Imagine starting up your modern, boringly silent car and the interior is filled with the thrilling sound of a powerful Super Sports Car engine…Shift in the first gear, hit the gas pedal and the driving experience will really excite you! In every phase of driving – accelerating, decelerating, shifting, cruising and idling —  the sound is so convincing that it actually fools your senses to believe that you are driving the real thing, a Super Sports Car!

SoundRacer makes almost any car sound like a super sports car. No installation, no tuning, just plug into the cigarette lighter socket, select a frequency for the car stereo receiver and turn up the volume. Easy as 1-2-3! See video: click here. Listen to the sounds: click here

Mail from customer in USA: “I just wanted to tell you what a great product that Soundracer is.  I got it this evening, plugged it into my VW TDI wagon and took off.  It was great.  I drove around with a big smile on my face for an hour.  I just love it and I’m sure I will be ordering more.”

If you ever get tired of the exciting engine sound you can listen to your favorite music, just plug in your MP3 player and the music will sound loud and clear in your car stereo system.

It’s yours for just a little more than a standard Car FM Transmitter and your car will never be boring again. SoundRacer works on most car models in the world, also diesel and FlexiFuels. Automatic transmission is no problem either. Check the SoundRacer Listed Cars for compatibility.

Mail from customer in Azerbaijan, Baku: “I have tried Soundracer on two cars. Nissan Qashqai 2,0 (2008) and Mercedes ML 3,5 (2000). It is impossible to describe, how funny, cool and amazing it is. I would like to thank all your team for this product.”

How It Works

SoundRacer has a developed a special technology to sense and calculate the car engine rpm and produce the sounds of a powerful Super Sports Car engine. The sound changes as you drive and SoundRacer even increases the speed of the engine sound so that you can drive at a normal speed and still get a very exciting engine sound. See under Tips and Tricks in the User manual how you can change the rpm increase ratio.

SoundRacer detects the small signals from the alternator on the 12V system in the car, it does not use ignition pulses. That is why it also works on diesel cars. Manual or automatic transmission makes no difference for SoundRacer, it works on both types but of course the rpm response is different on automatic transmission cars with hydraulic torque converter, the rpm increases as soon as you press the gas pedal.

A built in FM transmitter transfers the sounds on a selectable frequency to the car stereo system.

It also works as a standard Car FM-transmitter for MP3 players, such as iPod and iPhone, with a line in socket that provides an input for playing music on the car stereo. A cable with 2 x 3,5 mm stereo plugs are supplied in the box. As soon as you plug in the cable in the line in socket on SoundRacer, the engine sound is disconnected. The other end of the cable you just plug into the headphone socket on your music player and then the music is heard in the car speakers.

SoundRacer is a Swedish invention by Kenneth Palmestål. International patents pending.

SoundRacer is a registered trademark in 35 countries.

Industrial Design by designer Karolina Adolfsson, Studiodoo

SoundRacer use genuine engine sound samples, professionally recorded and prepared by Sound Designer Greg Hill, Soundwave Concepts

Software and hardware development by Anders Hermansson, Epsilon Embedded

Special Offer for Limited Period, Stock Clearance, $50 only, Cash & Carry.

Available from:

Please SMS 94553425 .

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_672435.html

Trial run soon for new ERP system
Four parties picked for tests likely to involve use of satellite tracking
By Christopher Tan, Senior Correspondent
The Land Transport Authority says four parties have been picked to run a trial for a next-generation ERP system, which is likely to use satellite tracking. — ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN

THOSE iconic blue-and-white gantries standing astride major roads and expressways for electronic road pricing (ERP) could well be history in the near future.

Four parties have been picked to run a trial for a next-generation ERP system, one likely to use satellite tracking.

The four are Kapsch TrafficCom; MHI Engine System Asia & NCS; ST Electronics (Info-Comm Systems) & IBM Singapore; and Watchdata Technologies & Beijing Watchdata System.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) said each will receive $1 million in seed funding ‘to design, develop and demonstrate technological solutions’ for the new system, which could charge motorists not only according to where they go, but also for the distances they clock.

The trial starts next month and will last 11/2 years, a timeframe that will include ‘live’ on-the-road testing to prove the robustness of the system.

Experts say the main challenge of a satellite-tracked ERP system lies in its patchy accuracy. Densely built-up areas can create what are known as ‘urban canyons’, where satellite signals bounce off tall buildings, distorting readings.

In an early trial done in 2007, LTA found the accuracy of satellite tracking in open areas such as highways to be above 90 per cent; in the city centre, it dipped to only about 30 per cent.

