2004 Honda Element 1 2004 Honda Element : Model Overview

2004 Honda Element : Model Overview INTRODUCTION Rugged, basic, accommodating and fun: the Honda Element is designed to deliver maximum utility in an affordable package for Canadians with active lifestyles. The Honda Element was produced to accommodate a new generation of vehicle buyers who seek room for bulky items such as large sports gear but don't want a pickup truck, large SUV or minivan. Wrapped in a compact and durable exterior, Element devours cargo while offering Honda's legendary levels of refinement, value, economy and performance. Element's packaging makes it "road trip capable," campground friendly and adaptable to people on the move - whether it's from apartment to the lake, downtown to the mountains, or somewhere in-between. The Honda Element breaks new ground with its: Expansive Interior Cargo Area - It adapts, accommodating anything from mountain bikes and coolers to hockey sticks, skis and snowboards or anything else requiring more room than a car. The cargo area can transform to accept items up to 3 meters in length. Versatile Seating - The removable flip-up rear seats can fold down into a bed, or fold up and out of the way to the side, or can be removed altogether. There are more than 64 possible seating arrangements. Side Cargo Doors - Open the doors and gear easily loads from the vehicle's sides, plus they create a unique hangout zone when parked as a "base camp." Tough, Durable Interior - The hard, flat, scratch-resistant, urethane-coated utility floor quickly wipes down. An Element-specific seat fabric is waterproof. Functional Rear Tailgate - The lower tailgate door folds down to create a place to sit (up to 200 kg) and makes loading easy while the upper section provides shade and protection from the weather. Performance - Honda's 160-horsepower 2.4-litre i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine delivers generous acceleration. Available Real Time 4WD™ provides added traction, and large wheels and tires keep Element firmly planted in a wide variety of conditions. The Element is available in two trims: Element: Available in 2WD configuration with either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. The base model features a limited list of features and is ideally suited for customizing. Element Y-Package: Fully loaded, the 2WD Y-package can be ordered with either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. Optional is Honda's Real Time™ 4WD mated to either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission and featuring a removable rear skylight. The Element meets the highest collision safety standards for front and side impacts. It uses the latest engine technology to achieve low emissions and good fuel economy. Unlike anything else on the market, the Honda Element defines its own spot in the entry-level corner of the light truck segment. MARKETING POSITION Development began in 1998 by a group of young designers and engineers from Honda's U.S. research and design group. The team set out to create a vehicle that offers the utility that young, active people seek but can't quite get in a pickup truck, a large SUV or other vehicle. Research consisted of formal and informal studies at college campuses, beaches, state parks, mountain bike meccas, campgrounds and extreme sports events. They found the target Element buyer wants SUV-size interior proportions, a flat pickup truck style floor, flexible seating, a rugged exterior, lots of power, and good fuel economy – all at an affordable price. The vehicles they drove always delivered in one or some of those areas, but none provided a well-rounded package with all of these features. 2004 Honda Element 1 The American-based Honda design team went to work and created the "Model X" concept vehicle that debuted at the 2001 North American International Auto Show in Detroit and was highlighted at a handful of North American auto shows, including the 2001 Salon International de l'Auto de Montréal. The popular concept vehicle became the platform for Element, with the final production version delivering closely on the Model X concept. What's new for 2004 o 5-speed manual transmission on 4WD "Y" package o Increased rear seat legroom o Remote keyless entry on the "Y" package o Seatback bungee loops and cords on the "Y" package o Driver's and passenger's armrest on the "Y" package KEY DEMOGRAPHICS Public interest for the Model X concept reached high levels on the auto show circuit. It earned a fast track into production for the 2003 model year, just in time to greet a rapidly emerging generation of new vehicle buyers between the ages of 22 and 32 – the upper spectrum of what is commonly known as Generation Y and the lower spectrum of Generation X. Honda Canada anticipates the 20- to 34-year-old demographic is expected to account for one- quarter of the vehicle buying public by 2006. Although Element is designed with "Gen X" and "Gen Y" in mind and is based on the generation's unique vehicle wants, it's expected to appeal more to a frame-of-mind (active, youthful) rather than a specific age group. 