Honda Remix Concept: 2006 L.A Motor Show

Motoring Channel Staff - 30/Nov/2006

Los Angeles, USA — Looking like a cross between the Audi Shooting Brake concept and a futuristic Civic hatchback, the new concept car from Honda, called the REMIX, made its debut at the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show today.

The vehicle was designed in Southern California by Honda's American design group, and built on a front-wheel drive small car platform with a 4-cylinder engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. 

Next-gen Civic Sport anyone? It also features sports suspension, plus high performance tyres and brakes to improve its chassis, according to Honda.

As Honda revealed at the L.A. auto show, the REMIX is a small sport concept vehicle that explores the shape and design of a 2-seat sports car focused on agile and fun-to-drive performance that can also provide exceptional practicality as a daily driver.

Will this concept car precede a production model sports coupe/hatch model, perhaps a standalone sporty model based on the Civic? It's not very likely, as Honda has a habit of creating very cool concept cars, few of which ever go on to become production models for mass consumption. We could see some of the vehicle's styling cues worked into new models in the future, but even this isn't very likely.

So, what this concept represents is simply a design study, and in Motor Show terms, it's the kind of "What IS that?" model that will attract punters to the Honda stand, which in turn will increase the focus on its other models, like the Civic and Accord.

As Honda went to great pains to explains, the REMIX concept is a sports car in shape and design - it's a low-slung vehicle that features a wrap-around canopy that adds a fighter jet-feel to the driving experience - not that anyone outside of the Honda inner sanctum will get to drive it though...

The aluminium-color exterior accentuates every line and curve in the geometric yet fluid styling, says Honda, adding that the concept car is capable of delivering more than just driving performance, but also utility, as the rear storage area supplies generous cargo room.

"The REMIX blends familiar Honda themes into a new, fresh design," said Ben Davidson, REMIX lead designer, Honda R&D Americas, Inc.

Honda's American designer added that "Smooth and fluid surfaces provide a sports car identity to the geometric shapes that form the functional aspect of this vehicle."

The REMIX Small Sport Concept is a product of the Honda R&D Americas, Inc., Advanced Design Studio in Southern California. Purely a design concept, the vehicle is fashioned around a front-wheel drive small car platform with a 4-cylinder engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. A sport suspension, along with aggressive tires and brakes, further supplement its performance side.

"Pure Honda to the core, the REMIX concept vehicle focuses on a simple, lightweight and fun-to-drive philosophy," said John Mendel, who is the senior vice president of American Honda Motor Company. "The concept balances sports car virtues with real-world practicality."

Honda Step Bus Concept

Another new vehicle launched at the '06 Los Angeles Auto Show in America was the Compact Honda Step Bus Concept. Designed around high energy lifestyles, Honda says that the Step Bus Concept represents the ultimate expression of Honda packaging prowess with a mid-engine design and a fully maximised and quickly adaptable interior.

The highly configurable, high-tech interior provides ultimate urban utility from the outside in, explains Honda, adding that the sliding front doors with a 'space efficient' design let people enter and exit in tight spaces. Although micro in exterior size, the cavernous interior can harbor large amounts of band equipment, sports gear and other bulky items.

"Following the traditional Honda theme of 'man maximum, machine minimum,' the Step Bus seeks to create the largest possible interior with the smallest possible exterior," continued John Mendel, of Honda America's top brass. "This innovative concept vehicle shows how large functionality can easily exist within small vehicle packages."

The Step Bus Concept is a product of the Honda R&D Co., Ltd., Wako design center in Saitama prefecture, Japan. Purely a styling concept, the vehicle uses a mid-engine, rear wheel drive platform with a small displacement power plant. Honda adds that the 5-passenger interior features modular construction with a spacious interior. And by 'modular construction' it explains that tracks in the door that can hold beverage containers, cell phones and more contribute to this modular idea. 

Advanced technology includes a next-generation navigation system, and Honda says that the car's tall body provides room for a ceiling-mounted storage tray. Painted in light green metallic, the body design embraces a bold vertical architecture style that creates a large presence within a small space.

Related articles:
- Honda Civic: Road Test
- Honda Civic Hybrid: Road Test
- Honda Accord Euro: Road Test
- Honda Civic Type R
- New Honda CR-V (2007)
- Honda MDX (2007)