Rumorpile: Next-Gen Honda CR-Z To Get Some Help From The Civic Type R

The Buick Enclave and Chevrolet Traverse are well past their sell-by-date. GM knows this and will be introducing new versions of both within the next year. We haven't seen any spy shots of either model, til today.
Autoblog published some spy shots of the next-generation Buick Enclave undergoing some hot-weather testing in Death Valley. From the shots, it looks like Buick will be retaining the shape of the current model. Although, it looks like the roofline has changed somewhat towards the back. We can pick out the new grille that we first saw on the new LaCrosse along with a set of LED running lights.
The Enclave is expected to use a stretched version of the Chi platform that currently underpins the new GMC Acadia.
Source: Autoblog

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The Buick Enclave and Chevrolet Traverse are well past their sell-by-date. GM knows this and will be introducing new versions of both within the next year. We haven't seen any spy shots of either model, til today.
Autoblog published some spy shots of the next-generation Buick Enclave undergoing some hot-weather testing in Death Valley. From the shots, it looks like Buick will be retaining the shape of the current model. Although, it looks like the roofline has changed somewhat towards the back. We can pick out the new grille that we first saw on the new LaCrosse along with a set of LED running lights.
The Enclave is expected to use a stretched version of the Chi platform that currently underpins the new GMC Acadia.
Source: Autoblog

