Your Guide to the 2015 Honda CRV

The 2015 Honda CRV models have finally arrived in our Australian showrooms. However, many drivers may be unaware of what the new Honda CRV models have to offer. Since the pricing has remained the same as the outgoing model, many drivers have low expectations of the new Honda CRV for sale. Fortunately, these drivers are going to be pleasantly surprised.

Features and Gadgets:

One of the most apparent differences in the 2015 Honda CRV is the cabin upgrades. The new Honda CRV models now feature an upgraded Digital Audio system. This includes a centrally located touchscreen, reversing camera, two USB ports, HDMI port and Bluetooth connectivity for audio streaming. The VTi-L variant also features satellite navigation, but the other models can stream their navigation onto the screen via a phone app. For those familiar with previous Honda CRV models, the reversing camera in the new Honda CRV for sale now features three different viewing modes; normal, top-down and wide for ultimate safety and convenience.

The mid range models also feature push button start with smart keys, parking sensors at the front and rear and dual zone climate control. There is also the innovative Honda LaneWatch system which uses cameras to check the traffic lanes when merging.

The top spec model also features Advanced Driver Assist, which is a system featuring active cruise control, lane assist monitoring and active braking. 

The Aesthetics:

The 2015 Honda CRV also has an updated exterior. The new grille perfectly complements the redesigned bumpers. The model also has LED daytime running lights and introduces a new metallic paint finish called Brilliant Sporty Blue. On the inside, the piano black finish is the perfect contrast to the chrome surrounds to create a fantastic ambience in the cabin. The new look cabin feels more luxurious and stylish, with plenty of room for both front and rear passengers to enjoy the ride.

The Performance:

The 2.0 litre petrol engine featured in the two wheel drive model and the 2.4 litre offered in the four wheel drive are perfectly paired with a six speed manual transmission or five speed automatic. The 2.0 litre offers 114kW power and 190Nm torque, while the 2.4 delivers 140kW power and 222Nm torque. This can provide a great performance without compromising on fuel economy as the 2.0 litre can deliver 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres and the 2.4 litre 8.7 litres per 100 kilometres.

Diesel Models:

The diesel 2015 Honda CRV models are also scheduled for an update. However, it is anticipated that this will not occur until the latter half of 2015. This is due to the diesel variants being sourced from the UK rather than the Thailand Honda facility. The current diesel Honda CRV models are available as a DTi-S four wheel drive in both manual and automatic, and a DTi-L four wheel drive automatic.

If you would like to know more about the 2015 Honda CRV, contact us. We have the new Honda CRV for sale and a range of used models. Our sales team would be happy to answer any questions or queries and arrange for your test drive.

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5 Surefire Tips to Find the Best Honda Car Dealers

When looking for car dealers, Perth drivers may find that they have plenty of options. However, most drivers have experienced dodgy dealers and whether you are considering Honda new cars or used models, you need to have confidence in the reputation of your chosen Honda dealership. Perth drivers may find this process a little overwhelming but fear not as these five surefire tips can help you.

1)    Take Time to Research the Car Dealers:

Although there is usually a website for the car dealers, Perth drivers can look at, this is usually one created by the dealership. This means that you will need to make a little more of an effort to research the car dealers. Fortunately, the internet has made this very easy. You can check out the Better Business Bureau and consult consumer feedback sites for any dealership offering Honda new cars. It is also worth asking friends, family members or work colleagues who drive a Honda, where they purchased it.                               

2)    Visit the Dealership:

Most people only visit the dealership when they are ready to buy Honda new cars. However, it is actually a good idea to visit the dealership and leave your cash at home. This way you can not only look at the models but you can get a feel for the car dealers. Perth drivers who feel uncomfortable and pressured at a dealership will be able to quickly realise that this is not the right place to buy their next car. Of course, the sales team will be around to answer any questions but you should not feel bullied into committing to a test drive or getting a finance quote.