But technology has since improved. Signal beacons can be erected on curbs or buildings to overcome the pitfalls of satellite tracking in city areas.

The Straits Times understands the new system will also call for an intelligent in-vehicle unit (IU). Observers reckon it should be one that can notify drivers if they are approaching a road where a charge is to be levied; it might also run other applications, such as maps, navigation and voice alerts.

A source close to the trial added: ‘The unit will have a proprietary security algorithm that makes it tamper-proof.’

If all goes well, a tender is likely to be called to award the contract to build the system, possibly in late 2013 or early 2014, sources say. The contract could be worth around $400 million, twice what the current ERP system cost when it was launched in 1998.

At the earliest, the system will be up and running in 2015 or 2016, but the LTA refused to be pinned down to a date.

It said: ‘The development of this project is in its very early stages. The next-generation ERP system, if technically feasible, is still some years away before it is ready to be implemented.’

Transport researcher Lee Der Horng of the National University of Singapore said the new system ‘is very powerful as it can be islandwide, and allows ERP to be implemented much more aggressively’.

The upside is that road tax could be replaced by this usage-based system, he said. But a downside could lie in the implications of distance-based charges for vehicles other than private motorists – public buses, for instance, which ply fixed routes and clock long distances.

He said: ‘I hope the Government will take this opportunity to review the need for this new ERP system. We cannot depend on ERP alone to solve all our congestion problems.’

http://www.temasekreview.com/2011/03/30/is-petrol-in-singapore-overpriced/

Is Petrol in Singapore More Expensive?

Is petrol overpriced relative to diesel at the pump in Singapore as compared to other countries in the region, for example Hong Kong?

In Hong Kong premium petrol (98R grade) retails at HK$16.04/liter at the pump currently, while diesel (Euro V) sells at HK$11.52/liter (all before discounts). Premium petrol (or gasoline) carries an excise duty of $6.06/liter, whereas there is none for the Euro V grade diesel. This is an incentive to adopt a more environmentally friendly grade of diesel. On this basis, petrol (at $9.98/liter before duty) is cheaper than diesel by about 13% at the pump.

But in Singapore, petrol prices (before excise duty) are generally higher than diesel. Currently, premium grade petrol (98R grade) which has an excise duty of $0.44/liter retails at $2.14/liter, whereas diesel retails at $1.64/liter (all before discounts). There is no excise duty on diesel at the pump; instead a special diesel tax is levied on diesel vehicles. Singapore presently adopts the less stringent Euro standards (as compared to Hong Kong) for its petrol (Euro II) and diesel (Euro IV).

(Note: The cost of production of Euro V diesel would be higher than that of the Euro IV grade; the same would also apply for Euro IV petrol against the Euro II grade. The order of magnitude increase for both diesel and petrol would be similar.)

Hong Kong imports its entire fuels requirement; generally there is a time lag before the retailers adjust their pump prices to reflect changes in the international market prices, unlike the situation in Singapore where changes in pump prices are more much current with the changes in the market prices. In this sense it would be more
meaningful to compare the February (last month) price levels in Singapore against the Hong Kong’s current levels.

For the first three weeks in February, the pump prices here for petrol (98R grade) and diesel were $2.08/liter and $1.493/liter respectively. The price increase in the later part of the month narrowed the price gap by about $0.04/liter. Nonetheless, the price for petrol would still be relatively higher than that for diesel by about 10%.

Over in Australia, the wholesale prices of petrol (91R) and diesel, average for the month of February, were A$1.27/liter and A$1.31/liter, respectively. (Statistics are obtained from the AIP’s website). Petrol and diesel carry the same excise duty over there. Australia has the same (more stringent) Euro standards for its petrol and diesel as Hong Kong.

In comparison, the pump price for the lower 92R grade petrol in Singapore in the first few weeks of February was $1.947/liter (this grade has a lower excise duty of $0.41/liter) – which makes it about 3% more expensive than diesel. While the price gaps between petrol and diesel may have narrowed with the recent price increases, petrol is still relatively more expensive than diesel here.

The fuel retail market in Singapore is an oligopoly, a market structure with few sellers – there are only four retailers here, with two of them holding a combined 64% market share of the total number of petrol stations. In an oligopoly, market strength generally lies with the sellers, and this is evident here where the retailers are quicker to raise prices when crude oil prices rise but slower to react when prices fall.