Trucks and Compacts Star as American Honda Reports August Sales
Sep 1, 2016 - TORRANCE, Calif.
American Honda and Honda Division trucks have best August sales ever Honda CR-V sets 2nd consecutive all-time sales record Honda core models—Civic, Accord and CR-V—each top more than 30,000 sales Honda's smallest vehicles—Fit and HR-V—post largest gains for the brand Refreshed Acura MDX posts 8.1 percent gain to push Acura trucks up 2.5 percent in August American Honda Motor Co., Inc. today reported strong August sales of 149,571 Honda and Acura vehicles, a 3.8 percent decrease over August 2015 due in part to the lack of the Labor Day sales weekend. American Honda trucks set a new August record, rising 4.3 percent on sales of 76,140. Honda Division sales totaled 135,325 units, with Honda trucks also setting an August record, gaining 4.5 percent on sales of 66,802. Acura Division sales were down 7 percent on sales of 14,246 units, also feeling the effects of the lost weekend. However, Acura trucks were up 2.5 percent on sales of 9,338 as new models continued to fill the pipeline.
Honda
Honda Division's August sales almost matched the same period last year without one of the biggest holiday sales weekends of the year. Despite the handicap, CR-V continued its record-setting ways for the second straight month while all three of the brand's best-selling models (Accord, Civic and CR-V) topped 30,000 units apiece and Honda's compact HR-V and Fit posted major gains. Honda trucks posted a new August record supported by brisk sales of CR-V, HR-V and Ridgeline, while Civic and Fit drove car sales for the brand.      
Honda trucks set a new August record, rising 4.5 percent with sales of 66,802 units CR-V climbed 5 percent on sales of 36,517 for a 2nd consecutive all-time record HR-V sales jumped 66 percent on sales of 7,580 vehicles Civic and Fit were up 2.4 percent (32,807 sales) and 85.1 percent (5,370 sales) "Our continued success with strong sales of both passenger cars and light trucks demonstrates once again that the key to great sales is great product," said Jeff Conrad, senior vice president and general manager of the Honda Division. "As we continue with our rapid cadence of new models, our focus will remain on selling vehicles one at a time to individual customers."
Acura
With inventories building for the new 2017 MDX, sales continue to rise as more customers experience the bold new exterior styling and expanded complement of premium features and technologies. Adding a solid result from RDX, Acura truck sales were up 2.5 percent in August, with sedan sales held back in part due to the lost holiday weekend compared to August 2015.
MDX sales increased 8.1 percent in August on sales of 5,131 units Acura trucks were up 2.5 percent overall for the month, with 9,338 vehicles sold The new NSX posted 22 sales in August as production continues to ramp up in Acura's new NSX global production facility "It's great to see Acura's Precision Crafted Performance DNA resonate with customers, as the new MDX gives luxury buyers their first taste of our new performance design direction," said Jon Ikeda, vice president and general manager of the Acura division. "Together with the launch of the amazing new NSX, a resurgent Acura Motorsports program and growing intentions from younger buyers, we continue to build strong momentum for the Acura brand."
American Honda Vehicle Sales for August 2016
      Month-to-Date
Year-to-Date
      August 2016
August 2015
DSR** % Change
MoM % Change
August 2016
August 2015
DSR** % Change
YoY % Change
    American Honda Total
149,571
155,491
-3.8%
-3.8%
1,094,725
1,054,816
3.8%
3.8%
    Total Car Sales
73,431
82,483
-11.0%
-11.0%
564,425
542,210
4.1%
4.1%
    Total Truck Sales
76,140
73,008
4.3%
4.3%
530,300
512,606
3.5%
3.5%
    Honda Total Car Sales
68,523
76,281
-10.2%
-10.2%
526,962
498,695
5.7%
5.7%
    Honda Total Truck Sales
66,802
63,897
4.5%
4.5%
460,849
438,806
5.0%
5.0%
    Acura Total Car Sales
4,908
6,202
-20.9%
-20.9%
37,463
43,515
-13.9%
-13.9%
    Acura Total Truck Sales
9,338
9,111
2.5%
2.5%
69,451
73,800
-5.9%
-5.9%
    Total Domestic Car Sales
67,054
81,873
-18.1%
-18.1%
524,739
537,277
-2.3%
-2.3%
      Honda Division
62,265
75,859
-17.9%
-17.9%
488,231
495,393
-1.4%
-1.4%
      Acura Division
4,789
6,014
-20.4%
-20.4%
36,508
41,884
-12.8%
-12.8%
    Total Domestic Truck Sales
76,140
73,008
4.3%
4.3%
530,300
512,601
3.5%
3.5%
      Honda Division
66,802
63,897
4.5%
4.5%
460,849
438,801
5.0%
5.0%
      Acura Division
9,338
9,111
2.5%
2.5%
69,451
73,800
-5.9%
-5.9%
    Total Import Car Sales
6,377
610
945.4%
945.4%
39,686
4,933
704.5%
704.5%
      Honda Division
6,258
422
1,382.9%
1,382.9%
38,731
3,302
1,073.0%
1,073.0%
      Acura Division
119
188
-36.7%
-36.7%
955
1,631
-41.4%
-41.4%
    Total Import Truck Sales
0
0
0.0%
0.0%
0
5
-100.0%
-100.0%
      Honda Division
0
0
0.0%
0.0%
0
5
-100.0%
-100.0%
      Acura Division
0
0
0.0%
0.0%
0
0
0.0%
0.0%
     MODEL BREAKOUT BY DIVISION
Honda Division Total
135,325
140,178
-3.5%
-3.5%
987,811
937,501
5.4%
5.4%
      * ACCORD
30,115
40,931
-26.4%
-26.4%
231,415
231,173
0.1%
0.1%
      * CIVIC
32,807
32,031
2.4%
2.4%
255,599
221,471
15.4%
15.4%
        CR-Z
222
333
-33.3%
-33.3%
1,699
1,895
-10.3%
-10.3%
      * FIT
5,370
2,901
85.1%
85.1%
38,187
42,867
-10.9%
-10.9%
        INSIGHT
9
85
-89.4%
-89.4%
62
1,289
-95.2%
-95.2%
                                CROSSTOUR
7
930
-99.2%
-99.2%
720
6,450
-88.8%
-88.8%
      * CR-V
36,517
34,771
5.0%
5.0%
231,609
229,574
0.9%
0.9%
        HR-V
7,580
4,567
66.0%
66.0%
51,417
24,617
108.9%
108.9%
        ODYSSEY
9,992
13,423
-25.6%
-25.6%
85,881
88,910
-3.4%
-3.4%
        PILOT
9,269
10,202
-9.1%
-9.1%
81,793
88,742
-7.8%
-7.8%
        RIDGELINE
3,437
4
85,825.0%
85,825.0%
9,429
513
1,738.0%
1,738.0%
                              ***
Memo: Accord FHEV
890
1,369
-35.0%
-35.0%
1,720
9,257
-81.4%
-81.4%
        Memo: Accord PHEV
0
2
-100.0%
-100.0%
0
62
-100.0%
-100.0%
        Memo: Civic Hybrid
50
590
-91.5%
-91.5%
817
3,317
-75.4%
-75.4%
                              Acura Division Total
14,246
15,313
-7.0%
-7.0%
106,914
117,315
-8.9%
-8.9%
        ILX
1,172
1,660
-29.4%
-29.4%
10,831
11,744
-7.8%
-7.8%
        NSX
22
0
0.0%
0.0%
45
0
0.0%
0.0%
        RLX / RL
118
187
-36.9%
-36.9%
951
1,600
-40.6%
-40.6%
        TL
0
1
-100.0%
-100.0%
0
85
-100.0%
-100.0%
        TLX
3,595
4,353
-17.4%
-17.4%
25,632
30,055
-14.7%
-14.7%
        TSX
1
1
0.0%
0.0%
4
31
-87.1%
-87.1%
                                MDX
5,131
4,747
8.1%
8.1%
34,648
39,144
-11.5%
-11.5%
        RDX
4,207
4,364
-3.6%
-3.6%
34,803
34,654
0.4%
0.4%
        ZDX
0
0
0.0%
0.0%
0
2
-100.0%
-100.0%
                              ***
Memo: ILX Hybrid
0
1
-100.0%
-100.0%
1
20
-95.0%
-95.0%
        Memo: RLX Hybrid
19
34
-44.1%
-44.1%
134
181
-26.0%
-26.0%
        Memo: TSX Wagon
0
0
0.0%
0.0%
0
2
-100.0%
-100.0%
                              Selling Days
26
26
    204
204
          **** Hybrid
1,212
2,414
-49.8%
-49.8%
4,478
16,021
-72.0%
-72.0%
         
