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Honda Vezel Revealed in Japan, Is Coming to the US

Back in January, honda revealed the "Urban SUV" concept at the Detroit Auto Show. Now, that car has reached its production phase and was revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show under the name Vezel.
Honda Vezel 8 photos
Photo: newspressusa.com
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Previous reports stated that Honda was working on a sub-CR-V crossover vehicle that was going to be based on the next generation Fit and built in North America starting in 2015. This is that very car.

While we're not completely taken with the Japanese styling, we are impressed by the technology on offer. The headlights are quite obviously all-LED and a hybrid drivetrain offered could be class-leading.

Honda calls the hybrid drive "Sport Hybrid i-DCD". They don't go into details, but thanks to the new Fit, we know that it's a direct injection 1.5-liter running the Atkinson cycle, mated to an electric motor and a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. Total output is rated at 135 hp at 6000 rpm and 125 lb-ft or torque at 5000 rpm.

On the Japanese J08 cycle, the Fit Hybrid uses 36.4 km/l, equivalent to 85.6 mpg US. It's the most efficient normal hybrid in Japan right now, so it's not unreasonable to believe it would be rated at 50 mpg in the US.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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