Honda Freed: a Fit-based JDM microvan (merged)

[coolmazda5]

Not intending to repost/crosspost/whatever around sections, but I think these news are interesting for the Mazda5 fellahs. On this one 8 people should actually "fit" :D


http://bp0.blogger.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/SDQyNHLCTmI/AAAAAAAAsnM/0ePlRpev0Wo/s400/Honda_Freed_2.jpg (http://bp0.blogger.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/SDQyNHLCTmI/AAAAAAAAsnM/0ePlRpev0Wo/s1600-h/Honda_Freed_2.jpg)

Turns out that all those rumors surrounding the Freed were actually true as we found out that Honda will officially take the wraps off the all-new Jazz / Fit based minivan next Thursday, on May 29, 2008. Earlier reports suggested that the Freed will be able to accommodate eight passengers in three rows of seats, but we’ll have to wait and see. As for the engine range, don’t expect any surprises as the Freed will most probably be offered with the same units found in the new Jazz – Fit. Sales of the Freed will begin in Japan shortly after its public unveiling

[dreamym5]

09 Fit (US) is bigger inside, has stronger engine, with better MPG.. than previous 07-08 model it replaces..

http://static.flickr.com/2284/2415275597_b02d7a1880.jpg

freed...may be next gen Fit here in US..?

[coolmazda5]

^^ Dunno, I think Honda should bring the Stream instead, it is more appealing. From this one the front is nice, but the back, no good.

Also, I think 8 people is way too many, 6 is enough :D

http://www.leblogauto.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/plr/freed_1.jpg

http://www.leblogauto.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/plr/freed_2.jpg

http://www.leblogauto.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/plr/freed_3.jpg

[offset_98]

call me crazy, I sorta like the back. You sure don't lose any available space since you don't have a taper-off like on my wife's CX-7.

[starlightmica]

http://www.autoincar.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/honda-freed-1.jpghttp://www.autoincar.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/honda-freed-2.jpghttp://www.autoincar.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/honda-freed-3.jpghttp://www.autoincar.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/honda-freed-11.jpg

1.5L engine, dual power sliding doors, optional 2nd and 3rd row benches to seat 8, flat loading floor thanks to creative placement of the gas tank, and now on sale in Japan.

Makes the Mazda5 look large by comparison, but I'd hate to stomp on the accelerator with 7 passengers on board.


EDIT: Honda Freed web site (http://www.honda.co.jp/FREED/)

[coolmazda5]

Makes the Mazda5 look large by comparison, but I'd hate to stomp on the accelerator with 7 passengers on board.

1.5L engine? Yikes, it should also come with some pedals for each passenger to aid the car going uphill :)

[jeebusm3]

lolz. our fit was pretty slow with 5 people in it. I cannot imagine more weight.

[jandree22]

"Freed"?! WTF kind of car name is that?

[coolmazda5]

^^ It was about to be called "Freedom", but it didn't "Fit" (evil)

Sorry, bad Friday joke, carry on (yawn)

[fam]

It always bad joke Friday around here.

[07MZ5SA]

I doubt Honda will bring it to NA.

It's a replacement for Mobilio which was not intended for global sales.

[fam]

I would debate it if it had more HP, what it has frankly isnt enough to feel safe.

[mrbwa1]

1.5L engine? Yikes, it should also come with some pedals for each passenger to aid the car going uphill :)

Hey now! My Toyota ECHO has a 1.5L engine. Of course weighing 2000 lbs helps. That this is probably faster 0-60 then the MZ5. I do have to attest that I basically has 2 speeds: Leisurely Cruise and Flight of the Bumble Bees (Mainly sound and fury with somewhat brisk acceleration). On the flip side, 30+ MPG city and 38+ MPG HWY is pretty nice (just wish I have the 5 speed because it's more like 40-ish city and 45+ HWY)

I don't think a Fit-based microvan would do too well here, as the JDM city-cars just don't cut it in the good 'ol US of A. Something about needing to cruise across Montana... all of it... at 120 MPH to make it across in a day is in our blood. Honestly, I think stuff like the Nissa Cube makes an attractive 2nd car for a smaller family. My ECHO is perfect for me and even the 1 baby for now, just not our long trip vehicle. And hey, If diesel prices would ever come in line, I'd be willing to drive a 1.3L turbodiesel city car for my commuting duties, as it's mainly city driving anyway. Heck, I'm holding out for plug-in electric, seeing how I never drive over 30 miles round-trip in my car.

[coolmazda5]

^^ :D, there is nothing against the engine, the problem is the type of car and the # of people that Honda wants to haul with it. But I shouldn't complain, Mazda in Europe offers a 1.8L engine on its Mazda5...

Man, people love their ECHOs (or echoes? ;))....

That reminds me, talking about owning 2 of the same cars, my wife was bugging me about that until one day we went to visit her friends and, when the garage opens, 2 friggin' ECHOs were parked in there, one for her and one for him. They say they spend as much in gas (or less) in both cars as the neighbor next door with its GMC Yukon (2thumbs), LOL

Damn, off-topic (wrong)

[07MZ5SA]

Looks like Freed does not have magic seats like Fit/Jazz.