3)    Consult the Red Book:

If you are considering buying a used car, it is always a good idea to check out the Red Book prices. You can obtain some sales prices on your first visit and see how they compare when you get home. Tech savvy drivers could even check the Red Book website on their smartphone while you are still at the dealership. You are looking for a car dealers who price their vehicles fairly. While you won’t want to pay overly inflated prices, the cars shouldn’t be bargain basement prices either. Too cheap a price tag could indicate a lot of hidden fees or some type of fault on the vehicle so the dodgy dealer is looking for a quick sale.

4)    Check the Dealer Services:

Most likely you are looking to build a relationship with your car dealers. Perth drivers may wish to use the dealer to arrange their finance or perform any maintenance and servicing in the future to protect the vehicle resale value. Not all dealerships offer a wide range of services, so check before you go.

5)    Check for Warranties:

Whether you are buying a used vehicle or Honda new cars, you should have some degree of warranty protection. New cars will, of course, be covered by manufacturer warranty, but if you are buying a demo car or used vehicle, it is worth checking the extent of any warranty.

If you are looking for a reputable car dealers, Perth drivers should visit us. We have a wide range of Honda new cars and used models. Our team would be happy to answer any questions you may have or help you with financing, insurance or servicing.

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Will the New Honda Accord Euro Succeed Where Other Hybrids Fail?

The new Honda Accord Euro 2015 is the latest generation of the popular Accord that has been with us for many years. However, this new version is bang up to date and bristling with new features. One of the most interesting things about this car is that it is actually available as a hybrid vehicle. Now, as you may know, hybrid cars have not been selling well in Australia. This has led other manufacturers to pull their hybrid vehicles out of Australia altogether. In fact, Honda has already removed the Civic Hybrid, Insight and CR-Z from their stable here. Even the ever popular Honda Jazz has a hybrid variant that will not be re-stocked when the current stock has been sold. So knowing this information it seems strange that Honda would introduce a new hybrid model. Is this a shrewd move on the part of Honda and what does the new Accord offer?

Firstly it’s interesting to note that hybrid cars do sell in Australia, it’s just that they don’t sell in large numbers. This can be very frustrating as manufacturers want to release their latest models and have to adhere to emissions legislation. Honda have decided to approach the market in a different way this time by using what they call “Hybrid Sport Technology”. This will be part of all Honda Accord Euro models that are expected to be available from mid-2015 onwards. This initiative is part of the “Earth Dreams Technology” umbrella. Now is this was any other car manufacturer it would probably be safe to bet that this was PR stunt dreamed up by hippies. However, there is another hybrid car that will be released alongside the new Honda Accord Euro and that is the NSX supercar. For most drivers and gearheads that fact alone should placate any criticism of what Honda is trying to achieve here.

If they are in the market to buy a hybrid Honda Accord Euro, Perth drivers may be interested in what they will get. Initially, it’s important to note that externally there is no physical difference between the hybrid models and the regular cars. The hybrid will have a 2.0 litre petrol engine which is smaller than its siblings and an electric motor with a Lithium-ion battery. This two motor system will make the Accord Euro hybrid very fuel efficient in use. Although there are no solid figures available the hybrid would have to perform better than the current best performer in the range. This is currently the 2.4 litre Accord which has a fuel consumption of 7.9L/100km and the Accord hybrid would definitely improve on this already impressive figure.

If you would like to know more information about the new Honda Accord Euro, contact us. We will be happy to arrange a test drive for you at your earliest convenience. If you have any further questions or queries don’t hesitate to ask and we will be happy to help.

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Get Ready for the Honda Civic Type-R Coming in 2016

It has been recently confirmed that Honda will launch the new Civic Type-R at the Geneva Motor Show in March. This is very exciting for gearheads that have been following its progress (and Honda’s boasting) over the last two years. However, before we get into the meat of what is going to be on offer in this new hot hatch it’s a good idea to mention car insurance. Perth motorists had better make sure that they have the best insurance that they can get. This is because the Civic Type-R is going to be a pocket rocket!

