2012 NACTOY winners

The Land Rover Range Rover Evoque has been declared the 2012 North American Truck of the Year.



Awarded 254 points by the jury of fifty automotive journalists from across Canada and the United States, the Evoque achieved an emphatic victory over the other two finalists. The second-place Honda CR-V scored 142, while the BMW X3 managed a modest 94.

2012 North American Truck of the Year: Land Rover Range Rover Evoque.

It was a much closer contest for the 2012 North American Car of the Year title. The Ford Focus and Volkswagen Passat secured 155 and 161 points respectively, but the Hyundai Elantra emerged as the eventual winner with a score of 174.

2012 North American Car of the Year: Hyundai Elantra.

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2012 NACTOY finalists

A panel of fifty automotive journalists from across the United States and Canada has decided the finalists for the 2012 North American Car and Truck of the Year awards.



In the North American Car of the Year category, the jurors selected the Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra and Volkswagen Passat from a shortlist of seventeen models, all of which had to be new or substantially changed in the past twelve months.

Ford Focus: 2012 North American Car of the Year finalist.

Those contenders that didn’t make it through to the finals were the Audi A6, Audi A7, Buick Verano, Chevrolet Sonic, Chrysler 300 / SRT-8, Fiat 500, Hyundai Accent, Hyundai Veloster, Kia Rio / Rio 5, Scion iQ, Subaru Impreza, Toyota Camry, Toyota Prius V and Volkswagen Beetle.



The 2012 North American Truck of the Year title will go to the BMW X3, Honda CR-V or Land Rover Range Rover Evoque. There were only seven vehicles to choose the three finalists from though, with the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, Mini Countryman, Nissan Quest and Saab 9-4X being the unsuccessful nominees.

BMW X3: 2012 North American Truck of the Year finalist.

A second round of voting is now going to take place to determine the outright winners for each award. The results will be announced on 9 January 2012 in Detroit.



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Honda’s three electric bikes

As part of its display at next month’s Tokyo Motor Show, Honda will be exhibiting three electric motorcycle concepts.



The most striking is definitely the extremely pretty RC-E. As the Honda blurb states, it’s ‘an EV version of a super sports bike that pursues the joy of riding. A powerful and smooth ride unique to an EV model is achieved with the 250cc-class compact body.’ No word yet on likely range, performance or recharge times, though.

Slightly more peculiar is the Motor Compo, which resembles a suitcase that’s sprouted wheels and a set of handlebars. Designed as a compact commuter vehicle, its battery pack can be removed to power other things. What exactly the average commuter needs to power is anyone’s guess, but nevertheless it’ll be a useful feature if it means recharging can be done away from the bike.

Last of the trio is the E-Canopy. It has been created by installing an EV system into the popular Gyro Canopy tilting three-wheel scooter and, as with its petrol-powered counterpart, a large rear cargo box can be fitted for urban deliveries.

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Honda NC700X and NC700S

When the new Integra maxi scooter was first revealed back in September, Honda said that it would soon be joined by a pair of mid-size motorcycles using the same running gear.



And, good to its word, the EICMA bike show has seen the debut of the naked NC700S and crossover-styled NC700X.

2012 Honda NC700S.

2012 Honda NC700X

Like the Integra, power for both comes from a twin-cylinder 670 cc that produces a fairly modest 51 bhp (38 kW / 52 PS) and 62 Nm (45 lb/ft) of peak torque.



That’s clearly way down on potential rivals such as the 71 bhp (53 kW / 72 PS) Kawasaki ER-6 and 70 bhp (52 kW / 71 PS) BMW F 650 GS. However, it could be that Honda is attempting to create a new market niche where the focus is on fuel economy rather than outright performance.



Further differentiating the two NC700 bikes is Honda’s semi-automatic Dual Clutch Transmission, which will be available as an option.



Prices and market launch dates have yet to be confirmed.



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Honda Integra tech specs

Honda has revealed technical specifications for the recently-announced Integra maxi scooter.



Its all-new parallel twin-cylinder engine actually has a capacity of 670 cc, not 700 cc as originally thought. Nevertheless, power output is a fairly healthy 51.0 bhp (38.1 kW / 51.8 PS), which puts it on a par with potential rivals such as the Suzuki Burgman 650. There’ll also be a slightly detuned version to comply with learner regulations.

2012 Honda Integra. Scroll down for more images.

Previously, Honda had stated that one of the Integra’s key strengths would be fuel efficiency, and in that respect it doesn’t disappoint. Despite being no lightweight, average consumption is an impressive 78.7 mpg (3.6 l/100km).

