ClaimDream

This is the new Honda Integra, and no, this isn’t precisely the Integra that was first teased by Acura back in August, which is only set to debut in 2022. Confused? Let us explain.

The Integra seen here will go on sale in China in the fourth quarter of this year and is essentially the 11th-generation Civic, but with a new name and some styling tweaks. Why not just call it a Civic then? Well, that’s because there’s already a Civic in China, which is built by Dongfeng Honda, a joint venture between Dongfeng Motor Group and Honda Motor Company.

This alternate version of the Civic is built by Guangqi Honda (GAC-Honda), which is another joint venture that the Japanese carmaker has with GAC Group. The company decided to bring back the Integra name for its take on the Civic, as it says it will better appeal to young consumers.

Having two almost identical Honda models with different names is nothing new in China, as we’ve seen with the GAC-built Vezel (we know it as the HR-V) and Dongfeng’s XR-V. Other examples include GAC’s Breeze and Dongfeng’s CR-V.

With that cleared up, let’s talk about the Integra itself. Still recognisably a Civic, the most notable styling changes can be seen at the front, where there is now a normal six-point grille instead of a body-coloured bar. This is flanked by slimmer headlamps, while the lower apron gets a smaller intake and more subtle fog lamp sections.

Moving to the rear, you’ll find distinctive inverted L-shaped taillights that extend into the boot lid, meeting up with the sharply creased number plate recess. Based on these photos and images from China’s ministry of industry and information technology, the rear apron will come in two flavours.

The standard car gets an aggressive rear bumper with vertical reflectors, a centre fog light and a large black insert that shades twin tailpipes. There’s also a sporty option that swaps out the insert for a diffuser-like element, also in black, and adds on chrome finishers to the exhaust outlets.

Detailed specifications aren’t out yet, but based on the “240 Turbo” badging, it’s likely motivation will come from the usual 1.5 litre VTEC Turbo four-cylinder engine (in the higher 182 PS specification available for the Civic globally), paired with a CVT to drive the front wheels. There are also two colours offered, including Emerald Blue and Fiery Yellow.

Other features noted in the ministry’s documents include wheels ranging from 16 to 18 inches in size, LED headlamps, the Honda Sensing suite of safety and driver assist systems, black-coloured exterior items and leather upholstery. We’ll only know more when the car is properly launched later this year.

So, what are your thoughts on the China-market Integra? Is it better-looking than the regular Civic? Should the name even be used at all? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

The post 2022 Honda Integra revealed for China – a Civic with tweaked styling and a different name; Q4 2021 launch appeared first on Paul Tan's Automotive News.

The Nissan Sylphy e-Power has officially been unveiled in China. The Sylphy is the automaker’s best-selling sedan in the country, which can now be had with its second-generation e-Power electrified powertrain.

It’s basically a fully electric car, but instead of plugging in for charging, there’s a small and efficient petrol engine onboard to do the deed. An electric motor with 300 Nm of torque provides drive to the front wheels, which Nissan says will deliver responsive acceleration, smooth deceleration and cabin quietness similar to that of an EV.

The automaker has yet to disclose the full technical details of the Sylphy’s e-Power system, but says the C-segment sedan has a fuel economy rating of 3.9 litres per 100 km (based on China’s own testing standards). The car also offers five drive modes that cycle between maximum efficiency or performance.

Takeshi Yamaguchi, vice president of Dongfeng Motor and managing director of Dongfeng Nissan Passenger Vehicle Company, said: “The launch of the Nissan e-Power Sylphy in China represents the determination of Nissan to introduce cutting-edge technologies in this core market, to accelerate the company’s vision for electrified mobility and the achievement of China’s carbon neutrality goals.”

“e-Power is designed to bring a whole new driving experience to customers in China in their pursuit for high-quality mobility in the era of electrification,” he added.

The e-Power system was first introduced in Japan with the Note in 2016, with cumulative sales already exceeding the 500,000 mark as of March 2021. In China, the company expects this technology to contribute to the government’s sustainable development roadmap, and aligns with Nissan’s global goal to achieve carbon neutrality across its operations by 2050.

By the early 2030s, every all-new Nissan vehicle offered in key markets will be electrified. For China, there will be six more e-Power models planned for introduction through 2025.

The post 2022 Nissan Sylphy e-Power officially debuts in China appeared first on Paul Tan's Automotive News.

Porsche is recalling 310 examples of its third-generation 981 Boxster and Cayman sports cars due to a manufacturing defect in the rear suspension.

This fault is limited to models sold from 2012 to 2014.

