Matsumoto-san Report from the ground

Preview AUTOPOLIS at the foot of Mount Aso at about 900m above sea level, the highest among all circuits in Japan.

As you know aero (body panel) packages and suspensions are heavily regulated so they can't be changed during the season. Engine development is still allowed but 3 engines per car, per season are allowed, so we'd have to wait 3 races before we could put in the new engine with the new developed parts.

How about the Hybrid, you ask?

Hybrid system is highly regulated, too. Any changes to the hybrid outputs or the power band are not allowed although it could only shorten the time comma 2 or 3 (i.e. 0.2 or 0.3, not sure what Matsumoto is referring to here) so it wouldn't really change anything today.

Only thing left there to do is the car settings. It is clear now that our current challenge is the car settings. Hopefully we'll do better jobs this time though we won't be challenging the top.

We're anticipating #18 Weilder Modulo with Michelin's would perform better at Autopolis considering the results after the tire tests.

We're doing the best we can as always. We appreciate your unconditional supports. We thank you very much. 

Translation (very much appreciated) provided by TOVA reader 'CR-V9'

Honda Post Race report - Super GT Fuji Speedway circuit

Honda publishes regular reports about their Super GT races on their main website at www.honda.co.jp in Japan. Unfortunately those reports are written in japanese. Nevertheless, one of TOVA's long-time support who goes by the nick of 'CR-V9', have been regularly posting his english translations of those reports here on 'TOVA Honda Fan' but on the feedback/comment sections of our regular articles.

The recent Super GT Fuji race ended in very heavy tears for Honda. All but one of the NSX'es retired from the race. The last one ended 15 laps behind the eventual winner (Impul R35). How can that happen? 

As usual, CR-V9's provided a translation of Matsumoto-san's post-race report, in the feedback/comments section of our 10G CTR Geneva article. However, this time I felt it is too important to lament there so I have elevated it to a full blown article on Honda Fan. CR-V's translation below will serve to answer the many questions and concerns  Honda and Super GT fans have. Sentences in italics are CR-V9's own thoughts.

Prototype 2G NSX crashes during testing

The japanese newspaper Hokkaido Shinbun (Hokkaido News) reported a car crash at Honda's Takasu proving grounds at around 11am on May 13th. The car under test went off the track on a left hander and crashed into the woods besides the track. Report says that two persons in their forties were hurt with the passenger admitted to nearby hospital in Asahikawa city. Also stated is that there were around 60 persons at the track at that time. 

While no official release was made by Honda, initial speculation is that this is Honda's new 2G NSX that crashed into the woods. The aerial photo published by Hokkaido Shinbun which is reproduced on the left shows a car with an exterior design that suggests this is so.

Our (TOV/TOVA) resident insider also confirms this on our forums, with additional info that the testers, both of whom were powertrain engineers are ok. The passenger experienced pain on his side after the crash so he was admitted to ER for X-Rays.

Official - Cancellation of plan to market the Brio in Malaysia

Honda Malaysia officially confirmed the cancellation of plans to market the Honda Brio K-car in Malaysia. This was made in a response to a question about this matter made by me during the press conference of the 4G Honda City launch. 

There was no direct reason given for the cancellation but rather a reference was made to the fact that Malaysian national car makers Perodua and Proton both have offerings in this sector. 

Further explanations also highlighted the potential for large sales figures of 100,000 or more units if the Brio is to be sold in Malaysia and while this should logically be good news for Honda Malaysia's ambitious 70,000+ quota for this year, a concern was also voiced about Honda's current (in)ability to provide satisfactory after sales support for such a large number.

So for Honda fans looking forward to this car in Malaysia will unfortunately be disappointed. No comments were made if this cancellation is for good or whether Honda will re-look into this matter again in the future.

Answer to CVT 'Start Clutch' Failures for the 4G City

One of the most significant change in the new 4G Honda City is the change of the gearbox from the 5AT back to the CVT gearbox that was first used in the 2G City. Unfortunately, seasoned Honda fans will remember well that this rather 'infamous' gearbox has a rather bad reputation for unreliability. Whether this reputation is rightfully or wrongfully given, it cannot be denied that a search on the internet will reveal numerous stories of 'start-up clutch' (its actually called the 'start clutch' but mechanics at Honda's authorized service and repair centers added the 'up' and many have called it 'start UP clutch' since) failures with early batches of the 2G City and even 1G Jazz. 

Japan's BEST CAR on the new Civic Type-R

The japanese domestic car magazine 'BEST CAR' featured 'scoop' info on the new Civic Type-R in its latest issue. Our (TOV) staff in Japan, Daniel Garcia, scanned and translated that article for our 'News and Rumours' section. 

New 10G Civic Type-R concept revealed in the Geneva Motor show

By now, most Honda fans would have already read the official Honda press release and also saw the videos and admired the photos of the forthcoming new (10G) Honda Civic Type-R. Our news article on this is at http://vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=1181572. 

The most important details from Honda's press release are of course the confirmation that the new Civic Type-R will have a new 'Earth Dreams' 2.0l direct injection turbocharged engine delivering at least 280ps and still EURO-6 compliant for emissions. Well those are the official details.

In our news article, right now there is an ongoing debate about whether Honda will continue to use the Torsion beam as the rear suspension. And also that although Honda says at least 280ps, supposedly some UK magazines have already published claims of information from their own insiders that the actually current power is around 300ps and it is steadily increasing. So the suggestion is to expect the new Civic Type-R to have in excess of 300ps. The intention is still to achieve the status of being the fastest FF car in the Nurburgring.