Nother CarGuy

The wait for Honda’s first electric vehicle for Europe is almost over as the automaker is gearing up to reveal a near-production concept at the Geneva Motor Show. The carmaker has just released the first exterior shots of the study that’s called e Prototype and the good news is it sticks pretty close to the Urban EV Concept from 2017. However, it’s not quite as dramatic looking as said study. Honda says the e Prototype evolves from the Urban EV, and a closer look reveals some key differences. For example, it features rear doors with “hidden” handles and smaller, front-hinged doors at the front. As a result, the overall proportions of the car lean towards a more practical approach rather than a sporty one. Another big change concerns the rear end, where the study’s squared taillights have given way to round units that echo the design of the headlights. While looking all cute and friendly, the Honda e Prototype is tech-savvy at the same time. It features “pop out” door handle...

Honda has confirmed a previous report concerning anew electric vehicle prototype that will be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The automaker has also released an early design sketch of the pre-production study, and it’s pretty clear we’re dealing with the electric city car previewed by the Urban EV Concept at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show. Honda says the new vehicle is developed “with a focus on functionality and purpose and the prototype sketch demonstrates this through its clean, simple and unique design.” The sketch reveals a very similar design to the Urban EV study, with highlights including the round LED headlights, black “grille” that may or may not display messages to other drivers, a black element at the center of the bonnet, and rearview cameras instead of conventional mirrors. As spy photos have shown last year, the production model will switch from a three-door to a five-door layout, with the interior offering five seats instead of the concept’s four. ...

As promised, the 2019 Acura RDX Prototype has premiered at the Detroit Auto Show and as recently-leaked images revealed, it is essentially production-ready in all but name. On a styling front, Acura hasn’t held back in transforming the vehicle’s body. As such, the RDX Prototype adopts the brand’s latest design language and scoffs in the face of the subtle and curvaceous crossovers on the market. It bears resemblances to other models in the Acura family but is much edgier and assured to split opinion. Among the key styling changes are a muscular hood, tapered headlights and LED daytime running lights, roof-mounted spoiler, and a large circular tailpipe. Step inside and you’ll find a large infotainment screen jutting out of the dashboard, digital gauges, and an intriguing gear selector panel. Elsewhere, the 2019 RDX Prototype includes brushed aluminum and wooden trimmings. Additionally, Acura says the RDX comes equipped with the best seats it has ever produced, complete...

The Honda Insight prototype will make its global debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January, previewing a more upscale production model set to arrive next summer. As you can see, the Insight will move on from its "quirky hatchback" roots and become a five-passenger sedan, taking its place above the Civic in the Japanese automaker's passenger car lineup. "With its sophisticated styling, dynamic stance, ample interior space and best-in-class performance, the all-new Insight embodies Honda's approach to creating electrified vehicles without the typical tradeoffs," said Honda exec, Henio Arcangeli Jr. "You won't have to be an electrification advocate to appreciate the new Insight - it's a great car in its own right, independent of what's happening under the hood." Compared to the old Insight, the all-new 2019 model features new styling, new packaging, premium features and improved performance, according to Honda. It wi...

Ariel has officially released details about its electric sports car project codenamed HIPERCAR. Set to go into production in 2020, the high-performance model is a range-extended electric vehicle that has a 42 or 56 kWh lithium-ion battery pack which is backed up by a 47 hp (35 kW) micro-turbine range extending engine. The battery pack powers electric motors that each develop 295 hp (220 kW) and 332 lb-ft (450 Nm) of torque. Since the model can be equipped with either rear- or all-wheel drive, the combined output is 590 hp (440 kW) or 1,180 hp (880 kW). In terms of performance, the car will be able to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 2.4 seconds, 0-100 mph (0-161 km/h) in 3.8 seconds, and 0-150 mph (0-241 km/h) in 7.8 seconds. Shortly thereafter, the model will hit its top speed of 160 mph (257 km/h). The HIPERCAR will ride on a lightweight aluminum chassis and the model can be equipped with either forged or carbon composite wheels measuring 20-inches up front and 21-inch...

