Honda Element
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| Honda Element | |
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| Manufacturer: | Honda |
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| Production: | 2003–present |
| Assembly: | East Liberty, Ohio |
| Class: | Compact crossover SUV |
| Layout: | FF layout/All wheel drive |
| Engine: | 2.4 L K24A4 I4 |
| Transmission: | 5-speed manual 4-speed automatic 5-speed automatic |
| Wheelbase: | 101.4 in (2575 mm) |
| Length: | 169.3 in (4300 mm) 170.2 in (4325 mm)(EX-P) |
| Width: | 71.5 in (1816 mm) |
| Height: | 70.4 in (1790 mm) |
| Fuel capacity: | 15.9 US gal (60.2 L) |
| Related: | Honda Civic Honda CR-V Acura RSX Acura RDX |
| Similar: | Chevrolet HHR Hyundai Tucson Jeep Compass |
The Honda Element is a crossover SUV manufactured by Honda and released in the United States, Canada and Japan in 2003. Although the Element is based on the CR-V, its dimensions are significantly different. The length is a foot (300 mm) shorter, the wheelbase has been trimmed 1.7 inches (43 mm), the roofline is 7.8 in (198 mm) higher, the front track 1.7 in (43 mm)narrower, and the floor about an inch (25 mm) lower. This SUV was designed to slot below the CR-V, and compete against entry-level SUVs (such as the Ford Escape) and crossover hatchbacks (including the Chrysler PT Cruiser).
Powering the Element is Honda's 2.4 L K24A4 i-VTEC four-cylinder engine that also sees duty in the Accord and CR-V. For the Element's purposes, it produces 156 hp (119 kW) at 5500 rpm and 160 ft·lbf (218 N·m) of torque at 4500 rpm.
The Element rides on a highly modified CR-V chassis, and because it has no visible B-pillars, it sports reinforced joints, strengthened lower side sills, larger crossmembers, enlarged rocker panels, and five bulkheads per side. The Element is available with front-wheel drive or Honda's optional Real Time™ four-wheel drive system. This is a hydraulically-actuated system that operates only when front wheel slippage occurs. It was discontinued in Japan with the 2006 model. The Element is currently built in East Liberty, Ohio.
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[edit] Overview
The Element concept vehicle (Model X) was introduced in 2001. The Model X concept was conceived around achieving ideal functionality for a cross-country road trip, hauling surfboards, mountain bikes, snowboards or just about anything else as it combines some of the best features of a pickup truck and an SUV. The Model X was first conceived by a core group of young R&D engineers in 1998. They wanted to develop a vehicle that they could use for their activities and conducted informal on-site focus groups at colleges, beaches, campsites and in the mountains.
The 4-seat Element is designed to carry large and possibly messy loads. The floor is made of textured urethane that is easy to clean; the fabric is tough and stain-resistant; the individual rear seats recline, fold up, and are completely removable to leave a large load space. The rear clamshell tailgate arrangement is large and the vehicle is tall, allowing large loads to be carried. The rear side doors are not suicide doors, despite the fact that they do open backwards, but they are called CLAM SHELL, there is no central pillar and this gives unobstructed access for side loading.
[edit] Awards
- The Element was nominated for the North American Truck of the Year award for 2003.
- The Element won the "Driver's Choice" Award for a small SUV.
[edit] 2003
- Original MSRP range: US$16,100–$20,850
- Colors available: Sunset Orange Pearl, Shoreline Mist Metallic, Satin Silver Metallic, Nighthawk Black Pearl, Galapagos Green Metallic, and Eternal Blue Pearl
- The 2003 Element was launched with two trim levels - DX and EX. A service bulletin was release regarding the windshield flange surface being uneven [1]. This bulletin along with the warranty obligated Honda of America to replace the windshield at no cost to the owner. Four-wheel drive models come with a large rear sunroof.
[edit] 2004
- Original MSRP range: US$16,100–$20,300
- Colors available: Fiji Blue Pearl replaced Eternal Blue Pearl from the previous year.
- The LX model was introduced with more standard features. Improvements were made to the front seats as well as the inclusion of an armrest for the passenger's side captain's chair.
[edit] 2005
- Original MSRP range: US$17,450–$20,925
- Colors available: Same as 2004, plus Cargo Khaki and Rally Red
- The DX model was eliminated from the model lineup. Side airbags were an available option, and XM satellite radio and MP3 capabilities were added as standard features in the audio system for the EX model. The charcoal gray that was the standard plastic tone was darkened and a navy blue was offered with the Shoreline Mist Metallic and Cargo Khaki. Wheel covers on the LX were changed to mimic the styled alloy wheels.