But the diesel and petrol retail markets in Singapore are not similar. There is greater competition in the diesel market; because some of the taxi operators sell diesel to their own taxis. This could have put more pressure on the retailers’ margin for diesel relative to that for petrol.

Would introducing more competition in the petrol retail market here help to redress the balance of powers between consumers and sellers and drive it towards a more efficient competitive market? After all, petrol as well as diesel is more or less a fungible product, as motorists can easily switch from one brand to another.

Can those taxi operators be allowed to extend their business to include retailing petrol as well to the general motoring public? Or perhaps a large co-operative could take up the challenge to retail gasoline?

This could be a case for the powers that be to ponder?

.

Karl Foo

Japanese tsunami footage from inside a car

Modern technology means that the world has an almost constant and unlimited amount of coverage of major news stories from all around the planet. That’s certainly true of the massive earthquake and tsunami in Japan, especially since Japan is one of the most tech-happy countries in the world.

And so it comes as little surprise that at least one Japanese man had a camera running in his car as he attempted to flee the impending rush of water near the coastline. Suffice it to say that his plans to escape failed miserably. Thankfully, though, the man lived to tell the tale, as did his footage.

Click past the break to see a truly harrowing video of a Japanese motorist’s car being engulfed by a two-meter tsunami. Again, this driver is truly lucky to have survived, and we know that hundreds if not thousands of Japanese citizens weren’t so fortunate. Our thoughts remain with the survivors.

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/18/video-watch-as-japanese-motorists-car-is-engulfed-by-the-tsunami/#continued

[Source: Telegraph]

The Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) Sports Car, which is currently under joint development with Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota), incorporates into a new generation sports car with an ambition to provide driving pleasure to a wider range of customers. Thanks to its “front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout”, further lowered centre of gravity, compact and lightweight body and short wheel base, it delivers a new level of driving excitement with very unique crisp handling. The car will be the only existing front-engine, rear-wheel drive sports car powered by a Boxer engine in the world, by making full use of both companies’ expertise: Subaru’s Horizontally-Opposed Boxer engine and performance car technologies and Toyota’s RWD technologies.

This new car is rooted in both companies’ engineering philosophy. Subaru’s engineering excellence, renowned for providing “Enjoyment and Peace of Mind” to its loyal customers, has been applied to the car’s development. Subaru’s idea of a front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout that was already used in the “Subaru P-1″, Subaru’s first prototype passenger car, as well as the expertise acquired during the development of the “Subaru XT” or of the fully-fledged speciality coupe model “Subaru SVX” were also incorporated into the model’s development.

This Subaru Rear-Wheel Drive Sports Car, as Subaru’s first mass-produced front-engine, rear-wheel drive model, is expected to be produced in spring 2012 at a Subaru production plant in Japan.

Subaru’s Development Philosophy and the Rear-Wheel-Drive Model

Ever since Subaru started building cars, Subaru’s objective has always been that of providing customers with enjoyment and peace of mind. Subaru’s development philosophy lies at the heart of each and every model ever produced, offering customers an assurance of driving “Confidence”. With such a consistent approach to the development of cars, Subaru has released a range of unique, innovative products to suit the requirements of customers at any point in automotive history, some of which include cars with Rear-Wheel, Front-Wheel and All -Wheel drivetrains.

Subaru developed the Subaru P-1, its first prototype passenger car, in 1954. To create a car that delivered a comfortable ride, Subaru determined that it needed to have an excellent suspension system and a lightweight, rigid body. To achieve this, a front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout was used for the drivetrain and chassis, and a full monocoque design for the body – the first of its kind in Japan. Powered by a 1.5-litre engine, the classic 4-door sedan Subaru P-1 prototype was produced in its dozens. Although it never made it to the market, the Subaru P-1 was considered the forefront of innovative Subaru engineering.

Some of the pioneering features found in the Subaru P-1 included an independent wishbone suspension system at the front, and a proprietary lightweight and rigid, full monocoque body design developed with the aid of aircraft technology born from the very origins of Subaru. Expertise and development philosophies that were raised during this time blossomed into a range of innovative ideas and advanced technologies that would later be applied to the development of the “Subaru 360″, Japan’s very own mini car for the public at large. These key concepts also found their way into the “Subaru 1000″, the earliest Front-Wheel Drive model to be powered by Subaru’s first Horizontally-Opposed Boxer engine, and other All-Wheel Dive (AWD) models used as the base platform for passenger cars. Indeed, these concepts continue uninterrupted to this day with the subsequent development of Subaru’s current distinctive crossover models.

