American Honda unveils New NSX Concept at 2012 Detroit Motor Show (NAIAS)

American Honda unveiled the new NSX Concept, highlighting the design and technology direction for the next-generation supercar.

Badged as an Acura in the US, the new NSX, which is expected to go on sale in the next three years, will be developed by Honda R&D Americas and manufactured in Ohio but is developed for true sports driving enthusiasts throughout the world.

The dynamically-styled NSX Concept gives an indication of the next great performance vehicle from Honda. Making use of lightweight materials and a mid-mounted V-6 engine, the NSX Concept employs several new technologies, including an innovative new Sport Hybrid SH-AWD® (Super Handling All Wheel Drive™) hybrid system.

Speaking at the Detroit Motor Show, Takanobu Ito, President and CEO of Honda Motor Co., Ltd, who led the development of Honda’s first NSX supercar, explained the values of the new NSX, “Like the first NSX, we will again express high performance through engineering efficiency. In this new era, even as we focus on the fun to drive spirit of the NSX, I think a supercar must respond positively to environmental responsibilities.”


While most supercars opt for brute force delivered from a large engine, the NSX Concept champions the true racing philosophy of an extremely favourable power-to-weight ratio.

Utilising a unique 2 Electric Motor Drive Unit with a bilateral torque adjustable control system, the new hybrid all-wheel-drive system can instantly generate negative or positive torque to the front wheels during cornering, which Honda anticipates will deliver handling performance unmatched by previous AWD systems. In addition to the handling benefits of the Sport Hybrid SH-AWD® system, a powerful next-generation VTEC® V-6 engine with direct-injection, works in concert with a dual clutch transmission with built-in electric motor, to create supercar acceleration while offering outstanding efficiency.

This Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system will make the NSX the ultimate expression of, “the synergy between man and machine,” added Ito.  “The NSX will make the driver one with the car to enhance dynamic driving abilities without getting in the way.”


In addition to the new NSX Concept, American Honda also unveiled the Accord Coupe Concept, providing the first glimpse of the styling direction of the ninth-generation US Accord, set to go on-sale in the US in autumn 2012. This model is designed uniquely for the US market and is not destined for Europe.

As the Acura brand enters its second 25 years as Honda’s premium luxury-performance automobile brand, a concept version of the Acura ILX luxury compact sedan and a prototype of the 2013 RDX crossover sports utility vehicle were also unveiled.

The Acura ILX Concept is the precursor to an all-new Acura luxury compact sedan scheduled for launch in spring 2012. To be positioned as the gateway to the Acura brand, the ILX will feature three different powertrains, including Acura’s first-ever petrol-electric hybrid. 

Labels: Approved Used Honda, Barretts Honda, Honda Canterbury, Honda Kent, New Honda, Sport Hybrid SH-AWD

Honda has sold more than 800,000 hybrid vehicles since the first generation Honda Insight hit the road in November 1999. Honda was the first manufacturer in the world to launch a hybrid model and the Insight delivered 83 miles per gallon* giving it the highest fuel economy among all petrol powered vehicles at the time.

Honda now sells seven hybrid models in 50 countries and they all come equipped with Honda’s original lightweight and compact IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) hybrid system.

In the UK, Honda has sold more than 22,000 hybrids since the original Insight was launched in 2000 and the current hybrid line up now consists of the CR-Z, Jazz Hybrid and Insight.

Honda’s annual worldwide hybrid sales for 2011 was approximately 200,000 units (up 30 per cent compared to 2010), and Honda’s total hybrid sales during the last three years exceeded 500,000. In Japan, the ratio of hybrid vehicles exceeded 45 per cent of all new Honda vehicle registrations for the month of December 2011.

Labels: Approved Used Honda, Barretts Honda, Honda Canterbury, Honda CR-Z, Honda Jazz, New Honda

New 'Your Honda, Your Way' Campaign Gives Customers More Choice

Honda is giving customers the opportunity to create their very own exclusive offer package in the new ‘Your Honda, Your Way’ campaign. Buyers have a choice between a range of offers including four years complimentary servicing, an insurance contribution and extended guarantee to tailor-make a package to suit their requirements.

Customers visiting a Honda dealership to purchase any new Jazz, CR-V or current Insight on orders between 1 January and 31 March 2012 and registered by 30 June 2012 will have the opportunity to choose three of the following offers, while CR-Z customers have the choice of two:

• Four years complimentary servicing including roadside assistance
• Fourth year Honda Happiness Extended Guarantee
• Up to three years road tax
• £300 insurance contribution
• Three years 6.4 per cent APR representative PCP with nil deposit – a Honda first
• Two years 0 per cent HP with 35 per cent deposit

Customers can pick and choose two or three of the above to make any combination they wish.

“‘Your Honda, Your Way’ follows on from the successful ‘4’ campaign which launched in summer 2011. We wanted to carry forward some of the popular elements of the ‘4’ offer, however we  recognise that everyone has different requirements and this new campaign gives our customers the flexibility to tailor-make a package which best suits their individual needs,” commented Paul Runza, Tactical Marketing Manager.  “Customer satisfaction is a top priority for Honda and this is a perfect example of how we are always looking at ways we can deliver customer excellence.”

Love Hearts Imagery
To bring the campaign advertising to life, Honda has teamed up with Swizzels Matlow, the makers of Love Hearts and used the retro sweet imagery to emphasise the customer choice element of the ‘Your Honda, Your Way’ campaign and give the adverts a fun, fresh look and feel.
The Love Hearts images will be a familiar feature across all Honda Marketing activities throughout the first quarter of 2012.

To find out more about this HONDA OFFER - please visit: http://www.barrettskent.co.uk/honda/latest_offers.htm

Labels: Barretts Honda, Honda Canterbury, Honda Kent, Honda Offers, New Honda