2004 Honda Element : Body INTRODUCTION Element body styling centers on a bold two-tone theme with integrated composite body panels. The side cargo doors are free of a B-pillar to provide easy loading of equipment. In its early concept stages, a lifeguard station formed the design inspiration for the Element’s general shape with upright angles and the arched roof follows the curve of a surfboard. The design evolved into a rugged two-box SUV shape with traits developed to support a young, active lifestyle. With its wide opening side cargo doors, rear tailgate and large interior, Element provides the right features to operate as a base camp and a general hang-out spot. Open the doors and the Element becomes multi-functional. Lean stuff against the sides. Sit on the tailgate or “sidegate.” Stand out of the rear skylight when stationary. The options are greater than a typical SUV, truck or car – or anything currently on the market. Key Body Design Features: o Hard-body styling o Side cargo doors o No B-pillar o Composite body panels o Removable rear skylight (Real Time 4WD models) o Rear ventilation windows o Roof-mounted antenna SIDE CARGO DOORS The cargo doors are designed for maximum utility and easy load-in with a best-in-class opening size of 1410 mm. Because the Element does not have a B-pillar (the pillar mounted vertically between the top and the bottom of the vehicle in the middle) loading boxes and other bulky items is much easier than a traditional four- or two-door design. From a safety standpoint, the deletion of the B-pillar is compensated for with a reinforced vertical beam in the structure of the rear door, reinforced lower side sills, and floor and roof cross members. When shut, the base of the doors connects tightly to the body side sill with a hook and catcher system. The design has achieved a five-star front and side-impact rating, the highest possible from the U.S. Government’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). 2004 Honda Element 2 The side cargo doors feature an “interlock” safety lever to insure that the front doors always open first. Rear passengers can reach forward and open the front door to exit the vehicle if nobody is in the passenger seat. All seat belts have been specially constructed into the design of the vehicle to not interfere with door functionality. The front doors offer 3-position opening, and can reach an opening angle of up to 78 degrees. The rear doors use a forged steel gooseneck hinge and can open at an angle up to 90 degrees. COMPOSITE BODY PANELS Composite body panels are to used create a two-tone look. Base Element models receive a standard gray surface while the Y-package features composite body panels to add a metallic- look. The fuel access door, located on the driver side rear fender, opens manually like a traditional truck instead of by a remote lever – a unique feature among all current Honda automotive products. CLAMSHELL TAILGATE The rear tailgate drops down pickup truck style with the lower section forming a continuous surface with the interior cargo area when open. Perfect for tailgate parties, the tailgate can hold two 100-kg people. The glass upper part of the tailgate hinges from the top of the roof, opening up and out of the way. The long overhang provides shelter from rain, sun and snow – a useful feature for loading equipment during inclement weather. REMOVABLE REAR SKYLIGHT WITH TILT Element Y-package models equipped with Real Time 4WD feature a rear skylight that tilts up and can be removed. Measuring approximately 508 x 762 mm, the skylight conveniently stores in a soft-shell case behind the rear seats on top of the floor. It accommodates ventilation, hauling tall objects and sleeping under the stars among other things. NOISE INSULATION Element incorporates extensive noise absorption materials and vibration control technology to provide a quiet, refined driving experience. At 100 km/h, Element registers a 65-decibel reading, similar or better than other vehicles in this price range. Road noise due to rough pavement is also minimized. XENOY REAR BUMPERS Element’s rear bumper uses a highly efficient and resilient internal material called Xenoy in place of standard foam. Capable of absorbing more energy per stroke, this material helps achieve a short rear overhang and reduce rear impact costs. Element is the first Honda product to incorporate a Xenoy rear bumper.

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