Monday, December 8, 2014

2016 HR-V Debuts, Coming Soon in Spring of 2015

Honda debuted the all-new 2016 HR-V at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November.  The HR-V will be coming spring of 2015, and it is packed with new technology and has plenty of versatility for all.  There are three different ways to configure its interior and the available Real Time AWD gives you more control on the road.  The sleek, modern exterior makes the HR-V a perfect vehicle to take on the town while it still has the versatility to take on more rugged terrain.  You will find plenty of technology inside the cabin as well as room for whatever you may need to take along in the HR-V.  Stay up to date on this all-new design from Honda by going to http://automobiles.honda.com/hr-v/#news.  

Friday, October 31, 2014

Honda HR-V Coming Soon!

Honda will be debuting their all-new HR-V at the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 19th.  The HR-V will be the point of entry into the lineup of Honda light trucks.  It is anticipated to launch this winter and is built on the Fit platform.  Due to an innovative center fuel tank layout, the HR-V will have a roomy and all-purpose interior.  Further information and details will be released at the Los Angeles Auto Show, this announcementcomes shortly after the 2015 CR-V was named 2015 Motor Trend Sport/Utility of the Year.  Honda truly offers a great line-up of vehicles that have proven to be reliable and fun to drive for all.


Friday, October 10, 2014

2015 CR-V Revealed

Honda has recently released the all-new 2015 CR-V with an updated body style along with a new trim level and plenty of new technology.  The new CR-V has been improved and enhanced, starting with the more sleek and stylish exterior as well as the many new crash-avoidance technologies.  The fuel economy has improved from the previous year and with an updated suspension the drive is quiet and smooth.  Adding in the new Touring trim level with stylish 18-inch alloy wheels gives consumers a top of the line SUV with a lot to love.  

Friday, September 5, 2014

The Supercharged CR-Z

You can now get a dealer-installed supercharger for the Honda CR-Z Hybrid Coupe, which takes it up to 197 horsepower, almost 50% more than the stock horsepower.  The kit includes a centrifugal supercharger, intercooler, high-flow injectors, air-filter system and a recalibrated electronic control unit and was developed by Honda Performance Development.  Not including dealer installation, this kit costs about $5,495 and is onlycompatible with CR-Zs that come with a manual transmission. There are other kits out there made my third party companies that cost about the same but once installed, they void the warranty.  Honda’s kit turns the CR-Z into more of what they had originally intended, a small and nimble car that is fast and efficient.

”This new push from Honda Performance Development harkens back to Honda’s glory days and hopefully is only the beginning of a larger move within the company to return to its sporty root.” –forbes.com


Friday, August 15, 2014

The shift from levers to buttons

For some time now, having a vehicle with an automatic transmission meant having a shift lever either on the console or steering column that was used to change gears.  With the arrival of a variety of new technology in vehicles has also come the arrival of electronic transmission controls.  Gone are the days of gear shift familiarity in all cars, as consumers are now learning how to use toggles, knobs and push buttons.  Among some of the automakers who have started to employ electronic transmission controls are Acura, Chrysler, Jaguar, Lincoln and Mercedes Benz.

These new controls are giving cars a more high-tech feel, though this is not the first time that auto makers have integrated push-button shifting.  Chrysler in particular has had models in the past with push-button controls and even Ford had shift buttons in itsEdsel sedan.  Automakers are moving to electronic shifting, which is controlled by computers and thus enables the change from traditional shift levers (which require a lever control with mechanical links to the transmission) to buttons and toggles.

This change is aesthetic and practical for automakers, though for drivers it means learning a new system and adjusting to a new normal when it comes to their car’s transmission.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2014/08/10/cars-shifting-knobs-buttons/13721433/

