“If we were in the market, I would trade for one of these tomorrow,” she said during our test drive. After years of helping test various cars and trucks, she stood ready to pull the plug on her much-loved, 9-year-old, 127,000-mile Honda Accord. The CR-V was the first vehicle to elicit such a comment.

Honda HMC -0.22%        JP:7267 -1.25%   was very careful in its redesign, adding an inch or two here, subtracting an inch or two there and adding on every safety, navigation and audio option you could want, including a new rear-seat entertainment package. The result is a solid well-made crossover at a reasonable price.

A 2.4 liter, 185-horsepower, double-overhead cam four is the lone engine offered. It will produce 163 foot-pounds of torque at 4,400 rpm. It’s the same power plant offered in the previous model.

It is a refined engine that is seldom heard from until you ask it and the five-speed automatic for a quick shot of power. Then you learn why the CR-V needs a turbo or a six-cylinder engine added to the mix. As is, zero to 60 takes longish nine seconds or so. The EPA rates the combo at 22-30 mpg of regular gas. I got 24 mpg in interstate and country road driving.

Honda took steps to quiet the cabin, and it really is one of the more peaceful interiors I have encountered on a Honda. Only a very coarse road-surface noise got through and nearly drowned out the audio system.

The interior is attractive, roomy, and all controls come readily to hand. The instrument panel features separate pods for speed and rpms. All are easy to read under all lighting conditions, Up front, there is ample room for two adults. The seat heaters did a great job, and the leather-trimmed, multi-adjustable seats proved to be comfy during longer trips.

To the rear, it was easy to fold the seat for cargo hauling. With the CR-V expandable to nearly 71 cubic feet of hauling space, the Honda remains competitive on that front as well. No review of this crossover would be complete without mention of its tank-like solid build. You’re reminded of this every time you close a door or take it out for mild off-roading. Under most conditions, the power goes to the front, changing to the rear wheels to keep the CR-V chugging as needed.

With its long list of standard equipment, our EX-L model sold for $30,605, Depending on your desires, you can pay more or pay less. The only thing I’ve driven that is even close to the CR-V is the Kia KR:A005380 -0.69%  Sorento that can be had with a 3.5 liter V-6 and jazzier interior. It cuts the 0-60 time down to the mid-seven-second stage. Gas mileage is reduced to 21-28 mpg of regular in the AWD. Kia’s cargo space is nearly the same as the CR-V.

 

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THE most potent V6 turbodiesel engine ever offered by Audi has been put into A6 saloon and Avant estate models along with the A7 Sportback. The new 313PS 3.0-litre biturbo unit, which features an actuator in the exhaust system for a rorty sports car sound, will also be available in A6 allroad models later in the year.

Slotting in above the single-turbo 204PS and 245PS versions of the 3.0 TDI that already feature in the A6 and A7 Sportback ranges, the latest V6 has a two-stage turbocharger that helps the A6 3.0 BiTDI quattro saloon glide to 62mph in as little as 5.1 seconds.

And the sprint for A6 Avant and A7 Sportback is only fractionally slower at 5.3 seconds, while all have an electronically limited top speed of 155mph. A6 models will be priced from £43,810 and the A7 Sportback from £51,645 when cars hit the streets during the spring.

In common with existing TDI engines, the new BiTDI is backed up by technologies like start-stop and recuperation systems plus the thermal management set-up that quickly brings the coolant and oil to their operating temperatures.

Upshot is that Combined economy in A6 and A7 Sportback models is on an equal footing at 44.1mpg – impressive given the high outputs and low acceleration times involved. Power is transmitted from the engine via an eight-speed tiptronic transmission to Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system, and all BiTDI models will be available in SE and S line trim.

Stand-out features include sat-nav linked to a 6.5-inch retractable colour monitor, Milano leather upholstery, along with the Audi drive select adaptive dynamics system controlling throttle response, transmission shift points and steering feel. In addition there’s the Audi parking system plus, light and rain sensors, cruise control and keyless go push-button engine ignition.