Technology Exhibit: “BOXER Sports Car Architecture”

Behind the new level of driving excitement and pleasure that the RWD Sports Car delivers is its new platform technology, built around Subaru’s key component – the Horizontally-Opposed Subaru Boxer engine. A new platform has been developed based on Subaru’s renowned AWD model package in order to extract the maximum performance potential required of the RWD Sports Car. The “BOXER Sports Car Architecture” represents a proposal of Subaru’s new definition of driving excitement.

Subaru Boxer engine

At the heart of this Technology Exhibit is Subaru Boxer engine. It is its lightweight, compact and low centre of gravity that lends itself to the level of driving excitement that Subaru is aiming for, and is without a doubt the most suitable engine for the RWD Sports Car. The Subaru Boxer engine can be constructed of aluminium owing to its compact and rigid engine design, making for a much lighter power unit. Its low centre of gravity provides a high level of driving stability and remarkable handling. Since the piston’s opposing movements inherently counteract each other, no balance shaft is needed. This cancels out excess vibrations and gives the engine a sprightly, sporty feel at virtually any engine speed. Needless to say, the Subaru Boxer engine has certain underlying characteristics that make it suitable for such sporty driving.

In the BOXER Sports Car Architecture, Subaru’s Boxer engine, which originally features a low centre of gravity and optimum weight balance, is even lowered and set back further towards the centre of the chassis. This feature also offers a low-profile sports car silhouette with its lowered engine hood design, resulting in a lowered driving position. All these elements deliver excellent driveability, stability as well as handling performance.

Optimised Chassis Layout for the RWD Sports Car

Another important factor that enables the RWD Sports Car to deliver driving performance befitting of a Subaru is its chassis. Rather than simply developing a frame and body that focuses purely on speed, development has been conducted to produce a chassis that delivers Subaru’s authentic driving characteristics: a sporty driving experience, an overall enjoyable ride, and stable drivability with driver confidence. The result is that the tyres follow every subtle variation in the road surface and that it responds exactly to the driver’s input. The BOXER Sports Car Architecture does not depend solely on engine power output – instead it maximises the potential of this newly developed chassis to achieve the fundamental characteristics of a rear-wheel drive sports car by delivering sporty performance as driver and vehicle work in unison, as well as providing agile response afforded by its short wheel base. Subaru’s distinctive suspension setup has been used, incorporating struts at the front, and a double-wishbone layout at the rear, to provide outstanding stability and control.

When compared to other Subaru AWD models, the engine now sits even lower and further back in the engine bay. A lower centre of gravity, now located further toward the middle of the chassis itself, gives optimum front-rear weight balance for a RWD sports car. Drivers will discover a remarkable, natural feel when cornering, giving new level of driving excitement. A short front overhang, matched with a shorter rear overhang reduces any yaw moment of inertia generated, and provides a higher level of stability and control, and handling performance of a pure sports car.

The RWD Sports Car’s platform technology adds a completely new package to complement Subaru’s existing AWD platform. This package will open Subaru’s renowned on-road performance to a broader range of customers. At the heart of this drivability lies Subaru’s engineering philosophy that constantly provides enjoyment and peace of mind. The “BOXER Sports Car Architecture” is a technical masterpiece that has been designed so that drivers can fully enjoy Subaru’s new approach to driving pleasure, with the full knowledge that they are constantly supported with the sense of confidence that only a Subaru can provide.

Major Specifications of “BOXER Sports Car Architecture”:
Body size (Overall: Length x Width x Height): 4,200 x 1,770 x 1,270 mm
Wheelbase: 2,570 mm
Engine: 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated four cylinder Horizontally-Opposed Boxer engine
Tire size: 215/45R17

The fat wheeled eniCycle, the stylish and graceful U3 from Honda or the slightly scary prospect of the UnoMoto have all shared more in common than being one-wheeled, self-balancing personal transport solutions. They’ve all had somewhere for the user to sit. Inventist’s Solowheel is a little different – you ride this electric unicycle standing upright, like a Segway or skateboard. It has a useful carry handle and fold-away foot platforms, is gyro-stabilized and the Li-ion batteries offer a range of about 12 miles between charges.

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For those who work in the city but don’t actually live there, leaving the car at home and getting to the office by train, tram or bus is becoming a more attractive prospect. For those who don’t relish the sometimes long walk from the station or terminus to the workplace, there are now numerous electric personal, short haul transport solutions – from the Segway to the YikeBike or even the FlyRad – to take some of the strain away.

