Key Features
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| | · | The center-tank layout, which positions the fuel tank under the front seat, results in a low, flat floor and versatile seating arrangements, creating a spacious passenger interior and luggage compartment.
| | · | The easy-to-operate ULTR seats feature four seating arrangement modes:
| Utility Mode |
| The 6:4 split rear seats are equipped with a dive-down mechanism that enables changeovers to a 1,810mm*4*10 flat, low-floor luggage compartment with one quick operation—no need to remove the headrests.
| | Long Mode |
| In addition to Utility Mode, the front passenger seat fully reclines to create enough space for items as long as 2,700mm*10.
| | Tall Mode |
| The rear seat cushions tip up to create another cargo space 1,250mm*5 high—enough space to get changed in.
| | Refresh Mode |
| Removing the front headrests and fully reclining the seat backs creates enough room to stretch one’s legs out and relax. During breaks from driving, occupants can lie back in comfort and gaze at the scenery through the Sky Roof.
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| | · | Full consideration was given to rear-seat comfort as well, with a top-of-class tandem distance*6 of 985mm*7 that creates a spacious passenger environment.
| | · | The low floor made possible by the center-tank layout results in a luggage room height of just 520mm*8*10 above the ground, making it easier to load and unload luggage. At the same time, the low floor secures a top-of-class maximum luggage room capacity of 473 liters*9.
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| | *4 | With two passengers and the front seats set to their rearmost position | | *5 | G and L types; for G Sky Roof and L Sky Roof types, 1,230mm | | *6 | Distance between the front and rear seat hip points | | *7 | Honda measurement based on seating position of an average Japanese male (as determined by Honda) | | *8 | For FF vehicle; or 4WD vehicle is 535mm | | *9 | With five vehicle occupants; Honda measurement according to VDA formula | | *10 | Honda in-house measurements |
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 | Interior design
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| | · | The ‘airy cabin’ design concept provides a comfortable space that makes occupants feel as if they are riding on air, with an exhilarating feel of liberation. The expansive glass Sky Roof creates a liberated feel any time, anywhere, regardless of the climate or season.
| | · | The 1,110mm long*11 by 770mm wide*11 large-aperture Sky Roof combines privacy glass to cut out bright light and high-thermal-absorbing UV-cut glass with outstanding insulating properties to fully protect occupants from ultraviolet radiation and the sun’s heat. Also, an electric sunshade opens and closes in three stages with the press of a switch, to allow occupants to adjust the size of the opening.
| | · | The front seats are formed to naturally and deeply embrace the lumbar area, with a softer middle portion and firmer sides for the right combination of soft comfort and firm support. In the rear, full consideration has been given to cushion thickness and seatback height, to combine comfort a step above the rest with the functionality of the ULTR seats’ versatile seating arrangements.
| | · | The instrument panel was designed on the motif of a bird with outspread wings, creating a relaxing image of two layers of overlapping wings. At the same time, the 2-tone color wing-line flows out to the sides to achieve a rounded overall design that imparts feelings of both liberation and security.
| | · | The speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, temperature gauge, and 7-speed mode*12 shift indicator are laid out as five independent, self-illuminating meters. The meters employ a cylinder-type design patterned after the exhaust ducts of a rocket or jet engine, to heighten the interior’s sporty atmosphere.
| | · | The interior is available in two color schemes: one features Black & Bright Titanium two-tone coloring, with Black above and Bright Titanium below, while the other is a sporty Black monotone. The two color schemes can be freely combined with the eight body colors.
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| | *11 | Internal dimensions, according to Honda in-house measurements | | *12 | Available on L and L Sky Roof types |
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| Exterior design
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| | · | Created under a ‘smart, dynamic’ design concept, the Airwave’s exterior presents a carefree form for stylish urban cruising. The Sky Roof creates a continuous glass area from the windshield to the roof for a glassy effect that gives occupants a beautiful view of the sky above.
| | · | For the front view, the bumper flows smoothly into the sides of the vehicle to create a rounded look, while the bold, chrome-plated front grill adds a feeling of girth.
| | · | The rear view presents the same feeling of girth as the front view, while the rear quarter glass draws it together to create a sporty silhouette with a stable feel.
| | · | For the side view, a deeply sculpted character line produces an effective wedge shape, for a taut yet substantial feel expressive of dynamic motion.
| | · | Eight body colors are available, including one new color: Chiffon Green Metallic.
