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Chrysler’s Electric Halcyon Concept

Chrysler’s Electric Halcyon Concept

Chrysler Halcyon Concept exemplifies the brand’s fully electrified future vision with sustainable design and full autonomy paired with personalized driving experiences.

A front view of the Halcyonconcept

The Chrysler Halcyon Concept showcases a fully electrified future of the Chrysler brand with sustainability-driven exterior and interior design, and full autonomy. (Photos courtesy of Stellantis)

BY MARK MAYNARD

FEBRUARY 13, 2024, AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Chrysler today unveiled the Chrysler Halcyon Concept, exemplifying a fully electrified future of the Chrysler brand. The concept embraces sustainability-driven exterior and interior design, full autonomy paired with personalized driving experiences and futuristic technology.

Chrysler plans to launch its first battery-electric vehicle in 2025 and is on course to feature an all-electric portfolio in 2028. The Chrysler Halcyon Concept reinforces the brand’s commitment to the plan of Stellantis Dare Forward 2030, which cultivates electrified and more efficient propulsion systems. The goal is for Stellantis to cut its global carbon footprint by 50 percent by 2030 and to lead the transportation industry by achieving net carbon zero by 2038.

A forward view through the front seat area and expansive windshield.

The interior of the Chrysler Halcyon Concept has an almost 360-degree range of view. Chrysler says the design delivers a “digital detox” cockpit through stress-free autonomous features.

Chrysler Halcyon: A Forward-Looking Vision for an All-Electric Future

The Chrysler Halcyon Concept imagines a future that utilizes innovative Dynamic Wireless Power Transfer, DWPT. This technology will wirelessly recharge electric vehicles traveling over specially equipped, dedicated road lanes. The power transfer system is intended to allow unlimited range and travel from destinations, such as New York to Seattle, without needing a charger, charge cord, or public charging stations. Stellantis partnered in 2022 to demonstrate the potential of DWPT technology at the Arena del Futuro circuit in Chiari, Italy.

The concept also envisions incorporating breakthrough Lyten 800-volt lithium-sulfur EV batteries that do not use nickel, cobalt or manganese. By not using these mixed metal oxides, Chrysler anticipates an estimated 60 percent lower carbon footprint than today’s best-in-class batteries and a pathway to achieve the lowest emissions EV battery on the global market. In May 2023, Stellantis Ventures, Stellantis’s corporate venture fund, announced an investment in Lyten to accelerate the commercialization of Lyten 3D Graphene applications for the mobility industry.

Interior Design and Features

A cross-car pillar-to-pillar transparent display centers the sculpted cockpit. The screen provides a forward-looking view of information while keeping eyes on the road. A stowable 15.6-inch console screen can be rotated for portrait or landscape orientation and can assist in start-up and quick access to information. Voice recognition commands can fully control the displays.

AI functionality allows the driver to ask the vehicle anything. STLA Brain technology delivers over-the-air updates for software and features. The Stellantis AI system enables the concept to diagnose issues and communicate OTA solutions without visiting a dealership.

The reverse-yoke-designed steering wheel folds away, with pedals also retracting when the steering wheel retracts.

The stylized wing logo for Chrysler

The new version of the Chrysler Wing logo, which first debuted on the Chrysler Airflow Concept.

Detroit’s musical culture and heritage inspire Chrysler’s new wing logo. The logos on the steering wheel and other cabin areas are made from crushed and 100 percent recycled composite material made from post-consumer music CDs.

A glass center console links the cabin spaces from the front to the rear. Lighting is a focal point for the console and continues along the doors, footrest, and footwells.

Lightweight, keystone-shaped front seats can fully retract into the rear seat position, creating a giant accessible area.

Rear seats retract into the trunk area to highlight a potential next-generation vision of Stow’ n Go seating, invented for Chrysler minivans. The rear seats stow away either through biometric identification or voice.

A side view with the doors and canopy all opened.

Chrysler Halcyon Concept

Innovative Materials

The dark gray floor is a malleable, textile-infused wood with a microfiber backing, offering multiple potential applications. The wood is traceable throughout its entire production.