Friday, July 25, 2014

Safer Cars for Teens

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has recognized several model years of Honda pre-owned vehicles as part of its first ever list of safer pre-owned vehicles for teen drivers.  IIHS conducted research and found that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death in teenagers and that the type of vehicle driven has a large effect on the degree of risk in a crash.  Further research conducted by IIHS found that many teens drive pre-owned vehicles that are lacking important safety technology.  As a result, the list of safer pre-owned vehicles for teen drivers was created to help parents in making safer choices.  
The Honda Accord Sedan (2012 and later), Accord Coupe (2013-14), CR-V (2012 and later), Element (2007 and later) and Honda Odyssey (2011 and later) have all earned the recognition from IIHS as the best, safer choices for teen drivers under $20,000.  The Honda Pilot (2006 and later) and the Honda Odyssey (2005-10) were included in the list of safer pre-owned vehicles for teen drivers under $10,000.
Vehicles considered "best choices" for under $20,0002 have good ratings for side crash protection, good head restraints and seats for rear crash protection, and good roof strength to protect occupants in rollover crashes. Vehicles considered "good choices" for under $10,0002 have good or acceptable side crash protection and head restraints rated better than poor. If rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the vehicles earn a 4 or 5 Star Overall Vehicle Score, for model years 2011 and later, or 4 or 5 Stars in the front and side crash safety tests for earlier models tested under NHTSA's old rating system.” www.honda.com
Honda is the most durable, longest lasting brand in its class, according to IHS Automotive vehicle registration statistics.  Customers who choose a Certified Pre-Owned Honda vehicle from an authorized Honda dealer get added peace of mind with an extensive limited warranty.  Honda has a long history of leadership in the development and application of advanced technologies in their vehicles, keeping drivers safe in the event of a crash.

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

HondaJet

The first production HondaJet achieved its first successful test flight on June 27, 2014.  It took place in Greensboro, N.C. and the aircraft made an 84-minute flight, and following a smooth landing was greeted by 1,000 plus Honda Aircraft team members.  The Honda Jet is going to be single-pilot certified and is currently the world’s most advanced and fuel-efficient light jet.  HondaJet is moving towards aircraft certification and entry into service in 2015.  It can seat up to five passengers and travel at a range of 1,357 miles.  With best-in-class advantages in quality, comfort and performance as well as technological innovations in aviation design the HondaJet is sure to prove itself as the best in its class.

The HondaJet is Honda's first commercial aircraft and lives up to the company's reputation for superior performance, efficiency, quality and value.” –www.hondajet.com

For more information, visit:
http://www.hondajet.com







Monday, June 23, 2014

Are Connected Cars the Future?

There has been a push in the Senate to open up the band of wireless communication airwaves that automakers have had exclusive access to.  The legislation is designed to improve road safety by allowing vehicles to communicate with other vehicles on the road.  The NHTSA says that the technology could eliminate some 80 percent of traffic accidents.  But groups among the auto industry are concerned that by opening the connected car spectrum, it could create interference and put safety improvements at risk.  More study is needed before connected cars can coexist on the same wireless spectrum, according to auto industry groups.

Expanding access of the wireless communication airwaves to improve road safety is a growing debate, though a mandate for vehicle to vehicle communications may be in the near future.

Monday, June 16, 2014

The 2015 Fit has arrived!

The all-new 2015 Honda Fit is making its debut at Bobby Rahal Honda!  This sporty, fun to drive hatchback has been completely redesigned with a sleek modern exterior and plenty of new technology.  It comes standard with Bluetooth connectivity, Rearview camera and an Expanded View Driver’s Mirror.  The 2015 Fit also comes in three new colors: Aegean Blue Metallic, Mystic Yellow Pearl and Passion Berry Pearl.  

With a starting MSRP of $17,115.00 along with 33mpg city and 41 mpg highway, the savings never stop with the 2015 Fit.  “More than ever, the Fit is ridiculously well suited to city living. It seats four adults, swallows plenty of gear, parks almost anywhere, sips fuel, has excellent outward visibility, dices traffic and loves to get out... for weekend adventures.” -NYTimes

We have two 2015 Fits in stock and ready for you to explore!  Make sure to call us at 717-766-4300 to schedule your test drive!


Monday, June 9, 2014

Honda is Awarded Again

Honda has done it again- Automotive News has reported that Honda topped the rankings of mainstream brands, by new vehicle buyers for quality and value.  The study was done by ALG, and is based upon data that shows perception is a better predictor to forecast vehicle quality in the market. Other studies measure vehicles based upon quality in everything from long-term durability to fit and finish. "ALG’s metric isolates how consumers think about the quality of each brand.  The gap between the top tier and the rest of the field has narrowed...and buyers are clearly getting the message that overall quality levels have much more parity than ever before."