“Due to a manufacturing defect, the rear suspension may fail in extreme driving situations,” the company says in its recall notice.

“Should the suspension fail, this will impact vehicle handling which could result in a loss of vehicle control.”

• 

• 

• A total of 310 vehicles are affected
• The VIN list is attached here
• The original recall notice is attached here

If you are an affected owner, Porsche is encouraging you to contact your local/preferred dealership to schedule a free fix.

MORE: Everything Porsche 718

Tesla is reportedly strengthening its existing partnership with Samsung, as it gears up for its Full Self Driving (FSD) Computer 2.

A report by The Korea Economic Daily says Samsung Electronics Co. will manufacture the chips used in Tesla’s next-generation Hardware 4 computer, also known as the FSD Computer 2.

This next-generation hardware is set to ship in the forthcoming Cybertruck electric ute that won’t start production until late 2022, according to the Tesla website.

A source says Samsung is expected to commence production of the Hardware 4 computer in the fourth quarter of 2021.

• 

The existing Hardware 3 computer used in Tesla vehicles is already produced by Samsung.

The South Korean tech giant reportedly beat out rival chip manufacturer, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), to attain a contract allowing it to continue producing the chips for Tesla.

“Tesla and Samsung’s foundry division have been working on the design and samples of the chip from the start of this year,” a source told The Korea Economic Daily.

“Recently, Tesla decided to outsource the [Hardware 4] self-driving chip to Samsung. It’s virtually a done deal.”

• 

Tesla reportedly decided to choose Samsung to produce its new chip after considering factors such as production costs, long-term cooperation, and the availability of Samsung technology.

These chips will be mass produced at Samsung’s Hwasung plant and are said to use a 7-nanometre semiconductor processing technology.

Less advanced than 5-nanometre processing, Samsung and Tesla agreed to use the tried-and-tested 7-nanometre processing to ensure higher production yields and stable functionality of the chips.

In August 2021 Musk boasted on Twitter that Tesla is aiming for its self-driving technology to be 1000 per cent safer than the average human driver.

It’s amazing by most standards, but we are aiming for 1000% safer than the average human driver

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 24, 2021

This new Tesla FSD Computer 2 will eventually replace the existing FSD Computer 1 used in the Model S, Model X and Model 3.

It is uncertain whether there will be delays in producing these chips, but around the globe there is a shortage of semiconductor chips.

Tesla recently allowed more US owners to opt into the company’s FSD beta program.

These customers are required to go through and pass a series of driving behaviour tests over seven days before being able to access the beta feature.

MORE: Tesla Full-Self Driving beta opened to more testers

The post Trio of Kittens Dumped in Shoebox appeared first on Katzenworld – Welcome to the world of cats!.

RSPCA is appealing for information as three-week-old cats were too young to survive without their mother

A trio of three-week-old kittens have been rescued after they were found dumped in a shoebox in the middle of a footpath in Burton upon Trent.

The little black kittens – now named Poppy, Pickle and Panda – were found by a member of the public in a Slazenger children’s trainer box from Sports Direct on Tower Road footpath, off Ashby Road at about 6pm on Sunday. (22 August)

The kind member of the public took the young kittens home and cared for them, feeding them special kitten formula until RSPCA inspector Pam Bird collected them.

Pam said: “The three black kittens were inside the closed shoe box which had been left in a very obvious place in the centre of the footpath.

“All of the kittens are too young to survive without their mother without the swift intervention and kindness of the passing person who found them, took them home and then called the RSPCA for help.

“She hand fed them overnight with special kitten milk formula and a syringe. I collected them the following day and they are now all in the care of a vet nurse.

“It is so sad as these little kittens are far too young to be without their mother – and to be abandoned like that when they needed help the most is just awful.

“We would really like to hear from anyone who has information about how these kittens got here and who might have left them in such a way. I would urge anyone with information to contact us as soon as possible on 0300 123 8018.

The kittens are just some of the animals to come into RSPCA care in the last couple of months. The charity revealed this week that on average four cats a day are the victims of deliberate cruelty across the summer months in England and Wales.

The RSPCA’s rescue teams need support to stay out on the frontline as the only charity rescuing animals and investigating cruelty:

• £5 could help towards a catnip mouse toy for cats in our care

• £10 could help pay towards bandages for a cat or dog;

• £15 could help pay for a cat or dog’s clinical exam.

To donate to the Cancel Out Cruelty campaign and help us continue to rescue animals in need, visit www.rspca.org.uk/stopcruelty.

The post Trio of Kittens Dumped in Shoebox appeared first on Katzenworld.