Brushed black copper door and door sill film accents provide an alternative to paint, lowering the concept’s use of volatile organic compounds emitted during the painting process. The thin film transitions in shades from black to brown.

The trunk area also features a textile-infused wood floor and a runnerboard on the floor that can be removed for more storage space. There also is a pass-through from the rear seats.

An overhead view of the concept with all four doors open

The tinted acrylic butterfly-hinged canopy.

Halcyon Concept Bullet Points

  • Based on Chrysler’s STLA Large BEV platform, the Halcyon Concept integrates STLA Brain, STLA SmartCockpit, and STLA AutoDrive technologies;
  • The concept’s dramatic proportions create a low-to-the-ground profile with a front air blade aerodynamic pass-through for improved BEV range;
  • Butterfly-hinged canopy and red-carpet-style side doors create an open-air feel and give easy access in and out of the vehicle;
  • In Prepare Mode, Stellantis AI assistant preps the cabin to set HVAC levels; predictive navigation provides real-time traffic routing;
A rear view of the Halcyon

The rear of the Chrysler Halcyon concept also carries its own unique silhouette, with a water line that emphasizes the width and shoulders of the car, and the front’s cross-car read and LED-lit Chrysler Wing logo are mirrored in the rear.

  • A Welcome Mode uses biometric identification to greet the driver with LED exterior lighting animation, personalized exterior sounds, and a greeting on interior screens;
  • Personalized vehicle “cymatics” –— sounds and vibrations mirrored through visuals — give calming or energetic sounds based on driver presets;
  • Different sound frequencies prompt corresponding particle shapes on the wide console screen. So-called “calming frequencies” create dispersed particle patterns, while dynamic sounds have energetic shapes;
  • Chrysler’s STLA AutoDrive technology platform enables Level 4 autonomous driving;
  • A dimmable glass canopy and windshield can turn opaque with seats laid back for a unique augmented-reality Stargazing Mode;
  • Drivers can use voice recognition to deploy the steering wheel and control the vehicle through customized EV drive modes.

The reveal of Chrysler Halcyon Concept can be viewed online at Chrysler.com 

Bentley Motors’ Extraordinary Journeys

Bentley Motors’ Extraordinary Journeys

‘Sustainable, seasonal, and locally sourced produce will be served to guests throughout the programme of culinary experiences. Nature, history, arts and culture, well-being, and relaxation will all form a part of the trip.’

3 Bentley cars on a mountains road in england

Five days of grand touring from Bentley Motors in Crewe, Cheshire, England, to The Macallan Estate in Scotland. (Photography by Bentley Motors)

BY MARK MAYNARD

Whether a bucket list item, a fantasy road trip, or a curated Extraordinary Journey of Discovery, I had to share this release from Bentley Motors for its third annual exclusive driving experience.

The program spans five days and four nights, on two 2024 dates:

• Aug. 19-23
• Sept. 2-6

Fortunately, there is enough time to plan for the adventure if you need to move some investments around. The cost per person (double occupancy) is £14,950 or $18,993.98 in U.S. dollars and includes using a Bentley.

The exclusive road trip is limited to just five couples per group.

“Sustainable, seasonal, and locally sourced produce will be served to guests throughout the programme of culinary experiences. Nature, history, arts and culture, wellbeing, and relaxation will all form a part of the trip.”

And, of course, the Bentley Event team will provide full concierge service, looking after guests’ every need along the way.

The route begins at the home of Bentley Motors in Crewe, Cheshire (the Pyms Lane site), and finishes at The Macallan Estate in Scotland’s protected Speyside region.

All departure arrangements, flights, and insurance are not included. However, the package includes all accommodations, food, drinks, and activities throughout the five-day programs.

Tickets may be purchased here.

The official release is below, lightly edited for length.

Bentley announces 2024 dates for Extraordinary Journeys UK

CREWE, ENGLAND — Bentley Motors invites you to join an Extraordinary Journey of discovery. Now in its third year, the Extraordinary Journeys U.K. has seen guests from across the world come together to enjoy the grand touring of some of the most stunning British landscapes. Bentley’s guests can connect with like-minded people, switch off from the stress of their daily lives, and enjoy the itinerary that Bentley Motors has curated for them.