2012 Honda Integra - Technical Specifications
Engine
Type	Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, 8-valve, SOHC, parallel 2-cylinder
Displacement	670 cc
Bore x Stroke	73 mm x 80 mm
Compression Ratio	10.7: 1
Max. Power	51.0 bhp (38.1 kW / 51.8 PS) @ 6,250 rpm (95/1/EC)
Max. Power (Detuned Version)	46.9 bhp (35.0 kW / 47.5 PS) @ 6,250 rpm (95/1/EC)
Max. Torque	62 Nm (45 lb/ft) @ 4,750 rpm (95/1/EC)
Max. Torque (Detuned Version)	60 Nm (44 lb/ft) @ 4,750 rpm (95/1/EC)
Fuel System
Carburetion	PGM-FI electronic fuel injection
Throttle Bore	36 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity	14.1 litres
Fuel Consumption	78.7 mpg (3.585 l/100km) (WMTC D-Mode)
Electrical System
Ignition System	Computer-controlled digital transistorised with electronic advance
Ignition Timing	12° BTDC (idle) ~ 53.9° BTDC (6,600 rpm)
Sparkplug Type	IFR6G-11K
Starter	Electric
Battery Capacity	12 V / 11 AH
Headlight	212 V, 60 W x 1 (low) / 55 W x 1 (high)
Drivetrain
Clutch	Wet, multiplate hydraulic dual clutch
Clutch Operation	D mode / S mode / Manual mode
Transmission Type	6-speed Dual Clutch Transmission
Primary Reduction	1.92
Gear Ratios	1- 2.67; 2 - 1.9; 3 - 1.45; 4 - 1.2; 5 - 1.03; 6 - 0.84
Final Reduction	2.44
Final Drive	Chain
Chassis
Frame Type	Diamond; steel pipe
Dimensions (LxWxH)	2,195 mm x 790 mm x 1,440 mm
Wheelbase	1,525 mm
Caster Angle	27°
Trail	110 mm
Seat Height	790 mm
Ground Clearance	135 mm
Kerb Weight	238 kg (F: 49.8 kg; R: 50.2 kg)
Max. Carrying Capacity	195 kg
Suspension
Front	41 mm telescopic fork, 120 mm travel
Rear	Monoshock damper, Pro-Link swingarm, 120 mm travel
Wheels
Type	Multi-spoke cast aluminium
Rim Size	Front 17 x MT3.5; rear 17 x MT3.5
Tyre Size	Front 120/70-17; rear 160/60-17
Tyre Pressure	Front 250 kPa; rear 290 kPa
Brakes
Front	320 mm single wavy hydraulic disc with 3-piston calipers and sintered metal pads, ABS / CBS standard
Rear	240 mm single wavy hydraulic disc with single-piston caliper and sintered metal pads, ABS / CBS standard

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Special Honda VT750S

Honda has unveiled two special colour schemes for its VT750S.



Both are based on retro Championship White paintwork, with a choice of either red or yellow and gold for the tank stripes and original Honda ‘wing’ logo.

The UK price for the special editions is £6,200 on the road, which is the same as the existing Pearl Heron Blue / Shasta White option. For those who prefer things a bit plainer, the VT750S is also available in Graphite Black for £5,950.



All four variants are available from dealers now.



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2012 Honda CBR600RR

Anyone hoping for updates to the Honda CBR600RR for 2012 is going to be disappointed.



The only change from the current version is a new red and white colour scheme, which joins the existing all-black option. Maybe next year will bring some more comprehensive revisions?

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2012 Honda Fireblade

Images showing the 2012 Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade were leaked back in August, but now details of the revised model have been officially revealed. As expected, the main changes focus on the suspension and the styling.

2012 Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade. Scroll down for more images.

The bodywork has been completely redesigned, and it now features a more angular front end and a different tail section. Adding to the updated looks are new 12-spoke cast aluminium wheels, which not only look better, but are also more rigid. Buyers will have a choice of Pearl Sunbeam White (tri-colour), Victory Red or Graphite Black paint schemes.



In an effort to differentiate the Fireblade from its competitors, the rear suspension now has a double-tube damper, the first time such a device has been used on a production bike. The claimed benefits of such a set-up are improved traction and better handling responses.



Up front, 43 mm inverted forks use Showa’s ‘Big Piston’ technology that’s reckoned to increase grip, improve damping and offer more braking stability.



