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First Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
History Today: When Pakistan copied India and conducted nuclear tests
Just 10 days after India conducted nuclear tests in Rajasthan's Pokhran, Pakistan followed suit on May 28. The tests were conducted in five underground locations in Balochistan's Ras Koh Hills. On this day in 1937, the German company Volkswagen was established under Adolf Hitler's regime. Ferdinand Porsche was commissioned to design the vehicle read more The Pakistani scientists posing with a nice view of Koh Kambaran in the background. Facebook Tensions have been simmering between neighbouring countries India and Pakistan since the deadly terrorist attack on Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22 this year. Several nuclear stations were attacked during Operation Sindoor, India's retaliation to the attack. While the situation is now back to normal, it is important to remember that both nations are nuclear-armed. While India tested its nuclear missiles on May 11, 1998, Pakistan followed suit ten days later on May 28, 1998. It conducted five underground detonations in the Ras Koh Hills of Balochistan. With this, it became the seventh country in the world to possess nuclear weapons. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers' ongoing series, History Today will be your one-stop destination to explore key events. On May 28, 1998, Volkswagen was established under Adolf Hitler's regime in Germany to create a people's car or Volkswagen. Meanwhile, Amnesty International was also founded on this day in 1961 by British lawyer Peter Benenson. Here is all that took place on this day across the world. Pakistan conducted nuclear tests Pakistan conducted nuclear tests for the first time on May 28, 1998. The Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) carried out these five underground nuclear tests near Balochistan's Ras Koh Hills. The tests, codenamed Chagai-I, were a direct response to India's Pokhran-II nuclear tests on May 11 and May 13 respectively. Pakistan's decision to test was driven by a desire to restore strategic balance in South Asia and to demonstrate its nuclear capabilities. While India's Pokhran tests evaded US satellite surveillance, Pakistan's preparations were monitored in real-time by Western intelligence, reported Economic Times. It further stated that American satellite surveillance detected the pouring of concrete into test shafts 24 hours preceding the detonations. The report further stated that US President Bill Clinton issued a last-minute plea, proposing $5 billion in aid should Pakistan desist from the tests. According to reports, the devices tested were primarily uranium-based, with yields estimated between nine to 40 kilotons of trinitrotoluene (commonly known as TNT) equivalent. This was followed up with a second test conducted two days later on May 30, 1998, known as Chagai-II in Kharan Desert. While May 28 is annually celebrated across Pakistan as Youm-e-Takbir (Day of Greatness) to mark the nation's nuclear advancements, it is viewed differently in Balochistan. Many locals there commemorate the day as a 'black day,' pointing to the environmental damage and health problems caused by the nuclear explosions. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Volkswagen was founded On this day in 1937, the German Labour Front, operating under the Nazi regime, established the 'Gesellschaft zur Vorbereitung des Deutschen Volkswagens mbH' ('Company for the Preparation of the German People's Car Ltd.') in Berlin. The primary objective of this initiative was to manufacture an affordable automobile for the average German citizen. A Volkswagen Beetle being unloaded at Emden harbour, Germany to be sent to Mexico. File image/AP To bring to life Adolf Hitler's vision of a 'people's car' or 'Volkswagen', Ferdinand Porsche was commissioned to design the vehicle. He came up with the KdF-Wagen which later became known as the Volkswagen Beetle. The construction of the Volkswagen factory in 1938 in the town of 'Stadt des KdF-Wagens,' later renamed Wolfsburg. However, the outbreak of World War II shifted the company's focus to military production. Once the war came to an end, the British took control of the factory and revived the production of the Beetle . The car went on becoming a symbol of Germany's post-war economic recovery. Today, Volkswagen has evolved into one of the world's leading automobile manufacturers. Amnesty International was founded On May 28, 1961, the British newspaper 'The London Observer' featured on its front page an article by British lawyer Peter Benenson titled 'The Forgotten Prisoners.' This publication initiated the Appeal for Amnesty 1961, a campaign advocating for the release of individuals detained globally solely for the peaceful expression of their convictions. Benenson was inspired to author the appeal after encountering an article detailing the incarceration of two Portuguese students who had publicly offered a toast to freedom. Portugal, at the time, was governed by the dictatorship of Antonio de Oliveira Salazar. Outraged by the situation, Benenson composed the Observer article, presenting a case for the students' liberation and imploring readers to dispatch letters of protest to the Portuguese government. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Amnesty International was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1977 for its efforts to secure the release of prisoners of conscience. AP The response to the appeal was overwhelming, leading to the formal establishment of Amnesty International in July 1961. The organisation was founded with the support of various individuals, including Quaker activist Eric Baker and Irish statesman Seán MacBride, who became its first chairman, reported It was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1977 for its efforts to secure the release of prisoners of conscience and combat human rights abuses worldwide . This Day, That Year On this day in 1999, Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper was reopened to public view in Milan. Neville Chamberlain became prime minister of the United Kingdom on this day in 1937.
