 2013 Honda Urban SUV Concept. Click image to enlarge |
Preview and photos by Paul Williams
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2013 Honda Urban SUV Concept
Detroit, MI – For Hondaphiles and other followers of automotive developments, the recent global release of Honda’s Urban SUV Concept at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit generated a lot of attention.
No less than Honda President Takanobu Ito took centre stage to introduce the concept previewing an as-yet unnamed new vehicle, which goes on sale in Japan at the end of 2013, followed by North American launch in 2014 (Mr. Ito also handled the introduction of the Acura NSX at last year’s show, his presence emphasizing the importance of Honda’s new vehicle introductions).
At 4,300 mm in length, the Urban SUV Concept is shorter by approximately 225 mm than the CR-V, and will be positioned below it in the company’s light truck lineup. The vehicle is part of Honda’s Global Compact Series, which includes the Honda Fit, and in other markets, the Honda City. As a front or possibly all-wheel-drive version of the yet-to-be released all-new Fit, it uses that platform’s centre tank layout and will feature its “Magic Seat” set-up. The interior, therefore, will be configurable in a variety of ways, including a fully flat floor option. Whether it will be called a Fit, or will have another name remains to be seen.
 2013 Honda Urban SUV Concept. Click image to enlarge |
According to Honda, “The Urban SUV Concept is intended to provide the basis for a fun-to-drive and fuel-efficient small SUV with aspirational design, flexible packaging and next-generation connectivity targeting active lifestyle customers.” You can read “young” there, but really, Honda isn’t about to turn anybody away (it might try to upsell them, though…).
Powertrains, depending on the market, will include gasoline, hybrid and diesel, but don’t hold your breath for a diesel version in Canada. Still, fuel economy should be good from the new “Earth Dreams” generation of engines now being fitted to Honda vehicles, and planned for this one.