It had been speculated that the 2012 Fireblade might follow the example set by rival machines and have electronic traction control fitted. However, that hasn’t happened, and indeed Honda argues that the new suspension means such a rider aid isn’t necessary.



Other changes for 2012 include revised fuel injection settings for a smoother throttle response, and a revised LCD instrument panel that now incorporates a gear position indicator and lap timer.



UK prices for the CBR1000RR Fireblade have been set at £11,300 for the standard bike, or £12,000 for the ABS-equipped version. Those amounts represent increases of £125 and £325 respectively compared to the 2011 models.

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Honda Integra scooter

Honda is set to debut a family of three new models at November’s Milan motorcycle show, one of which is the just-revealed Integra maxi scooter.

All will be powered by a brand new parallel twin-cylinder, 700 cc engine that has been engineered to produce plenty of low- and mid-range torque. High fuel efficiency was also a key goal, and Honda reckons that economy should better 76 mpg (3.7 l/100km).



It should be environmentally friendly too as, thanks to fuel injection and an optimised catalytic converter, emissions are estimated to be half that of the current Euro 3 standard.



Available with the new motor will be either a traditional six-speed gearbox or a dual clutch transmission. The latter is derived from that already used in the VFR1200F, but it’s smaller and lighter.



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96 g/km Honda Insight

For a hybrid, the current Honda Insight isn’t especially green. With its emissions of 101 - 105 g/km, depending on the version, there are plenty of small diesels that produce less carbon dioxide.



However, that anomaly has been addressed for the 2012 Insight, as it will have a CO2 figure of 96 g/km. The improvement has come about through reduced engine friction, better aerodynamics, tweaks to the air conditioning system and a modified CVT gearbox.

Arguably the Honda still isn’t as ecologically sound as the 89 g/km Toyota Prius, but getting below 100 g/km is crucial for the UK market. That’s because it means the 2012 Insight will qualify for zero vehicle excise duty, as well as a full discount off the London Congestion Charge.



Other technical changes focus on the suspension, which has been recalibrated for improved stability and ride quality. Cosmetically, there’s a new front grille, while a slimmer boot spoiler and different tailgate trim have been designed to increase rear visibility for the driver.



Pricing for the 2012 Honda Insight is yet to be confirmed.



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Honda teases new Civic

Honda is continuing its teaser campaign for the all-new 2012 Civic, ahead of an unveiling at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show.



The latest area to be highlighted is refinement, and Honda is promising to match the in-cabin noise levels of its European competitors. Comfort levels and build quality are also claimed to be much improved over the outgoing Civic.

Certainly expectations for the new car are high, as Honda has already stated that it will have ‘class-leading space for passengers and luggage’ and ‘stand-out looks’.



Although full technical details have yet to be released, it has been revealed that an improved 2.2 litre diesel will be available. Dubbed i-DTEC, it produces 147 bhp (110 kW / 150 PS) and 350 Nm (258 lb/ft) of torque while emitting 110 g/km of CO2.



That compares to the 139 g/km of the i-CTDi engine used in the current Civic, and the big reduction is due to better aerodynamics, less internal friction and the fitment of a stop-start system.

Like its predecessor, European versions of the ninth-generation Honda Civic will be built at Swindon in the UK.

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2012 Honda Fireblade leak

Images showing the 2012 Honda CB1000RR Fireblade have been posted on a Honda Hong Kong Facebook page, only to then disappear a short time later.

The leaked / teased (delete as appropriate) pictures show that the revised bike is getting new suspension, wheels, bodywork and instruments. However, the frame looks identical to that of the 2011 Fireblade, and there’s no sign of the rumoured V4 engine.



Whether electronic gizmos such as traction control are going to make an appearance remains to be seen, although judging by the bike in the images it looks like a non-ABS version will continue to be offered.

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2012 Honda CR-V Concept

Honda has unveiled a new CR-V SUV. It may still have the ‘Concept’ tag, but this is essentially the vehicle that’ll go on sale in North America by the end of this year, with a European launch set to follow in autumn 2012.



The styling is described by Honda as being distinctive, bold and more aggressive than today’s CR-V. Judging from the one image that has been released, it certainly looks a lot better, thankfully losing the fussy details and slightly odd proportions of the current version.

The 2012 Honda CR-V Concept...

... and the 2011 model that it'll be replacing.

There’s no word on technical specs yet, except that the engines will be more efficient and offer improved fuel economy.



The new CR-V Concept gets its public debut at the Orange County International Auto Show in Anaheim, California, which takes place during September 2011.

Honda Vision 110 scooter

Honda has announced that its new Vision 110 scooter, which replaces the Lead 110, will arrive in UK dealers this August.