Perth Now
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- Perth Now
Honda's hybrid history
SPONSORED The idea of a combined petrol-electric drivetrain is nothing new. Ferdinand Porsche created the Lohner-Porsche at the turn of the 20th century, but with 1800kg worth of batteries and almost 600kg of electric motors it wasn't what you'd call… manoeuvrable. Almost 100 years later, Honda was an early adopter of modern hybrid technology, but the Insight couldn't have been more different to Porsche's early monster. A small, two-seat city car, the Honda Insight became the first hybrid production car to be introduced in the United States and Europe, in 1999, and here in Australia in 2001. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. 2000 Honda Insight Credit: CarExpert Honda's learnings from its groundbreaking original NSX supercar paid dividends, as the Insight used an aluminium body and panels to keep weight to less than 850kg in manual guise, despite the 120 nickel metal-hydride batteries placed behind the seats. The 0.25Cd coefficient of drag also made the Insight the world's slipperiest mass-produced vehicle. A 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine was assisted by a 10kW/49Nm electric motor and was claimed to sip just 3.4L/100km on the combined cycle, giving a range of almost 1200km from a 40-litre fuel tank. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Hybrid technology quickly made its way into other models and development has continued over the past quarter-century. The hybrid system in today's Hondas is very different to that introduced in the Insight. The Insight was a parallel hybrid, in that it primarily used the petrol engine with some electrical assistance. Series hybrids are also known as range-extenders, or extended range electric vehicles (EREVs), using electricity to power the wheels, but with the ability to top up their batteries using power generated by a petrol engine. A series-parallel hybrid is a mixture of the two, using a combination of both energy sources as required, but Honda's e:HEV system is even cleverer than this. 2022 Honda Civic e:HEV Credit: CarExpert Petrol engines are inefficient at low-to-medium speeds; it's why they need gearboxes to get going. Conversely, electric motors are relatively inefficient at high speeds, especially at constant speeds without the opportunity to recover energy from braking. The e:HEV system uses this to its advantage. Its ace card is a lock-up clutch that allows the engine to be coupled or decoupled from the wheels as required. At low-to-medium speeds, where the electric motor is at its most efficient, the engine uncouples and the vehicle operates as a series hybrid, the engine topping up the battery as required. At high speeds, such as highway driving, the clutch couples the engine directly to the wheels, allowing it to operate in its most efficient state without taxing the electric drive system unnecessarily. Whereas a series-parallel hybrid shuffles between both energy sources constantly, Honda's e:HEV system uses the right energy source for the right circumstance. Supplied Credit: CarExpert E:HEV is a two-motor hybrid system, with the traction motor – which uses a magnet free from rare earth materials – directly attached to the driveshaft in order to recuperate energy when the vehicle is decelerating. The generator motor is connected directly to the engine, allowing it to generate electricity as required. Every model in the Honda range offers a hybrid variant, so whatever a customer's vehicle requirements may be, they can enjoy the performance and efficiency benefits of e:HEV. All Honda hybrids are covered by the full five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, with eight years of cover on the battery, in addition to five years of roadside assist. Honda's One Price Promise makes buying easy, with the same drive-away price offered regardless of your state or territory, so you can be sure you're getting the best deal. There are no added charges, not even for paint, and Honda's capped price servicing offers further peace of mind, with the first five visits costing just $199 each. The most affordable way into a Honda hybrid is the HR-V, the third generation of the innovative small SUV. At $39,900 drive-away, the e:HEV X bridges the gap between the petrol-only Vi X and range-topping e:HEV L, with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid powertrain producing 96kW/236Nm and a claimed combined fuel consumption of just 4.3L/100km. 2025 Honda HR-V e:HEV Credit: CarExpert 2025 Honda HR-V e:HEV Credit: CarExpert 2025 Honda HR-V e:HEV Credit: CarExpert 2025 Honda HR-V e:HEV Credit: CarExpert Both e:HEV variants are able to seat four and have a useful 304-litre boot, coming standard with active safety equipment such as autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, as well as adaptive LED headlights, 18-inch wheels, heated front seats and a 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. The e:HEV X adds a heated steering wheel, hands-free electric tailgate and dual-zone climate control with rear ventilation. To see how the Honda HR-V stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool Those requiring a little extra space would do well to step up to the ZR-V, the Goldilocks of Honda's SUV range – not too small, not too big. It now seats five with a larger 370-litre boot (expanding to 1302L with the rear seats folded) and accommodates the larger 2.0-litre four-cylinder hybrid powertrain with 135kW/315Nm, which still claims a combined 5.0L/100km. 2025 Honda ZR-V e:HEV Credit: CarExpert 2025 Honda ZR-V e:HEV Credit: CarExpert 2025 Honda ZR-V e:HEV Credit: CarExpert 2025 Honda ZR-V e:HEV Credit: CarExpert It's available in one range-topping e:HEV LX variant priced at $54,900 drive-away, and comes with an extraordinary level of equipment, including heated front and rear seats with leather upholstery, a 12-speaker stereo with subwoofer, 11 airbags, a 360-degree multi-view camera and 10.2-inch digital driver's display. To see how the Honda ZR-V stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool The family-friendly choice is the sixth-generation Honda CR-V. Like the ZR-V, the hybrid drivetrain is offered in the range-topping e:HEV RS at $59,900 drive-away, which shares its smaller sibling's loaded features list but adds 19-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, and leather seat, steering wheel and gear shifter trim with red stitching, plus adaptive cornering LED headlights and a sport mode for the hybrid drivetrain, as befits the RS badge. 2025 Honda CR-V RS e:HEV Credit: CarExpert 2025 Honda CR-V RS e:HEV Credit: CarExpert 2025 Honda CR-V RS e:HEV Credit: CarExpert 2025 Honda CR-V RS e:HEV Credit: CarExpert Claimed combined fuel consumption is a little higher at 5.5L/100km due to the CR-V's greater size, but the benefit of this is more room in the rear row for growing bodies and an impressive 581L boot, which expands to a mammoth 1636L with the second row folded. To see how the Honda CR-V stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool But not everyone needs or wants an SUV and Honda's passenger car range features two of the longest-running nameplates in the automotive world. The 11th-generation Civic continues the model's 50-plus-year history of practicality, reliability, efficiency and great dynamics. 2025 Honda Civic LX e:HEV Credit: CarExpert 2025 Honda Civic LX e:HEV Credit: CarExpert 2025 Honda Civic LX e:HEV Credit: CarExpert 2025 Honda Civic LX e:HEV Credit: CarExpert Available in two variants, the L at $49,900 drive-away and the LX at $55,900 drive-away, the Civic is Honda's most fuel-efficient car with a claimed combined fuel consumption of just 4.2L/100km. Testament to Honda's relentless pursuit of perfection is the Civic's claimed urban fuel figure of 2.0L/100km, an almost 30 per cent improvement over the tiny, lightweight Insight, yet the Civic can seat five in comfort, carry their luggage in the 409L boot and features the latest in safety and technology. That's progress. To see how the Honda Civic stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool It was the successful launch of the Civic that encouraged Honda to create a larger car and in 1976 the award-winning Accord was born. Like the Civic, it's now into its 11th generation and serves as Honda Australia's flagship offering at $64,900 drive-away, introducing new technology to the brand. 2025 Honda Accord RS e:HEV Credit: CarExpert 2025 Honda Accord RS e:HEV Credit: CarExpert 2025 Honda Accord RS e:HEV Credit: CarExpert 2025 Honda Accord RS e:HEV Credit: CarExpert The new Accord features the first integration of Google built-in, including Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play, in addition to a new Honda Connect app interface and Honda SENSING, the latest in driver assistance technology thanks to an upgraded front camera and radar system. A larger 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen includes wireless smartphone mirroring (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) and an 11.7-inch head-up display allows drivers to keep their eyes on the road at all times. Despite being a much larger vehicle with 152kW/335Nm from Honda's fourth-generation hybrid drivetrain, the Accord almost matches the Civic with a claimed combined fuel consumption of 4.3L/100km. A bigger car doesn't necessarily mean greater running costs. As technology improves, Honda's hybrid drivetrain will only become more powerful and efficient, further cementing the brand's legacy as an automotive innovator. Best of all, the driver will be blissfully unaware of the magic happening under the bonnet. To see how the Honda Accord stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool Interested in buying a Honda? Get in touch with one of CarExpert's trusted dealers here MORE: Everything Honda