The once-in-a-lifetime road trip experiences offer the chance to drive a Bentley through stunning British landscapes, including the Peak District, the Yorkshire Dales, and the Cairngorms. The breathtakingly scenic route begins at the home of Bentley Motors in Crewe, Cheshire, and finishes at The Macallan Estate in Scotland’s protected Speyside region.

Caren Jochner, Global Head of Brand Experience at Bentley, commented:

“Bentley’s prestige and quality credentials as a maker of luxury cars are undisputed and we are always looking at ways to widen Bentley’s appeal beyond automotive, giving new audiences relevant opportunities to experience the Bentley brand and explore new places. The Extraordinary Journeys series is a demonstration of this – bringing our passion for discovery into a series of adventures for both new and existing Bentley customers.”

A lovely dinner setting at the Macallan estate

Sustainable, seasonal, and locally sourced produce will be served throughout the program of culinary experiences.

Sustainable, seasonal, and locally sourced produce will be served throughout the programme of culinary experiences. Nature, history, arts and culture, well-being, and relaxation will all form a part of the trip.

The unforgettable driving programme spans five days of epic, scenic driving, with four nights in unique, luxury accommodations, creating the ultimate Extraordinary Journey.

Guests can access private and exclusive experiences, which can only be offered by Bentley, including a dinner within the Bentley factory.

Guests will be provided with a private car to travel from Cheshire to Scotland, a chance to drive a Bentley perhaps for the first time, or for existing customers to experience new models in a unique driving-led experience. The Bentley Event team will provide full concierge service, looking after guests’ every need along the way.

In the Bentley woodshop

Touring the Bentley woodshop in Crewe.

BENTLEY MOTORS ITINERARY OVERVIEW

Day One

Arriving in Cheshire, guests from around the world will be greeted by the Bentley team at the brand’s flagship CW1 House showroom in Crewe. A private lunch will be served before guests are transferred to the heart of Bentley: the factory. Following a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes and meet our colleagues along the production line, an intimate, private dinner will take place in the factory, each ingredient sourced within a 26-mile radius.

Day Two

Guests will drive in convoy in Bentley’s latest models – the Continental GT, the Flying Spur and the Bentayga – toward the Peak District National Park. Passing idyllic chocolate-box villages and world-famous market towns, guests will then venture north into the “Dark Peak” region. The final destination for the day is set within the Yorkshire Dales where Georgian country house hotel Grantley Hall will play home for the evening, offering lovingly home-grown and locally-sourced seasonal produce for dinner.

Bentley cars parked along quaint english cottages

Four nights in unique, luxury accommodations.

Day Three

Day three starts with an option to balance the mind, body, and soul by starting the day with a choice of wellness activities in the natural setting of Grantley Hall. After breakfast, the convoy continues into the North Pennines and the Northumberland National Park, offering some of the world’s most spectacular roads. The journey continues through rolling hills, passing spellbinding abbeys, awe-inspiring stately homes, and castles before arriving at The Treehouses at Lanrick. A hidden gem, offering true escapism within a secluded woodland setting, bordering the Trossachs National Park, this truly green accommodation does not compromise on luxury. As night falls, the group will gather to meet their chef for the evening, the renowned Nick Nairn. An al fresco dinner with local, seasonal produce under the stars.

Day Four

Heading northeast toward Great Britain’s largest National Park, The Cairngorms, guests will stop for refreshments at the peerless Fife Arms in Braemar, a 200-year-old Scottish lodge. A pioneer in recycling and upcycling, the hotel is home to a collection of more than 16,000 antiques, curios, and artworks – from Picasso, Freud, and Bruegel to watercolors by H.M. Queen Victoria and HRH Prince Charles.

The journey will then continue to The Macallan Estate, set in 485 acres of Speyside countryside and home to the brand’s award-winning distillery, designed by internationally acclaimed architects to promote sustainability. The unforgettable immersive experience will feature a meal in the breathtaking surroundings, tutored tasting, and private distillery experience. The final destination in our journey celebrates the partnership between Bentley and The Macallan, sharing an insight into the process, production, people, and passion that make their single malt whisky so special. A farewell for guests will culminate in a private, specially curated dining experience at the Elchies Brasserie, followed by a nightcap where this memorable evening comes to a close.

