Tokyo,
September 18, 2002 --- Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has announced the release of the Mobilio Spike, a 1.5L multi-wagon with an interior that leads the compact body class
for spaciousness*1. It also features a versatile cargo space and distinctive styling
that delivers enhanced pleasure and opens the door to new recreational opportunities.
The new Mobilio Spike will go on sale on September 19th at Honda automobile dealers
nationwide.
The Mobilio Spike is Honda's third model in the Small Max series, following the
popular Fit and Mobilio. Honda developed the Mobilio Spike by applying the "garage
box" concept, to meet the needs of consumers who view their cars as tools for
enjoyment.
Development Themes of the Mobilio Spike
Cargo space: Meets a broad range of stowage requirements
Styling: A distinctive form that owners will love
Cabin: A special space to enjoy either alone or with friends
The Mobilio Spike is able to embody these development themes thanks to the Global
Small Platform, which features a center tank layout*2 that permits a spacious,
low-floor cabin. The styling imparts an air of distinctive presence, suggestive
of much-loved recreational equipment.
The newly developed 1.5L VTEC engine has been combined with the Honda Multimatic
S with 7-speed mode*3, for a refreshing, enjoyable driving feel. At the same time,
the Mobilio Spike has also been recognized by the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure
and Transport as an Excellent Low Emissions Vehicle. All model types meet fuel
efficiency requirements for 2010. The Mobilio Spike also incorporates Honda's
original G-CON (G-force Control) technology, for a new body designed for crash
safety.
| *1 |
5-number, 5-seater with a 1.5L displacement |
| *2 |
Fuel tank located under front seat. |
| *3 |
7-speed mode is standard in the W and A types. |
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Mobilio Spike A Type
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Main features of the Mobilio Spike
Cargo space: Meets a broad range of stowage requirements
 |
The Mobilio Spike has a top-of-class cargo area that is 1,855mm*4
deep and 1,110mm tall, creating a spacious 1,045-liter*5
cargo space (with two people on board). Its square cargo space and rear seat with
dual-action dive-down/tip-up mechanism makes it easy to stow objects of various
sizes and shapes and create a flexible "ULTRA" cargo space.
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| |
Utility Mode |
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With the special dual-action dive-down mechanism, the rear seat can be stored
at a 6:4 ratio in only two steps, and without removing the head rests, to create
a 1,855mm-deep flat cargo space. |
Long Mode |
: |
In addition to the Utility Mode, the front passenger seat can be fully
reclined to create a 2,620mm-deep cargo space perfect for stowing long objects,
such as surfboards, skis, and fishing poles. |
Twin Mode |
: |
The rear seat can be folded back to create a 1,390mm-high cargo space
(effective interior height), allowing the stowage of tall objects such as hanger
stands and tall houseplants. |
Refresh Mode |
: |
The rear seats can be reclined and the headrests on the front seats
removed to create a flat relaxation space, allowing passengers in the rear seat
to stretch their legs. |
Adjustment Mode |
: |
One side of the 6:4 ratio foldable rear seat can be lowered
to create a cargo space large enough to stow up to three mountain bikes and other
recreation equipment --- with three passengers on board.
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Sliding doors on both sides make it easy to get-in/out and load/unload, even
in tight parking spots. The opening is 570mm wide by 1,140mm high, and the low-floor
design makes for a step height of only 405mm*6.
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For the first time in a car of this class, the left-side sliding door features
a power slide function as standard equipment. And the right-side sliding door
features an 'easy door closer', for automatic closing when the door is not completely
shut (W Type).
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Hooks that can hold up to 5kg (wetsuits, battery-operated lanterns, etc.)
are installed in the tailgate.
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A cargo space with a playing board that can be easily wiped clean is available
as a manufacturer's option (comes as the C Kit on the W and A types).
|
| *4 |
With the front seats slid completely back |
| *5 |
Honda in-house measurement according to VDA formula |
| *6 |
Front-wheel drive vehicles |
Styling: A distinctive form that owners will love
|
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The Mobilio Spike has a distinctive metal-ingot styling based on the image
of a garage full of treasured items or a rugged toolbox that becomes increasingly
valued the more it is used.
|
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Extra-thick rear quarter pillars give the vehicle presence and dignity.
|
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The Mobilio Spike is available in 10 body colors to cater to a broad range
of tastes. |
Cabin: A special space to enjoy alone or with friends
| |
Black-based design that holds its appeal
|
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The front seat is a foldable bench with large armrests, for a relaxing space
that facilitates communication.
