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Automobile January
7 , 2003 |
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| Honda 'Studio E' Concept Vehicle Mixes Urban Beats with Element Platform Loud and Street Smart, Panel Sides Guard Audio PC and Giant Plasma Screen |
Detroit, January 7, 2003 ---
The Honda Studio E concept vehicle,
a panel-side version of the all-new Honda Element, transforms the outdoors-minded
Element into the ultimate mobile entertainment platform geared more for city nightlife
and street performance.
Studio E is built around the needs and lifestyle of a club DJ and transforms the
Element's cavernous interior into a rolling audio and video studio complete with
an onboard personal audio computer for mixing tracks and a 42-inch high-definition
plasma screen display. The upright and modular exterior styling remain true to
the Element, while the panel sides conceal equipment and provide security for
speakers and amplifiers inside.
"We looked at opportunities to extend the Element's attributes and a panel-side
version seemed like a natural," said Tom Elliott, executive vice president of
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "Studio E is pure concept, simply an example of
what could be done with the ultimate panel-side Element."
Unlike the production Element, the driver's side features a single door so more
space can be dedicated to the built-in equipment in the rear cargo area. Rear
cargo doors (instead of a traditional tailgate) provide additional access to the
vehicle. Like the Element, the passenger side employs center opening side cargo
doors for easy access to the cargo area.
Inside, Studio E features front bench seating and two rear pod seats that flip
down from the sides, yet store in a minimum amount of space when not in use. The
mobile entertainment system uses a personal audio computer and can mix multiple
inputs simultaneously, i.e. turntables and an effects generator or a more traditional
guitar, drum machine or microphone could also be attached.
The personal audio computer has its own workstation with keyboard, mouse and a
17-inch liquid crystal display. To play to a larger crowd, a motorized 42-inch
plasma screen rotates down from the ceiling and interfaces with the audio computer
to display custom visual patterns in step with the music out the back of the vehicle,
or it can play DVDs.
The mobile entertainment system transmits more than 800 watts of power to 11 speakers
throughout the vehicle ranging in size from 2-inch tweeters to thunderous 10-inch
subwoofers located underneath the rear cargo floor.
Studio E's performance extends beyond the high-tech equipment inside. Tuned to
be quick and agile, the modified 2.4-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine delivers 190
horsepower and is coupled to a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission for excellent
acceleration.
The city performance-oriented Studio E also benefits from a high performance low-profile
suspension with 19-inch wheels, high performance tires, aggressively tuned springs
and performance shock absorbers.
The exterior concept maximizes the utility of the Element platform by using solid
panels at the rear of the vehicle, which helps add functional space and privacy.
The rear cargo doors open from the center for quick load-in and convenient access
to the interior.
The interior concept is built around industrial-strength utility with sporty accents
throughout. Black nylon material and red alcantera suede are used on the seating
surfaces for durability and comfort. The front passenger area has built-in rubber
floor mats with raised diamond plate cleats for traction. The rear cargo area,
based on the interior of a cargo plane, combines a hard shell plastic base with
aluminum rails so large, bulky objects can be efficiently loaded and unloaded.
The instrument panel houses a precise 6-speed shifter for the transmission (rally
style, in the center of the dash) and the gauges feature sporty red lettering
against a black background.
Additional panel-side Element applications include a compact race team transporter
(for go-karts or motorcycles), an all-purpose cargo carrier and a concert tour
bus for the aspiring rock star.
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Studio E
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