Honda unveils four new concepts at Tokyo motor show
A new small four-wheel drive and a cheaper coupe replacement for the CRX sports car are two of Honda's stars at this year's Tokyo motor show.
The baby CR-V, dubbed the J-WJ and J-VX sports coupe, along with two other concept vehicles are expected to go into production by 2000.
The J-WJ -- wild, wide and joyful -- appears closest to production, with this model destined to compete with the Daihatsu Terios in the lower end of the 4WD market.
At 3,950mm long, 1,780mm wide and 1,775mm high, the J-WJ is almost the same size as the Daihatsu but is said to offer more interior space.
It is likely to go on sale in Japan about September next year.
In concept form, it is powered by a 1.5-liter, four cylinder engine with VTEC variable valve control and, like its big brother, the CR-V, it gets permanent 4WD.
Unlike newer Honda models, such as the CR-V, Accord and Civic, the baby off-roader features four headlights that flow Jaguar- like back into the bonnet. A side-opening rear door, spare tire holder, dual air bags and ABS brakes are part of the package.
There's no doubt Honda executives in Southeast Asia will be eager to add the J-WJ to their lineups, given the huge success of the just-released CR-V in many markets.
The California styled J-VX -- Value x light sports car -- gives the best indication yet on Honda's thinking on a CRX replacement.
The car's bold rear-end design is expected to be changed before it goes into production, probably late 1999. The overall size of the concept cars shows they will be far more affordable and practical than the Targa-top CRX.
Likely to be priced about US$30,000, it is tipped to be powered by a 1.6-liter, twin camshaft VTEC engine.
In concept form, the car showcases Honda's first direct injection petrol power plant -- a 1.0-liter, three-cylinder engine.
This engine also uses VTEC valve timing and is linked to the electric motor which captures wasted energy during braking and re-uses this force during rapid acceleration. All up, it adds 10kW to the engines output.
Dubbed IMA (Integrated Motor Assist), it is expected to be fitted to the minisized Logo in Japan within two years and is claimed to offer the performance of a 1.5-liter engine.
Honda says the motor consumes a liter of petrol every 30km.
Like the J-WJ, the sports car tests Honda's styling boundaries at the front of the car with two large rectangular headlights dominating its nose.
Honda also showed more wild concepts such as the J-MJ (Multi Joyful Hobby Car) which looks like a garden shed on wheels and the J-MW (Multi Wagon), a mini people mover. Both feature 1.5- liter VTEC engines. All four concept cars use the same platform.
Honda says the four concepts represent the second wave "creative mover" vehicles and follow in the tire tracks of the CRV and Odyssey.
The J-J mover concepts were developed under the theme "small is smart".
Honda has 73 vehicles, including motorcycles, in its Tokyo Show stand.