Honda Rumors: 2012 Civic Si to get a 2.4-liter Engine

Earlier this month, Honda unveiled the Civic Si Concept coupe and Civic Concept sedan at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, signaling that the ninth generation 2012 Civic will follow soon, to be precise, this spring. However, the official press bits weren’t exactly what you’d call detailed, leaving lots of aspects, including the engine lineup, to our imagination.

Today, the Honda-obsessed team at the Temple of VTEC forums claim to have solved part of this mystery thanks some inside sources that told them a 2.4-liter gasoline engine, very similar to the Acura TSX’s powerplant, will make its way into the new Civic Si.

The new four-cylinder engine will replace the current K20Z3 197HP 2.0-liter unit and is expected to deliver a little over 200 horsepower and, thanks to its larger displacement, significantly more torque. The other conventional powerplant for the Civic's North American lineup is said to be the current 1.8-liter gasoline unit, possibly revised to return better fuel efficiency.

In other news, there are also rumors about Honda planning an HF trim level just for the sedan with gray or white exterior color. Fans of the manual transmissions can expect to find them on the DX- and LX-trimmed sedans as well as part of the EX trim level for coupe models.

Last but not least, the list of colors for 2012 has also been revealed and it’s available below.

Crystal Black Pearl

Dyno Blue Pearl

Urban Titanium Metallic

Cool Mist Metallic

Polished Metal Metallic

Crimson Pearl

Alabaster Silver Metallic

Taffeta White

The 2012 Honda Civic will go on sale in the U.S. this spring.

By Csaba Daradics

Source: Temple of VTEC

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Acura to Unveil 2012 TL Sedan at Chicago Auto Show in February

*Current 2011MY Acura Shown in Pictures

The next Chicago Auto Show, to be held for the public from February 11 to 20, will host the debut of the updated for the updated Acura TL. Honda's luxury division simply stated that the TL will be "newly refined" for the 2012 model year, without releasing any more details. The current, fourth generation TL was released onto the market in late 2008 and is offered with a 280HP 3.5-liter V6 and front wheel drive, or with a 305HP 3.7-liter V6 and the firm's all-wheel drive system. We'll post any updates on Acura's mid-size sedan as soon as they become available.

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2011 TSX Sport Wagon Acura Sports Car

Today, the Japanese automaker announced that we'll get our first look at what is essentially the North American market version of the European Honda Accord Tourer (pictured here) at the New York International Auto Show on March 31. The automaker says it is a vehicle that represents the 'smart solution to modern utility'. The new 2011 TSX Sport Wagon is the perfect car for those folks with a growing family or who have an active lifestyle and promises to offer a comfortable and spacious cabin with seating for up to five adults.

2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon

Clearly inspired by the 2010 Honda Accord Sport Wagon, the car features a chiseled, muscular body and sloping roof line and the design is completed by the 17-inch, 5-spoke aluminium wheels. Powering the new car is the 2.4-liter, DOHC i-VTEC, inline four-cylinder engine mated to a Sequential Sport Shift 5-speed automatic transmission fit with steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters.

2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon

The 2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon is 189.4 inches long, 72.4 inches wide and 57.9 inches tall and comes with a 2.4-litre DOHC i-VTEC, inline 4-cylinder engine that sends power to the ground via a Sequential SportShift 5-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel mounted paddles.

As far as efficiency the 2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon will be able to return 30 miles per gallon on the highway.

2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon

Acura press release :

The all-new 2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon made its world debut at the New York International Auto Show today. The TSX Sport Wagon offers asmart solution to modern utility needs with its balanced and efficient driving performance coupled with bold styling and versatile cargo capabilities.

2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon

"The TSX Sport Wagon represents a smart choice for those seeking avehicle with utility," said John Mendel, executive vice president,sales. "It's practical, fun to drive, luxurious and technically advanced, all while achieving an outstanding estimated highway fuele conomy rating of 30 miles per gallon*."

2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon

The TSX Sport Wagon delivers flexible utility and generous interiorspace- perfect for those with a growing family or an active lifestyle. The TSX Sport Wagon boasts an innovative and highly functional rear cargo space that includes a removable side panel to accommodate wideritems such as golf clubs and integrated under-floor bins for hiddenstorage. Along with this sizeable cargo space, the TSX Sport Wagon features a comfortable and spacious cabin with seating for up to five adults.

2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon

The TSX Sport Wagon's practical utility is cleverly masked behindcrisp lines and a sleek, European-inspired exterior. Bold wheel archesframe the 17-inch, 5-spoke aluminum wheels, giving the Sport Wagon anaggressive stance. The chiseled, muscular body and sloping roof line emphasize its performance capabilities while making it more aerodynamic.

2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon

Powering the TSX Sport Wagon is a 2.4-liter, DOHC i-VTEC®, inline four-cylinder engine paired with a Sequential Sport Shift 5-speed automatic transmission fit with steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters.The TSX Sport Wagon delivers brisk performance while achieving anEPA-estimated 30 mpg* on the highway. Drawing from its sports sedanroots, the TSX Sport Wagon features agile handling and quick off theline acceleration, allowing it to easily tackle a twisty mountain roador swiftly navigate through city streets.

