Details on the all-new Honda Element are out. The ’09 isn’t dramatically different from the previous body style, but it does feature a new front grill and bumper, redesigned front fenders that are now made out of metal, not plastic, and new headlights and taillights. The metal fenders alone are cause for celebration Inside you’ll find some titanium-ish looking bits along with a lower-profile center console, and new fabrics. The center console system on EX models is especially cool – these ones feature removable coolers in the lower consoles and a modular, three-compartment overhead console up top. Engine and gearbox options haven’t changed though; all three trim levels still come with the standard, 2.4L K-series we’re all familiar with.
After more than two decades, Source Interlink Media decided enough was enough for Turbo magazine. Following the sale of the current issue, Turbo & High Tech Performance magazine will cease publication.
It’s a shame to see, since besides Sport Compact Car magazine, Turbo was the only other publication in the U.S. that dared to cover Honda performance in the early-mid ‘90s. Magazines like Honda Tuning and Import Tuner had yet to be created and, besides Turbo and SCC, there really were no other publications out there catering to import enthusiasts. I remember watching Turbo and SCC battle it out each month as both magazines put a priority on Hondas. During the late ‘90s, pretty much every single issue of Turbo had a Honda in it, many of which were cover features. Prior to Honda Tuning, this was the magazine to get your Honda in. Turbo was also a place where many learned the ins and outs of Hondas – remember, the internet was still fairly new in the early/mid ‘90s and Honda forums were still years away. Like everything though, the magazine evolved and, similar to other publications, decided Hondas weren’t so cool anymore, which led the magazine into another direction. SCC sort of went the same way around the time it spawned off Honda Tuning and the rest is history. On a side note: Honda Tuning began as a “special issue” and then a quarterly publication published by the editors of SCC.