  *    Honda and Acura vehicles are made of domestic & global sourced parts
    **   Daily Selling Rate
    ***  Memo line items are included in the respective model total
    **** Hybrid includes FHEV, PHEV, CR-Z, Civic Hybrid, Insight, ILX Hybrid, RLX Hybrid, RLX Sport Hybrid and NSX
 

Honda has finally pulled the curtain back on the 2017 Civic Hatchback that will be arriving this fall in the U.S.
 
There aren't many changes with the transition from concept to production model. There is a sloping roofline and a upswept beltline. The model shown here - Sport Touring - features side skirts, intergrated rear wing, and center mounted exhaust.
 
The Civic Hatchback will only be available with the turbocharged 1.5L four-cylinder. The LX, EX, and EX-L get 174 horsepower, while the Sport and Sport Touring feature 180. Both tunes of the turbo 1.5 will feature the same amount of torque - 162. One exciting bit of news is that the hatchback (along with the Civic coupe and sedan equipped with the turbo engine) will have a manual transmission as standard equipment for the LX, Sport, and EX trims. A CVT will be available on those trims and standard on the EX-L and Sport Touring.
 
Honda says the Civic Hatchback provides best-in-class rear legroom (36 inches) and cargo space (no measurement is listed for it).
 
More importantly, the hatchback will be the basis for the next Civic Type R, due out next year.
 
Honda's Swindon plant in the UK will handle the worldwide production of the Civic Hatchback. Pricing will be announced at a later date.
 
Source: Honda
 

 
Press Release is on Page 2


 
All-New 2017 Honda Civic Hatchback Arrives This Fall in North America
 
Aug 15, 2016
First 5-door Hatchback for Civic lineup in the U.S. Civic Hatchback combines Euro-inspired styling and five-door versatility All models powered by 1.5-liter DOHC direct-injected turbo engine Civic Hatchback will serve as the basis for radical new Civic Type-R

 

TORRANCE – Arriving this fall in North America, the 2017 Civic Hatchback is the latest addition to the much-heralded 10th-generation Honda Civic lineup, joining the 2016 North American Car of the Year – the Civic Sedan, and the Civic Coupe that launched earlier this year. The 2017 Honda Civic Hatchback combines striking, Euro-inspired styling and five-door versatility with the Civic's world-class driving dynamics and Honda direct-injected turbo engine technology. The Civic Hatchback, scheduled to arrive this fall at Honda dealers nationwide, also will serve as the basis for the radical new Civic Type-R launching in the U.S. in 2017.
 
