The penchant for small car is fast spreading to virtually all segments of vehicles, as more people go for automobiles that are fuel efficient and can navigate through heavy traffic and have no parking difficulty.
Honda is set to release an all-new concept vehicle, a small sport utility vehicle next month.
The concept hints at a dynamic, fuel-efficient small SUV with inspirational styling and next-generation connectivity.
Experts note that compact SUVs are the current hot property in the automobile market as the Ford EcoSport and Renault Duster have amply demonstrated.
Honda naturally has to have a response and it comes in the form of this mini CR-V looking vehicle called the Vezel, says Overdrive, an online auto publication.
Experts also say the vehicle’s clean character lines are complemented by hidden rear door handles, giving the SUV a coupe-like presence. They also note that the new concept is shorter than the CR-V, making it an ideal size for both city streets and mountain roads.
The new Honda Urban SUV was on display at the 2013 Tokyo motor show in a production form, ahead of its release in Japan next month.
The European name will be revealed nearer the car’s launch, although it will be known as the Honda Vezel in its domestic market when it goes on sale on December 20.
According to a report by the telegraph.co.uk, the exterior design of the new vehicle is generic SUV, with coupe-like styling in its upper body reminiscent of the firm’s Civic hatchback.
The sharp character lines create an inspiring and emotional exterior design, it adds.
Overdrive says the Vezel is the production version of Honda’s Urban SUV Concept and boasts a 1.5-litre direct injection petrol engine from the City.
Interior
The interior is designed to create a high-quality space for the driver and front passenger and comfort and functionality for those in the rear. Of particular note is the air vent running from the central touchscreen display to the door panel.
In Japan, there will be both hybrid and petrol-only versions of the Vezel. The hybrid model will be equipped with what Honda calls Sport Hybrid i-DCD – essentially it’s a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine with direct injection combined with a high output electric motor. The petrol model will have a similar 1.5-litre petrol engine only.
Honda claims that its latest powertrain technologies provide a dynamic driving character combined with excellent fuel economy.
Strengthening its sports car activity in the wake of continued excitement for its next NSX supercar, Honda also revealed the S660 Concept mid-engined sports car.
Designed for the Japanese kei-car market, the model is being developed towards mass production in 2015.
Honda says its aim is to deliver the nimbleness and driving dynamics, outstanding stability and design that are only possible with a mid-engine layout.
It looks great – a suitable update on Honda’s Beat mid-engine kei car of the early 1990s.
The Chief Executive Officer and President of Honda Motor Company, Takanobu Ito, says of the S660 Concept: “This model embodies the freewheeling thinking of young Honda engineers, who want to make a cool car that is unique to Honda. Our engineers are devoting their passion and technologies to the development of this model.”
A mini SUV, also called subcompact SUV or subcompact crossover, is a class of SUVs with a length under and around 4,200 mm.
The first mini SUVs appeared in the course of 1990s and were off-road vehicles built on body-on-frame chassis, such as the Jeep Wrangler and Suzuki Samurai.
New mini SUVs reside have uni-body construction and offer only few off-road capabilities and fall into the crossover SUV category.
In Japan, as cars under 3,400 mm (133.9 in) in length are classified as kei cars and attract lower taxes; some manufacturers build these cars with off-road looks (such as the Mitsubishi Pajero Mini).
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