Weighing 25 pounds (11 kg), sporting folding leg platforms on each side and a carry handle on top, the 17 x 19 x 5-inch (43 x 48 x 13 cm) Solowheel from Inventist is sure to turn some heads as you trundle along at up to 12mph. The durable external housing hides a Li-ion battery that’s said to be good for two hours of use between charges and a 1000-Watt electric motor, and a self-balancing gyro system. Its battery is reported to take 45 minutes to charge but a regenerative system returns energy to the battery when the rider slows down or the unit goes downhill, which could help extend the range.

The electric unicycle’s creators say that it’s easy to use and quick to learn, the feet are quite close to the ground and the legs rest against each side of the housing which help with balance and steering. With both feet on the vehicle, you just lean forward to start going. When you want to slow down or stop, you lean back. You use the legs to steer, much as you would on the Magic Wheel.

Jinalyn Liljedahl from Inventist told Gizmag that he expects the Solowheel to be available from April at a cost of US$1495. Each unit will be shipped with an instructional DVD and charger.

I can see the Solowheel being a useful, fun and quite affordable way to trundle from the railway station into work and back again. Have a look at the following demonstration video and see what you think:

watch?v=WOOoFEKiK8A&feature=player_embedded

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/18/report-all-bmw-four-cylinders-will-be-turbocharged/

by Zach Bowman (RSS feed) on Feb 18th 2011 at 9:28AM

We sure hope you BMW fans out there like your four-cylinders with forced induction. According to Autocar, the German automaker has committed to strapping a turbocharger to all of its four-cylinder engines in the near future. The report cites “company sources” as saying that the company plans on using turbo four-pots for applications requiring up to 241 horsepower. Above that magic number, the tried and true inline-six will step in to take over.

Furthermore, each of the company’s four-cylinders will all be based on the 2.0-liter aluminum block with different turbochargers and engine management to help crank out different levels of punch. Autocar says the block will use a sprayed-iron liner that’s just .3 mm thick instead of the conventional 1.5 mm cast-iron cylinder sleeves for added durability and reduced weight.

Chances are we’ll see the first iteration of that lump crop up in the upcoming X1, which Autocar says is set to debut sometime later this week. It will pack the most potent variation of the four-cylinder, though BMW has rated the mill at around 245 horsepower thanks to a twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing and a high-pressure fuel injection system. What’s a few ponies among friends?

by Jeff Glucker

We know the Toyota rear-wheel-drive coupe will wear a Scion badge, and now we might finally know what it’s going to be called. The just-make-it-already Toyota FT-86 concept has evolved into the Scion FT-86 and word on the web is that the production version will be known as the Scion FT-S.

Look for the Scion FT-S coupe to make its debut at the 2011 New York Auto Show. Rumor has it that a 2.5-liter engine, not a 2.0-liter, will power the rear wheels and that Toyota plans a heavy marketing push aimed at the drifting crowd.

The Subaru version is slated for a Geneva debut, and the rumormill now suggests that all-wheel drive is planned for the Subaru coupe, which should easily differentiate it from the Scion FT-S and help keep the two cars from cannibalizing each other’s sales. If anyone’s listening, we’ll take an AWD Subaru coupe in full STI trim, please.

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/12/report-toyota-rwd-coupe-to-be-named-scion-ft-s/

Honda Debuts Sleek and Sophisticated Concepts for All-New 2012 Civic Si Coupe and Civic Sedan Models
The Honda Civic Si Concept coupe and Civic Concept sedan are making world debuts at the North American International Auto Show today, providing the first official glimpse at the styling direction of the all-new, ninth-generation 2012 model set to go on sale this spring, the company announced.

“The Civic is known for providing a balance of ‘just-right’ packaging, fun-to-drive character and outstanding fuel economy, at a price that even first-time buyers can afford,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda. “The redesigned Civic builds on this legacy and promises to be the best Civic yet.”

The 2012 Civic embraces the company’s vision as a “Civic for all people,” a phrase originally expressed in defining the goal of the first-generation Civic. With the widest array of engine choices available in its class, the 2012 Civic lineup intends to meet the needs of an increasing group of compact-vehicle buyers with a renewed vision of a “Civic for all people.” The diverse vehicle range includes a sedan and a coupe with conventional gasoline models, two sporty “Si” performance versions, along with one hybrid and a natural gas alternative-fuel variant. Collectively the depth of the Civic line offers a compelling balance between fuel economy, low emissions and fun-to-drive performance unlike any other vehicle in the industry.

