Acura TL 09′ Official Teaser Picture

Here it is, the all new 2009 (2008 model year) Acura TL in all of its Darth Vader ride of choice glory.

Acura TL 09'

2009 TL, Darth Vader’s personal car

For those in the not know… If there’s such a term… Acura is the luxury division of Honda, and the TL is one of its most successful model, sales wise. This car actually was designed and made exclusively for Acura, so you won’t find a Honda with the same styling as the TL. It’s officially stated, that the new TL will come under two flavors, vanilla and bush berry suprise, that meaning, a front wheel drive version and a “hotter” all wheel drive version. Acura official press release just mention about that that and the fact that the hotter model will feature “Acura’s most powerful engine in history of Acura”. Well, we know that they have the 3.7L VTEC producing 300bhp in the MDX and the RL (Honda Legend), so in a sense of the statement, the new TL will have… I don’t know… More? Or the same?

The design of the car really brings some sort of shock and awe to the automotive scene. Acura is regarded as one of the most conservative brand, styling wise in the industry… Well, with it being Honda lackey and all. The new TL design is leap and bound of Acura basically bland designs. Well, the RDX and MDX leads the way and stuff, but the TL raise it up a notch. Gone are the classic Accord lines, and in are the new lines that resembles Lexus ES and Infiniti M series. Some again… Ridicule the design, stating that the Japanese only have one designer for the three marque. However, it is a very welcome change, I see the new TL design is a breath of fresh air, and I’m anxious of how it fares against its competitors.

The “shield” grill is okay, it’s growing up on me. It’s a distinct shape, and one that separates the Acura from the Honda… The men and the boy, the well established and the aspiring enterpreneur, the bold and the beautiful, the mickey and the mouse… the… I’m running out of word here, so before it gets more corny, I will just quit.

The current and soon obsolete Acura TL Type-S

Anyway, the 2009 TL will be unveiled soon, this fall… And you know there will be a paper review up in the corner somewhere…

Source:

Acura Media News room.

Rubens Barrichello Landed Honda F1 First Podium!

What the hell… Rubens came out unsuspectingly as the third place winner on the Silverstone Formula 1 race… The old dog still has some bite on him…

Wow… Just wow, it is said that it was raining midway through the race (I didn’t watch it). The whole grid was in chaos, but a fast and precise strategy change gives the H-badge a place on the podium. Button was out of the race, but Rubens soldier on… Congratulations!

Honda really does have winning drivers. Hope that both stays for Honda next year, they just need a performing car and everybody will be happy. Ross Brawn intervention also might have a hand in the winning, that man is a pure strategist.

1 Lewis Hamilton McLaren 1:39:09.440
2 Nick Heidfeld BMW 1:08.577
3 Rubens Barrichello Honda 1:22.273
4 Kimi Räikkönen Ferrari *at 1 lap
5 Heikki Kovalainen McLaren *at 1 lap
6 Fernando Alonso Renault *at 1 lap
7 Jarno Trulli Toyota *at 1 lap
8 Kazuki Nakajima Williams *at 1 lap
9 Nico Rosberg Williams *at 1 lap
10 Mark Webber Red Bull *at 1 lap
11 Sebastien Bourdais Toro Rosso *at 1 lap
12 Timo Glock Toyota *at 1 lap
13 Felipe Massa Ferrari *at 2 laps
14 Robert Kubica BMW *out
15 Jenson Button Honda *out
16 Nelson Piquet Renault *out
17 Giancarlo Fisichella Force India *out
18 Adrian Sutil Force India *out
19 Sebastien Vettel Toro Rosso *out
20 David Coulthard Red Bull *out

Source:

British GP score

4th Generation Honda City Caught Testing In India

Honda CityThis post has been updated with official pictures here. With the advent of Honda Fit, came along the small compact global platform from Honda and with it, a slew of Fit inspired cars all shape and size. Now that the 2nd generation Honda Fit is rolling out across the globe, Honda venerable Fit based entry size sedan, the City is also due for a redesign. Although the details are sketchy, a forum member of Team-BHP India has pictures of a camouflaged car that is claimed to be the 4th generation Honda City in India. Witty comments and more information of when it will be released, after the click. Continue reading

Honda Jazz 2008 & Prepare For An Epic Battle… A Paper Battle

Well, the bird is out of its cage, the all new 2008 2nd generation Jazz (Fit) has arrived in Indonesia!!! Although I didn’t have any pictures, I do have information taken from the official brochure. Then, I will start a new section for my blog here called Paper Battle. The premise is simple, I will take a spec sheet of some cars which I’m going to compare, and compares it… It’s that simple, that’s why it’s called Paper Battle… Comparison based on the brochure… D’oh…

But anyway, here’s the information regarding the all new 2nd generation Honda Jazz.

There are only regular and RS model.