The first thing to realise is that Honda is stating that the Civic Type-R will be capable of 270km/h. This will make it the fastest hot hatch available outpacing even the VW Golf R. The secret behind this amazing speed is a turbocharged 2.0 liter VTEC variable valve timed power plant. This engine is brand new and the actual power output has not yet been formally confirmed. However, industry insiders have speculated that the figure will be over 220kW. This would make it’s acceleration very quick indeed and possibly the fastest in its class, but again this has not been officially confirmed.

However, all that power is next to useless if it is not harnessed or controlled correctly. Honda have created an aerodynamics package to increase stability at high speeds. This level of engineering is normally only seen in expensive sports cars. So the Honda Civic Type-R should offer the sports car driving experience without the hefty car insurance. Perth gearheads should note that underneath the car is virtually flat, there is a rear diffuser to create downforce. There are also front splitters and skirts to cut down on drag and turbulence. This has all been tested in wind tunnels to ensure that high-speed stability is maximised. This is the reason why Honda has been able to boast that the Civic Type-R will be the fastest front wheel drive car in production to lap the Nurburgring. In layman's terms, this means that they expect to beat the 7:54.36 lap time set by the Renault Megane Trophy R.

Another huge engineering task faced when designing these kinds of performance vehicles is how to make them stop! The Honda Civic Type-R has a set of drilled 350mm Brembos with four-piston callipers. These are hidden behind the 19” alloy wheels. All the braking at high speeds will require cooling and this is provided by a set of carved vents and grilles. These are located in the front wheel arches and on the front bumper. This will allow any heat to be dissipated quickly during braking.

When seeking car insurance, Perth motorists may be interested to learn that Honda can offer very competitive rates. If you would like to know more about the Honda Civic Type-R or Honda’s cheap car insurance, contact us. We will be happy to answer any questions or queries that you may have. We can also arrange a test drive for you when the car becomes available in 2016.

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Can the New Honda Odyssey 2015 Spark a Sales Revolution?

The Honda Odyssey has been a popular car in Australia for many years now. This 7 seater people mover has won many awards and praise from both the public and the automotive press. However, it’s no secret that car sales in Australia and around the world have decreased in recent years. This has resulted in a loss of fortunes for Honda, in part due to the economy, but also because of other factors. One of the main culprits has been fierce competition from other car manufacturers in recent years. Now Honda have made an announcement that they plan to increase their sales in Australia to 60,000 units per annum by 2018. This is a bold statement to make in the current economic climate and a feat that was only previously achieved in 2007. However, the latest Honda Odyssey will be a huge part of Honda’s resurgence in the Australian market.

When considering which people mover to buy, Honda Odyssey 2015 models may prove to be too tempting to resist. The new Honda Odyssey models are being touted as a “sexy people mover” and it’s hard to argue with that statement. The lines are clean and sleek with a friendly front grill and swept back headlamps. The interior is well appointed with plenty of room and comfortable seats with arm and foot rests. There is a smart entry system installed and the engine has a push button start. There is a 7” touch-screen installed which will give you access to the rear-mounted camera. This camera is fitted as standard on all models, but the VTi-L actually has four cameras which give a 360-degree view around the vehicle.

On the road, the Honda Odyssey is very agile indeed, especially when you consider that you’re driving a people mover. The turning circle is only slightly more than a standard Honda Civic! The ride is very smooth and stable thanks to a double-wishbone suspension system and a well-balanced chassis. As well as improving handling this also reduces the cabin noise produced by road vibration to a whisper. On the economy side, the combined test results show an impressive average fuel consumption of 8.9 litres per 100km.

It’s clear to see that Honda are out to impress and the new Honda Odyssey for sale should be a strong seller. However, Honda has also recently announced a drop in prices across their range as an additional incentive. These price drops have become possible due to the advantageous currency rate, an improvement in manufacturing efficiency and the Fair Trade Agreement which is not legislated. Another recent announcement has been the introduction of the new Honda HRV 2015 crossover and it’s hoped that this vehicle will also drive sales figure up over the coming years.

If you would like to know more about the new Honda Odyssey, contact us. We will be happy to arrange a test drive for you or to answer any questions or queries that you may have.

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