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TOKYO: BMW Japan Corp said today that it has begun selling in Japan its fully-remodeled series of BMW 3 sedans, which will qualify for tax breaks as well as planned subsidies for environment-friendly vehicles. The new 328i models, equipped with 2-litre engines and auto-stop functions, have a fuel economy of 15.2 kilometre per litre, the company said, adding that it is the first full remodeling of the 3 series in seven years.

The minimum price for the series is USD 74,000 (5.7 million yen) before tax and subsidies, BMW Japan said, adding the German automaker also plans to launch a hybrid model in the 3 series this fall. The subsidies aimed at encouraging people to buy eco-friendly automobiles will take effect after parliament clears a fourth supplementary budget for fiscal 2011, likely next week.

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Honda announced today that, as of the end of 2011, its total count of hybrid-powered vehicles has now crested the 800,000 mark.

Honda was one of the first automakers to sell a hybrid vehicle with its first-generation Insight in 1999. It now offers seven different hybrid vehicles worldwide, including the second-generation Insight, CR-Z, and Civic Hybrid, which are all available in the U.S. Honda also offers the FCX Clarity hydrogen-fueled car in select markets and will be releasing the Fit EV to the U.S. market later this year. Additionally, Honda will add the first hybrid Acura vehicle to its lineup this spring with the all-new ILX compact sedan.

While this may be an impressive feat for the Japanese automaker, its competitors from Toyota City bested it long ago. Almost a year ago, Toyota announced that it had already moved over three million Toyota and Lexus units globally; as of February 28, 2011, Toyota has sold north of 3.03 million hybrids.

Toyota has the upper hand to Honda, however, thanks to its two-year lead in the hybrid sales race – the first generation of its Prius hybrid debuted in 1997 – and the fact that it offers more hybrid models around the globe. In the U.S. alone, there are currently 20 Toyota and Lexus hybrids on sale: the Toyota Camry and Highlander Hybrids, Prius, Prius Plug-In, and Prius v and the Lexus HS 250h, CT 200h, RX 400h, GS 450h, and LS 600h L. Toyota will also add the smaller Prius c to its hybrid lineup here in the States in the coming months.

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After making its debut as a production version at the 2012 NAIAS, the new generation of the Ford Fusion, or Mondeo as it will be known in Europe, is getting ready to enter NASCAR, and the prototype will be unveiled on Tuesday afternoon. According to the car manufacturer, the 2013 Ford Fusion NASCAR racecar will be presented at the Charlotte Motor Speedway and the model will be seen in NASCAR starting from next season.

The North American based automaker Ford didn’t announce any official details on the NASCAR Fusion racer and it probably won’t say anything about its performance, but as a reminder, the production version revealed in Detroit not too long ago will be coming with a 1.6 liter, four-cylinder engine with the company’s EcoBoost system, to get 37 mpg on highway, while the larger 2.0 liter EcoBoost will be offered in a performance version with paddle-shifted six-speed SelectShift Automatic (TM) transmission, 19 inch wheels and tires and all-wheel drive with the ability of sending addition torque to the rear wheels.

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A specialist car modification firm is to convert an Audi R8 supercar into what is claimed to be the world's fastest limo. The work is being done by Carbonyte UK on behalf of Limo Broker, which will offer the unique design for hire when it is completed.

Forbes notes the machine, which is based on the upgraded V10 5.8 quattro version of the car, will keep the engine that propels the standard auto from 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds and offers a top speed of 194 mph.

While the production model has space for just one passenger besides the driver, the stretched version will seat eight people in leather-clad bucket seats. Limo Broker stated that due to the high level of interest in the one-of-a-kind car, they are speeding up production so it is ready for the summer's busy school prom and wedding season. The company already offers the UK's only Ferrari limo - based on the Italian carmaker's 360 Modena - and has also announced this week it is stretching a Fiat 500 supermini.