Not only has Honda received multiple awards and accolades from the NHTSA, IIHS, Edmunds.com, and KBB, they also continue to maintain and gain a satisfied customer base due to Honda's quality.

https://www.alg.com/bpq/ 

Thursday, May 22, 2014

2014 Odyssey Awards

The 2014 Honda Odyssey, already the top selling minivan in the U.S. in 2013 has won the “Best Minivan for Families” award for the fourth consecutive year from U.S. News & World Report’s annual “Best Cars for Families” honors.  The award goes to vehicles that have the highest combined score in professional automotive reviews, safety and reliability ratings, seating and cargo volume and the availability of family-friendly features.  

The Odyssey leads its class in fuel economy and safety ratings, while being able to accommodate up to eight passengers.  It was also the only minivan to receive the 2014 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating and it has earned a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score from NHTSA.  The 2014 Odyssey has also introduced us to theHondaVac, the world’s first in-vehicle vacuum system.  

The 2014 Odyssey is fully loaded with cutting edge technology and safety features that are sure to please everyone in the family.



Thursday, May 8, 2014

Graduate and Military Programs through Honda

American Honda offers two programs to customers who are looking to purchase a new car, the Honda College Graduate Bonus and the Honda Military Appreciation Offer.  For those individuals who have recently graduated or are going to graduate soon with a master’s, bachelor’s or associate’s degree, Honda will reward them by giving $500 toward any new model year Honda.  To show their appreciation to the members in our military, Honda also offers active U.S. Military individuals and their spouses, as well as Veterans $500 toward any new model year Honda.  It’s a way to help those getting started on their careers into a new car and to show appreciation to our Military for all they do.


Thursday, April 17, 2014

Honda's all-new HR-V

Honda will be launching the all-new HR-V Compact SUV this winter, expanding its lineup of small cars, after the launch of the 2015 Honda Fit.  The first official photos of the HR-V were released today, showing sleek styling similar styling to the CR-V, but on a smaller car.  The HR-V will be equipped with the Honda Magic Seat, which allows you to fold the second row seat completely flat for added cargo space.  The 2015 Honda Fit and the Honda HR-V have both been designed with a versatile and spacious interior to fit all the needs of the next generation of buyers.

The Honda HR-V will be a combination of the Fit and the CR-V, in size and price. If you are looking for a vehicle with SUV utility in a subcompact package, all with Honda's impressive list of standard features such as a rearview camera and Bluetooth connectivity, the HR-V is for you.

http://www.honda.com/newsandviews/article.aspx?g=honda-automobiles&id=7721-en 

Thursday, April 10, 2014

2015 Honda Fit

The 2015 Honda Fit is coming soon- it is completely redesigned,with a roomier interior, 130 horsepower, and an availablecontinuously variable transmission.  It comes standard with Bluetooth, an Expanded View Driver’s Mirror and a Rearview camera.  You will also notice some new color options, as well as a new sleek body style with a new grille and headlights.  “This is a car that will look attractive in upscale driveways, suburban apartment complexes, and urban traffic.” –Car and Driver
The 2015 Fit also has available 16-inch alloy wheels, leather seats, Smart Entry, Honda Lane Watch and push button start on select trim levels. One of great the features in the 2015 Fit is itsMagic Seat, a rear bench that can be configured in four different ways to enable more room for camping gear, bicycles, and much more.
The pricing on the new Fit has not been released yet, though it is rumored to be competitively priced within the segment.  It is expected to achieve 41 mpg on the highway and 33 mpg in the city, compared to the current ratings on the 2013 Fit of 35 mpg highway and 28 mpg city.  The 2015 Fit is a lot of car for a little bit of money, and it is ready for the road.




Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Honda Smart Home

Honda has opened a demonstration Smart Home in Davis, California (just outside of Sacramento), fully equipped with the latest technology and a Honda Fit in the garage.  This Honda Smart Home demonstrates how we might live a zero-carbon life.  The home is located on the campus of the University of California at Davis, which will be used for three years by visiting faculty and staff, with each tenant staying for a year.