2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon

To enhance the driving experience, the TSX Sport Wagon features the latest in advanced technologies including an available hard diskdrive-based Acura Navigation System™ with an all-new 8-inch full VGA high-resolution color display and Acura Link Real-Time Traffic and Weather™ featuring radar image mapping. For the audiophile, the TSX Sport Wagon will be available with an Acura/ELS Surround® Premium Audio System and a hard disk drive (HDD) for media storage.

2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon

Additionally, theTSX Sport Wagon is equipped with an impressive list of standard features, including a power glass moon roof, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather seats, a premium sound system, Bluetooth® Hands Free Link®, and USB port and AUX jack music interface. Like all Acura vehicles, the TSX Sport Wagon will come with a comprehensive listof standard safety features, including Acura's acclaimed Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure.

2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon

The 2011 TSX Sport Wagon will be an entry luxury utility offering when it arrives at Acura dealer ships in the late fall. The Sport Wagon will join the TSX lineup, which already includes the popular 4-cylinder and sporty V-6 powered sports sedans.

2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon

2011 Acura TSX Sedan

2011 Acura TSX Sedan

2011 Acura TSX Sedan

2011 Acura TSX Sedan

2011 Acura TSX Sedan

2011 Acura TSX Sedan

2011 Acura TSX Sedan

 2011 Acura TSX Sedan

The Acura TSX sedan receives a freshened exterior look along with a wide array of new features and technology – with particular attention being paid to further improving quality and cabin quietness. Also both the 2.4L I-4 and 3.5L V-6 engines that yield improved fuel efficiency, lower emissions and longer engine life.

On sale at Acura dealerships on November 23, 2010, the 2011 TSX with 2.4L I-4 engine will have an MSRP of $29,610 for both manual and automatic transmission models. Equipped with the available Technology package, the MSRP will be $32,710. The Acura TSX with 3.5L V-6 engine will have an MSRP of $35,150, or $38,250 when equipped with the Technology Package.

2010 Acura ZDX

2010 Acura ZDX

2010 Acura ZDX

2010 Acura ZDX

2010 Acura ZDX

2010 Acura ZDX

2010 Acura ZDX

2010 Acura ZDX

10 Most Stolen Cars in the USA: Honda Accord and Civic Top the 2009 List, No Love for the Koreans or Germans

Do you own a car that's likely to be stolen? Maybe, maybe not. Here is the list that the NICB (National Insurance Crime Bureau) has compiled concerning the most stolen vehicles in America. Honda's 1994 Accord and 1995 Civic along with Toyota's 1991 Camry occupy the first three places ahead of Ford's 1997 F-150 pickup truck and Dodge's 2004 Ram pickup.

If your car is on the list (scroll down), you should make sure to keep that chunk of metal locked down. As in, put a ring on it and don't let anyone near it.

Most Stolen Vehicles in the US in 2009:

1. 1994 Honda Accord
2. 1995 Honda Civic
3. 1991 Toyota Camry
4. 1997 Ford F-150 Pickup
5. 2004 Dodge Ram Pickup
6. 2000 Dodge Caravan
7. 1994 Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)
8. 1994 Acura Integra
9. 2002 Ford Explorer
10. 2009 Toyota Corolla

The FBI says car thefts were down 17% in 2009 compared to 2008 (794,616 versus 956,846), which is officially the "largest drop in a six-year decline" and the lowest reported in 21 years. Good news for car owners, and clearly indicative of the fact that car thieves are falling by the wayside (or just not up to snuff on their tech).

Most of the cars listed end to end up in chop shops where the sum of their parts is more valuable than the actual car. More serious thieves (those in syndicates with ties to shipping and international trade) still feel fine stealing newer cars that can be re-VIN'd and distributed overseas, so your Escalade and XJR aren't necessarily safe just yet.

You'll notice the majority of the cars on the list are from the 1990's. It turns out these older cars have become more popular, but many people have yet to figure out why. I'd say it probably comes down to the simple fact that they're easier to steal. Many modern cars have keys that only work with one specific car, while other cars simply can't be started without a chip (found in the key fob) nearby.

Joe Wehrle, NICB president and CEO, says, "Through the end of August this year there were 97,655 vehicles that were listed as stolen and not yet recovered. Of that number, only 38 percent had some kind of insurance coverage. So there are a lot of vehicles out there that are being stolen and the owner is left holding the bag with no car and no money to buy another one." Lesson? If you own a vehicle that's likely to get stolen, insure it accordingly and be safe about it.

Here are some of the NICB's tips on how to make sure your car doesn't get got by some shady individuals:

"Common Sense: Lock your car and take your keys. It's simple enough but many thefts occur because owners make it easy for thieves to steal their cars.

Warning Device: Having and using a visible or audible warning device is another item that can ensure that your car remains where you left it.

Immobilizing Device: Generally speaking, if your vehicle can't be started, it can't be stolen. "Kill" switches, fuel cut-offs and smart keys are among the devices which are extremely effective.

Tracking Device: A tracking device emits a signal to the police or to a monitoring station when the vehicle is stolen. Tracking devices are very effective in helping authorities recover stolen vehicles. Some systems employ "telematics" which combine GPS and wireless technologies to allow remote monitoring of a vehicle. If the vehicle is moved the system will alert the owner and the vehicle can be tracked via computer."

By Phil Alex

Source: NICB