Tasting whiskey at the MacAllan estate in Scotland

Sampling the single malt Macallan scotch.

Day Five

After a final breakfast, chauffeurs will transfer guests to Aberdeen or Inverness International Airport to travel home. Alternatively, the Caledonian Sleeper from Inverness can be arranged, offering the iconic railway journey to London.

Go here for more information.

Mopar Holiday Gift Ideas 2023

Mopar Holiday Gift Ideas 2023

When ordering Mopar Holiday Gifts, use code DECRE23 for free shipping on orders of more than $99

BY MARK MAYNARD

The Mopar muscle hustlers are just out with the 2023 holiday gift guide for unique apparel and merchandise. From the newly designed ugly holiday sweater to vintage muscle car ornaments to branded traveler mug sets, gift-giving this season just got easier.

Below are some holiday gift ideas from Mopar. Online pricing is noted. Between Dec. 1 and Dec. 31, on orders of more than $99, shoppers can receive free shipping within the continental U.S. using code DECRE23. Shoppers are encouraged to order early and often.

For complete details and related gift ideas, visit WearMopar.com.

Ugly Holiday Sweater (online price $99.95 at wearmopar.com) Unisex Mopar blue-and-white crewneck “ugly” sweater provides warm comfort and style for various holiday gatherings and features the Mopar Omega M stacked logo integrated into a custom print design. Size range: Small-2XL

Ugly Holiday Sweater $99.95

Unisex Mopar blue-and-white crewneck “ugly” sweater features the Mopar Omega M stacked logo integrated into a custom print design. Size range: Small-2XL

 

Holiday Hoodie (online price $59.95 at wearmopar.com) Show off a 1966 Dodge Charger in a winter setting on the unisex long-sleeve pullover hoodie. Available in black. Size range: Small-3XLHoliday Hoodie $59.95

Show off a 1966 Dodge Charger in a winter setting on the unisex long-sleeve pullover hoodie. Available in black. Size range: Small-3XL

 

Ugly Holiday Sweatshirt (online price $49.95 at wearmopar.com) Large Mopar Omega M stacked logo is front and center on the unisex Mopar blue-and-white long-sleeve crewneck sweatshirt, made with comfortable material for a relaxed fit. Size range: Small-3XLUgly Holiday Sweatshirt $49.95

Large Mopar Omega M stacked logo on the unisex Mopar blue-and-white long-sleeve crewneck sweatshirt, made for a relaxed fit. Size range: Small-3XL

Holiday Jersey Lounge Pants $44.95

Holiday Jersey Lounge Pants (online price $44.95 at wearmopar.com) Lounge around in stylish comfort with unisex multi-color lightweight jersey pants carrying Mopar and HEMI® branding with white Christmas trees in custom step and repeat pattern. Size range: Small-3XLLounge in stylish comfort with white Christmas trees and Mopar and HEMI branding. Size range: Small-3XL

Long-sleeve T-shirt (online price $27.95 at wearmopar.com) White cotton unisex long-sleeve T-shirt proudly shows the Mopar Omega M stacked logo front and center across the chest. Size range: Small-3XL

Long-sleeve T-shirt $27.95

White cotton unisex long-sleeve T-shirt with the Mopar Omega M stacked logo. Size range: Small-3XL

1970 Plymouth HEMI Cuda Hallmark Keepsake Ornament Bring muscle car performance to your holiday décor with a miniature 1970 Plymouth HEMI Cuda ornament that’s made from metal and has wheels that turn.

1970 Plymouth HEMI Cuda Hallmark Keepsake Ornament $12.95

Add Plum Crazy purple to your holiday décor with this 1970 Plymouth HEMI Cuda ornament. The metal miniature has wheels that turn.

Light-up Glass Ornament with Snowflakes Light up your holidays with a Mopar glass ornament with a laser-etched snowflake design that allows color-changing light to highlight the details.

Light-up Glass Ornament With Snowflakes $11.95

This classy Mopar glass ornament has a laser-etched snowflake design and color-changing light.