7NEWS
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- 7NEWS
Honda's hybrid history
SPONSORED The idea of a combined petrol-electric drivetrain is nothing new. Ferdinand Porsche created the Lohner-Porsche at the turn of the 20th century, but with 1800kg worth of batteries and almost 600kg of electric motors it wasn't what you'd call… manoeuvrable. Almost 100 years later, Honda was an early adopter of modern hybrid technology, but the Insight couldn't have been more different to Porsche's early monster. A small, two-seat city car, the Honda Insight became the first hybrid production car to be introduced in the United States and Europe, in 1999, and here in Australia in 2001. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Honda's learnings from its groundbreaking original NSX supercar paid dividends, as the Insight used an aluminium body and panels to keep weight to less than 850kg in manual guise, despite the 120 nickel metal-hydride batteries placed behind the seats. The 0.25Cd coefficient of drag also made the Insight the world's slipperiest mass-produced vehicle. A 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine was assisted by a 10kW/49Nm electric motor and was claimed to sip just 3.4L/100km on the combined cycle, giving a range of almost 1200km from a 40-litre fuel tank. Hybrid technology quickly made its way into other models and development has continued over the past quarter-century. The hybrid system in today's Hondas is very different to that introduced in the Insight. The Insight was a parallel hybrid, in that it primarily used the petrol engine with some electrical assistance. Series hybrids are also known as range-extenders, or extended range electric vehicles (EREVs), using electricity to power the wheels, but with the ability to top up their batteries using power generated by a petrol engine. A series-parallel hybrid is a mixture of the two, using a combination of both energy sources as required, but Honda's e:HEV system is even cleverer than this. Petrol engines are inefficient at low-to-medium speeds; it's why they need gearboxes to get going. Conversely, electric motors are relatively inefficient at high speeds, especially at constant speeds without the opportunity to recover energy from braking. The e:HEV system uses this to its advantage. Its ace card is a lock-up clutch that allows the engine to be coupled or decoupled from the wheels as required. At low-to-medium speeds, where the electric motor is at its most efficient, the engine uncouples and the vehicle operates as a series hybrid, the engine topping up the battery as required. At high speeds, such as highway driving, the clutch couples the engine directly to the wheels, allowing it to operate in its most efficient state without taxing the electric drive system unnecessarily. Whereas a series-parallel hybrid shuffles between both energy sources constantly, Honda's e:HEV system uses the right energy source for the right circumstance. E:HEV is a two-motor hybrid system, with the traction motor – which uses a magnet free from rare earth materials – directly attached to the driveshaft in order to recuperate energy when the vehicle is decelerating. The generator motor is connected directly to the engine, allowing it to generate electricity as required. Every model in the Honda range offers a hybrid variant, so whatever a customer's vehicle requirements may be, they can enjoy the performance and efficiency benefits of e:HEV. All Honda hybrids are covered by the full five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, with eight years of cover on the battery, in addition to five years of roadside assist. Honda's One Price Promise makes buying easy, with the same drive-away price offered regardless of your state or territory, so you can be sure you're getting the best deal. There are no added charges, not even for paint, and Honda's capped price servicing offers further peace of mind, with the first five visits costing just $199 each. Honda HR-V The most affordable way into a Honda hybrid is the HR-V, the third generation of the innovative small SUV. At $39,900 drive-away, the e:HEV X bridges the gap between the petrol-only Vi X and range-topping e:HEV L, with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid powertrain producing 96kW/236Nm and a claimed combined fuel consumption of just 4.3L/100km. Both e:HEV variants are able to seat four and have a useful 304-litre boot, coming standard with active safety equipment such as autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, as well as adaptive LED headlights, 18-inch wheels, heated front seats and a 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. The e:HEV X adds a heated steering wheel, hands-free electric tailgate and dual-zone climate control with rear ventilation. To see how the Honda HR-V stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool Honda ZR-V Those requiring a little extra space would do well to step up to the ZR-V, the Goldilocks of Honda's SUV range – not too small, not too big. It now seats five with a larger 370-litre boot (expanding to 1302L with the rear seats folded) and accommodates the larger 2.0-litre four-cylinder hybrid powertrain with 135kW/315Nm, which still claims a combined 5.0L/100km. It's available in one range-topping e:HEV LX variant priced at $54,900 drive-away, and comes with an extraordinary level of equipment, including heated front and rear seats with leather upholstery, a 12-speaker stereo with subwoofer, 11 airbags, a 360-degree multi-view camera and 10.2-inch digital driver's display. To see how the Honda ZR-V stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool Honda CR-V The family-friendly choice is the sixth-generation Honda CR-V. Like the ZR-V, the hybrid drivetrain is offered in the range-topping e:HEV RS at $59,900 drive-away, which shares its smaller sibling's loaded features list but adds 19-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, and leather seat, steering wheel and gear shifter trim with red stitching, plus adaptive cornering LED headlights and a sport mode for the hybrid drivetrain, as befits the RS badge. Claimed combined fuel consumption is a little higher at 5.5L/100km due to the CR-V's greater size, but the benefit of this is more room in the rear row for growing bodies and an impressive 581L boot, which expands to a mammoth 1636L with the second row folded. To see how the Honda CR-V stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool Honda Civic But not everyone needs or wants an SUV and Honda's passenger car range features two of the longest-running nameplates in the automotive world. The 11th-generation Civic continues the model's 50-plus-year history of practicality, reliability, efficiency and great dynamics. Available in two variants, the L at $49,900 drive-away and the LX at $55,900 drive-away, the Civic is Honda's most fuel-efficient car with a claimed combined fuel consumption of just 4.2L/100km. Testament to Honda's relentless pursuit of perfection is the Civic's claimed urban fuel figure of 2.0L/100km, an almost 30 per cent improvement over the tiny, lightweight Insight, yet the Civic can seat five in comfort, carry their luggage in the 409L boot and features the latest in safety and technology. That's progress. To see how the Honda Civic stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool Honda Accord It was the successful launch of the Civic that encouraged Honda to create a larger car and in 1976 the award-winning Accord was born. Like the Civic, it's now into its 11th generation and serves as Honda Australia's flagship offering at $64,900 drive-away, introducing new technology to the brand. The new Accord features the first integration of Google built-in, including Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play, in addition to a new Honda Connect app interface and Honda SENSING, the latest in driver assistance technology thanks to an upgraded front camera and radar system. A larger 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen includes wireless smartphone mirroring (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) and an 11.7-inch head-up display allows drivers to keep their eyes on the road at all times. Despite being a much larger vehicle with 152kW/335Nm from Honda's fourth-generation hybrid drivetrain, the Accord almost matches the Civic with a claimed combined fuel consumption of 4.3L/100km. A bigger car doesn't necessarily mean greater running costs. As technology improves, Honda's hybrid drivetrain will only become more powerful and efficient, further cementing the brand's legacy as an automotive innovator. Best of all, the driver will be blissfully unaware of the magic happening under the bonnet.