Priced at £1,800 on the road, it comes with a four-stroke fuel injected engine that manages to achieve a very impressive 140 mpg (2.0 l/100km).

Being a twist-and-go scooter the Vision 110 should be easy to ride, even for novices. For enhanced manoeuvrability it only weighs 102 kg (224 lbs), while the seat height is a confidence-inspiring 760 mm (29.9 inches).



Standard features include underseat storage, compartments in the leg shields and Honda’s linked Combined Braking System. An alarm, top box and high windscreen are all on the options list.

Vision 110 buyers will be able to choose from Pearl Procyon Black, Candy Aluja Blue, Boss Grey Metallic, Candy Lucid Red or Pearl White paint finishes.

Turbo cars lead BTCC

The 2011 British Touring Car Championship is now already midway through its season.



So far, it has been rather dominated by the contentious issue of performance parity between the turbocharged and normally-aspirated cars, although another boost reduction introduced for the most recent round at Croft seems to have helped a lot.



That said, the championship table remains dominated by cars running NGTC engines, with sixth-place Jason Plato in his Chevrolet Cruze seemingly the only non-turbo entrant with any realistic prospect of taking the title.

Chevrolet Cruze Super 2000

The series now takes its long summer break, with the next event taking place at Snetterton on 7th August.

2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship: Standings After Five Rounds
Pos.	Driver	Team	Car	Points
1	Matt Neal	Honda Racing Team	Honda Civic	140
2	Mat Jackson	Airwaves Racing	Ford Focus	131
3	Gordon Shedden	Honda Racing Team	Honda Civic	120
4	Andrew Jordan	Pirtek Racing	Vauxhall Vectra	111
5	James Nash	888 Racing with Collins Contractors	Vauxhall Vectra	104
6	Jason Plato	Silverline Chevrolet	Chevrolet Cruze	100
7	Robert Collard	WSR	BMW 320si	66
8	Tom Chilton	Team Aon	‘Global’ Ford Focus	64
9	Alex MacDowall	Silverline Chevrolet	Chevrolet Cruze	47
10	Paul O’Neill	GoMobileUK.com with tech-Speed	Chevrolet Cruze	32
11	Tom Boardman	Special Tuning Racing	Seat Leon	31
12	Nick Foster	WSR	BMW 320si	27
13	Tony Gilham	888 Racing with Collins Contractors	Vauxhall Vectra	12
14	Jeff Smith	Pirtek Racing	Vauxhall Vectra	12
15	Tom Onslow-Cole	Team Aon	‘Global’ Ford Focus	10
16	Andy Neate	Team Aon	‘Global’ Ford Focus	9
17	David Newsham	Geoff Steel Racing	BMW 320si	9
18	Lea Wood	Central Group Racing	Honda Integra	4
19	Liam Griffin	Airwaves Racing	Ford Focus	2
20	Rob Austin	Rob Austin Racing	Audi A4	0
21	Frank Wrathall	Dynojet	Toyota Avensis	0
22	David Pinkney	Rob Austin Racing	Audi A4	0
23	John George	GoMobileUK.com with tech-Speed	Chevrolet Cruze	0
24	Daniel Welch	Welch Automotive	Proton Gen-2	0
25	Tony Hughes	Speedworks Motorsport	Toyota Avensis	0
26	Chris James	Team ES Racing.com	Chevrolet Lacetti	0
27	Shaun Hollamby	AmD Milltek Racing.com	Volkswagen Golf	0

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Honda unveils NSF250R

Honda Racing Corporation has revealed its NSF250R at the Circuit de Catalunya. The brand new racer has been built to compete in Moto3, the class for four-stroke, 250 cc machines that replaces the current two-stroke 125 cc category from next season.

The NSF250R’s engine is a single cylinder unit, which is tilted back 15 degrees in the bike to help concentrate mass and improve stability. Producing 47.6 bhp (35.5 kW / 48.2 PS) at 13,000 rpm, it features double overhead camshafts plus titanium intake and exhaust valves. Drive is via a six-speed, cassette type gearbox.



Both the aluminium frame and suspension geometry are based on those of the RS125R, although efforts have been made to improve torsional rigidity. This has been necessary to combat the extra bulk of the four-stroke motor, with modifications including the fitment of a revised swing arm. Kerb weight, ready to ride, is 84 kg (185 lbs).



Customer teams will be able to buy the NSF250R at a confirmed price of €23,600. That’s around £21,000 or US$34,500 at today’s exchange rates.



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