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| Engine and transmission
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| | · | The 1.5-liter VTEC engine delivers a sophisticated balance of performance and environmental friendliness, with pleasing, smooth acceleration right up to the high-rev range, and top-of-class fuel economy of 18.0km/l.
| 1.5-liter VTEC engine |
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| Maximum output: | 81kW (110PS) |
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| Maximum torque: | 143N-m (14.6kg-m)*13 |
| | · | The Airwave is equipped with a Honda Multimatic S continuously variable automatic transmission, to respond to a wide variety of situations, from city driving to outdoor leisure activities. To further add to the fun of the drive, the L and L Sky Roof types are also equipped with 7-speed mode so the driver can enjoy a manual shift feel, along with a shift indicator that displays gear changes made using the paddle shifters.
| | · | Lightweight, compact, real-time 4-wheel drive is also available on all types.
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| | · | The suspension employs a new design with struts in the front and a rear suspension with an H-Type torsion beam-based layout. Compliant responsiveness and stable cornering are achieved through roll center height adjustment and optimized roll steer to create a relaxed, stable ride that feels comfortable and secure for all vehicle occupants.
| | · | The brake system delivers reliable stopping power even when the car is weighted down with luggage. Fourteen-inch ventilated front discs are combined with 7+8-inch tandem master power cylinders that deliver a lighter pedal touch and powerful braking along with superior space efficiency.
| | · | Quietness measures include sound-absorbing sound insulation materials efficiently positioned to cut down on road noise despite layout limitations due to the low floor, while engine mounts have been made more rigid to produce a quiet yet pleasing engine sound.
| | · | In order to incorporate the sky roof and the largest tailgate in its class (1,130mm wide by 855mm high opening)*10 without sacrificing body rigidity, closed cross-section frames are employed around the entire circumference of each opening. Reinforcing materials have been added to a Monaca-style core with overlapping front and rear sections to achieve strength and rigidity without a thicker cross-section.
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| | · | ABS with EBD (Electronic Brake-force Distribution) and brake assist (which augments pedal pressure) are standard on all types, along with a high-mount LED rear brake light that heightens recognition for the drivers of vehicles to the rear.
| | · | Honda’s original G-CON (G-force Control) technology is incorporated to create a body with a crash safety design that can withstand a 55km/h full-frontal collision, a 64km/h front offset collision, 55km/h side collision, and a 50km/h rear collision. To further improve safety in real-world collisions, Honda has implemented its own vehicle-to-vehicle collision testing program*14 with its own independently established standards. This collision testing is much more demanding than conventional tests, in which the car is crashed into a fixed barrier. The safety design of the Airwave meets even these stringent testing requirements.
| | · | All types are equipped with 3-point, pretensioner ELR seatbelts with load limiters and lap pretensioners for both front seats. All of the back seats, including the center seat, are equipped with 3-point ELR/ALR (child seat restraint mechanism) seatbelts and headrests, to secure a high level of safety in the rear seats as well.
| | · | The pedestrian injury reduction body features a hood, front bumper, and other parts designed to absorb impact to a pedestrian’s head and lower limbs in the event of an accident, reducing injury severity. The design has earned Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport certification as conforming to government pedestrian head protection standards*15 scheduled to take effect in September 2005.
| | · | ISO FIX-compatible child seat anchoring bars and tether anchors for quick, reliable child seat installation are standard equipment on the left and right rear seats for all types.
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| | *14 | Testing involves a 50% front offset collision with a 2-ton class passenger car, and both vehicles traveling at 50km/h. | | *15 | Standards regulate vehicle hood impact mitigation performance to help protect pedestrians’ heads in the event of a collision. |
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| | · | A modified exhaust manifold shape for more rapid heating of the catalytic converter, repositioning of the O2 sensor for improved sensing performance, and other measures result in fewer exhaust gas pollutants. All types have been certified by the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport as having emissions levels 75% lower than those required by 2005 standards.
| | · | Fuel economy has been enhanced through such measures as optimized engine ignition timing and smoother cam journal surfaces for reduced friction. All types exceed Japanese government fuel economy standards for 2010 by 5%.
| | · | Use of lead has been reduced to less than 10% of 1996 levels.
| | · | Use of hexavalent chromium plating has been reduced, with its complete elimination as the ultimate goal. Its use has already been eliminated on fuel filler pipes, brackets, and other components.
| | · | Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) has been greatly reduced from interior and exterior plastic components in favor of environment-friendly, highly recyclable materials. As a result, over 90%*16 recyclability has been achieved.
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| | *16 | According to independent Honda measurement standards | |
The Honda Freed is a compact MPV based on the new Honda Fit platform. Personal opinions aside, the Freed had a aggressive stance from the front and a rather soft awkward look from the back. While keeping to the platform of the Fit and creating more interior space at the same time, the Freed is considerably taller so that your average passenger can stand upright in the cabin. The result is a very disproportionate look and the fear that it might topple like more Japanese Kei cars do. Click below to read the excerpts of the press release.
Key Features of the Freed
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