The Advertiser
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
Honda's hybrid history
SPONSORED The idea of a combined petrol-electric drivetrain is nothing new. Ferdinand Porsche created the Lohner-Porsche at the turn of the 20 century, but with 1800kg worth of batteries and almost 600kg of electric motors it wasn't what you'd call… manoeuvrable. Almost 100 years later, Honda was an early adopter of modern hybrid technology, but the Insight couldn't have been more different to Porsche's early monster. A small, two-seat city car, the Honda Insight became the first hybrid production car to be introduced in the United States and Europe, in 1999, and here in Australia in 2001. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Honda's learnings from its groundbreaking original NSX supercar paid dividends, as the Insight used an aluminium body and panels to keep weight to less than 850kg in manual guise, despite the 120 nickel metal-hydride batteries placed behind the seats. The 0.25Cd coefficient of drag also made the Insight the world's slipperiest mass-produced vehicle. A 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine was assisted by a 10kW/49Nm electric motor and was claimed to sip just 3.4L/100km on the combined cycle, giving a range of almost 1200km from a 40-litre fuel tank. Hybrid technology quickly made its way into other models and development has continued over the past quarter-century. The hybrid system in today's Hondas is very different to that introduced in the Insight. The Insight was a parallel hybrid, in that it primarily used the petrol engine with some electrical assistance. Series hybrids are also known as range-extenders, or extended range electric vehicles (EREVs), using electricity to power the wheels, but with the ability to top up their batteries using power generated by a petrol engine. A series-parallel hybrid is a mixture of the two, using a combination of both energy sources as required, but Honda's e:HEV system is even cleverer than this. Petrol engines are inefficient at low-to-medium speeds; it's why they need gearboxes to get going. Conversely, electric motors are relatively inefficient at high speeds, especially at constant speeds without the opportunity to recover energy from braking. The e:HEV system uses this to its advantage. Its ace card is a lock-up clutch that allows the engine to be coupled or decoupled from the wheels as required. At low-to-medium speeds, where the electric motor is at its most efficient, the engine uncouples and the vehicle operates as a series hybrid, the engine topping up the battery as required. At high speeds, such as highway driving, the clutch couples the engine directly to the wheels, allowing it to operate in its most efficient state without taxing the electric drive system unnecessarily. Whereas a series-parallel hybrid shuffles between both energy sources constantly, Honda's e:HEV system uses the right energy source for the right circumstance. E:HEV is a two-motor hybrid system, with the traction motor – which uses a magnet free from rare earth materials – directly attached to the driveshaft in order to recuperate energy when the vehicle is decelerating. The generator motor is connected directly to the engine, allowing it to generate electricity as required. Every model in the Honda range offers a hybrid variant, so whatever a customer's vehicle requirements may be, they can enjoy the performance and efficiency benefits of e:HEV. All Honda hybrids are covered by the full five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, with eight years of cover on the battery, in addition to five years of roadside assist. Honda's One Price Promise makes buying easy, with the same drive-away price offered regardless of your state or territory, so you can be sure you're getting the best deal. There are no added charges, not even for paint, and Honda's capped price servicing offers further peace of mind, with the first five visits costing just $199 each. The most affordable way into a Honda hybrid is the HR-V, the third generation of the innovative small SUV. At $39,900 drive-away, the e:HEV X bridges the gap between the petrol-only Vi X and range-topping e:HEV L, with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid powertrain producing 96kW/236Nm and a claimed combined fuel consumption of just 4.3L/100km. Both e:HEV variants are able to seat four and have a useful 304-litre boot, coming standard with active safety equipment such as autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, as well as adaptive LED headlights, 18-inch wheels, heated front seats and a 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. The e:HEV X adds a heated steering wheel, hands-free electric tailgate and dual-zone climate control with rear ventilation. To see how the Honda HR-V stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool Those requiring a little extra space would do well to step up to the ZR-V, the Goldilocks of Honda's SUV range – not too small, not too big. It now seats five with a larger 370-litre boot (expanding to 1302L with the rear seats folded) and accommodates the larger 2.0-litre four-cylinder hybrid powertrain with 135kW/315Nm, which still claims a combined 5.0L/100km. It's available in one range-topping e:HEV LX variant priced at $54,900 drive-away, and comes with an extraordinary level of equipment, including heated front and rear seats with leather upholstery, a 12-speaker stereo with subwoofer, 11 airbags, a 360-degree multi-view camera and 10.2-inch digital driver's display. To see how the Honda ZR-V stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool The family-friendly choice is the sixth-generation Honda CR-V. Like the ZR-V, the hybrid drivetrain is offered in the range-topping e:HEV RS at $59,900 drive-away, which shares its smaller sibling's loaded features list but adds 19-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, and leather seat, steering wheel and gear shifter trim with red stitching, plus adaptive cornering LED headlights and a sport mode for the hybrid drivetrain, as befits the RS badge. Claimed combined fuel consumption is a little higher at 5.5L/100km due to the CR-V's greater size, but the benefit of this is more room in the rear row for growing bodies and an impressive 581L boot, which expands to a mammoth 1636L with the second row folded. To see how the Honda CR-V stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool But not everyone needs or wants an SUV and Honda's passenger car range features two of the longest-running nameplates in the automotive world. The 11-generation Civic continues the model's 50-plus-year history of practicality, reliability, efficiency and great dynamics. Available in two variants, the L at $49,900 drive-away and the LX at $55,900 drive-away, the Civic is Honda's most fuel-efficient car with a claimed combined fuel consumption of just 4.2L/100km. Testament to Honda's relentless pursuit of perfection is the Civic's claimed urban fuel figure of 2.0L/100km, an almost 30 per cent improvement over the tiny, lightweight Insight, yet the Civic can seat five in comfort, carry their luggage in the 409L boot and features the latest in safety and technology. That's progress. To see how the Honda Civic stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool It was the successful launch of the Civic that encouraged Honda to create a larger car and in 1976 the award-winning Accord was born. Like the Civic, it's now into its 11 generation and serves as Honda Australia's flagship offering at $64,900 drive-away, introducing new technology to the brand. The new Accord features the first integration of Google built-in, including Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play, in addition to a new Honda Connect app interface and Honda SENSING, the latest in driver assistance technology thanks to an upgraded front camera and radar system. A larger 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen includes wireless smartphone mirroring (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) and an 11.7-inch head-up display allows drivers to keep their eyes on the road at all times. Despite being a much larger vehicle with 152kW/335Nm from Honda's fourth-generation hybrid drivetrain, the Accord almost matches the Civic with a claimed combined fuel consumption of 4.3L/100km. A bigger car doesn't necessarily mean greater running costs. As technology improves, Honda's hybrid drivetrain will only become more powerful and efficient, further cementing the brand's legacy as an automotive innovator. Best of all, the driver will be blissfully unaware of the magic happening under the bonnet. To see how the Honda Accord stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool Interested in buying a Honda? Get in touch with one of CarExpert's trusted dealers hereMORE: Everything Honda Content originally sourced from: SPONSORED The idea of a combined petrol-electric drivetrain is nothing new. Ferdinand Porsche created the Lohner-Porsche at the turn of the 20 century, but with 1800kg worth of batteries and almost 600kg of electric motors it wasn't what you'd call… manoeuvrable. Almost 100 years later, Honda was an early adopter of modern hybrid technology, but the Insight couldn't have been more different to Porsche's early monster. A small, two-seat city car, the Honda Insight became the first hybrid production car to be introduced in the United States and Europe, in 1999, and here in Australia in 2001. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Honda's learnings from its groundbreaking original NSX supercar paid dividends, as the Insight used an aluminium body and panels to keep weight to less than 850kg in manual guise, despite the 120 nickel metal-hydride batteries placed behind the seats. The 0.25Cd coefficient of drag also made the Insight the world's slipperiest mass-produced vehicle. A 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine was assisted by a 10kW/49Nm electric motor and was claimed to sip just 3.4L/100km on the combined cycle, giving a range of almost 1200km from a 40-litre fuel tank. Hybrid technology quickly made its way into other models and development has continued over the past quarter-century. The hybrid system in today's Hondas is very different to that introduced in the Insight. The Insight was a parallel hybrid, in that it primarily used the petrol engine with some electrical assistance. Series hybrids are also known as range-extenders, or extended range electric vehicles (EREVs), using electricity to power the wheels, but with the ability to top up their batteries using power generated by a petrol engine. A series-parallel hybrid is a mixture of the two, using a combination of both energy sources as required, but Honda's e:HEV system is even cleverer than this. Petrol engines are inefficient at low-to-medium speeds; it's why they need gearboxes to get going. Conversely, electric motors are relatively inefficient at high speeds, especially at constant speeds without the opportunity to recover energy from braking. The e:HEV system uses this to its advantage. Its ace card is a lock-up clutch that allows the engine to be coupled or decoupled from the wheels as required. At low-to-medium speeds, where the electric motor is at its most efficient, the engine uncouples and the vehicle operates as a series hybrid, the engine topping up the battery as required. At high speeds, such as highway driving, the clutch couples the engine directly to the wheels, allowing it to operate in its most efficient state without taxing the electric drive system unnecessarily. Whereas a series-parallel hybrid shuffles between both energy sources constantly, Honda's e:HEV system uses the right energy source for the right circumstance. E:HEV is a two-motor hybrid system, with the traction motor – which uses a magnet free from rare earth materials – directly attached to the driveshaft in order to recuperate energy when the vehicle is decelerating. The generator motor is connected directly to the engine, allowing it to generate electricity as required. Every model in the Honda range offers a hybrid variant, so whatever a customer's vehicle requirements may be, they can enjoy the performance and efficiency benefits of e:HEV. All Honda hybrids are covered by the full five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, with eight years of cover on the battery, in addition to five years of roadside assist. Honda's One Price Promise makes buying easy, with the same drive-away price offered regardless of your state or territory, so you can be sure you're getting the best deal. There are no added charges, not even for paint, and Honda's capped price servicing offers further peace of mind, with the first five visits costing just $199 each. The most affordable way into a Honda hybrid is the HR-V, the third generation of the innovative small SUV. At $39,900 drive-away, the e:HEV X bridges the gap between the petrol-only Vi X and range-topping e:HEV L, with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid powertrain producing 96kW/236Nm and a claimed combined fuel consumption of just 4.3L/100km. Both e:HEV variants are able to seat four and have a useful 304-litre boot, coming standard with active safety equipment such as autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, as well as adaptive LED headlights, 18-inch wheels, heated front seats and a 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. The e:HEV X adds a heated steering wheel, hands-free electric tailgate and dual-zone climate control with rear ventilation. To see how the Honda HR-V stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool Those requiring a little extra space would do well to step up to the ZR-V, the Goldilocks of Honda's SUV range – not too small, not too big. It now seats five with a larger 370-litre boot (expanding to 1302L with the rear seats folded) and accommodates the larger 2.0-litre four-cylinder hybrid powertrain with 135kW/315Nm, which still claims a combined 5.0L/100km. It's available in one range-topping e:HEV LX variant priced at $54,900 drive-away, and comes with an extraordinary level of equipment, including heated front and rear seats with leather upholstery, a 12-speaker stereo with subwoofer, 11 airbags, a 360-degree multi-view camera and 10.2-inch digital driver's display. To see how the Honda ZR-V stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool The family-friendly choice is the sixth-generation Honda CR-V. Like the ZR-V, the hybrid drivetrain is offered in the range-topping e:HEV RS at $59,900 drive-away, which shares its smaller sibling's loaded features list but adds 19-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, and leather seat, steering wheel and gear shifter trim with red stitching, plus adaptive cornering LED headlights and a sport mode for the hybrid drivetrain, as befits the RS badge. Claimed combined fuel consumption is a little higher at 5.5L/100km due to the CR-V's greater size, but the benefit of this is more room in the rear row for growing bodies and an impressive 581L boot, which expands to a mammoth 1636L with the second row folded. To see how the Honda CR-V stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool But not everyone needs or wants an SUV and Honda's passenger car range features two of the longest-running nameplates in the automotive world. The 11-generation Civic continues the model's 50-plus-year history of practicality, reliability, efficiency and great dynamics. Available in two variants, the L at $49,900 drive-away and the LX at $55,900 drive-away, the Civic is Honda's most fuel-efficient car with a claimed combined fuel consumption of just 4.2L/100km. Testament to Honda's relentless pursuit of perfection is the Civic's claimed urban fuel figure of 2.0L/100km, an almost 30 per cent improvement over the tiny, lightweight Insight, yet the Civic can seat five in comfort, carry their luggage in the 409L boot and features the latest in safety and technology. That's progress. To see how the Honda Civic stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool It was the successful launch of the Civic that encouraged Honda to create a larger car and in 1976 the award-winning Accord was born. Like the Civic, it's now into its 11 generation and serves as Honda Australia's flagship offering at $64,900 drive-away, introducing new technology to the brand. The new Accord features the first integration of Google built-in, including Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play, in addition to a new Honda Connect app interface and Honda SENSING, the latest in driver assistance technology thanks to an upgraded front camera and radar system. A larger 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen includes wireless smartphone mirroring (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) and an 11.7-inch head-up display allows drivers to keep their eyes on the road at all times. Despite being a much larger vehicle with 152kW/335Nm from Honda's fourth-generation hybrid drivetrain, the Accord almost matches the Civic with a claimed combined fuel consumption of 4.3L/100km. A bigger car doesn't necessarily mean greater running costs. As technology improves, Honda's hybrid drivetrain will only become more powerful and efficient, further cementing the brand's legacy as an automotive innovator. Best of all, the driver will be blissfully unaware of the magic happening under the bonnet. To see how the Honda Accord stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool Interested in buying a Honda? Get in touch with one of CarExpert's trusted dealers hereMORE: Everything Honda Content originally sourced from: SPONSORED The idea of a combined petrol-electric drivetrain is nothing new. Ferdinand Porsche created the Lohner-Porsche at the turn of the 20 century, but with 1800kg worth of batteries and almost 600kg of electric motors it wasn't what you'd call… manoeuvrable. Almost 100 years later, Honda was an early adopter of modern hybrid technology, but the Insight couldn't have been more different to Porsche's early monster. A small, two-seat city car, the Honda Insight became the first hybrid production car to be introduced in the United States and Europe, in 1999, and here in Australia in 2001. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Honda's learnings from its groundbreaking original NSX supercar paid dividends, as the Insight used an aluminium body and panels to keep weight to less than 850kg in manual guise, despite the 120 nickel metal-hydride batteries placed behind the seats. The 0.25Cd coefficient of drag also made the Insight the world's slipperiest mass-produced vehicle. A 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine was assisted by a 10kW/49Nm electric motor and was claimed to sip just 3.4L/100km on the combined cycle, giving a range of almost 1200km from a 40-litre fuel tank. Hybrid technology quickly made its way into other models and development has continued over the past quarter-century. The hybrid system in today's Hondas is very different to that introduced in the Insight. The Insight was a parallel hybrid, in that it primarily used the petrol engine with some electrical assistance. Series hybrids are also known as range-extenders, or extended range electric vehicles (EREVs), using electricity to power the wheels, but with the ability to top up their batteries using power generated by a petrol engine. A series-parallel hybrid is a mixture of the two, using a combination of both energy sources as required, but Honda's e:HEV system is even cleverer than this. Petrol engines are inefficient at low-to-medium speeds; it's why they need gearboxes to get going. Conversely, electric motors are relatively inefficient at high speeds, especially at constant speeds without the opportunity to recover energy from braking. The e:HEV system uses this to its advantage. Its ace card is a lock-up clutch that allows the engine to be coupled or decoupled from the wheels as required. At low-to-medium speeds, where the electric motor is at its most efficient, the engine uncouples and the vehicle operates as a series hybrid, the engine topping up the battery as required. At high speeds, such as highway driving, the clutch couples the engine directly to the wheels, allowing it to operate in its most efficient state without taxing the electric drive system unnecessarily. Whereas a series-parallel hybrid shuffles between both energy sources constantly, Honda's e:HEV system uses the right energy source for the right circumstance. E:HEV is a two-motor hybrid system, with the traction motor – which uses a magnet free from rare earth materials – directly attached to the driveshaft in order to recuperate energy when the vehicle is decelerating. The generator motor is connected directly to the engine, allowing it to generate electricity as required. Every model in the Honda range offers a hybrid variant, so whatever a customer's vehicle requirements may be, they can enjoy the performance and efficiency benefits of e:HEV. All Honda hybrids are covered by the full five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, with eight years of cover on the battery, in addition to five years of roadside assist. Honda's One Price Promise makes buying easy, with the same drive-away price offered regardless of your state or territory, so you can be sure you're getting the best deal. There are no added charges, not even for paint, and Honda's capped price servicing offers further peace of mind, with the first five visits costing just $199 each. The most affordable way into a Honda hybrid is the HR-V, the third generation of the innovative small SUV. At $39,900 drive-away, the e:HEV X bridges the gap between the petrol-only Vi X and range-topping e:HEV L, with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid powertrain producing 96kW/236Nm and a claimed combined fuel consumption of just 4.3L/100km. Both e:HEV variants are able to seat four and have a useful 304-litre boot, coming standard with active safety equipment such as autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, as well as adaptive LED headlights, 18-inch wheels, heated front seats and a 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. The e:HEV X adds a heated steering wheel, hands-free electric tailgate and dual-zone climate control with rear ventilation. To see how the Honda HR-V stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool Those requiring a little extra space would do well to step up to the ZR-V, the Goldilocks of Honda's SUV range – not too small, not too big. It now seats five with a larger 370-litre boot (expanding to 1302L with the rear seats folded) and accommodates the larger 2.0-litre four-cylinder hybrid powertrain with 135kW/315Nm, which still claims a combined 5.0L/100km. It's available in one range-topping e:HEV LX variant priced at $54,900 drive-away, and comes with an extraordinary level of equipment, including heated front and rear seats with leather upholstery, a 12-speaker stereo with subwoofer, 11 airbags, a 360-degree multi-view camera and 10.2-inch digital driver's display. To see how the Honda ZR-V stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool The family-friendly choice is the sixth-generation Honda CR-V. Like the ZR-V, the hybrid drivetrain is offered in the range-topping e:HEV RS at $59,900 drive-away, which shares its smaller sibling's loaded features list but adds 19-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, and leather seat, steering wheel and gear shifter trim with red stitching, plus adaptive cornering LED headlights and a sport mode for the hybrid drivetrain, as befits the RS badge. Claimed combined fuel consumption is a little higher at 5.5L/100km due to the CR-V's greater size, but the benefit of this is more room in the rear row for growing bodies and an impressive 581L boot, which expands to a mammoth 1636L with the second row folded. To see how the Honda CR-V stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool But not everyone needs or wants an SUV and Honda's passenger car range features two of the longest-running nameplates in the automotive world. The 11-generation Civic continues the model's 50-plus-year history of practicality, reliability, efficiency and great dynamics. Available in two variants, the L at $49,900 drive-away and the LX at $55,900 drive-away, the Civic is Honda's most fuel-efficient car with a claimed combined fuel consumption of just 4.2L/100km. Testament to Honda's relentless pursuit of perfection is the Civic's claimed urban fuel figure of 2.0L/100km, an almost 30 per cent improvement over the tiny, lightweight Insight, yet the Civic can seat five in comfort, carry their luggage in the 409L boot and features the latest in safety and technology. That's progress. To see how the Honda Civic stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool It was the successful launch of the Civic that encouraged Honda to create a larger car and in 1976 the award-winning Accord was born. Like the Civic, it's now into its 11 generation and serves as Honda Australia's flagship offering at $64,900 drive-away, introducing new technology to the brand. The new Accord features the first integration of Google built-in, including Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play, in addition to a new Honda Connect app interface and Honda SENSING, the latest in driver assistance technology thanks to an upgraded front camera and radar system. A larger 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen includes wireless smartphone mirroring (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) and an 11.7-inch head-up display allows drivers to keep their eyes on the road at all times. Despite being a much larger vehicle with 152kW/335Nm from Honda's fourth-generation hybrid drivetrain, the Accord almost matches the Civic with a claimed combined fuel consumption of 4.3L/100km. A bigger car doesn't necessarily mean greater running costs. As technology improves, Honda's hybrid drivetrain will only become more powerful and efficient, further cementing the brand's legacy as an automotive innovator. Best of all, the driver will be blissfully unaware of the magic happening under the bonnet. To see how the Honda Accord stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool Interested in buying a Honda? Get in touch with one of CarExpert's trusted dealers hereMORE: Everything Honda Content originally sourced from: SPONSORED The idea of a combined petrol-electric drivetrain is nothing new. Ferdinand Porsche created the Lohner-Porsche at the turn of the 20 century, but with 1800kg worth of batteries and almost 600kg of electric motors it wasn't what you'd call… manoeuvrable. Almost 100 years later, Honda was an early adopter of modern hybrid technology, but the Insight couldn't have been more different to Porsche's early monster. A small, two-seat city car, the Honda Insight became the first hybrid production car to be introduced in the United States and Europe, in 1999, and here in Australia in 2001. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Honda's learnings from its groundbreaking original NSX supercar paid dividends, as the Insight used an aluminium body and panels to keep weight to less than 850kg in manual guise, despite the 120 nickel metal-hydride batteries placed behind the seats. The 0.25Cd coefficient of drag also made the Insight the world's slipperiest mass-produced vehicle. A 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine was assisted by a 10kW/49Nm electric motor and was claimed to sip just 3.4L/100km on the combined cycle, giving a range of almost 1200km from a 40-litre fuel tank. Hybrid technology quickly made its way into other models and development has continued over the past quarter-century. The hybrid system in today's Hondas is very different to that introduced in the Insight. The Insight was a parallel hybrid, in that it primarily used the petrol engine with some electrical assistance. Series hybrids are also known as range-extenders, or extended range electric vehicles (EREVs), using electricity to power the wheels, but with the ability to top up their batteries using power generated by a petrol engine. A series-parallel hybrid is a mixture of the two, using a combination of both energy sources as required, but Honda's e:HEV system is even cleverer than this. Petrol engines are inefficient at low-to-medium speeds; it's why they need gearboxes to get going. Conversely, electric motors are relatively inefficient at high speeds, especially at constant speeds without the opportunity to recover energy from braking. The e:HEV system uses this to its advantage. Its ace card is a lock-up clutch that allows the engine to be coupled or decoupled from the wheels as required. At low-to-medium speeds, where the electric motor is at its most efficient, the engine uncouples and the vehicle operates as a series hybrid, the engine topping up the battery as required. At high speeds, such as highway driving, the clutch couples the engine directly to the wheels, allowing it to operate in its most efficient state without taxing the electric drive system unnecessarily. Whereas a series-parallel hybrid shuffles between both energy sources constantly, Honda's e:HEV system uses the right energy source for the right circumstance. E:HEV is a two-motor hybrid system, with the traction motor – which uses a magnet free from rare earth materials – directly attached to the driveshaft in order to recuperate energy when the vehicle is decelerating. The generator motor is connected directly to the engine, allowing it to generate electricity as required. Every model in the Honda range offers a hybrid variant, so whatever a customer's vehicle requirements may be, they can enjoy the performance and efficiency benefits of e:HEV. All Honda hybrids are covered by the full five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, with eight years of cover on the battery, in addition to five years of roadside assist. Honda's One Price Promise makes buying easy, with the same drive-away price offered regardless of your state or territory, so you can be sure you're getting the best deal. There are no added charges, not even for paint, and Honda's capped price servicing offers further peace of mind, with the first five visits costing just $199 each. The most affordable way into a Honda hybrid is the HR-V, the third generation of the innovative small SUV. At $39,900 drive-away, the e:HEV X bridges the gap between the petrol-only Vi X and range-topping e:HEV L, with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid powertrain producing 96kW/236Nm and a claimed combined fuel consumption of just 4.3L/100km. Both e:HEV variants are able to seat four and have a useful 304-litre boot, coming standard with active safety equipment such as autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, as well as adaptive LED headlights, 18-inch wheels, heated front seats and a 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. The e:HEV X adds a heated steering wheel, hands-free electric tailgate and dual-zone climate control with rear ventilation. To see how the Honda HR-V stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool Those requiring a little extra space would do well to step up to the ZR-V, the Goldilocks of Honda's SUV range – not too small, not too big. It now seats five with a larger 370-litre boot (expanding to 1302L with the rear seats folded) and accommodates the larger 2.0-litre four-cylinder hybrid powertrain with 135kW/315Nm, which still claims a combined 5.0L/100km. It's available in one range-topping e:HEV LX variant priced at $54,900 drive-away, and comes with an extraordinary level of equipment, including heated front and rear seats with leather upholstery, a 12-speaker stereo with subwoofer, 11 airbags, a 360-degree multi-view camera and 10.2-inch digital driver's display. To see how the Honda ZR-V stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool The family-friendly choice is the sixth-generation Honda CR-V. Like the ZR-V, the hybrid drivetrain is offered in the range-topping e:HEV RS at $59,900 drive-away, which shares its smaller sibling's loaded features list but adds 19-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, and leather seat, steering wheel and gear shifter trim with red stitching, plus adaptive cornering LED headlights and a sport mode for the hybrid drivetrain, as befits the RS badge. Claimed combined fuel consumption is a little higher at 5.5L/100km due to the CR-V's greater size, but the benefit of this is more room in the rear row for growing bodies and an impressive 581L boot, which expands to a mammoth 1636L with the second row folded. To see how the Honda CR-V stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool But not everyone needs or wants an SUV and Honda's passenger car range features two of the longest-running nameplates in the automotive world. The 11-generation Civic continues the model's 50-plus-year history of practicality, reliability, efficiency and great dynamics. Available in two variants, the L at $49,900 drive-away and the LX at $55,900 drive-away, the Civic is Honda's most fuel-efficient car with a claimed combined fuel consumption of just 4.2L/100km. Testament to Honda's relentless pursuit of perfection is the Civic's claimed urban fuel figure of 2.0L/100km, an almost 30 per cent improvement over the tiny, lightweight Insight, yet the Civic can seat five in comfort, carry their luggage in the 409L boot and features the latest in safety and technology. That's progress. To see how the Honda Civic stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool It was the successful launch of the Civic that encouraged Honda to create a larger car and in 1976 the award-winning Accord was born. Like the Civic, it's now into its 11 generation and serves as Honda Australia's flagship offering at $64,900 drive-away, introducing new technology to the brand. The new Accord features the first integration of Google built-in, including Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play, in addition to a new Honda Connect app interface and Honda SENSING, the latest in driver assistance technology thanks to an upgraded front camera and radar system. A larger 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen includes wireless smartphone mirroring (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) and an 11.7-inch head-up display allows drivers to keep their eyes on the road at all times. Despite being a much larger vehicle with 152kW/335Nm from Honda's fourth-generation hybrid drivetrain, the Accord almost matches the Civic with a claimed combined fuel consumption of 4.3L/100km. A bigger car doesn't necessarily mean greater running costs. As technology improves, Honda's hybrid drivetrain will only become more powerful and efficient, further cementing the brand's legacy as an automotive innovator. Best of all, the driver will be blissfully unaware of the magic happening under the bonnet. To see how the Honda Accord stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool Interested in buying a Honda? Get in touch with one of CarExpert's trusted dealers hereMORE: Everything Honda Content originally sourced from:
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Here's Every Car Company Volkswagen Owns Right Now
There's no doubt that the Volkswagen Group is a towering colossus in the automotive industry, and really, industry in general. In 2024, Fortune calculated that it was the eleventh-largest company by revenue in the entire world, and also one of the largest car companies. All those hippies in their VW vans never realized what a capitalist powerhouse they were supporting all that time. It wasn't always that way, but over the decades, the maker of the humble Beetle has gone on an acquisition spree, ballooning to encompass a wide variety of makes across countries and market segments. These days, VW categorizes those brands into three groups: Core, which contains its mass-market marques; Progressive, which are lower-volume, more expensive cars; and Sport & Luxury, which Porsche keeps all to itself. Looking at lesser-known manufacturers to the biggest names in the car world, here's every car company that the Volkswagen Group owns right now. Read more: These Are The Cars You'd Buy If They Were $20,000 Cheaper Yes, the rumors are true: Volkswagen owns Volkswagen. Specifically, the massive conglomerate Volkswagen Group owns the car manufacturer Volkswagen, after which it's named. Meaning "People's Car," the brand can trace its lineage all the way back to the original Beetle designed by Ferdinand Porsche (at the behest of Adolf Hitler, having the only good idea he ever would). Fortunately, the world eventually ditched Hitler but kept the car. Resurrected after 1945, Volkswagen has pumped out a number of iconic cars, including the Golf, the Jetta, and of course the bus, which is currently making an all-electric return. While you can find VWs motoring along every road in the world, it's cars have particularly taken off in China. In 2018, the manufacturer earned 43% of its profits from that region, making the Asian superpower one of the German company's biggest buyers, along with Europe. Together, those two regions make up three-quarters of VW's deliveries. Volkswagen (the car company) is part of the Core group of Volkswagen (the conglomerate) brands, as its vehicles are generally priced for a mass market. After all, affordability was what made it a "People's Car" in the first place. Volkswagen started investing in the Czech carmaker Škoda immediately after the fall of the Eastern Bloc in 1990, slowly increasing its ownership stake over the next decade until it finally acquired it outright in 2000. The Central European brand suffered through all the hardships of that troubled region in the 20th Century, including state ownership under communism, which, perhaps unsurprisingly, did not produce very good cars. With a new lease on life now, Škoda has grown again into a major player in the European market, and it's making inroads in other regions as well, such as India. As you might imagine, its cars are priced aggressively to compete in the lower end of the market. That puts it squarely in the Volkswagen Group's Core brand group. Still, the company does have a motorsport division, which has actually done pretty well. The Škoda Fabia has won several WRC2 championships in the last decade. Spanish carmaker SEAT was fully acquired by VW in 1990, after a somewhat troubled history with its former owners, who included Fiat and the Spanish government itself. Since then, SEAT has focused on growing its presence in the European market, mostly through budget cars. That said, it did try to market itself as a sporty badge for the working man, even creating a performance brand, Cupra (ala what AMG is to Mercedes), for its top-end trims. However, in 2018, the Cupra badge spun off into its own subsidiary. Thus far, it has mostly produced souped-up versions of SEAT cars -- although starting in 2020, it introduced two of its own cars, the SUV Formentor and the EV hatchback Born. Being budget options in the market, SEAT and Cupra are both part of VW's Core brand group. It mostly sold in Europe -- although, it is starting to push into other regions and currently plan to enter the U.S. market by 2030. Audi produces a range of mid-to-high-market cars, generally going for a luxury feel -- although, it does have a number of performance trims and models as well. The modern company was born of the merger of several others that were all owned by Volkswagen in the 1960s, and since then the marque has been associated with a lot of technological innovations in the industry. Most famously, the Audi Quattro shot all-wheel drive to widespread prominence and adoption after it dominated rally championships for years. Going forward, Audi is positioning itself as a leader of legacy auto brands making the switch to electrification. While it has softened its original hard target of 2033 for making only EVs, it still wants to head in this direction and even get into building out its own charger network a la Tesla. While Audi's entry-level cars are relatively affordable, most of its range is priced high enough to push the brand into VW's Progressive group, which is where the high-end and specialty brands live. Audi towers over this group, earning $72.3 billion its revenue and $4.3 billion of its profits in 2024. Perhaps more than any other badge, Lamborghini defines showy, ostentatious, and downright bonkers performance cars for the garages of rich people and the imaginations of 8-year-olds everywhere. Founded in the early-1960s as a direct competitor to Ferrari, the marque has gone on to create some of the most instantly recognizable poster-worthy cars in history, including the era-defining Countach, the sharp-edged Aventador, and of course, one of the best-looking cars ever made, the Miura. Even if you're too sophisticated and classy to want a Lamborghini, you still want a Lamborghini anyway. Lamborghini's financial history was pretty rocky through its early decades, but it eventually found a new home in the Volkswagen Group in 1998. Today it sits within VW's Progressive brand group of higher-end and specialty makes. In that group's electrification spirit, all Lambos currently on sale are hybrid, with a full battery electric vehicle on the way in 2029, the Lanzador. The iconic "Flying B" badge has helped to define ultra-high-end British luxury cars since its founding in 1919 -- though, it was a more race-oriented brand in the early decades. Its grand tourers are some of the best in the business, striking a phenomenal balance of comfort and performance that can glide you along to your next destination like you're in a private jet. A Bentley's interior might be better furnished, and quite possibly larger, than the room you're in right now. With such a high sticker price for its models, it's maybe not a surprise that Bentley has been a low-volume seller. That means its business is understandably overall much smaller than mass-market marques, so it's had trouble over the decades keeping its head above financial water. In 1998, that led to its acquisition by the VW Group. These days, it sits in the Volkswagen's Progressive brand group of up-market makers, functionally serving as the conglomerate's premium offering for its deepest-pocketed clientele. Volkswagen began with the original incarnation of the Beetle, designed by the legend himself, Ferdinand Porsche. So perhaps it's destiny that today, both VW and the eponymous company he would later found have come together. It wasn't exactly a smooth marriage, though, as the 2012 acquisition was the end of a multi-year duel of attempted hostile takeovers between the two. The VW goliath, which sold sixty times as many cars, beat out the David of Porsche (which, to be fair, started the fight), and now the Stuttgart-based make is just one more badge on the mantlepiece of the "People's Car." Through all that, Porsche remains one of the most famous sports car brands in the business. Its centerpiece is, of course, the 911, an all-time member of the automotive pantheon. Alongside it these days are the mid-engined 718 Cayman and Boxster and the all-electric Taycan -- though, its 2024 best-seller is the compact SUV, the Macan. Perhaps as a hat tip to the marque that bears the name of the first designer Volkswagen ever had, Porsche occupies a brand group all to itself within the larger VW Group, called Sport & Luxury. Just to make things interesting, technically speaking, the Volkswagen Group is itself owned by a holding company called Porsche SE. Don't get too confused, though. This isn't Porsche, the car company, but a new company spun off from the car company when the acquisition was made, so strictly speaking, Porsche owns Volkswagen who owns Porsche -- look, we said the marriage was messy, ok? Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox... Read the original article on Jalopnik.
