A major aim for Honda with this 2013 release is to protect the sale price of the Civic, while improving both its looks and performance. The equipment and interior finish of the vehicle look set to overhauled, with the exterior taking inspiration from the popular CR-Z model. Under the bonnet, there will be more similarities with the CR-Z, namely a hybrid engine featuring the same powertrain; a 1.5 litre petrol engine that delivers 124 HP and 131 lb-ft of torque. Also available will be a new low emission three-cylinder engine.

The design is believed to be a hybrid model, consisting of elements of both the S2000 and the original Honda Beat, a mini-car that was around at the start of the nineties. There have been hints for some time from the company that an alternative to their only current sporty model, the CR-Z are in the pipeline, although it seems unlikely that this particular model will surface any time before 2014. Even the next generation of Toyota sports cars, including a new small coupe are set to beat this new concept to launch, as they are due in early 2013.

Honda are said to have submitted some interesting patent applications, with the use of aluminium likely in upcoming models – a far cry from your used Honda Civic or Jazz. The new model is being referred to as the mini-FT-86 in Japan and is likely to be a mid-engine, rear wheel drive, two-door hatchback.

Mugen performance parts and accessories will now be available through a select band of eight Honda dealerships throughout the country. Following a limited run of Civic Type R Mugens, the Japanese motorsport firm is slowly beginning to take off on these shores. The range of new parts that will now be on offer include forged aluminium wheels, brake upgrades, quick-shift gearbox kits and sports suspension, while a range of body styling kits will also be available.

The dealerships across the country that will stock the Mugen parts are strategically spread out, with Inchcape catering for the South East and Two Mills the North West. Parts and accessories for other Honda models are expected to be introduced gradually over the forthcoming year.

Honda claim that better fuel efficiency and increased internal space will also become features that will set the new Odyssey apart from used Honda models currently available on the pre-owned market. Many of the changes have been brought about through increased interaction with customers during the development phase. Owners were keen to take away the boxy look and give it better handling and a sportier feel, points that Honda have been quick to act on.

The change in aesthetics has been achieved largely through a more slanted windshield and a slightly tapered rear roof line, while the 2011 Odyssey is made to look more like an SUV as it is wider and lower to the ground. If the changes are implemented well, your used Honda Odyssey could be due for a trade in.

The encouraging news means that Honda sales were up 28% over the period – a sizeable increase. The company’s recovery is largely attributed to a recovery in the major US and Japanese markets, although expansion in developing markets such as China also played a major part.

While used Honda cars still prove popular, there is clearly an increasing demand for the new Accord, Civic and Jazz and this is reflected in Honda’s prediction that annual profits for the year will be up as much as ten percent. This forecast is mirrored by other Japanese car makers, who had also struggled the previous year due to the financial crisis.

There are three driving modes which allows for the driver to adapt the setting of the car to their needs so whether they need to drive economically or switch to then drive in heavy traffic they can do so with ease.

The prices of the Honda CR-Z are as follows-:

CR-Z S £16,999
CR-Z Sport £17,999
CR-Z GT £19,999

All models come with Climate Control, Six Speaker CD player and an engine start button. The S grades have heated door mirrors, rear dimming mirror, electric window and daytime running lights.

The Sports model offers alloy pedals, ambient lighting, cruise control, boot mounted subwoofer and many other superb features that will have Honda fanatics excited.

Honda Civic Mugen 200″ title=”Honda-Civic-Type-R-Mugen-production-Front-Angle-588×527″ width=”150″ height=”150″ class=”alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-665″ />The Mugen 200 will also feature 19 inch ‘Lightning’ alloys, Mugen badges and a unique Mugen number plate, as well as Honda’s latest 201PS i-VTEC engine, which means it’ll have quite a lot of kick for a small car.

As its name implies, the Honda Civic Mugen 200 will be limited to just 200 cars and will be available in April. Orders will be taken for the car from Honda dealerships in March, which is when the price will be announced too.

Though it surely won’t be cheap, this model will doubtlessly be fought over by small car and Honda Civic enthusiasts. Maybe Honda will be nice to us and let us review one.

Owners of small SUVs had reason to feel smug this winter. As Britain shivered beneath a blanket of snow, suddenly they had a good reason for using a 4×4 for the school run. True the school in question was normally closed, but they could certainly get there.

Honda has tweaked various areas to make it ever so slightly better than the model we’ve come to know, and in some cases love. There is improved suspension, better insulation and new 17 inch wheels all designed to improve ride comfort.

The crown of best small SUV car is likely to be keenly fought this year, with a plethora of new contenders on the scene. With these updates the new Honda can hope to mix it with the best.

Most importantly, the car has been built in Honda’s plant in Swindon, which makes it British (kind of).

Honda is looking to use India as its springboard to launch a new series of small cars before bringing then to the European market. The new breed of Honda cars are set to be launched to compete directly with their Japanese counterparts, Suzuki, who currently occupy over 50% of the current car sales within the country with their highly successful Suzuki Swift and Suzuki Alto.

This is a bold strategy for the Japanese manufacturer to take at such a delicate time in the economy, but it is clearly something that they feel will benefit them in the long run. India has a love affair with the car and Honda is very keen to capitalise on a slice of this market.

Popular cars in the country at present are extremely compact and small, which means that the Honda Jazz will probably be considered to be too big to mount a challenge to Suzuki’s dominance. Because of this Honda has gone back to the drawing board and designed a new mini car that currently goes under the codename of the 2CV, hopefully it doesn’t look like the Renault version.
This new car has been touted for release in 2011 – 2012 and it will be going into direct competition with the Suzuki Swift and Alto.

If Honda can manage to bring their same brand of electronic wizardry and efficiency to this new car then it may well be a car that can topple the mighty Suzuki in the Indian car market. One thing that will have a direct effect on the cars success is the price. Initial reports claim that Honda will look to price the car around the annual salary of the average worker within the country. Whether or not this will be deemed to be too expensive is something we will have to wait and see.

The Japanese and German car manufacturers have come out of the latest survey very well, with the Honda Civic coming out with the top honour of being the most reliable car on the market today. There was even more reason for the Japanese car giant to celebrate with two more of their cars featuring heavily inside the top 5 cars with the Honda Jazz in third place and the Honda Accord scooping fourth place.

Maintaining a sense of European pride within the top ten was BMW who managed to take the second and fifth placing with their 3 and 5 series cars respectively. The BMW brand also managed to score another success with the subsidiary brand Mini which managed to come in eighth place.

The remaining places in the survey were filled by the Audi A4, the Mercedes C Class, Toyota Avensis and Volkswagen Golf. The two brands BMW and Honda were tied on reliability statistics but it was the German manufacturer who managed to walk away with the overall prize having taken more votes overall.