is that more nations are becoming industrialized and starting to drive cars. China and India represent 1/3 of the world’s population and their booming auto industry is creating unheard of demand for gasoline. On top of that most of the easily accessible hydrocarbon fuel deposits are gone and it costs more money to get at coal and other power and heating fuels. Since many power plants run on oil, this brings the price of all fuels up.

It’s the unfortunate downside to the global economy.

One of the fuels that is being heralded as a potential savior is hydrogen. It is the most common element in the universe and is available in abundant supply on earth. It’s one of the core components of water, H20. Through a process known as electrolysis, the hydrogen can be extracted from water and made available as a fuel. The byproduct of this process is oxygen, not a bad thing to have a refinery spit out at all.

Many car manufacturers have recognized Hydrogen as a promising fuel source and vehicles such as the BMW Hydrogen 7 and the Honda FCX Clarity have been produced. While they are currently only available in limited numbers and markets where there are hydrogen fuel stations, they are out there and it is a positive step for the economy and the world in general as their only exhaust is water vapor.

BMW’s Hydrogen 7 Car uses a fairly regular car engine.

The engines that our car’s use are called Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) and essentially they simply burn something inside of themselves. An example of an External Combustion Engine would be a steam engine where the fire is outside of the engine itself. While these engines have been refined to burn petroleum based fuels, they are capable of running on many other fuels, the only concern being that some fuels are more corrosive, or may be a solvent to some of the elements of the car’s engines.

Luckily hydrogen is not corrosive and none of a car’s components will dissolve in it. In fact with not a lot of alteration, most car engines could run 100% on hydrogen.

How would you store enough hydrogen to run your car on it entirely? Well, quite simply you wouldn’t. It’s not that you couldn’t, but the cost of getting a fuel tank for your car that could safely store that amount of hydrogen is somewhat prohibitive.

So is there an alternative that can help out?

Interestingly enough, there is. The engine in your car would be perfectly happy to get a mixture of Hydrogen and gasoline. In fact, the hydrogen and the extra oxygen that you get from electrolysis actually help the gasoline to burn better. Some people get as much as a 42% increase in their mileage by simply adding a moderate amount of hydrogen to their car’s engine.

That’s the same as paying $2.20 a gallon for gasoline.

So how is this done, you ask? The process is achieved by using a device that you can install under the hood of your car and using electric power from your car’s alternator to power an electrolyzer that produces hydrogen on the fly as it is needed. This means that there is no storage of hydrogen and no issues with having to find a gas station that sells hydrogen as there are less than 200 worldwide. The only thing you have to add to the device is water!

First, you will want to examine the specific hybrid’s estimated gas mileage - and be sure to ask when the gasoline engine kicks in, too. You may find that if you drive a lot of highway miles at faster speeds and the gas engine kicks in at 35 mph, you may not save as much money on fuel as you expected.

You’ll also want to consider any tax saving credits that being offered. There is a federal income tax credit (up to $3,400) given on the first 60,000 hybrid models sold. After that benchmark is met, the credit is gradually phased out. Fueleconomy.gov maintains a list of eligible vehicles and the current tax credits available, but you should also confirm with your dealership.

Also, you may want to think about hybrid car insurance. Some insurance companies offer a discount on hybrid car insurance - others do not. Hybrid cars are still relatively new to the marketplace, and shopping around for discounts that come with hybrid car insurance will pay off in the long run.

To be truly eco-friendly, you’ll also want to check the green rating for that particular hybrid car. According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), four of the top 12 greenest vehicles of 2008, feature hybrid powertrain engines. However, there is a bigger environmental impact to consider. Some of the hybrids feature nickel batteries, which cause more long-term environmental damage than their gasoline counterparts. If you are interested in a hybrid car, be an informed consumer and check the air pollution scores, greenhouse gas scores, and other features that impact the environment.

Be aware that as a result of the growing popularity of hybrid cars, especially the Prius, you may pay over-sticker price because of the demand. You may also have a hard time locating the exact model you want, or be placed on a waiting list.

The best-selling hybrid cars of 2008 include:

Toyota Prius

With a $21,500 base sticker price, the Toyota Prius isn’t exactly cheap. However, it’s still a reasonably affordable hybrid car option for many consumers, especially after factoring in the fuel savings achieved due to the Prius’ 45 city/48 hwy mpg rating by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It is classified as the most fuel efficient car in the U.S.

Currently the best-selling hybrid car, the Toyota Prius has been embraced by Hollywood - it’s a favorite among celebrities like Cameron Diaz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Aniston, Larry David, Julia Robers, Jennifer Lopez, Gwyneth Paltrow and Harrison Ford.