In places like Australia and California, water can be scarce and sun power is plentiful, so low-impact homes are at a high interest.  The Honda Smart Home is about 2,000 square feet, and is designed to be energy positive.  It contributes electricity to the grid and has a battery storage system that captures excess energy and provides an energy source in case of blackouts.  It is complete with LED lighting, radiant heating and cooling, a solar panel system, as well as a grey-water filtering and recovery system.

You will find a zero-emission Honda Fit EV electric car in the garage, which is equipped with a standard 240-Volt Level 2 charging station and a DC charging outlet.  The solar panels on the house can directly charge the Fit EV via the DC cable.  Not only is Honda pushing the envelope in zero-emission automobiles, they are at the forefront of zero-emission technology in homes.


Tuesday, March 25, 2014

200,000 Miles and Beyond

In a recent article from Fox News, the Civic, Accord and Odyssey have been ranked at the top of the list for cars from the model years 1981 to 2010 to achieve 200,000 miles.  The data was put together by iSeeCars.com, and was based on listings for 30 million vehicles advertised for sale during the last year.  They looked at the model years 1981 to 2010 that were listed for sale and ranked those vehicles based upon the percentage that reached 200,000 miles or more.  Out of the top ten cars on that list, Honda has more cars than any other manufacturer that are on the road with more than 200,000 miles.  In fact, the Honda Accord is at the top of the list, achieving the highest number of Accords with over 200,000 miles on the road.  The Odyssey came in fourth place, and is the only minivan in the top ten vehicles to reach 200,000 miles.  The Civic is number eight on the list, with a long track record of reliability.
Hondas are known to last long, in fact, American Honda has a club for Honda owners who have cars that have gone 100,000 miles or more.  The Honda Mile Makers Club is full of owner’s stories and pictures, along with awards for mileage milestones.  If you plan on racking up the miles, purchase a Honda, it won’t let you down.    


Monday, March 10, 2014

2014 Civic



“Honda has made another major round of improvements to the Civic for 2014. As a result, the 2014 Honda Civic is one of the best compact cars you can buy.” -Edmunds.com

The reviews are in, and the 2014 Honda Civic has come out on top of the competition.  Honda has redesigned the Civic for 2014, to include some exterior body updates, a new CVT transmission and all-new technology.  The 2014 Civic Sedan has also earned the highest possible score of “Good” across all five safety tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), making it a 2014 TOP SAFETY PICK.

The 2014 Honda Civic is a great car that combines reliability and fuel economy into a quality and sporty package. Very few compact cars can deliver a solid and sporty ride while rewarding the driver with an EPA estimated 30+ miles to the gallon.  The Honda Civic is priced competitively and utilizes high quality materials and superior construction that gives the Civic the look and feel of a much pricier vehicle.  With all the technology that comes standard, such as a rearview camera, USB audio interface, SMS text messaging, Bluetooth HandsFreeLink, 7-inch Display Audio screen, Pandora Compatibility and much more, you won’t believe the price tag.

Check out http://automobiles.honda.com/civic/ for more information

Thursday, February 20, 2014

IIHS Safety Ratings


Every year, the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) awards vehicles with safety ratings.  There are two different aspects of safety that they measure all vehicles by: 1.Crashworthiness, how well a vehicle protects its passengers in the event of a crash, and 2.Crash avoidance and mitigation, technology that can prevent a crash from occurring, or lessen the severity of the crash.  To determine crashworthiness, IIHS rates vehicles in the following categories: good, acceptable, marginal, or poor.  These categories are based on performance in five tests: moderate overlap front, small overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraints. To determine the success of crash avoidance and mitigation, IIHS assigns vehicles that are equipped with front crash prevention systems ratings of basic, advanced, or superior, which are based on the type of system and performance in track tests.

There are also two different levels of awards that vehicles can receive from the IIHS.  First is the “Top Safety Pick”, for a vehicle to qualify for this it must earn good ratings in the following categories: moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraint tests.  The vehicle must also receive a good or acceptable rating in the small overlap front test.  The second level that a vehicle can achieve is “Top Safety Pick +”, and for a vehicle to qualify it must meet the criteria for the “Top Safety Pick” as well as earn a basic, advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention.

With the qualifications, only a few select vehicles earned a safety award this year, compared to years before.  You will be happy to know that three Honda models have been given the “Top Safety Pick” award for 2014: the Civic, Accord, and Odyssey.  Check out the link below to see all the details.