Mopar Custom Metal Ornament $13.95

Metal Mopar logo ornament

A limited-edition custom Mopar metal ornament will be the finishing touch to any enthusiast’s holiday decor.

16-ounce Tumbler with Cork Base (online price $29.95 at wearmopar.com) Sip your favorite beverage during the holidays from a Mopar 16-ounce thermal-lined mug with a synthetic cork bottom.

16-ounce Tumbler With Cork Base $29.95

Sip and chill with this Mopar 16-ounce thermal-lined mug with a synthetic cork bottom.

Sherpa-lined Throw (online price $79.95 at wearmopar.com) Get cozy with a micro-polyester, sherpa-lined, 50-by-60-inch throw with a custom Mopar Omega M stacked logo in step and repeat print throughout.

Sherpa-lined Throw $79.95

Get cozy with a micro-polyester, sherpa-lined, 50-by-60-inch throw with a custom Mopar Omega M stacked logo in step and repeat print throughout.

Set of Four 12-ounce Traveler Mugs $109.95

Set of Four 12-ounce Traveler Mugs (online price $109.95 at wearmopar.com) Four blue stainless-steel 12-ounce traveler mugs carry the Mopar Omega M stacked logo and keep hot beverages hot and cold beverages cold. The set comes in a custom gift box with a bow and Mopar logo on the box top.

Four blue stainless-steel traveler mugs carry the Mopar Omega M logo. The 12-ounce mugs keep hot beverages hot and cold beverages cold. The set comes in a custom gift box with a bow and Mopar logo on the box top.

What is Mopar?

Mopar is the global name for Stellantis genuine parts and authentic accessories.

A simple combination of the words MOtor and PARts, Mopar offers service, parts, and customer care. Born in 1937 as the name of a line of antifreeze products, Mopar has evolved over more than 85 years to represent complete vehicle care and authentic performance for owners and enthusiasts worldwide.

Mopar made its mark in the 1960s during the muscle-car era with performance parts to enhance speed and handling for both on-road and racing use. Later, Mopar expanded to include technical service and customer support, and today, it integrates service, parts, and customer care operations for customer and dealer support worldwide.

Complete information on Mopar is available at Mopar.com and the Mopar blog at Blog.mopar.com.

Note: The free shipping offer is not available outside the continental U.S. It is not valid with any other shipping or discount offers. Not valid on previous purchases. Product selections may vary and are subject to availability. Gift cards are not eligible for use with the offer.

American Honda Collection Hall

American Honda Collection Hall

The American Honda Collection Hall showcases Honda’s history in the U.S. since 1959

The dis[play opened Sept.12, 2023, at company headquarters in Torrance, California

The American Honda Collection Hall at company headquarters in Torrance, Calif., is walk-through learning experience of milestones. (Photography courtesy of American Honda)

Table of Contents

The Power of Dreams
Cars, Bikes & Coffee Events
Honda Cars On View
Motorcycles On View
Power Equipment
Honda-Acura Race Cars

BY MARK MAYNARD

The grand opening of the American Honda Collection Hall was yet another dream realized for the first Japanese automaker to begin sales in the United States.

The expansive collection hall opened Sept. 12, 2023, at U.S. company headquarters in Torrance, Calif. Dozens of media, Honda racers, and fans gathered for the red-logo day of fanfare. There were tributes to associates and longtime and retired American Honda personnel. The Torrance mayor and pro tem mayor spoke of American Honda’s significant contributions to the community in the last 60 years.

Headlining the grand opening was Noriya Kaihara, president and CEO-director of American Honda Motor Co. He spoke of mobility for the future, sustainability in auto production, and the power of dreams, the company’s marketing tagline and corporate philosophy.

Kaihara joined Honda in 1984, spending much of his early career in the service division of Honda Motor Co. He assumed his current role at American Honda on Oct. 1, 2021.

More than six decades of American Honda Motor Co. are on view

The collection hall represents more than six decades since American Honda Motor Co. was established in 1959 at a modest storefront in Los Angeles.

