2006 Honda CR-V reviews February 23, 2006
With ample power, room and refinement, the CR-V has almost all you need in a mini sport-utility, as long as you keep on the beaten path.Pros
Highly versatile and roomy interior, stable handling, comfortable ride, good crash test scores, all major safety features come standard.
Cons
Not as big inside as some competitors, no V6 engine option.
What’s New for 2006
There are no significant changes to the 2006 Honda CR-V, though stated engine power is slightly lower than last year due to Honda’s implementation of a new SAE testing procedure.
Introduction:
When the original Honda CR-V debuted in 1997, it had one simple objective: Do everything …
2006 Honda Accord reviews
No other midsize sedan puts together all the elements of a family car as well as the Accord.Pros
Roomy and stylish interior with simple controls, tight build quality, smooth ride, refined drivetrains, good crash test scores, strong reputation for reliability, high resale value.
Cons
Tepid handling, brakes should be more powerful.
What’s New for 2006
The Honda Accord receives freshened interior and exterior styling and mechanical- and feature-related updates for 2006. Sharp eyes will notice the Accord’s revised fascias and new alloy wheel designs. Minor engine tweaks, including drive-by-wire throttle control, result in a slight bump in horsepower for both the four-cylinder and V6 engine …
Moody’s Cuts G.M.’s Credit Rating Again
Moody’s Investors Service cut the debt rating of General Motors further into noninvestment grade territory on Tuesday, citing uncertainty about its ability to establish competitive wages and benefits without filing for bankruptcy protection. Moody’s lowered G.M.’s $30 billion in debt one level, to B2 from B1, five rungs below investment grade. It also assigned the company a negative outlook, actions that will make it more expensive for the company to borrow money. Moody’s placed G.M. under review for a possible downgrade on Jan. 26. A G.M. spokeswoman, Gina Proia, said the company had already taken some major steps to return …
Audi revealing RS4 Cabriolet in Geneva
The new face of Audi is beginning to grow on us, and nowhere does it look more attractive than on the leading edge of the RS4 Cabriolet that Audi will be unveiling at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. The sinister black paint and splashes of chrome on the grille surround and wheels make this drop top look like a million bucks.
Expect the RS4 Cabriolet to hide under its hood the same 4.2L V8 producing 420 hp that powers the sedan.
Smart roadster to be taken over
DaimlerChrysler has agreed in principle to sell the rights and production equipment of the roadster to a British consortium.When DaimlerChrysler announced it would cease production, a number of organisations expressed an interest in taking over the product and now “Project Kimber” has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU). “Project Kimber” was originally formed to try and take over MG, ultimately losing out to Nanjing of China.
Bringing the roadster to the UK makes a lot of sense. The car has always sold well in the British market and, indeed, smart in the UK fought to increase its allocation of roadsters in …
Pagani Zonda F unveiled ahead of Geneva
In comparison to its F Coupè, Pagani describes the Zonda F roadster as “enhanced by the pleasure of driving with a gentle breeze in your hair.” We imagine the velocities you’ll reach thanks to its Mercedes AMG-derived 7.3L V12 engine will produce something more dramatic than a gentle breeze in your hair. You may not have any hair left at all after reaching its top speed of 214 mph with the top down.
Self-proclaimed as the most expensive roadster in the world (though no price is given), the Zonda F will no doubt liberate hundreds of thousands of dollars from your …
2006 Honda Civic reviews
Just when the competition thought it had the Civic marked, Honda brings out its latest version. Refined and packed with features, the Civic is once again a top choice for compact car shoppers.Pros
Fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly engines, lots of standard safety equipment, roomy and refined interior, special Hybrid and Si models.
Cons
Polarizing dash design, top-of-the-line models are pricey.
What’s New for 2006
Honda has completely redesigned the Civic for 2006. Highlights include a more powerful and fuel-efficient 1.8-liter engine, new exterior styling, an advanced interior design and more premium features. The company has also improved the gas-electric IMA system for the Civic Hybrid …
Aygo won’t be Toyota’s European Scion February 20, 2006
Toyota Motor Europe is considering merchandise tie-ins for its Aygo model’s name, but won’t develop the minicar as a separate brand to attract young European buyers.
Advertising in most of Europe is for “Aygo by Toyota” instead of simply the Toyota Aygo (pronounced “I go”).
But Toyota Europe won’t duplicate a strategy used in the US, where the carmaker’s Scion brand specifically targets younger buyers, said Andrea Formica, Toyota Europe sales and marketing vice president.
“We are not planning either to introduce Scion in Europe, or to transform Aygo into a proper brand,” Formica told Automotive News Europe.
Formica said the Toyota brand is …
Ghosn’s goal: Make Renault more global
Carlos Ghosn says Renault is too reliant on western Europe. That is why he wants the French carmaker to boost its sales outside the region by 80 percent to 1.2 million cars by 2009.
Strengthening the carmaker’s global presence is one of the top goals the CEO set as part of the Renault Commitment 2009 plan announced here February 9.
To meet this objective, Renault is expanding its engineering capability outside western Europe.
“Engineering will be decentralized,” Ghosn said. “To Romania, South Korea and Brazil.”
More engineers
Jean-Louis Ricaud, Renault’s executive vice president in charge of engineering and quality, said that Renault will keep its …
No revival for Alpine
Renault will not revive its Alpine brand, but it might use the name on a future model.
“The name would be good,” said Patrick Pelata, Renault’s executive vice president for product and strategic planning, when asked about Alpine. But he said bringing back the revered brand would be too difficult.
The sporty Alpine brand was beloved by car enthusiasts for nearly half a century.
Renault bought Alpine in the late 1970s but stopped producing cars under that name in 1995, as part of an effort to cut costs.
There has been speculation that Renault would use the Alpine name to add flair to its …
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