Tokyo: Honda Vezel is the Fit crossover we've been waiting for

[Haltech]

Filed under: Budget, Hybrid, Tokyo Motor Show, Crossover, Honda



"Vezel" may sound like the latest miracle cure from Big Pharma, but in truth it's the long-awaited Fit-based crossover from Honda. Unfortunate name aside, this four-door CUV looks ready for production, because it is.

Shown here in hybrid guise, the subcompact Vezel looks quite sporty, with boldly upswept sheetmetal contours, an aggressively raked backlight, "hidden" rear doorhandles borrowed from the JDM Civic hatchback, and an expressive face with LED headlamps.

Honda is presently confirming that the Vezel will go on sale in both hybrid and gas-only guise in Japan, but it isn't offering anything in the way of specifications other than to say that both models will make use of a 1.5-liter direct-injected engine, the "Sport Hybrid i-DCD" powertrain of course getting a "high-output motor" of unspecified power and what could be a dual-clutch transmission. Honda has declined to make clear whether this is the new 1.5-liter turbocharged VTEC engine we told you about yesterday, but it's a good bet that it is indeed the same new Earth Dreams powerplant. Critically, there's no mention of whether all-wheel drive will be offered.

The Vezel will also be launched in Europe sometime in 2015, and we are expecting that a version will come to North America shortly, likely carrying a different name. What do you think, does the Vezel appear to have the makings of a proper rival to entry-level crossovers like the Hyundai Tucson and Nissan Juke? Have your say in Comments.Continue reading Honda Vezel is the Fit crossover we've been waiting for

Honda Vezel is the Fit crossover we've been waiting for originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Nov 2013 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



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