Honda’s Power of Dreams

“Our new American Honda Collection Hall reflects the important connection between the dreams and passion of Honda associates and the joy experienced by customers who love their Honda products and racing fans thrilled by our checkered flag successes,” said Kaihara. “Everyone at Honda is honored to share the expressions of our history in America that are on display in the form of products and technology that have helped move people and society forward.”

American Honda Motor Co. opened in a small storefront in Los Angeles on June 11, 1959. The Japanese brand started in the U.S. selling motorbikes — the Honda Dream, Honda C92 Benly, and Honda Super Cub, known as the Honda 50, in the U.S.

It was the foothold of an upstart to disrupt American motorcycle sales, including by Harley-Davidson and European makes.

The small office at 4077 West Pico Boulevard was moved to the nearby suburb of Gardena at 100 West Alondra in 1963. In 1990, headquarters was relocated to its existing address at 1919 Torrance Boulevard in Torrance. The Honda headquarters occupies 101 acres.

A glass display case of awards

The honors wall.

Embracing the Community

Located in the main lobby of American Honda headquarters, the museum is a way to bring the (car) community to Honda, said CEO Kaihara. The American Honda Collection Hall will be open to the public during regular “Cars, Bikes & Coffee” events starting Oct. 21, 2023.

While there was a previous museum at HQ, it was not open to the public. The new collection hall is a complete redesign, an open and airy walk-through learning experience of milestones. The 20,000-square-foot hall displays more than 60 vehicles from Honda and Acura, motorcycles, power products, engines, and racing machines.

The display will be updated several times a year to highlight different products and themes. Just added in 2024 is a new display of 12 electrified vehicles, concepts, and race cars, including the new Honda Prologue EV, Acura ZDX EV, 2nd-generation NSX, and a custom 1991 Civic EV Pikes Peak racer.

The collection hall is a 20,000-square-foot showcase of Honda milestone vehicles and events.

Honda’s collection hall is a 20,000-square-foot showcase of milestone vehicles and events.

Cars, Bikes & Coffee Events

The collection hall will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to noon on third Saturdays for “Cars, Bikes & Coffee” events. All interesting automobiles and motorcycles from all manufacturers and eras are welcome for attendees to display.

The events typically include giveaways, special displays, vendors, food trucks, and music. And, of course, participants can shop the merchandise display of Honda wearables and more.

Car clubs can plan to attend any upcoming events: April 13, 2024; June 15, 2024; Aug. 17, 2024; Oct. 19, 2024; and Dec. 21, 2024.

To learn more about the Collection Hall and event information, visit hondacollectionhall.com.

Some examples of products currently on display:

Honda merchandise for sale in the museum

Honda merch.

Honda Cars On View

1970 Honda N600 Coupe – The first Honda automobile sold in the U.S. used an air-cooled 600cc two-cylinder engine and retailed for just $1,395.

1975 Honda Civic CVCC Hatchback – The first car to meet the emissions standards of the 1970 U.S. Clean Air Act without needing a catalytic converter.

1979 Honda Accord CVCC Hatchback – The first Accord debuted in 1976 as a three-door hatchback powered by Honda’s revolutionary Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion (CVCC) 4-cylinder engine.

1985 Honda CRX Si – The first performance Honda Si model sold in America, a sporty 2-seat coupe with Honda’s advanced PGM-FI fuel injection.

1986 Acura Legend – The performance luxury touring sedan that launched the Acura brand alongside the Integra.

1991 Acura NSX supercar – The revolutionary hand-built, exotic mid-engine sports car showcased Honda’s technical prowess.

1997 Honda CR-V – Honda’s first in-house SUV helped establish a new breed of compact sport utility vehicle with car-like ride and handling.

2006 Honda Insight – Introduced in 2000, Insight was the first mass-produced gasoline-electric hybrid passenger vehicle sold in the U.S.

Honda motorcycles on display

Honda’s motorcycling milestones.

Honda Motorcycles On View

1962 Honda 50/Super Cub – One of the first three models Honda sold in the U.S. The Super Cub is now the overall bestselling vehicle globally, with over 100 million sold.

1969 Honda CB750A – Widely considered the first superbike and called “the Motorcycle of the Century” by Motorcyclist magazine.

