In his late teens in the early 1970s, Eric Clapton fan and rebellious guitarist Kotaro Shige dreamed of being a rock star. That goal was dashed when his group could only manage third place in a nationwide band contest, and he abandoned his dream of stage stardom.

As an auto enthusiast and editor at this magazine, I find it impossible to not get amped over an all-new generation of car -- e.g., "the 10th-gen Supermobile that delivers 100 plus horses, 10 extra mpg, and 1,000,000 more covetous stares than last year's ninth gen." What's not exciting about that? This passion is why we here at Motor Trend report on all-new cars, dedicating covers, comparisons, and features to them. They represent the cutting edge of autodom, the best in powertrains, chassis, aerodynamics, safety, and design.

High MPG ratings from the EPA look attractive to drivers right now with fuel prices skyrocketing, but it's important that car buyers keep things in perspective

Honda is rumored to be testing a new aluminum-block V-8 in the Ridgeline pickup truck. The V-8 is in the 4.2- to 4.4-liter range, with VTEC and cylinder shutoff, and is slated to appear first the next Acura {{{RL}}}, a 2011 model launching in 2010. Honda also is adding the engine to the next-generation Ridgeline, slated for 2011 as a 2012 model.

New European Honda Civic will feature improved handling made for Europe's varied roads

We’ve finally received the first set of images of the 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour, the upcoming plus-size hatchback to be positioned above the Accord sedan and coupe this fall as the flagship of the range.

Concept cars and spy photos couldn’t prepare us for the stunning inoffensiveness of the ninth-generation Honda Civic, coming to dealers this spring as a 2012 model. Despite the sedate looks of the new models, they’re guaranteed shopper favorites—the company sold over 260,000 Civics in 2010, and the nameplate is likely to continue racking up big numbers going forward. That’s because the new car is shaping up to do what Civics have always done best: deliver good fuel economy and a fun steer at a sensible price.

The 2007 Honda CR-V will never inflame the sort of passion that sends you out to the driveway in your pajamas at 2 a.m. just for a gawk or a little g-sampling blast up and down a desolate two-laner. It just wasn't built for that. It's not part of the portfolio.

Running out of juice in a natural-gas vehicle (NGV) is different from your usual side-of-the-road snafu. You can't carry extra compressed natural gas (CNG) in a container. If you're stuck, neither the local filling station nor AAA can help you with this particular alternative fuel.

The 2007 Honda Fit is a triumph of creativity, proof that good ideas don't have to be expensive. Within the Lilliputian dimensions of this five-door hatchback is a world of imagination that knows few limits. It seats four comfortably (five in a pinch), offers great fuel economy (above 33 mpg), and is as easy to live with as your best friend.