An all-new Honda concept vehicle made its world debut at the North American International Auto Show 2013 (NAIAS) in Detroit. The concept hints at a dynamic, fuel-efficient small SUV with aspirational styling and next-generation connectivity. Its clean character lines are complemented by hidden rear door handles, giving the SUV a coupe-like presence.
Honda is busy making good on its promise to produce sedan and small-crossover variants of its next-generation Fit subcompact; this Urban SUV concept debuting at the 2013 Detroit auto show previews the latter. The new, Mexican-built Fit arrives next year, but the production Urban SUV (which will be built at the same facility) won’t hit the U.S. for another year after that. Given how cool the crossover concept looks, we hope it comes with a less snore-geric name.
In terms of size and price, the Urban SUV will slot beneath the cash-cow CR-V in Honda’s crossover lineup, putting it in the same league as the Nissan Juke and Kia Soul. Among this competition, the Honda definitely hews closer to the Juke’s sporty brand than the Kia’s urban funkiness. The concept gets aggressive yet sophisticated styling and a semi-circular, coupe-like roofline. Honda exaggerates the faux two-door appearance with door handles hidden in the C-pillar trim. Even though the roofline likely won’t be as sexy on the production car, it probably won’t be drastically less so—look close and you can see how the designers cleverly broke the side-window shape from that of the roof’s (presumably) to eke out more rear headroom.
Up front, the Urban SUV wears an adaptation of the same grille and fascia treatment found on the newest Accord, while the sides of the vehicle are minimally adorned with two sharp character lines that sweep from the front and rear fender bulges. Taken overall, the Urban SUV concept looks a lot like an Acura-ified Juke, minus the Nissan’s, er, character, and it’s darn attractive.
Honda purists concerned that the automaker has skewed too far toward the form side of the form/function scale with the new crossover shouldn’t be worried. The littlest Honda SUV will ride on the Fit’s Global Compact Series architecture, complete with the Fit’s signature centrally located fuel tank, which lives beneath the driver’s seat to free up floor space in back. As a result, the Urban SUV will get the Fit’s clever folding/flipping/flattening Magic Seat rear bench, which should afford more cargo-carrying configurations than you’ll ever need.
Details regarding the Urban SUV’s interior and powertrain will be forthcoming, but Honda’s fuel-efficient (and still-hilariously named) Earth Dreams technology will be part of the mix. Expect a small-displacement four-cylinder engine and the choice of front- or all-wheel drive. Honda promises “next-generation telematics and a modern interior.” Whew—for a second there we were worried that Honda was planning to fit its newest small car with a cassette player, a brick-sized car phone, and the dashboard from a first-generation CR-V.
The tiny Fit is the best-driving car in its segment—one of the many reasons we’ve elected it to our 10Best cars list every year it’s been on sale in the U.S. If Honda can deliver the Fit’s basic dynamic and packaging goodness into the Urban SUV’s taller package, we see no reason why it couldn’t expand on the small hatchback’s success. This is especially so if the production model is even three-quarters as attractive as the Urban SUV concept.
The good news is that Honda’s concepts usually don’t change much before reaching consumers. But may we suggest a better name? We’re thinking a cheeky spinoff of the Fit’s pun-inviting moniker (this car can Fit a ton of stuff!) like “FitAll” (tall Fit) or “Fitbyfour” (do you really need this one spelled out?) might be appropriate.
The new concept is shorter than the CR-V, making it an ideal size for both city streets and mountain roads. It's poised to join the Honda light-truck lineup, with the Honda-original center-tank layout and a configurable Magic Seat® for a host of cargo and passenger options.
This vehicle is slated to launch in Japan later this year, with expansion to the U.S. market in 2014. Be sure to sign up for our emails to receive the latest information and updates.
Video Review :
goo.gl/GVTqOT
45D
0 komentar:
Post a Comment