Acura Mulling Honda Vezel-Based Small Crossover for North America

At last year's Shanghai auto show, Acura presented a concept for a sub-compact crossover named the SUV-X, which it said, previewed an upcoming production model primarily targeted for China. Now we're learning that Acura is looking to offer the vehicle in North America as well.

Speaking to Autonews earlier this week, Naohisa Morishita, chief engineer for the Honda Vezel's drivetrain, told the publication that the Japanese company is studying a similar vehicle for the Acura brand in North America and pointed to the SUV-X.

"There is a market for it worldwide, not just in China," he said. "Personally, I think Acura needs it."

Honda spokeswoman Yuka Abe told the news agency that it hasn't decided yet which markets outside of China would get the production SUV-X, which will be built around the Vezel, itself loosely based on the latest generation Honda Fit / Jazz sub-compact.

The Vezel will go on sale in the Unites States later this year, though, it may be marketed under a different name.

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Mugen Goes Extra Wild with New Vezel Concept at Tokyo Auto Salon

Honda's in-house tuner Mugen brought not one, but two modified versions of the new Vezel small SUV to the 2014 Tokyo Auto Salon that kicked off on Friday. The first one is the production tune that we've already seen and which is offered for sale (third photo in the gallery) in Japan, while the second model is wearing a conceptualized aero kit.

It's essentially a far more aggressively styled add-on package to the production outfit that widens the Vezel through the use of large extensions with contrast paint that attach to the wings, allowing the fitment of bigger 20-inch alloy wheels and tires.

It also includes a matching front apron, a new rear apron with different exhaust outlets, a honeycomb grille, and a roof wing that clips on the existing spoiler.

The only changes under the body are a lowered sports suspension, a complete exhaust system and more potent brakes.

The new Vezel in regular trim will be sold in Europe as well as North America and other markets around the globe.

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Honda Lays Down Its Auto and Moto Goods for 2014 Tokyo Salon

Just before the automotive world turns its attention to the Detroit Auto Show on January 13, Japan will host the annual Tokyo Auto Salon 2014, one of the top performance and styling events in the industry. Honda will attend the show with a diverse lineup of modified and special edition automobiles and motorcycles.

Honda's parade of vehicles will include custom versions of its two latest models, the Vezel small crossover that's set for launch in North America next year and in Europe from 2015, and the new generation of the Fit (called Jazz across the pond and elsewhere).

Another noteworthy model is the sported-up, N-One Modulo Concept based on Honda's JDM retro-inspired city car, which in our eyes, looks like a Japanese Fiat 500 Abarth proposal.

While Honda did not go into details about its cars and motorcycles, it did release a list of the entire range, which you can read below.

 

[From Honda PR]

Automobiles

1)	VEZEL Modulo Concept, which further pursues a sense of high quality and sportiness of the new VEZEL, which went on sale in Japan on December 20, 2013 as a new vehicle that belongs to a new category of automobiles that fuses together multifaceted values at a high level.
2)	MUGEN  VEZEL CONCEPT, a VEZEL-based concept model by MUGEN.
3)	N-WGN Macaron Color Collection, which presents a “sweet spot” based on the N-WGN, the newest addition to N Series.
4)	N-ONE Modulo Concept, for which Honda pays close attention to the details and realizes the ultimate fun of driving.
5)	N-BOX + ELEMENT Concept, which was developed in the motif of “trail shoes” which can be used actively in urban areas as well as in casual outdoor activities.
6)	Accessorized vehicles including FIT Special Customize, MUGEN FIT RS, MUGEN Odyssey Absolute, and others.

 

Motorcycles

1)	GOLDWING F6C, which was exhibited at the 43rd Tokyo Motor Show in November this year.
2)	CBR1000RR SP, which was exhibited at EICMA 2013 (Milan Show).
3)	A customized concept model of the GROM, which was designed through collaboration with the Ninja Turtles, characters from a popular American cartoon.
4)	Other customized models including the accessorized Little Cub 55th Anniversary Special.

 

Racing

1)	RC213V, with which Honda won triple crown - rider's, team and constructor championships - in the 2013 MotoGP class, the highest summit of the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix.
2)	CR-Z GT, with which Honda won the driver's and team championships in the GT300 class of the Super GT Series.
3)	SF13, with which Honda won the driver's championship in the 2013 Japanese Championship Super Formula.
4)	Four racing machines which will be used in the N-ONE One-make Race starting in 2014.

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