Following a preview earlier this month, Acura has officially unveiled the ARX-05 race car. Set to compete in the 2018 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the ARX-05 is based on the ORECA 07 chassis and features Acura-specific bodywork as well as Jewel Eye headlights. Acura was coy on performance specifications but confirmed the model is powered by a twin-turbo AR35TT engine. It is loosely based on the 3.5-liter V6 that resides in models such as the MDX, TLX, and RLX. Two cars will be fielded by Team Penske and they will compete in a multi-year Daytona Prototype International program administered by Honda Performance Development. The cars will celebrate their racing debut at the Rolex 24 in January and one of the models will be driven by Juan Pablo Montoya and Dane Cameron. The other pair of drivers will be announced at a later date. Acura Motorsports President Art St. Cyr hailed the unveiling of the car by saying "Right from the start, Acura has raced – and done so...

Following a preview earlier this week, Infiniti has released new photos of the stunning Prototype 9 concept. Published by Motor Trend, the images give us a better look at the retro-inspired concept which will be unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Looking like a modern-day silver arrow, the Prototype 9 draws inspiration from classic race cars and features a minimalist exterior with handcrafted aluminum body panels, an open cockpit, and exposed wheels with a wire-mesh design. Unfortunately, things take a turn for the worse up front as hood ornament feels out of place and the grille will undoubtedly prove controversial. Despite the retro-inspired styling, the Prototype 9 is an extremely high-tech vehicle as it reportedly has a powertrain that is loosely based on the next-generation Nissan Leaf. The rear-mounted electric motor is powered by a 30 kWh battery pack and produces a modest 148 hp (110 kW) and 236 lb-ft (320 Nm) of torque. That might not sound like much ...

Infiniti just threw two teaser images of its upcoming “heritage-inspired prototype” that’s set to make its debut at the upcoming Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. From the images, Infiniti’s retro prototype looks like it draws inspiration from pre-war single-seater race cars. Infiniti’s Sevior VP of Design Alfonso Albaisa set the idea behind their new concept by saying: "It started as a simple thought: What if we found a car, down at the southern tip of Japan, buried deep in the bush, hidden from all eyes for 70 years? What if in this car we found the seed of passion planted during our first Japanese Grand Prix and the power and artistry of Infiniti today? What would this discovery look like?" The concept will mix early motorsports with Infiniti’s “Powerful Elegance” design language and will blend the retro looks with a futuristic EV powertrain as well. “The new prototype not only celebrates Infiniti's passion for design, but also the great roots of the company...

Toyota has just teased its 2017 TS050 LMP1 car, showing off the car's re-designed rear-end for the very first time. Despite the low-resolution and darkened teaser, a slightly different shape to the TS050's rear is clearly visible with re-designed air vents and a more curvaceous area directly below the prominent shark fin. Few other details about the 2017 car are known at the moment but this year, it will only compete against the updated Porsche 919 during the World Endurance Championship following Audi's shock exit from the sport last year in the fallout of Volkswagen's dieselgate scandal. Additionally, Toyota will hope to claim a victory at this year's Le Mans 24 Hours following its heartbreaking loss last year where the No. 5 TS050 came to a sudden stop while leading the race with just 3 minutes and 21 seconds left on the clock. Carscoops

Joining the new Honda Civic hatchback in a world premiere at the Paris Auto Show is the near-production 2018 Civic Type R Prototype, and this one is coming to North America where the  2017 five door model just landed  at the brand’s US dealerships. Honda being Honda, the Civic Type R Prototype is a ‘prototype’ mostly in the name, as the only thing that seems to separate it from the actual production car that will go on sale State-side next year as a 2018MY, is the rather cool brushed titanium-like finish of the body, as evidenced by  our recent sightings of testers .  The new Civic Type R is as aggressive and brash as the short lived, current model, that was never offered in North America, sporting a similar styling treatment on the outside with bloated and vented front fenders, breathing ducts on the bumper, a big rear wing, diffuser, plus a few new elements, including an intake hood scoop and an unusual exhaust setup with three pipes in the center. We don’t have...