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Months later than expected, BMW officially opened the order books for the all-electric ActiveE field trial today. The manufacturer was supposed to take reservations last year, but delayed it to streamline the delivery process. The first electric sedan has already been delivered to EV veterans Tom and Meredith Moloughney, who lease an electric MiniE from the manufacturer. If you think you're ready to go electric, don't drag your feet--availability will be on a first-come, first-served basis.Unlike the MiniE, which lost its back seat to accommodate a bulky battery pack, the BMW ActiveE will seat four.

Details on the EV's battery pack are scarce. Rather than a single large battery pack, three lithium ion storage cells are housed in front of the cowl and where the drive train and fuel tank used to be. These liquid-cooled batteries provide a range of approximately 100 miles, depending on how the vehicle is driven. Using a 240-volt charger, the ActiveE has a charging time of approximately 25 miles per hour, or 4 to 5 hours to recharge an empty battery.

It boasts an output of 170 horsepower with 184 lb-ft of torque, and a 0-60 time of under 9 seconds. The top speed is electronically limited to approximately 90 mph. Although the performance may not be what most Bimmer fans are used to, the price will be. Like most EVs, the BMW ActiveE doesn't come cheap. You can lease one for $499 per month for a closed 24-month lease and a with a $2,250 down payment. On the upside, you won't be paying for gas.

The BMW ActiveE field trial is open to customers in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento, Boston, and Connecticut. Feedback from the trial will be used to further refine the upcoming BMW i3 and i8 plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles.

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More than any other time in the history of the Consumer Electronics Show, car manufacturers showed up in full force to last week’s show in Las Vegas — a major sign that cars are going high tech this year.

While CES used to be filled with tech companies showing off car stereos, car manufacturers themselves are now taking up space on the floor to show off all the cool things their vehicles can do. And app vendors are going car heavy too — companies that showed off cool smartphone apps over the last couple of years are now hyping their apps for a car dashboard instead. If the dashboard doesn’t run apps directly, the console will find some sort of crazy way to interact with your apps using the driver’s voice.

For example, Mercedes-Benz head Dieter Zetsche debuted the Mbrace2 console, which connects the dashboard to the cloud for over-the-air software updates and gives the owner access to Facebook, Google, news highlights, and more from the dashboard. The Mbrace2 solution will also have 3G Internet access, but it’s unclear if you’d need to purchase a data plan to use it. The connected system will also include “remote access capabilities” such as remote vehicle health diagnostics, a driving journal, and speed alerts.

Ford, which has keynoted CES the last few years, showed off the latest of its Sync technology. Sync now has more apps for AppLink, a program in the console that interacts directly with iPhone and Android apps when the phone is connected via Bluetooth or USB. AppLink already lets you voice control apps like Pandora, Slacker, iHeartRadio and Stitcher, and now it works with a new NPR app that lets you create on-demand listening of your favorite NPR programs. Sync is installed in 4 million cars in the U.S., and Ford expects 9 million cars worldwide will have Sync installed by the end of 2015.

Chip-maker Nvidia had a tent just outside of the Las Vegas Convention Center at CES to show its own car integration. The company had two cars on display in the tent: a beautiful white Lamborghini Aventador (pictured above), which features an infotainment system with real-time Google Maps data. The other car was a stunning blue Audi A7, with Google-Earth-based 3D maps and night-vision cameras to help you not hit pedestrians. Nvidia also helps power the awesome-looking Tesla Model S sedan, which has a 17-inch touchscreen that controls the media, sunroof, door locks and navigation. All three cars have Nvida Tegra chips inside boosting capabilities.

Streaming media inside cars also took a nice leap forward with Harmon’s Aha console, which will now be available in select models from Subaru and Honda. Streaming services MOG and Rhapsody will work on Aha and provide on-demand music from their extensive catalogs so you’re never disconnected from your favorite songs. The streaming radio service Pandora also used CES to announce that it has partnered with a whopping 23 auto companies to make sure its music can play in their cars.

VentureBeat contributor Rocky Agrawal correctly points out that car and phone interegration has a lot of road for improvement, but we believe these car manufacturers are headed in the right direction.