"The Civic Hatch has been a staple for Honda in Europe, but has long been the forbidden fruit for Honda fans in the U.S.," said Jeff Conrad, senior vice president and general manager of the Honda Division of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "Now, we're bringing this sporty, stylish and versatile Civic Hatchback to North America, as we amp up the performance of our incredible Civic lineup with each new Civic model."
 
Built on the same world-class platform as the 10th-generation Civic Sedan and Coupe, the 2017 Honda Civic Hatchback offers an appealing combination of sporty styling, efficiency, interior utility and premium features. The Civic Hatchback will be available in LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, and Sport Touring trims, and will feature a single engine for the U.S. market: a 1.5-liter DOHC direct-injected turbocharged in-line 4-cylinder with peak output of 174 horsepower and 162 lb.-ft. of torque in LX, EX and EX-L trims and 180 horsepower and 162 lb.-ft. of torque in the Sport and an all-new Sport Touring grade, which feature a high-flow center-mounted exhaust.
 
The turbocharged engine will be offered with either a sporty CVT (all trims) or a performance-inspired 6-speed manual transmission (LX, Sport, and EX trims). Anticipated EPA fuel economy ratings of 31/40/34 mpg (city/highway/combined) for CVT-equipped models, based on the newer, more stringent model year 2017 EPA ratings requirements, put the 5-door Honda Civic Hatchback at the top of its class.
 
Working in concert with the Honda turbocharged powertrain is the Civic's more rigid and lightweight body and sophisticated chassis design, featuring a fully independent suspension system with liquid filled bushings, front and rear; sport-tuned electronic power steering with variable gear ratios; and powerful 4-channel anti-lock disc brakes with Electronic Brake Distribution and Hill Start Assist.
 
The interior of the 2017 Honda Civic Hatchback carries through on the modern, sophisticated and premium quality of the 10th-generation Civic lineup, with high-grade materials and finishes applied liberally throughout. In terms of packaging, the 2017 Honda Civic Hatchback delivers class-leading volume and cargo capacity, including a roomy interior (122.9 cu. ft.), best rear seat legroom (36.0 inches) and largest cargo carrying capacity in the competitive set.
 
Available on most trims (and standard on Sport Touring) will be the Honda Sensing™ suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies, which includes Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™), Forward Collision Warning (FCW) integrated with CMBS, Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), Lane Departure Warning integrated with RDM and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow. Other available features include Honda Display Audio with Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ (EX and above trims), heated front seats and heated side mirrors, power driver and front-passenger seats, remote engine start and more.
 
The Civic Hatchback's all-new Sport Touring grade makes Honda Sensing™, Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ and LED headlights as standard equipment, while adding heated rear seats and other features.
 
The Civic Hatchback will target top-class safety ratings – an NCAP 5-star Overall Vehicle Score and an IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK rating with a GOOD rating in all crash test modes and a SUPERIOR rating in frontal crash prevention, when equipped with Honda Sensing.
 
The 2017 Civic Hatchback was developed jointly by Honda R&D teams in Europe and Japan and will be manufactured exclusively by Honda of the UK Manufacturing in its Swindon, UK plant.

The Mazda CX-5 is now the oldest crossover in their lineup. But Mazda has some big plans for the next-generation model.
 
A spy photographer caught a CX-5 mule filling up at a California gas station. The mule was heavily camouflaged, but we're able to pull some key details about the design. The first is that the CX-5 will be taking some design ideas from the larger CX-9. For example, the front end features narrower headlights and a more pronounced grille surround. The back of the roof also appears to have a sharper slant.
 
We wouldn't be surprised if Mazda brings some premium materials and design to the CX-5's interior, along with more advanced driver assistance systems. One item up in the air is what will power the CX-5? Will they carry over the 2.0 and 2.5L four-cylinder engines? We would expect front-wheel and all-wheel drive to be on offer.
 
Mazda could show the next-generation CX-5 later this year at the LA Auto Show/
 
Source: Left Lane News, Motor1.com