2008 Ephatch.Com Meet
EPhatch.com concluded the summer of '08 with its fifth annual barbecue, meet, and track day at Maryland International Raceway. The event included test and tune passes and parts raffling that aimed to benefit the Tourette Syndrome Association. THMotorsports, RaceCoated, and American Honda sponsored as EPhatch.com members from 18 states-some as far away as Florida-came together trackside with other Honda and Acura enthusiasts for fun, food, and a little community give-back. MIR's full-service food bar kept everyone fed while trophies were awarded in categories from the fastest naturally aspirated car to best in show. Of course, it was the after-party that ruled though.
The Insight: Take Two
Honda recently revealed the concept version of its new small hybrid vehicle, again named the Insight, at the 2008 Paris Motor Show but has since released official production images. The new Insight shares styling cues with the Honda FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle and provides an early look into the highly anticipated five-passenger hybrid. Takeo Fukui, president and chief executive officer of Honda Motor Co. Ltd., presided over the reveal and presented information about the new vehicle set to go on sale in the spring of 2009. Prior to the Paris reveal Honda released limited details and photos of the Insight Concept. It's been 10 years since Honda introduced the first mass-produced hybrid to the public, the original Insight. Going on sale in North America next spring, the all-new, purpose-built Insight will come to market at a price significantly below that of hybrids available today. Along with the Civic Hybrid, the new Insight will be produced at an expanded hybrid vehicle production line at the Suzuka factory in Japan. The Insight is expected to have annual global sales of 200,000 units per year-approximately 100,000 in North America. Following the launch of the new Insight, Honda also plans to introduce another unique sporty hybrid vehicle based on the CR-Z, a concept car first shown at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show.
Honda Celebrates The Type R
Hundreds of Type R owners joined Honda at a special event at the Brands Hatch race circuit in the U.K. earlier this year to celebrate the infamous Red H badge and cheer on Team Halfords of the BTCC (British Touring Car Championship). Roughly 300 Civics, Integras, and Accords-all Type Rs-arrived for the final BTCC round where owners enjoyed an exclusive Type R Drivers' Club in the paddock, consisting of a display of unique Type R cars and motorcycles from the past 20 years. The owners later took part in a convoy of classic Type Rs-nine cars and three motorcycles-which completed two parade laps around the circuit. The event included an '08 Civic Type R, an EP3 Civic Type R with more than 100 mods, a Championship White NSX-R, DC2 and DC5 Type Rs, an Accord Type R, EK9 Civic Type Rs, and replica BTCC Civic and Integra Type Rs. There was even something for the bike fans: a CBR1000RR Fireblade and an '81 CB1100R. Talk about a Type R extravaganza.
Honda also revealed the Civic HFP Concept sedan that represents a new approach to performance. With more consumer concerns regarding fuel prices, future customers who want to maximize vehicle performance without compromising fuel economy might be able to do just that. Honda Access America, Honda's accessory development company, took on that challenge. Through aerodynamic improvements to the next-generation HFP body kit, super-light alloy wheels with aerodynamic covers, a lighter HFP exhaust system and an upgraded HFP suspension kit, this concept offers the possibility of improving both fuel economy and performance. In fact, a very similar package has proven its worth on the race tracks of Japan on the Civic Type R race car, which campaigned in the Super Taikyu spec racing series.
Where Are They Now?
You might recall Rudy Falcon's white DC5 RSX that graced Honda Tuning's August 2007 cover and special edition poster offered at the 2008 Eibach meet. Well, it's been sold, which will either make that issue and poster extremely valuable or worth nothing at all. Rudy unloaded the RSX to a nearby enthusiast, sans the CPRs, the Mugen and ITR body bits, and the carbon Bride seats. Word on the streets is that he's taking care of personal issues for a bit and then it's back to business. Also on the list of feature car has-beens that have been sold is Adam Nelson's RHD EG6 featured in the December 2006 issue. The custom-green Sprint Hart outfitted, K20-swapped SiR-II was sold off somewhere in Arizona earlier this year.
Honda Accessory Concepts At Sema
If you went to SEMA, then you no doubt saw Honda's 16 project, concept, and accessorized production vehicles that were on display in its corner of the hall. Aside from the Mugen-modded '09 Fit, Honda also debuted its Civic HFP (Honda Factory Performance) Concept and Ridgeline Powersports Concept. As for the Mugen fit, beginning next spring, Honda will make a completely new line of Mugen accessories available to the American public on an a-la-carte basis through authorized Honda dealers. Available Mugen Fit accessories will include: 16-inch rims, aluminum oil filler cap, front grille, front under spoiler, side spoiler, rear under spoiler, sports silencer, rear emblem, short shifter, shift knob, pedals, floor mats, and a mirror cover. Mugen, under license by M-TEC Co. Ltd. of Japan, has been closely associated with Honda for decades in the design and manufacturing of racing and premium performance components.
The 2009 Ridgeline Powersports Concept represents what Ridgeline owners could build using currently available Honda Genuine Accessories. These additions to the Ridgeline help to highlight the fact that it was purpose-built to haul almost any of Honda's motorcycle products. Transporting a Honda CRF 450R Special Edition is made more convenient with a Honda Genuine Accessory motorcycle wheel guide and bed extender. Among many installed accessories, the concept features a Honda Genuine front accessory grille and black experimental finish 18-inch wheels. All Ridgeline Powersports Concept accessories are available from any authorized Honda dealer.