Thursday, February 6, 2014

Keeping your tires safe




Most people love getting maximum fuel efficiency and maximum life out of their tires.  But when you drive on a significantly under-inflated tire, the tire can overheat, which can lead to tire failure.  Under-inflation reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability. 

If you drive a Honda, your vehicle is equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that comes on every time you start up the engine in your vehicle, which monitors the pressure in your tires while you drive.  Each of the tires on your vehicle has its own sensor.  If the air pressure in any of the tires gets low, the sensor sends a signal that causes the low tire pressure light to illuminate.  This warning light represents a flat tire, though it looks more like a horseshoe or a fishbowl with an exclamation point inside of it.




What should you do when this light illuminates on your dashboard?  Stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and if needed, inflate them to the proper pressure, which can be found in your owner’s manual.  Also, make sure to have your tires checked by a dealer, in case one of the tires has a leak, which may cause it to go flat if not repaired.

Because tire pressure is affected by temperature and other conditions, the low tire pressure indicator can come on unexpectedly.  For instance, in cold weather, your tire pressure can decrease overnight due to the air becoming denser with the sudden drop in temperature, thus causing the low tire pressure light to illuminate.

Remember to manually check your tire pressures often, including the spare, about once a month, to ensure that they are within the recommend inflation pressure.

Thursday, January 30, 2014

2014 Harrisburg Auto Show

This past weekend, The Pennsylvania Auto Show featured more than 500 top of the line vehicles, all under one roof.  This gave people the opportunity to get a close-up look at the many vehicles on the market, and compare makes and models.  The show runs every year, hosted by Motor Trend, and is sponsored by the Harrisburg Automotive Trade Association, as well as The Patriot-News.  The Antique Automobile Club of America also displays classic and original cars from its museum.  
In 2010, the all-new certified pre-owned section was added.  Local dealers get to display a nice selection of their certified pre-owned vehicles inside for sale.  This year, the show had its first power sports hall that showcased ATV's, motorcycles, boats, personal watercraft and scooters. The section also had an ATV simulator that is designed to teach rider safety techniques.
There were also contests you could enter in to win a new car, plenty of materials on the various makes and models of vehicles, as well as a $500,000 Rolls-Royce that was showcased in the luxury hall.  Of course, we were there, showing off Honda’s line-up of vehicles, which included the all-new 2014 Civic. Overall, the show was well-done; you even got to leave with a free issue of Motor Trend magazine in your hand.  
If you are planning on attending next year for the 2015 Auto Show, check out their website, www.AutoShowHarrisburg.comfor discounts on E-Tickets, which save time at the door.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

25 Years Already?

This week marks the 25th anniversary of the opening of Bobby Rahal Honda.  You may not know how it all began, or how far it has come to be what it is today.  Rewinding back twenty five years ago, the average car salesman was not always what you would call honest or helpful.  Most people would describe the car buying experience as confusing and frustrating.  When Bobby Rahal met Ron Ferris, a Chicago area sales consultant at the time, he was so impressed by the service he received that he formed a business partnership with him.  The idea was to open a car dealership that operated solely on customer satisfaction.  
In January of 1989, Bobby Rahal (Chairman of Bobby Rahal Automotive Group), Ron Ferris (Chief Executive Officer), and Bob Vladem (Chief Financial Officer) made up the original founding partnership and opened Bobby Rahal Honda in Mechanicsburg, PA.  Since its opening, Bobby Rahal Honda has been known for its customer satisfaction, and it shows.  Bobby Rahal Honda has earned the “President’s Award” from Honda eleven times since 1994, when the program first began.  The company has also been voted “Simply the Best” by Harrisburg Magazine Reader’s Poll for ten consecutive years.  
Bobby Rahal Honda is also known for its conveyer-driven service line.  First operating in September of 2004, this line was designed by the company’s President, John Rickards.  The five-station line is made for speed.  Oil changes, wiper inserts, bulbs, and many other routine service repairs can be done on this line in as little as a half an hour.  The company also boasts a Car Wash that uses recycled water with a state-of-the-art system to wash cars, whether in for service, or for cars that come in off the street.
The importance of customer satisfaction is seen in everything that Bobby Rahal Honda does and how the company as a whole, as well as its employees treats clients.