1973 Honda CR/RC250 Elsinore – Honda’s first production motocross motorcycle and the first product Honda manufactured in the U.S., named after the famous Elsinore Grand Prix.

1975 Honda GL1000 Gold Wing – Redefined long-distance touring motorcycles with a revolutionary horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine.

1981 Honda CBX1000 – Honda’s first motorcycle with more than 100 hp, powered by a 1000cc six-cylinder engine.

1983 Honda VF750F – The revolutionary VF750F used a liquid-cooled DOHC V4 engine and a stiff square-tube frame that also helped it dominate superbike racing in the mid-1980s.

1990 Honda VFR750R/RC30 – A homologation special created for competition in the “World Superbike Championship.” 

1992 Honda NR750 – The most technically advanced motorcycle at the time, iconic for its oval-piston engine design and other innovations.

2004 Honda RVT1000R/RC51 – A street version of Honda’s championship-winning V-twin superbike.

Honda power equipment and marine engines in the collection

Honda power equipment and marine engines in the collection.

Honda Power Equipment

1964 Honda CB30 Marine Outboard Engine – Honda’s first outboard marine engine featured a revolutionary four-stroke design.

1965 Honda E300 Generator – The first generator to combine 300-watt output. It was quiet, easy to use, and in a compact design that could be carried with one hand.

2023 Honda GF5 Marine Outboard Engine – A Compact and lightweight portable outboard engine provides a complete performance package for small boats and dinghies.

Honda-Acura Race Cars

1992 Acura Spice GTP-Lights – Powered by a modified Acura NSX V6 engine, carried veteran driver Parker Johnstone to the Drivers’ championship in the IMSA Camel GT Lights series.

1996 Reynard 961-031 Indy Car – Honda/Reynard driven by Indy Car Drivers’ Champion Jimmy Vasser and Rookie of the Year Alex Zanardi.

1997 Acura Integra Realtime – RealTime Racing and the Acura Integra Type R forged a race-winning record that remained unbroken after nearly two decades.

Honda race cars on display

Honda’s racing history is on display.

International Volkswagen Bus Day June 2

International Volkswagen Bus Day June 2
A 1960s VW camper van along the Pacific ocean

The first-generation Microbus was budget-friendly and built for sightseeing adventures. The 23-window bus was designed as a vehicle to tour the Swiss Alps, with seats for up to nine passengers. The van’s features include eight skylights, two curved rear windows, a retractable skylight, and a split windshield. (Photos courtesy of Volkswagen of America)

BY MARK MAYNARD

On June 2nd, 2023, Volkswagen—with The National Day Calendar—will celebrate the inaugural International Volkswagen Bus Day. Paying homage to a global automotive icon, the celebration takes fans of the Type 2 VW Bus for a ride into the future with the debut of the three-row version of Volkswagen’s all-electric ID Buzz in Huntington Beach, Calif.

This global reveal will include new product showcases, live entertainment, and streamed programming, plus a “Cars & Coffee” style gathering for classic Volkswagen Bus owners. Adding the International Volkswagen Bus Day designation commemorates a major milestone in the brand’s journey to electrification and creates a day for worldwide VW Bus and ID Buzz fans to celebrate for years to come.

The VW ID Buzz European model

The ID Buzz is on sale in Europe in two-row and cargo-vehicle configurations.

North American ID Buzz On Sale 2024 

The ID Buzz will be the latest addition to Volkswagen of America’s growing fleet of all-electric vehicles. Already available in Europe in two-row and cargo-vehicle configurations, the three-row model is planned for sale in the North American market starting in 2024.

The zero-tailpipe emission ID Buzz transfers the design of one of the greatest automobile icons—the Microbus—to the era of electric mobility. Its short overhangs, spacious interior and available two-tone color palette pay homage to the past, while the high-tech interior, progressive design features, and EV technology marks it clearly as a vehicle of the future.

“Whether you call them Buses, Bullis, or Kombis, the legacy Type 2s have left on modern culture is unmatched,” Cameron Batten, Chief Communications Officer, Volkswagen Group of America, said in a release. “As we continue to introduce the T2’s 21st Century electric successor, the ID Buzz, we’re thrilled to create this annual day of celebration for Volkswagen bus fans and enthusiasts everywhere.”

