Honda Announces the New Crossroad SUV
Tokyo, Japan, Feb 22, 2007; Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced the release of the new Crossroad, an automobile which transcends existing categories by combining the design and functionality of an SUV with the convenient size of a compact car and the 3-row seating and 7-passenger capacity of a minivan. The new Crossroad will go on sale throughout Japan on Friday, February 23.
The Crossroad was designed as an "active life navigator" - a car that helps people enjoy their active new lifestyles, unbound by conventional thinking.
The square motif of the exterior design conveys a feeling of solid presence and strength, while areas around the center pillars and windows are deeply beveled to achieve a sturdy, robust look.
The interior design features sculpted molding around the instrument panel to achieve a fun, confident feel. The square motif is continued throughout the interior, creating a refined, urban tone.
With its innovative packaging, the Crossroad offers a confident presence and versatile 3-row seating, yet is a breeze to handle around town thanks to an overall length of just 4,285mm. And the distinctive angular design around the front headlights gives the Crossroad an effective minimum turning radius[1] at the top of its class[2].
The Crossroad comes equipped with either a 1.8-liter or a 2.0-liter
i-VTEC engine that combines responsive low-to-mid-speed driving performance
with outstanding fuel economy. The engine is paired with a 5-speed
automatic transmission to deliver nimble performance. The 4-wheel-drive
model is also equipped with Hill-Start Assist function, which temporarily
maintains brake pressure after the brake pedal is released when starting on
a hill to ensure smoother starts and enhanced ease of use.
[1]
Measurement based on front corner of vehicle body
[2] 1.8-liter to
2.0-liter class minivans and SUVs
Key Features of the
Crossroad
Exterior design
- The square motif of the
sculptured, robust form conveys the image of having been carved from a
solid block of metal, communicating a feeling of strength and presence.
- The front corners have been angled for an intrepid look and easier
handling in tight spaces.
- The areas around the center pillars and
windows are deeply beveled to achieve a sturdy look.
- The vertically
arranged rear combination lights are sculpted and finely detailed.
-
Six body colors are available, including one new color: Atlantic Blue-Gray
Metallic.
Interior design
- The tough, modern interior
provides a space that is solid and stable, yet refined and comfortable.
- The instrument panel features a sculpted form that facilitates
intuitive recognition and operation and giving it a fun, confident feel.
- The size and positioning of the four irregularly shaped gauges are
varied to achieve an energetic, carefree effect.
- The seat coverings
feature a newly developed suede-finish tricot with bold ridging for the
main section, with durable, dimpled jersey on the sides to provide a soft
feel and a sculpted look.
- Two interior colors are available:
Titanium Ivory and Black.
Packaging
- The refreshing, smart
packaging creates a versatile space inside a convenient body size.
-
Versatile 3-row seating offers plenty of convenience yet the overall length
of 4,285mm makes it a breeze to handle around town.
- The Crossroad's
effective minimum turning radius of 5.6 meters3 puts it at the top of its
class4.
- The rear doors feature a wide opening angle of around 80
degrees, making it easier for passengers in the second- and third-row seats
to get in and out.
- The seating can be set in a variety of
arrangements with easy operation. The second-row seats tilt and slide
forward with the pull of a lever located on the shoulder of the second-row
seatback, making it easier for passengers in the third-row seats to get in
and out.
- The Crossroad is equipped with an emergency puncture repair
kit, replacing the spare tire and securing more space for third-row
passengers while helping to make the vehicle lighter.
[3] Measurement
based on front corner of vehicle body (Honda calculations)
[4]
1.8-liter to 2.0-liter class minivans and SUVs
Power train
-
The Crossroad is available with a choice of two engines, a 2.0-liter i-VTEC
and a 1.8-liter i-VTEC. The i-VTEC system further improves on Honda's
original VTEC (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control)
technology to allow the engine to retard intake valve closure timing under
low engine-load driving conditions. Valve timing control is complemented by
a DBW (Drive By Wire) system that provides optimum throttle valve control
for a major improvement in fuel economy while cruising. This ensures ample
low-speed torque combined with outstanding fuel economy.
- The 4WD
model combines VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist system, which includes an
Antilock Brake System, Traction Control System, and sideslip control) with
Hill-Start Assist - a Honda first - which temporarily maintains brake
pressure after the brake pedal is released when starting on a hill to
ensure smoother starts.
- The new Real-Time 4WD system operates as
front-wheel drive under normal driving conditions, instantly distributing
optimum power to the rear wheels during startup and acceleration or on
snowy roads and other times when driving conditions require it.
- The
Crossroad achieves class-topping5 fuel economy of 13.8km/l6.
[5]
1.8-liter to 2.0-liter class minivans and SUVs
[6] Fuel economy for
front-wheel drive models driven in 10-15 mode (Japanese Ministry of Land,
Infrastructure and Transport test specifications)
Chassis and
body
- The tires feature a new, three-part tread design[7] that
features different rubber compounds for the center and shoulder portions of
the tires to achieve high levels of both fuel economy and braking
performance.
- The front suspension features a McPherson strut design
for outstanding straight-line stability.
- In the rear, a compact,
reactive-link, double-wishbone suspension helps provide increased space for
passengers in the third row of seats. All types are equipped with a rear
stabilizer bar.
- The tailgate opening features a box-type perimeter
frame for greater rigidity.
- Expanded use of strong, lightweight,
high-tensile steel contributes to increased rigidity and weight savings.
[7] Standard equipment on 2.0-liter types
Advanced features and
safety performance
- The IHCC (Intelligent Highway Cruise
Control)[8] vehicle speed and distance control system helps reduce the
burden on the driver during freeway driving.
- The Collision Mitigation
Brake System (CMBS)[8] provides audio and visual warnings and braking to
alert the driver and to help avoid a rear-end collision or mitigate damage
and injuries in the event that one should occur.
- Honda's Advanced
Compatibility Engineering Body enhances passenger protection while
mitigating impact on the other vehicle.
- The vehicle is also designed
to mitigate pedestrian injury in the event of a collision.
- The rear
frame features a large cross-section along with two internal
impact-absorbing frames. The frames have a polygonal cross-section to
enable them to effectively absorb the shock of a rear-end collision.
-
The door mirror on the passenger side features a built-in prism
under-mirror, which takes advantage of the prism's light-refracting
capabilities to secure a field of vision twice that of a convex mirror of
the same size.
[8] Standard equipment on the 20Xi (4WD) ; factory
option on the 18X and 20X (4WD)
Environmental performance
-
All types have been certified by the Japanese Ministry of Land,
Infrastructure, and Transport as having achieved a 75% reduction with
respect to emissions regulations for 2005.
- The 4-wheel-drive 20Xi
features fuel economy 10% better than Japanese government fuel economy
standards for 2010; all front-wheel-drive types achieve fuel economy 5%
better than those standards; and the 18X and 20X 4-wheel-drive vehicles[9]
conform to those standards.
[9] Varies depending on the factory
options the vehicle is equipped with.
About Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. is one of the leading
manufacturers of automobiles and power products and the largest manufacture
of motorcycles in the world. Honda has always sought to provide genuine
satisfaction to people worldwide. The result is more than 120 manufacturing
facilities in 30 countries worldwide, producing a wide range of products,
including motorcycles, ATVs, generators, marine engines, lawn and garden
equipment and automobiles that bring the company into contact with over 19
million customers annually. For more information, please visit
http://world.honda.com.