Acura Recalling More Than 167,000 TSX Sedans for Fire Hazard

Honda Motors' Acura division is recalling 167,255 of its 2004 - 2008 MY TSX sedans with the 2.4-liter inline-four in the U.S. because the power steering hose can potentially deteriorate prematurely and leak fluids causing a fire hazard.

"Oil leaking onto a hot exhaust pipe will generate smoke and a burning smell, and could potentially result in an under hood fire," Honda said in a notice on the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website.

This latest recall comes only two weeks after Honda recalled approximately 1,850 Acura ZDX crossovers for a potential air-bag problem.

The Japanese automaker said that it will notify TSX owners and dealers will repair the affected vehicles free of charge. The repair involves installing a new power steering hose, o-ring gasket and fluid. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about May 28, 2010.

For more information, TSX owners can contact Acura directly at 1-800-382-2238.

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Teacher's Stolen Honda Accord Returned Souped Up with VTEC Engine! [with Video]

Here's a video relating the story of a New York teacher who had her 1996 Honda Accord stolen 3 years ago. Obviously, she never expected to get the car back.

It turns out that when a car IS stolen (even in Brooklyn), the man is on the case. A little while back, the Accord was found in a chop shop in Queens with the VIN filed off. Luckily, the police still l managed to track the car back to its original owner.

When the woman got it back, the Honda had been updated with a VTEC power train and its transmission was converted over to a stick shift!

And whoever from the AP (and Huffington, for printing it) is thinking that the car got a new V8 engine? Half a second of research prevents looking like you don't know jack.

By Phil Alex

Via: Huffington

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Beijing 2010: Honda Introduces Li Nian Everus Concept Sedan

For starters, there's nothing wrong with your eyes, the screen or the picture; the twin set of horizontal headlamps flanking either side of the Li Nian Everus concept's chrome-happy grille are the real deal.

Li Nian is a newly formed brand from Honda's China branch, Guangqi Honda, formerly known as Guangzhou Honda. The brand has showed two other concept models in the past, a compact-sized crossover and a sporty roadster.

Honda said that a production version of the Li Nian concept will be introduced at China's Guangzhou Motor Show, scheduled at the end of this year, but did not release any more details on the car. However, we suspect that it is closely based on the City, a small sedan itself based on the Jazz platform.

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Honda to Terminate Civic Type R Sedan

It's the end of the road for Honda's Civic Type R sedan as the Japanese automaker announced it will discontinue production of the car at the end of August, 2010. However, Honda will make amends to fans by continuing to import the three-door Civic Type R Euro hatchback into Japan.

The first-generation of the Civic Type R four-door sedan was launched in 1997 and was produced at Suzuka Factory. The second-generation model followed in 2001 and was produced at Honda's UK plant in Swindon, while for the current, third-generation Civic Type R, which was released in 2007, production returned to the Suzuka Factory.

The current model, which is sold only in Japan, makes use of a high-revving, naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter inline four that puts out 225HP at 8,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 215Nm at 6,100 rpm, with power channeled to the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox.

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VIDEO: Introducing the Honda Enthusiasts FF Squad

The folks over from the creative agency BRWUSA have sent over some videos "about a group of Honda enthusiasts" known as the FF Squad. Now before you think, "God, if it's ten minutes, forget it," don't worry. They're short and sweet.

Quality cinematography? Check. Funky music? Check. Real life story about normal people driving normal cars and their passion for them? Big Check.

Do yourself a favor, take three minutes out of your day and watch them; these videos will make you want to go out, buy a beater, build it up, and then go race it (if you haven't already). I'm liking this series in a big way. We can only hope there's more to come. Videos after the jump.

By Phil Alex

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Honda to Release Refreshed 2011MY Civic Type R Euro in Japan this Fall

Seeing that the limited edition 2009 Civic Type R Euro hot hatch has been well received in Japan, exceeding sales of 1,850 units since its release in November of last year, Honda has decided to offer its domestic buyers a second run of its hot hatch.

The Japanese automaker said that it will soon reveal a 2010 model year version of the Civic Type R Euro with an "updated exterior design", without getting into any specific details.

As with '09 model, the revised Civic Type R Euro will be produced in Europe at the firm's manufacturing plant in Swindon, UK, with sales in Japan scheduled to start this fall. Once again, the three-door hatchback will be offered in a limited number of units.

The current model year Civic Type R Euro is powered by a rev-happy 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four with 201 HP at 7,800 rpm and 142 lb-ft of torque at 5,600 rpm.

*Photo: 2009 Honda Civic Type R Euro

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VIDEO: New Honda CR-Z Coupe Launch Film for Europe, Middle East and Africa

Honda has released a new promotional film for its recently revealed CR-Z mild-hybrid coupe. The 90 second film was commissioned by Honda Motor Europe and will be used for press and marketing across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

The film was produced by Gaucho Productions, a London-based film and digital agency. Directed by Ben Hume-Paton and produced by Kwok Yau, the clip was shot over a day and two nights in southern Spain. You can watch it after the jump.

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Italian Sushi: Acura / Honda NSX-Based Lamborghini Diablo Replica for Sale

Found on ebay Motors is this...work of art: a Lambo'd-out Acura NSX. Located in Branson, Missouri, this orange Frankenstein can be yours for the low-low price of $49,000. The title is labeled as clear, it's got 94,000 miles on it, and (not surprisingly) there's no warranty. Not exactly our cup of tea, but we've seen much, much worse. Photo gallery after the jump.

By Phil Alex

Link: eBay , Via: Autoblog.com

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Honda CR-Z's Domestic Market Sales Soar - 10x More Orders than Expected

The Wall Street Journal reports that orders for Honda's CR-Z were ten times higher than expected. Honda was initially hoping for sales of 1,000 units per month in its home market, but total orders have now exceeded 10,000.

With debuts in the US and Europe in the next few months, the Japanese auto maker seems to have few obstacles between it and its goal of 40,000 to 50,000 units per year.

It's not difficult to make the connection between Toyota's technical hiccup and Honda's boost in hybrid sales. People lost trust in their favorite brand, and now they fell back on the next best, comparable, recognizable thing.

"If Honda can gain sales, they are going to promote the brand at the expense of Toyota. They are not blind to the situation," says Chris Richter, automotive analyst at CLSA Asia-Pacific Markets.

"Honda is the second-largest hybrid car maker by volume after Toyota, and its Insight hybrid car was the first mass-produced hybrid automobile sold in the U.S."

As for sales, the sports car marketing trick must have worked: 90% of the cars were ordered by males in their 30s and 40s. Anyone care to guess how people on this side of the Pacific will react?

- By Phil Alex

Via: WSJ (Sub. Req)

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