A 1960s 23 window vw bus

The first-generation “Microbus” was built from 1951-1967. A Type 2 camper van is shown.

National Day Calendar 

The National Day Calendar is the original source for fun, unusual and unique National and International Days. Since its beginnings on National Popcorn Day in 2013, the organization has been dedicated to the official creation and tracking of National Days, National Weeks, National Months, and International Days.

“National Day Calendar is honored to announce International Volkswagen Bus Day will be celebrated each June 2nd,” Amy Monette, CEO, National Day Calendar, said in a release.

“Life is about celebrating moments and milestones and we are happy to have another reason to celebrate every day,” Monette said. “We can’t wait to see the #VWBusDay celebrations worldwide.”

Volkswagen brand fans and enthusiasts seeking more information on the Huntington Beach celebration of International Volkswagen Bus Day can learn more here.  Live broadcast coverage will begin at 11 a.m. EST on RadioWoodstock.com and on YouTube.

BMW Expands ‘Ultimate Driving Experience’

BMW Expands ‘Ultimate Driving Experience’

The 2023 program features a full brand immersion experience including professional instruction on closed courses, street drives, vehicle displays, and tech demonstrations

A photo of a BMW I4 being driven past a cone on a driving course

Highlight vehicles for the Ultimate Driving Experience include the battery-electric models of BMW iX and i4 (shown), and the updated BMW 330e plug-in hybrid. (Photos courtesy of BMW USA)

BY MARK MAYNARD

BMW has revved up its long-running Ultimate Driving Experience tour across the U.S. for 2023. The “experience” provides BMW customers and enthusiasts with an immersive driving experience led by BMW professional driving instructors. 

 The Ultimate Driving Experience goes where no standard driver-training course can go. Tour participants are teamed with professional drivers.

 Be sure to register early. The tours typically fill up faster than an electric BMW iX SUV can get to 60 mph — in 4.6 seconds.

This year’s tour will include 26 total stops across the U.S., and San Diego is among the destinations.

The 2023 Ultimate Driving Experience allows participants to experience an array of BMW’s latest vehicles, including electrified models. A sample lineup of test vehicles includes the all-electric BMW iX and BMW i4, and the updated BMW 330e and BMW 530e plug-in hybrid electric sedans. 

The first tour stop was Washington, D.C., from March 30 to April 2. Other tour stops this year include Atlanta, Denver, Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Houston, Nashville, and others.

 According to a BMW spokesman, details for the tour stop in San Diego were still in the works as of this posting.

 “We will indeed be back this year, and the target event dates are Nov 2-5, 2023,” he said in an email.

A static view of a coper-colored BMW battery electric iC

The battery-electric 2023 BMW iX xDrive50: 516-hp, 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds, and up to 307 miles of driving range with ultra-fast charging capability. Pricing starts at about $88,000.

 Ultimate Driving Experience Features

 AUTOCROSS: Pro instructors will demonstrate BMW’s performance driving dynamics, advanced technologies, and innovative safety features on a challenging closed course. (For ages 18 and older);

 STREET DRIVES: Test drives on area roads will include the all-electric MINI Cooper SE in select tour stops. (ages 25+);

 iX EXPERIENCE: Take a deep dive into the electric BMW iX SUV. With 516 horsepower and a 0-60 mph acceleration in 4.6 seconds, the BMW iX has an EPA estimated battery driving range of up to 324 miles. Advanced technologies in the iX range from 5G connectivity to a sweeping curved display that unites the 12.3-inch information display with a 14.9-inch central control display and BMW iDrive 8.

 DISPLAY VEHICLES: A static display will include the new, battery-electric BMW i7 Sedan flagship and the 644-hp plug-in hybrid electric BMW XM Sports Activity Vehicle.

The big BMW i7 electric flagship sedan

The battery-electric 2023 BMW i7 xDrive has a driving range of up to 318 miles and 0-60 mph acceleration in 4.5 seconds. Pricing starts at about $120,000.

To Register

The full BMW Ultimate Driving Experience schedule and program details are available on the official BMW UDE website