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The Honda CR-Z sports car took the gong from five other finalists including the latest Ford Focus, the Audi A6, the Skoda Yeti and the Volkswagen Scirocco. The magazine said the Honda was expertly engineered, impressively efficient and had strong safety credentials. It said the car also set new benchmarks for hybrids, which run on a combination of petrol and electric power.

"It's fun to drive and if this is the future it's something worth looking forward to," Wheels editor Bill Thomas said. "And, as our judging panel noted, the CR-Z takes the car where it should be going, smaller, lighter, more efficient, more enjoyable."Wheels said there was nothing quite like the CR-Z on the Australian market.

The range starts at $34,990 for the Sport manual. The Sport CVT sells for $37,290 and the CVT Luxury is $40,790. "Having set out to create a fun-to-drive coupe with good efficiency, Honda has bullseyed its target," Mr Thomas said. The Wheels award has been presented since 1963 and this year involved 3,400km of driving at the Lang Lang Proving Ground, 4000km of road driving and a week of final deliberations from the eight judges.

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Audi is broadening the A1’s appeal with a new five-door Sportback version, expected to account for two-thirds of A1 sales. But this is more than simply an A1 with an extra pair of doors, there’s a more spacious interior with room for five, unique styling cues and a pair of brand-new engines, too.

Although identical in length to the three-door, the A1 Sportback is in fact six millimetres taller and six millimetres wider, so there’s a fraction more rear legroom and head room as a result. Don’t expect acres of space though, six-footers will find it hard to squeeze in the back, although an extra 11cm of headroom makes a difference. Boot space is on a par with the three-door at 270 litres, or 920 litres with the seats down.

Besides the extra doors, there’s a variety of ways you can distinguish the Sportback. A full contrasting roof is available in silver, black or the Daytona grey colour you see here - the Samoa Orange paint is also unique to the Sportback. The good news is despite a roof that’s higher and extends a few millimetres further, there’s no penalty in terms of style.

For such a compact car, there’s a huge range of engines to pick from, all fitted with stop-start. The cleanest is the 104bhp 1.6 TDI diesel with economy of 74.3mpg and emissions of 99g/km. The fastest is the 182bhp 1.4 TFSI, capable of 0-62mph in seven seconds, and the cheapest is the 85bhp 1.2 TFSI costing from £13,980. There’s also a 120bhp 1.4 TFSI and joining the range from the summer will be two brand-new engines - the 141bhp 2.0 TDI and a 138bhp 1.4 TFSI.

We drove the latter, which features a development of the cylinder shutdown technology already seen on the 4.0-litre V8 fitted to the new S6, S7 and S8. On light throttle loads it cuts two of the four cylinders, enough to boost economy by around 5mpg if you drive at a constant 30mph.

With all four-cylinders firing away though, and the turbo on boost, this is a cracking little engine. It revs smoothly and quickly, and the throaty exhaust note sounds great. It feels quick too, with only 1,125kg to haul along. Low weight makes for agile handling, and the Sportback dives into corners with all the enthusiasm of the three-door. The steering doesn’t have the same level of feedback as a MINI, but it rides better, even on the firmer suspension fitted to our Sport model. An electronic differential, which gently brakes the wheel with least grip, works wonders too – helping to resist understeer and maximising grip during cornering.

On our twisting test route, the two-cylinder mode didn’t have a chance to engage very often, but when we encountered a straight or downhill section of road, the switchover was imperceptible. Considering how popular stop-start has become, this fuel saving technology looks like being the next big thing.

Personalising small cars, like the Citroen DS3 and MINI, is big business nowadays, and the A1 Sportback’s interior can be customised in a range of garish colours, ranging from white to lime green. Raid the options list and you can go for wheels in sizes from 15-18 inches, sat-nav with 3D Google maps and upgrade to a 14-speaker Bose stereo. Order the latest MMI 3G system, and it allows you to connect your phone via Bluetooth and turn the entire car into a wi-fi hotspot.

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