Honda did not prepare new electric vehicles for the American consumer electronics exhibition CES, but in its native Japan it presented a new “car for life” – the sixth generation Honda Step WGN minivan. This model has been present in the local range since 1996 and is aimed at private buyers with large families. The new minivan remained true to this concept, but still brought a number of innovations.
New Honda Step WGN e:HEV Minivan
So far, only the “design” presentation has passed, so the overall dimensions and other characteristics have not yet been announced: all this Honda has saved until spring. It is only clear that the Honda Step WGN has retained its usual form factor (length is about 4.7 m), and under the hood there will be a traditional for the brand hybrid power plant e: HEV, in which the gasoline engine works most of the time in generator mode, and to the leading the wheels are connected only at high speed.
In the new generation, the Honda Step WGN has acquired a more pronounced horizontal hood. To improve visibility, the windshield pillars have been moved back 70 mm, and the side mirrors are now attached to the door panels, which eliminated the massive triangles around the front glass frames. The rear pillars have become more massive.
The main feature of the former minivan was the convertible fifth door Waku Waku, which can be lifted up or opened. This decision did not justify itself, and the new model has a conventional liftgate. Its electric drive is equipped with a lift limit sensor to prevent the door from hitting a wall or a nearby vehicle. The side sliding doors, of course, also have a servo drive.
As before, the Honda Step WGN is offered in two design versions. The base was previously unnamed, and is now called Air. The Spada modification remained, but changed the “sport” philosophy to “premium”: such a minivan has an extended decor and more expensive finishes. Other bumpers made it possible to increase the front and rear overhangs by 20 mm, and a large spoiler was installed on the fifth door.
When designing the salon, the developers used the Nice Living concept. The separate second-row seats can now be moved not only longitudinally (with an impressive range of 865 mm), but also transversely. In expensive configurations, the chairs are equipped with folding footrests. The third row has become more comfortable: the seats are 20 mm thicker than the previous model, and are set higher, and in addition there are separate cup holders and USB ports.
For the upholstery of the seats, we used Fabtect fabric with an impregnation, which repels not only water, but also oily liquids. The front panel now has a more traditional architecture, the instruments are located in front of the steering wheel, although they are “drawn” on the screen with a diagonal of 10.2 inches. The media system has an 11.4-inch touchscreen; separate 15.6-inch monitors can be ordered for second-row passengers. Of course, the minivan will be equipped with a complex of electronic assistants Honda Sensing.
That’s all for now. A full-fledged premiere will take place on the eve of the start of sales this spring. The outgoing fifth-generation model is still on sale at a price of $ 23,400. But outside of Japan, the Honda Step WGN is not officially presented.
SOURCE: Powertorquenews.com