As a new interpretation of the current Civic’s iconic “one-motion” mono-form shape, the upcoming, ninth-generation Civic conveys a more substantial, high-energy appearance. The exterior styling of both Civic concept models showcases the sedan’s and coupe’s clean-yet-powerful lines with steeply raked windshields, wide stances and pronounced character lines along the profile. The lower character line on both models broadens toward the rear fenders to enhance the dynamic feeling of forward energy. The front fender surface treatments form a complex, three-dimensional look to further enhance the image of sophistication and structural depth against the deeply set headlights.

The Civic Concept sedan takes on a sophisticated presence with a front grille defined by crisp lines and a solid bar that integrates a chrome Honda emblem. The look of the Civic Si Concept coupe conveys an aggressive demeanor with a more angular front fascia, mesh grille and a tapered rear roofline that flows smoothly into the trunk. The Civic Si Concept coupe is exclusively equipped with a rear air diffuser, a center-mounted exhaust outlet and a rear deck lid spoiler with dual vents. Each concept model has 19-inch machined alloy wheels.

Powertrain Technology
The Civic’s family of engines with “intelligent” Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (i-VTEC®) technology become even more fuel efficient for 2012. The upcoming Civic Hybrid offers the latest generation of the compact and lightweight Integrated Motor Assist™ (IMA™) gasoline-electric hybrid system and features the first application of a lithium-ion battery in a Honda hybrid.

Building on its emphasis on fuel-economy, most upcoming Civic models receive Honda Eco Assist™ technology, already available in the CR-Z and Insight hybrids. The 2012 Civic is the first U.S. Honda model to employ Eco Assist technology in a gasoline-only powered vehicle. Eco Assist is just one example of how the new Civic can be customized and configured by the drivers to suit individual preferences.

Additionally, Honda is expanding retail sales of the natural gas-powered Civic GX model, which is the only OEM-built, dedicated CNG passenger car assembled in America. The increased availability of the Civic GX helps bring inherently clean-burning natural gas technology to an even broader audience while also supporting diversity in transportation energy resources.

Safety
The 2012 Civic continues to emphasize safety and is anticipated to score well in both the federal government’s New Car Assessment Program1 (NCAP) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety2 (IIHS) vehicle evaluations. The 2001 Honda Civic Coupe was one of the first two passenger cars ever to earn the federal government’s top 5-star crash safety rating3 for the driver and front- and rear-seat passengers in both frontal and side-impact crash tests.

All 2012 Civics are equipped with Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) as standard equipment. Additionally, the ninth-generation Civic continues to provide Honda’s exclusive and innovative Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure for frontal collision energy management.

Accolades and Manufacturing
As a top-selling model for Honda, the current, eighth-generation Civic has sold more than 1.5 million units since the 2006 model went on sale in late 2005. The 2006 Civic earned both the prestigious Motor Trend “Car of the Year” and the North American Car of the Year awards.

The current-generation Civic continues to be a significant entry-point to the Honda brand for younger buyers, introducing on average more than 90,000 new-car customers under the age of 35 to the brand every year. More than 95 percent of all Civics sold in the U.S. as of calendar-year 2010 were made4 in North America at manufacturing facilities in either Greensburg, Indiana or Alliston, Ontario in Canada.

1 Preliminary results determined by Honda. Final results were not available at the time of printing. Government 5-Star Safety Ratings are part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) New Car Assessment Program. Vehicles tested under this program cannot be compared to Model Year 2010 and earlier vehicles. Ratings should only be compared to similar ratings on Model Year 2011 and later vehicles (if rated under the new program). For additional information on the 5-Star Safety Ratings program, please visit www.safercar.gov. Models tested with standard side airbag.

2 Civic Sedan (excluding Si) with Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) was named a 2010 TOP SAFETY PICK by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). According to the IIHS, the award “recognizes vehicles that do the best job of protecting people in front, side, rear, and now for 2010 rollover crashes.” VSA is not a substitute for safe driving. It cannot correct the vehicle’s course in every situation or compensate for reckless driving. Control of the vehicle always remains with the driver.

3 Government star ratings are part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) previous New Car Assessment Program (www.safercar.gov) ending with 2010 models. Models tested with optional side airbag.

4 Of domestic and globally sourced parts.

Posted on 12/01/11 By G-A.G

http://www.nihoncar.com/en/news-1392-Honda+Debuts+Sleek+and+Sophisticated+Concepts+for+All-New+2012+Civic+Si+Coupe+and+Civic+Sedan+Models.html