Honda introduces new 3x2 Edix Minivan

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today introduced “Edix,” a distinctive new minivan featuring six independent seats in two rows of three (‘3x2’ layout), creating a variety of communication-enhancing seating arrangements in an easy-handling vehicle with a short, wide body. The Edix goes on sale July 8th at Honda automobile dealers throughout Japan.

The 3x2 minivan design of the Edix delivers new value, offering a versatile communication space that enables vehicle occupants to share the fun of mobility as never before. Six independent seats are arranged in two rows of three, with the front and rear center seats mounted on long slides that allow for a V-pattern seat layout. This provides three-person, side-by-side seating without excessive vehicle width. What’s more, the long slide mechanism on the front center seat makes it possible to position the seat well back of the instrument panel and any deploying airbags, permitting the safer installation of a child seat. This 3x2 layout enables passengers to flexibly position their seats based on the number and relationship of the occupants, creating a new type of communication space that allows occupants of the front and rear rows to share the same view and conversation.

Edix’s 3x2 minivan style offers numerous other advantages as well, such as a short, wide stance that helps create a dynamic, wedge-style exterior and a spacious, modern interior with a high quality feel. Further, despite the modest overall length, the Edix’s wide tread ensures stable handling and a smooth ride, combined with versatile seating that provides ample cargo space, even with six passengers on board.

Key Features Packaging and Utility · Six independent seats are arranged in two rows of three with the front and rear center seats mounted on long slides that allow for a unique, V-pattern seat layout. In determining the position of the front center seat’s slide, careful consideration was given to the safety of child occupants and driver control in the event of an accident. The long slide length (270mm) means that the seat is not only capable of accommodating a child in a child seat, but also permits three occupants to ride comfortably abreast with their shoulders staggered for extra room.

· When slid back, the front center seat forms an intermediate row between the front and rear rows, bringing front and rear occupants closer together, and making conversation easier.

· The seat frame width is more compact, while the seat surface width and thickness have been maintained to ensure comfort. Pillars are positioned upright to provide ample head clearance, while a flat floor ensures plenty of legroom for three to ride side-by-side in comfort, without adding unduly to overall vehicle width.

· Although the Edix is relatively short, the 3x2 layout is used to full advantage to secure an ample luggage space of 439 liters, even with six people on board. Further, the three independent, one-touch fold-flat rear seats can be easily stowed to create a variety of seating arrangements. Folding all the rear seats down flat creates a maximum luggage space of 1,049 liters—enough room to accommodate three 26-inch mountain bikes—while still providing seating for three up front. Or the front and rear center seats can be folded down to accommodate long objects, even with four people on board.

· With the seatback folded down, the front center seat converts into an extra-large, combination armrest and tray, which creates a relaxing, comfortable space for the driver and passenger when two are riding on the front seat. Other convenient features incorporated into the versatile front center seat include an inner double tray and an under-seat box.

Design Exterior Design · Based on a theme of ‘sporty & dynamic’, the 3x2 minivan style takes full advantage of the short-yet-spacious design made possible by the 3x2 package.

Interior Design · The instrument panel employs a spacious, lateral-keynote design to emphasize the breadth of the cabin interior. The entire lower portion of the instrument panel has been cut back to open up a spacious foot well, while the center panel employs a minimum of uneven surfaces to maximize front center-seat passenger safety.

· The six independent seats are designed in the image of modern chairs placed around a living room.

· Three interior colors, orange-tone Espresso (with center seats shaded slightly lighter to emphasize the independence of the six seats), Warm Gray, and Black, are available.

Engine & Transmission · The Edix is equipped with one of two engines. One is a 2.0-liter DOHC i-VTEC engine that combines Honda's unique Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC) with Variable Timing Control (VTC), which continuously optimizes intake valve timing in response to engine load. The other is a 1.7-liter VTEC engine, which combines fuel economy with nimble driving performance.

2.0-liter DOHC i-VTEC engine Max. output: 115kW (156PS) / Max. torque: 188N-m (19.2kg-m)6 1.7-liter VTEC engine Max. output: 96kW (130PS) / Max. torque: 155N-m (15.8kg-m)7

· The 20X is equipped with a 5-speed automatic transmission to take full advantage of the i-VTEC engine’s performance characteristics. Other models are equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission that delivers torquey performance along with superior fuel economy.

Chassis & Body · The vehicle’s wide tread—a prominent feature of the 3x2 package—allows all occupants to be positioned within the wheelbase, for a balanced ride with little front-rear load shifting.

· The front toe-control link strut suspension and the rear reactive-link double-wishbone suspension use the stability of the wide tread to full advantage to maintain superb handling stability with slightly softer settings, for a pliant, comfortable ride.

· Stronger body materials, the use of lighter insulators, and optimized engine mounts and sound insulation materials combine to promote a quiet interior environment, for more enjoyable communication.

· The wide tread permits a large turning angle for the front wheels, resulting in a minimum turning radius of 4.9m—top in its class for 1.7-liter and 2.0-liter minivans.

· The front center seat is designed to be positioned posterior to the driver and front side passenger seats regardless of slide position, securing enough distance from the instrument panel to safely install a junior child seat.

· ISO FIX-compatible child seat anchoring bars and tether anchors are standard on the front center seat, as well as on the left and right rear seats. All three rear seats and the front center seat are also equipped with ALR (Automatic Locking Retractor) seat belts to facilitate the installation of non ISO FIX-compatible child seats.

· All six seats are equipped with 3-point seat belts. On the front center seat, the seat belt is built in and the seat and seat mounts are reinforced, ensuring enhanced safety to go with the long slide mechanism.

· An extra-large, combination ‘side-and-center’ passenger side SRS airbag (standard equipment) protects passengers in both the side and center front passenger seats.

· The Edix is equipped with a front-seat i-side airbag system and side curtain airbag system.

· Honda’s original G-CON (G-force Control) technology is incorporated to create a body with a crash safety design that is among the best in the world. It can withstand a 55km/h full-frontal collision, a 64km/h front offset collision, 55km/h side collision, and a 50km/h rear collision.

· The pedestrian injury reduction body is designed to absorb the impact to a pedestrian’s head and lower limbs in the event of an accident, reducing injury severity.

(Note to editors: the car will be known as Honda FR-V in Europe).

2004-07-07 Please quote Autoindex.org if You use this news article!