Many Prius owners claim to achieve over 60 mpg, and those employing hypermiling techniques may fare even better. For consumers averaging much less, the Prius sounds like a gift from heaven. However, the Toyota Prius may take some getting used to.

Overall, getting into a Toyota Prius seems more like entering a spaceship than an automobile. However, once you get beyond its odd shape, you’ll find alarge on-dash computer screen offering instant feedback on your gas mileage, as well as a rearview camera (you’ll need it in this vehicle due to blind spots). And you may miss other options, like a sunroof, which reduces fuel economy, too.

Honda Civic Hybrid

The Honda Civic Hybrid car has an EPA-estimated city/highway rating of 40 city/45 hwy mpg and a base sticker price of $22,600, comparable to that of the Toyota Prius. The Honda Civic hybrid features an Advanced Technology Partial-Zero-Emission Vehicle (AT-PZEV) rating, which is the most stringent emission standard achieved by a gasoline-powered vehicle in the U.S. In fact, it is classified as one of the most fuel efficient cars in America, along with the Toyota Prius.

In terms of looks, it’s hard to tell the standard Honda Civic from its hybrid counterpart. They are nearly identical.

Toyota Camry Hybrid

The Toyota Camry Hybrid car has a base sticker price of $25,650 and is a good option for those looking for a little more luxury and fuel efficiency. It looks like the standard Toyota Camry on the road, but offers a quieter ride due to the special acoustic-dampening windshield made to absorb road noise.

The Toyota Camry hybrid car has an EPA-estimated city/highway rating of 33 city/34 hwy mpg rating, which not as good as either the Prius or Civic Hybrid cars. However, as a mid-size sedan, it offers room for the entire family.

Ford Escape Hybrid SUV

Known as the most fuel efficient SUV on earth, the Ford Escape Hybrid SUV has an EPA-estimated city/highway rating of 34 city/30 hwy mpg rating and base sticker price of $26,640. It’s available in both 2-wheel and 4-wheel drive, and features a tough, rugged look, although technically it’s still considered a cross-over vehicle.

According to U.S. News & World Report, the Ford Escape hybrid is ranked 15 out of 27 in terms of affordable compact SUVs, a few spots below the gasoline version. The new 2008 model was redesigned to provide a more comfortable rise and mature appearance.

Overall, the Ford Escape hybrid has received good, thumbs-up reviews in publications ranging from the New York Times to Newsday.

Hybrid Insurance

You’ll find plenty of information online at FuelEconomy.gov, from a specific vehicle’s energy impact score, carbon footprint statistics and EPA air pollution score to its eligibility for a tax credit. Other helpful green vehicle information is available at the EPA Web site.

People are starting to think outside the box and even experimenting with things like water4gas and the infamous water car.

What, a car that runs on water? Whatever! Now you’ve heard it all, right?

I checked into this claim, when I received a targeted email from a company, or rather research group. THey were building and testing small units that turn water into a gas that could be burned along with your regular fuel, to increase gas mileage and engine efficiency.

I read their case studies and realized that it actually could be done.

I was always interested in the idea of using hydrogen for fuel instead of gas. But there were problems and danger associated with storing hydrogen in tanks under pressure in a vehicle. Have you ever heard of Hydrogen Bombs?

But these people weren’t making hydrogen and storing it, but using HHO or Browns gas, which some people call it, to burn along with their fuel to significantly increase gas mileage. The water car that they are using is actually a hydrogen on demand hybrid.

Water4gas technology uses this Browns Gas or HHO(2 parts hydrogen to 1 part oxygen) to produce a safe and constant supply of gas to make their engines more efficient, and use less gas in the process.

The emission from the browns gas after burning is water. Your emissions are cleaner and better for the environment.

Hydrogen generators are being built by these back yard mechanics and being installed, to produce claims of 30-60% increases in MPG or more. One man was using a 99 Toyota Corolla and had experienced 62 MPG using water4gas technology. His water car, or hybrid was just one example that was illustrated on the website.

It appears that his technology has been around for awhile. Fuel prices have caused this water4gas technology to be resurrected, with everyday people experiencing great success.

Cheap parts using everyday items are used to build these hydrogen-on-demand systems and are easily installed on your car or truck. Pre-built units are available for people that aren’t mechanically inclined.

There are increasing numbers of people that have started new businesses that utilize the water4gas technology. These people build the units and install them for people that want their own water car, or water hybrid.

So there you have it, an old technology in a new time. What do you have to lose by at least checking out the possibility of turning your gas hog into a fuel saving hybrid. THis is perfect for people who want to decrease their carbon footprint.