[edit] 2006
- Original MSRP range: US$17,750–$21,525
- Colors available: only Rallye Red and Nighthawk Black Pearl carry over with new colors Tango Red Pearl, Tangerine Metallic, Kiwi Metallic, Atomic Blue Metallic, and Alabaster Silver Metallic
- A fully painted version called the EX-P became available (an extra $500 compared to non-painted counterpart). It comes standard with a 5-speed manual transmission or an optional 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive.
[edit] Advertising
[edit] Element and Friends - version 1.0
In the spring of 2006, a national advertisement campaign[2] featured freeway billboards directing drivers to tune into an AM station to listen to various Honda Element-themed commercials looped continuously. The commercial would then reveal a final piece to the clever advertising trifecta to a website that featured video counterparts of the radio commercials. The ads could also be seen on television and would reveal the website address also. The website had been up since November 15, 2005 and featured commercials of candid conversations between the Element and various creatures, including a crab, rabbit, burro, platypus, and an opossum. The commercials were uploaded on to YouTube and have reached over million views combined, with the commercial about the Element meeting the crab being the most popular.
[edit] 2007
- Original MSRP range: US$18,900–$22,310
- Rallye Red is retired and replaced with Galaxy Gray Metallic, the rest of the colors remain the same as the 2006 line-up.
- EX-P is retired and painted panels become standard on all EX models. Only the LX has the unfinished body trim.
The 2007 Element will receive a mild refresh. A 10 hp increase to 166 HP, along with a 5-speed automatic transmission, and an Integrated Seat Belt System on the front seats that allows rear seat occupants to exit the vehicle without the need for a front occupant to disconnect his or her seatbelt. Side airbags are also now standard.
[edit] 2007 SC
- Original MSRP range: US $22,695
- Available in Nighthawk Black Pearl, Root Beer Metallic, Galaxy Grey Metallic & Alabaster Silver Metallic
A new "urban cruiser" trim level called the SC will be offered with a custom bumper, lower roofline and 18 in alloy wheels. It will also feature upgrades to the original Element such as projector-beam halogen headlights and a custom tribal print seat fabric.
[edit] Advertising
[edit] Gil the Crab
After a summer break, Honda decided to bring back a portion of the "Element and Friends" ad campaign, but will focus on the crab, who now has a name, Gil. The most popular character from the ads with his "I Pinch!" catch phase, Gil has a MySpace page that will chronicle Gil's trouble with the law. In order to reach a broader marketing trend, in which social networking sites play larger roles in ad campaigns, Gil will maintain a blog, will promote an online petition to save his job, and endorse Gil paraphernalia through Cafe Press savethecrab site. A second now features Gil confronting the Element and a lobster.
All this will lead up to the launch of a new commercial dubbed Element TV premiered September 28, 2006 which rolled out with the new Honda Element SC which went on sale that same day.
[edit] Rock Star: Supernova
The Element was one of the official sponsors for a CBS reality show called Rock Star: Supernova. The logo is featured before each episode and during the closing credits.
[edit] Element and Friends - version 2.0
In the fall of 2006, the element and friends website was re-launched with the introduction of the new Element SC trim. The previous version had the driving game using the Element EX-P (now simply called the EX) in a desert, snowtopped mountains, forests, and a beach. They now renamed that area "above ground". A new second option from the main page allows you to select the Element SC to go "underground" in an urbanesque environment featuring a drive-in, central park with a basketball court, a seedy mainstreet, and project housing. The six new SC friends include a rat, mole, hamster, pigeon, roach, and a dog. The drive-in serves as the venue to view the TV spots that feature only the rat, mole, pigeon, and hamster. The format remains the same with new mini-games, but both maps now include a tunnel to venture above or below the surface, through the mountian and building respectively. Changes to the above ground include the removal of the previous TV spots from the website and a link on the beach to Gil's Myspace page.
RPA the company who created the Element and friends website won the "Best in Show" award from MIXX Awards on September 29, 2006 for the microsite. They revealed that visitors average 15 minutes on the site.
[edit] Video games
- In 2003, Honda had the Element featured in EA Sports BIG's SSX 3. It featured in game billboards with the Honda Element logo, as well as the signature car itself parked on the slope with its front and rear doors open to have the snow boarder dart through for extra points.
- In 2004, Element was featured for the first time in Polyphony Digital's Gran Turismo series in Gran Turismo 4 as a 2003 model.
- In 2006, Honda and EA teamed up again to have the Element featured in The Sims spin-off, The Urbz.
- In 2006, Honda and Bikemag.com cross promoted each other in an online dirt bike game called Monster Park Motor Madness.
[edit] External links
- Honda Element official webpage
- elementandfriends.com
- ElementSC.com Information on the Element SC
- Honda Element Owner's Club of America
- Honda Element Owner's Club of Japan
- Windshield Service Bulletin
- i-VTEC.NET - 2003+ Element
