Honda Vezel

The Honda Vezel is a sport utility vehicle (SUV) manufactured by Honda. Sales in Japan began in December 2013. The Vezel is available with two powertrains, as a conventional gasoline-powered and as hybrid electric vehicle. It shares Honda's Global Compact architecture with Fit, equipped with a centrally located fuel tank under the front seat.

VEZEL is coming from bezel, the oblique faces of a cut gem, with the V for vehicle.

The Vezel is the production version of Honda Urban SUV Concept which was first shown in 2013 Detroit Auto Show. The production Vezel debuted in 2013 Tokyo Motor Show.

The conventional Vezel is equipped with a 1.5-liter direct-injection DOHC i-VTEC I4 engine coupled to a continuously variable transmission (CVT), and it is available in front-wheel and all-wheel drive versions.

The Vezel hybrid version is equipped with Hondas next-generation sport hybrid i-DCD system that combines a 97 kW (130 hp), 156 Nm (115 lbft) 1.5-liter direct injection engine with a 22 kW (30 hp), 160 Nm (118 lbft) motor. The hybrid version fuel economy is 27.0 km/l (76.3 mpg-imp; 63.5 mpg-US) (3.7 L/100km) in theJapanese JC08 cycle, while the gasoline version has a fuel economy of 20.6 km/l (58.2 mpg-imp; 48.5 mpg-US) (4.9 L/100 km) in the JC08 cycle.

United States launch is expected in 2014. The name Vezel, used in Japanese market, is expected to be renamed as HR-V for the U.S. market. European launch is expected in 2015.

All VEZEL types feature advanced technologies and

functions such as Electric Parking Brake and Automatic

Brake Hold as standard equipment. High-performance

soundproofing materials and dampers, which are typically

used for high-end sedan models, are adopted to realize outstanding quietness and driving stability.

The hybrid model is equipped with the Reactive Force

Pedal that assists fuel-efficient driving by applying

reactive force to the accelerator. The VEZEL HYBRID will

be the first among all Honda hybrid models to be equipped with the Reactive Force Pedal.

The Reactive Force Pedal assists fuel-efficient driving

through control of the reaction force of the accelerator.

The system applies reactive force on the accelerator

pedal when the driver steps on it excessively. The

relative force also is applied when driving on slippery surfaces such as icy roads.

An inner-frame structure and high-tensile sheet steel are

adopted to approximately 20% of the overall body frame,

realizing a lightweight and highly-rigid body that generates linear driving.

Passive safety is realized through the adoption of the

next generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering

(ACE) body and the Pedestrian Injury Mitigation Body.

The ACE body applies Hondas original G-Force Control Technology (G-CON) to enhance self-protection and

make it less aggressive to other vehicles in the event of a

collision. The Pedestrian Injury Mitigation Body structure

also absorbs the impact of a collision in the front part of

the body, which is at the highest risk of causing a pedestrian injury in the event of a collision.

The City-Brake Active System is also available on

selected models. The City-Brake Active System supports

safe driving and mitigates accidental damage from a

collision or when the vehicle starts moving forward. The

system is accompanied by a side curtain airbag system

and a front seat i-side airbag system (variable capacity type).

Pricing for the VEZEL starts at 1,870,000 (US$17,903)

and runs up to 2,680,000 (US$25,658) for the top hybrid model.