2010 Honda CR-V EX-L NAVI Review

Three times this week I’ve piled my teenage son and a smattering of his friends and related gear into the CR-V for a day trip to a local ski hill. On all three occasions, I have grown more appreciative of Honda’s compact crossover SUV.

2010 brings more power and better fuel economyA 2.4-litre 4-cylinder DOHC engine featuring Honda’s i-VTEC technology powers the CR-V. For 2010, output from this modest mill has been boosted to 180 horsepower @ 6,800 rpm while torque remains unchanged at 161 pound-feet.

A welcome adjunct to the extra 14 horses over the zeal of last year’s engine is a slight increase in fuel economy. The 2010 CR-V equipped with Honda’s optional RealTime 4WD (four-wheel drive) is now rated at 10.1 and 7.5L/100km city and highway driving respectively.

That’s a pretty decent showing when one considers the 4WD functionality of this vehicle combined with the additional grunt behind its refashioned grille.

Minor styling revisions provide visual distinction for 2010Some close scrutiny may be required in order to spot the 2010 styling revisions. Subtle as they are, they include a revised front fascia and a larger grille along with a redesigned rear bumper. Despite the amended surfaces, the CR-V’s “smiling face” front-end theme remains intact.

Perhaps I’ve grown accustomed to this odd design cue that seems all a-rage these days but I’m not a fan of it, or its application on the CR-V’s nose. I do however think that the CR-V’s side profile and tail design are attractive, fresh and worthy of praise.

About the only alteration inside the CR-V for 2010 is the incorporation of a centre-console bin and cup-holder arrangement that replaces the flip-up centre shelf found in last year’s model. The new arrangement is definitely more functional and a better usage of the space between the front seats.

Maximizing both seating and cargoThe CR-V is capable of seating five adults in realistic comfort. I was surprised to find the rear 40/20/40 3-way split rear seat to be so accommodating of my long limbs. And the triple split enables more versatility than a conventional double split when it comes to matching cargo capacity with seating needs.

Read more here

All-New 2011 Honda CR-Z unveiled at Detroit Auto Show

The stunning new CR-Z hybrid coupe made its formal debut at the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Blending sporty, sleek styling and fun-to-drive performance, the CR-Z aims to rewrite hybrid history. The CR-Z boasts a high tech 3-mode driving system, allowing the driver to customize performance and efficiency. CR-Z will be uniquely available with a 6-speed manual transmission. For CR-Z auto-show coverage, as well as more on all things CR-Z related, visit our new site— Intersections.

See some video from the Detroit Auto Show below:

Box Art? Clever Mini promotion litters streets with giant packaging

Heineken ran commercials that showed a guy's ultimate closet as a walk-in refrigerator filled with the Dutch beer. To support the ads they put huge cardboard boxes around Amsterdam on garbage day with "Walk-In Fridge" written on them, as if someone had actually gotten one as a gift. Well, it looks like Mini did the same thing after Christmas, casting giant, empty boxes with shreds of gift wrapping around Amsterdam. Predictably for a Mini campaign, it got people's attention.

Visually Challenged: Daimler encourages you to design your own Smart, results vary

Not digging the Smart ForTwo's two-color paint palette? Think you can do better? You're in luck. Daimler, Smart's German parent company, has announced a contest where customers and budding designers can customize their own ForTwo. Hit up styleyoursmart.com and you can... well, style your Smart.You have until February 23rd to post your own smarty-pants design, and the winners will be announced three days later. America's tiniest automaker promises prizes totaling about $7,200 (€5,000), which, we imagine, is plenty of money to turn your design into a reality... assuming you already own a ForTwo.At this point, the contest has just begun and there don't seem to be too many contestants just yet, so we grabbed the most colorful option for our lead image above. We briefly considered plastering our own Fortwo with the Autoblog logo, but thought better of it. Perhaps if they'd finally fix that transmission... Click here for the official Press.

Honda Unveils the new CR-Z

Honda unveiled the new CR-Z today at the Detroit Auto Show.

Mercedes-Benz shows off new design in form of a sculpture

DETROIT — At 7:45 Monday morning, Mercedes-Benz showed off the lines of its new design language in the form of a sculpture — a two-and-a-half ton silver resin model that appeared to be rising from or sinking into a fabric floor. The slick silver skin, Mercedes said, was supposed to suggest the work of snow or sand or water — or the Terminator films.

The upright grille links to bold, sensuous side-character lines and large wheel openings.
The themes are to evoke ’30s cars, Gorden Wagener, Mercedes design chief, said. He chose a sculpture rather than a full car, he said, to avoid model guessing games and to communicate the importance of design as art and style and not just engineering — and “to assert that Mercedes brand of design rises to that of art.

“It is like Michelangelo. He said you find the sculpture by carving away the rest of the stone,” Mr. Wagener said.

Mr. Wagener said the company’s new look shared sensuality, elegance and excitement with efficiency. “It is environmentally responsible because it is aerodynamic and efficient.”
With few concept cars scheduled for unveiling at this show because of costs and the industry’s new sobriety, the sculpture, which appears sunken in eight or 10 inches of base might be read as a symbol for the meltdown of design. “0r it could be rising like that bird, the Phoenix,” Mr. Wagener said.

Source: The New York Times

BREAKING: Saab board reportedly votes to liquidate company, but GM still weighing bids

According to a press release quoted in Dow Jones Newswires, Stefan Lofven, head of Swedish trade union IF Metall, the board of Saab has voted today to liquidate the company. Simultaneously, General Motors has announced that it has hired AlixPartners to supervise the "orderly wind-down" of the marque.

Interestingly, none of this means that Saab is dead, although certainly neither of these things can be seen as reason for optimism. According to its own statement about AlixPartners, GM continues to evaluate bids for Saab, presumably those from Spyker Cars and Genii Capital/Bernie Ecclestone – if not others as well. To this, Lofven is quoted as remarking that "It is irresponsible of GM in this situation to act in two directions, both towards a sale and towards a wind-down." Irresponsible or no, that appears to be exactly what GM is doing.

[Sources: Dow Jones Newswires via The Wall Street Journal, General Motors Image: Joe Raedle/Getty]

PRESS RELEASE

GM STATEMENT REGARDING SAAB

GM today confirmed it has selected AlixPartners to supervise the orderly wind down of Saab, and has requested approval of the selection by the appropriate authority in Sweden. The use of a wind down supervisor is a commonly-used process in Sweden and works in the interest of the shareholder.

The wind down process is expected to take several months, and will ensure that employees, dealers and suppliers are adequately protected. As stated previously, Saab customers can be assured that warranties will continue to be honored and that service and spare parts will continue to be available.

GM also confirmed that it has received several proposals for Saab and is continuing to evaluate these proposals. This evaluation is not affected by the appointment of AlixPartners.