The question is will it last? Have we finally reached a crisis point in a time when the world’s automobile manufacturers realize we need an alternative to gas powered vehicles? That the only way to avoid the fate of the dinosaur is to drive better gas mileage into their cars and trucks while continuing research on other alternatives? Consumers are buying electric car kits, spending money on electric car conversions, and trying to find out exactly what electric cars are and how they work. But if gas sees sub two dollars a gallon, will we forget about the pain of $5 a gallon gas?Most people say no. Most people realize we have gone down this road before and they are not willing to get caught behind the eight ball again. Problem is no one tells the car makers. All of the majors are working on alternative fuel sources for the next few model years banking on the fact that the world’s drivers have had enough. Problem is if gas is cheap again, consumers will pick up right where they left off and drive up demand for SUV’s and other gas guzzlers which will force automobile manufactures to retool to release pent up demand and sideline their “green” programs yet again.

Going Green Does Have Problems

There is a huge outcry against the E85 or Ethanol based fuel program. For one the energy savings created by using ethanol is negated by the fact that it burns less efficiently than gas. Also, with the price of food skyrocketing, people have a problem with turning that food into fuel. Not to mention logistics, there are only 1500 service stations out of a total of 176,000 that offer E85 ethanol, and the vehicle in question has to be converted to take the 85/15 ethanol gas blend. In other words, this will be another boondoggle that gets us no were fast.

There Are Other Solutions

The electric car is seen as the next best technology and will hit the market in full force over the next few model years. Toyota is considering a Prius with solar panels to power the air conditioning unit. General Motors is planning on launching the sleek and sexy Volt in 2010, and BMW is working on a hydrogen powered engine they say will be ready in less than ten years. There are rumors that Mercedes-Benz plans on eliminating gas powered engines from its entire fleet by 2015. That is a pretty bold effort, but one that is surely needed.

But if any of these fantastic technological breakthroughs are going to be successful people are going to have to buy them. No one is going to confuse you for a secret agent while tooling around town in your Prius, and you are certainly going to get stares in your SMART car from Mercedes, but for all the wrong reasons. But not to worry all of you fashonistas out there waiting for the right car to accessorize your dog-wallet-purse-girlfriend-job with, the Volt is a nice looking vehicle and if you happen to have a hundred grand laying around, you could always pony up for a Tesla and be green and sexy all at the same time!

The idea of using water or hydrogen for cars directly as fuel is still in children science fiction. On the face of it, the idea seems ridiculous. Yet today you can buy hydro powered car kits that use the hydrogen as fuel (to supplement the petrol) in standard automobiles, resulting in much higher mileage.

Hydrogen For Cars

What the relation between hydrogen and water? You should understand this before read all the entire article. Hydrogen is one component in molecule of water. Molecule of water is H2O. H is for hydrogen and O for oxygen. That’s why this hydrogen for cars is said to use water as fuel.

Why Should You Care?

This kind of hydrogen for cars definitely isn’t the futuristic all-hydrogen automobile you may have heard about, or the apparently mysterious vehicle that runs on just tap water that we would all love to have. So why should you mind about this kind of hydrogen-petrol hydro powered car? There are lots of good reasons:

If you’ve buy petrol lately, you know that the price is high and become highest in this year. Hydrogen for cars can get much higher mileage than an all-petrol car, which means big reserves on gas.

Petrol comes with lots of baggage. The West’s dependence on overseas oil makes it reliant on countries like Iraq and Iran. Anything that reduces Western addiction on their oil reduces the risks. That’s why hydrogen for cars concept is important to American.

The sad information is that Americans did not enough information about hydrogen for cars concept. Most basically don’t live in place where another option of fuels is readily available. Don’t forget toxic waste. Burning petrol for fuel pollutes the air. Hydrogen for cars concept gets better mileage and so reduces that effluence.

How Does This Kind of Hydrogen for Cars Work?

How can water, the same material that comes from your kitchen tap, be used to fuel your automobile engine? The key is hydrogen. What is water when you go down to the molecular structure? Two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen. Get the hydrogen out of the water and mix it with your car’s petrol and voila! Hydrogen for cars concept have been established

Hydrogen for cars that use hydrogen is a highly advantageous resource of fuel because it delivers lots of power and burns with almost no pollutants. But hydrogen for cars concept that run solely on hydrogen aren’t geared up yet and won’t be realistic for a while. Using hydrogen as a supplemental fuel like use in hydrogen for cars concept is a safe and sound and efficient alternative that’s offered right now.

Hydrogen for cars kits available today use electricity to exchange regular water into hydrogen and oxygen in your car as needed. The hydrogen is instantaneously mixed with the car’s petrol and burned, delivering superior fuel effectiveness and cleaner exhaust. It is an ultimate answer for today’s world, and thousands of communities around the world have purchased these kits to adapt their own vehicle into hydrogen for cars concept.