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The metallic center panel enhances the interior space, while increasing its
functionality. (Standard in the W and A types; high-gloss side garnish in the
L Package)
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White three-gauge cluster for a sporty driving image (W and A types)
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Extra space in the area between the extra-thick rear quarter pillars facilitates
the free arrangement of objects.
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Noise and vibration from the powertrain have been greatly reduced and the
body panels have been made more rigid. Also, the latest lightweight, highly effective,
sound-suppressing materials are used throughout the interior to ensure a quiet,
comfortable ride. |
Driving performance
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The Mobilio Spike is equipped with the newly developed 1.5L VTEC engine, which
delivers both superb power and fuel economy. Aluminum rocker arms supplement the
fuel economy and emissions reduction technologies employed in the i-DSI engine
used in the Fit and the Mobilio. Honda went all-out to generate intensive, highly
efficient combustion resulting in high power output, high fuel economy, and ultra-low
emissions. The 1.5L VTEC engine attains high torque and high power output at mid
and high revs and ultra-high fuel economy almost equal to that of a lean burn
engine, while maintaining normal stoichiometric (ideal) fuel-air ratio operation.
All models have been approved by Japan's Ministry of Transport as " Excellent
Low Emissions " vehicles.
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Mobilio Spike models are equipped with the Honda Multimatic S, a new-generation
automatic CVT (continuously variable transmission) for a smooth ride.
|
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The 7-speed mode (7-speed automatic shift mode, 7-speed manual shift mode)
enhances the fun of driving. The Mobilio Spike offers three driving modes (W and
A types): CVT; 7-speed automatic shift mode; and 7-speed manual shift mode.
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The suspension is basically the same as that of the Mobilio, but the spring
rate and the damping force have been specially optimized for the Mobilio Spike,
resulting in a smoother ride and better handling.
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The electric power steering (EPS) adopted for the Mobilio has been specially
tuned, delivering a natural and steady steering feel at all speeds.
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Real-time 4WD makes "play" all that more fun. |
Safety
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Honda's original G-CON (G-force Control) technology is incorporated to create
a new body with a crash safety design that offers protection to vehicle occupants
in a 55km/h full-frontal collision, a 64km/h front offset collision, 55km/h side
collision, and a 50km/h rear collision.
To further improve safety in real-world collisions, Honda has implemented its
own vehicle-to-vehicle collision testing program*7 with its own independently
established research standards. This collision testing is much more demanding
than conventional testing in which the car is crashed into a fixed barrier. The
Mobilio Spike's safety design meets even these stringent testing requirements.
|
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Honda has increased the number of body sections designed to reduce pedestrian
injury, to protect pedestrians' lower limbs and heads.
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In addition to an interior design that protects occupants' heads in a collision,
the front-row seats are also designed to alleviate shocks to the head and neck.
|
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An SRS dual front airbag system is fitted as standard.
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i-side airbags with front passenger posture detection system are available
for the front row as a manufacturer's option (W and A types).
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ISO FIX compatible child seat anchoring bars (left and right second-row seats)
and tether anchors (left and right second-row seats) are also standard for all
models.
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HID (High-Intensity Discharge) headlights (low beam) are a manufacturer's
option (W and A types). |
| *7 |
50% front offset collision with a 2-ton class vehicle, both vehicles traveling
at 50km/h |
Environmental performance
| |
Hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and other pollutants in the exhaust have been
greatly reduced. In fact, the Mobilio Spike runs so clean that all model types
are recognized by the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport
as Excellent Low Emissions Vehicles, with emissions of less than 50% of those
allowed under year 2000 emissions regulations. |
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The Mobilio attains a fuel rating of 17.2km/L*8 --- the
highest in the 7-passenger vehicle class. All model types meet Japanese government
fuel efficiency requirements for 2010. |
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Almost all interior injection-molded parts are made of olefin resin for superior
recyclability. This and other measures result in an overall vehicle recyclability
of over 90%*9. |
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Use of lead has also been reduced to less than 33% of 1996 levels. |
| *8 |
Front-wheel drive vehicles, except the W Type. (Fuel consumption when driven
in 10-15 mode. Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport figures.) |
| *9 |
According to independent Honda measurement standards |
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September
18 , 2002 