The Element followed a concept vehicle called Model X, introduced in 2001. The Model
X functionality was conceived with a cross-country road trip in mind, combining
some features of a pickup truck and a sport utility vehicle. The Model X was
first conceived by a core group of young R&D engineers in 1998.[citation needed]
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.[citation needed]
The 4-seat Element is optimized
to carry large 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 removable. The rear clamshell tailgate arrangement is large
and the vehicle is tall, allowing large loads.
The rear side doors open
outwards from the front but are not referred to as suicide doors, as they cannot
be opened if the conventional front doors are not. The design forgoes B-pillars
to create unobstructed access for side loading. In return, the chassis features
reinforced joints, strengthened lower side sills, larger cross members,
enlarged rocker panels, and five bulkheads per side.
Powering the Element
is Honda's 2.4 Liter K Engine, an i-VTEC four-cylinder engine producing
166 hp (124 kW) at 5500 rpm and 160 ft·lbf (217 N·m) of torque at 4500 rpm.
The
Element is available with front-wheel drive or Honda's optional "Real
Time" four-wheel drive system — a hydraulically-actuated system that operates
only when front wheel slippage occurs. Four wheel drive was discontinued in Japan
with the 2006 model. |