  • The regular version comes with the RS engine 1.5L 120ps.
  • Both version comes with 5MT or 5AT, no more CVT.
  • No future plan to bring the 1.3L + CVT version.
  • There are no moonroof for both models.
  • ABS+EBD+BA standard on both models.
  • The regular model uses 15” wheels, the RS uses 16” wheels.
  • Footrests on both model for AT version (finally!)
  • The RS model got dual SRS airbag, a bodykit, front armrest, keyless entry (akin to Accord’s), retractable door mirror, and paddle shift for the AT version.
  • Multi Information Display to calculate fuel consumption standard on both model.
  • Under seat box standard on both model.


The prices are:
Regular MT : Rp 160 million (US$16K)
Regular AT : Rp 170 million (US$17K)
RS MT : Rp 172 million (US$17,5K)
RS AT : Rp 183 million (US$18K)

Prices are expected to increase as demand increases, and demand will increase! It is priced competitively, still in range with other Japanese city cars (Toyota and Suzuki), and comes with a distinct most powerful engine in its class and the first to use 5AT on city cars.

I’m quite speechless indeed. I know for long that Honda Indonesia will probably follow Honda Thailand’s model portfolio, but I expect huge price jack. The MID, 5AT and 1.5L i-VTEC alone should warrant a premium price for the new Jazz, but it is quite affordable. The brochure even stated that the 2008 Jazz comes with tilt and telescoping steering wheel… I need to see this car in person, that’s just too awesome for its current price.

Damn! When I’m just about to buy 2008 Suzuki SX-4 (long story) and the new Jazz came out of nowhere… Oh well, three months of fasting and resolve to finally buy a non Honda obliterated to hell and back. I just need to test drive this baby and I will have another fasting time to consider the new Jazz or Suzuki SX-4… Damn….

Honda NSX Replacement Got Undressed

Based on the spy pictures of Honda next generation NSX replacement supercar, AutoExpress came up with a beautiful render without the ugly camouflage. Although the proportion might be a little bit blown off, a real representation of the car is looking better than expected. Better pictures of the render and witty comments after the click.

Continue reading

A Supposed Honda Supercar Caught On Testing, GT-R Killer

Internet media have claim that they have pictures of a supposedly Honda/Acura burly supercar under testing in Germany, on the famous Nürburgring race track. One of the media, the famous Edmunds.com even claim from a reliable source that the CEO himself has tasked Honda R&D to make this car a Nissan GT-R and Lexus LF-A killer. But is this an Acura or Honda? Let’s compare this car to the Acura Advanced Sport Sedan Concept. As usual, more pictures and witty comments after the click. Continue reading

Honda Freed Complete Review

Honda freed headerWith the ever rising global oil price, Honda finally unveils a minivan to answer the global demand for a people mover which adheres to current global energy crisis. Entering the compact minivan, on 29th of May 2008, Honda of Japan unveils its latest addition to the compact minivan car category, the curiously named Freed. A review from information established on a website might be corny, but you will find a lot of enlightening facts, especially if you can’t read Japanese Kanji. So, a complete paper review based and witty comments from yours truly, after the click. Continue reading

Somewhat Confirmed, An Expensive Honda With Rear Wheel Drive

Leftlanenews.com has posted what seems to be an Acura test car that features a long bonnet signifying a longitudinal engine placement… Or in lament term, the engine is front to back, a typical engine placement for a rear wheel drive cars. This clear Acura Frankenstein car is predicted by Leftlanenews.com crew to be the 2010 Acura RL. More witty comments and link to pictures after the click. Continue reading

Honda To Tata, Screw The Nano!

With the advent of Tata Nano, the cheapest modern car available in the world today, the eyes of automotive lovers are on India currently. Tata Nano didn’t just bring changes on the availability of 4-wheel contraption to the market, it also brings about a revolution. Hot on the heels of Tata, Toyota, Ford, VW, and other automotive brands are going all in with their own cheap cars. But why Honda won’t follow suit? An article of Wall Street Journal will explain why, and my own witty comments after the click. Continue reading

Franchising Compendium… The Thing That Kick Starts Everything

The thing that kick starts everything… Man… I’m getting cornier by the hour for sure… Anyway…

Since moving here (new domain) equals to Google putting me somewhere on the last pages of its search engine, I think most visitors here never seen what I wrote back in the early days. These articles are what made me decides to host my own blog so I can get much more control and personalization. Why? Because they are the most searched subject back when I was starting this blog at wordpress.com. I meet new people (through the magic of internet), learn some more thing or two, and as such opened up my eyes to new horizons. These are not mere fruits of my knowledge and experience, these are what changed me.

Without further a due, here are my collection of franchising articles, its pros and cons and some examples along the way.

Franchise or not to Franchise… That is the question

Franchising: The Final Frontier – Part Uno

Franchising The Final Frontier: Part Dos! (Warning: Long Read)

Weekend Roulade: Franchising Fiasco

Enjoy the read, it’s about franchising, Krispy Kreme, J.Co, Es Teler 77, vodka drinking monkey and everything in between… Plus a bit of Honda.