[coolmazda5]

call me crazy, I sorta like the back. You sure don't lose any available space since you don't have a taper-off like on my wife's CX-7.

That is true, although the I like the "butt" of the CX-7, looks kind of sexy (naughty)

http://www.msprotege.com/members/coolmazda5/pho_specs_mz5.jpg

http://www.msprotege.com/members/coolmazda5/pho_specs_cx7.jpg

[coolmazda5]

Honda revealed its new compact minivan today in Japan called the Freed. On sale today as well, the Freed can carry up to eight passengers within its diminutive dimensions thanks to a low, completely flat floor and some clever packaging. Opt for captains chairs in the second row and you can still ferry seven people between Kyoto and Tokyo in relative comfort. The Freed will also be offered in three versions that accommodate people in wheelchairs with ramps and lift-up seats. Honda's JDM mini-minivan will be offered in front-wheel and all-wheel-drive models powered by a 1.5L VTEC four-cylinder engine mated to either a 5-speed automatic or CVT transmission. It looks like a promising vehicle that Japanese buyers will snap up like 10-cent sushi, and we bet Honda would find a market for the Freed here in the U.S. as well considering the current popularity of fuel-efficient vehicles packing tons of practicality.


http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/05/004_08hondafreed_opt.jpg

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/05/016_08hondafreed.jpg

Source:
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/30/honda-freed-mini-minivan-debuts-in-japan/

Gallery:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2008-honda-freed/

[raspykart]

Freed = all ROOM and no ZOOM IMO.

[coolmazda5]

^^ maybe a little with the Mugen? ;)


http://img.worldcarfans.com/US/2008/6/2/9080602.005/9080602.005.Mini1L.jpg

http://img.worldcarfans.com/US/2008/6/2/9080602.005/9080602.005.Mini2L.jpg

http://img.worldcarfans.com/US/2008/6/2/9080602.005/9080602.005.Mini3L.jpg

Just days after Honda revealed their new 8 passenger Freed model for the Japanese market, in-house tuning firm, Mugen, has already got a styling package and modest performance upgrades ready to go. Starting with the exterior, the typical add-ons include front and rear fascias, grille, side skirts, rear roof spoiler. Mechanically, suspension gets lowered and stiffened, choice of silver or black chrome wheels 16-inch wheels, sport muffler, high-flow air filter and upgraded brake rotors and pads with stock caliper.

- Worldcarfans

[dreamym5]

i am so buying this *if* this is available in US..(shady)

[opus]

I wouldn't touch that thing.
First of all, there is NO back bumper so even the most mild of impacts will take out the hatch.
Second, seating for 8 will be for those below 4ft 6in, or those without legs, whichever, there will be no legroom.
Third, wait for VW to put the TDI in their version of the Chrysler minivan and achieve similar mileage while being 5 star crash rated.

[07MZ5SA]

Second, seating for 8 will be for those below 4ft 6in, or those without legs, whichever, there will be no legroom.


Targeted customers are primarily short people or handicapped?

[Foolish]

It would get a bumper before they brought it to the states. We have rules you know! ;)

[opus]

Targeted customers are primarily short people or handicapped?

Short people, I tend to exagerate my examples, but I don't think this thing would have any legroom at all.

[rweatherford]

A 1.5L drivetrain leaves a lot of room for legs, perhaps not much for crush zone. Many motorcycles have larger engines here.

[coolmazda5]

Here in Tokyo, we were hanging around with some American Honda Motor Co. officials when they got their first up-close look at the Freed. The Freed is a compact minivan/MPV based on Honda's Fit architecture. For reference, the six-seat, three-row Freed is about 15 inches shorter than a Mazda5 and about 4 inches longer than a U.S.-spec Fit.

Freed's third row seats fold up against the sides of its body, leaving a completely flat load floor. At least two U.S. Honda PR people checking out the model loved the idea of offering it Stateside, although they'd be inclined to see two changes. Because of the micro-van's short length, they would drop the third row and move the second row back for more legroom. Additionally, the 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine (the same one used in the U.S. Fit) would also likely be replaced by something a bit larger for the our market – possibly a 1.8-liter or even a 2.0-liter.

The Freed is a certainly an attractive package and could make a good competitor in the burgeoning small MPV segment against the likes of the Mazda5 and the forthcoming Chevrolet Orlando and Ford C-Max. What do you think? Have your say in the poll we're running. Honda's looking for feedback and would like to hear from you.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/freed-tokyo-630-1.jpg

[Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/24/tokyo-2009-should-honda-bring-the-freed-mpv-to-america/)]

[coolmazda5]

The poll indicates that the readers like it, problem is: the car would not have a 3rd row and is 15in shorter than the Mazda5, so How could these guys compare them? (screwy)

[Kenshin 1029]

If it is 15 inches shorter than the 5 and not going to have a 3rd row then they have to quit calling it "Freed" and call it "X-fit". Ha, ha, ha! (lol2)

[GWDavis281]

That thing is kind of fuggley IMO. The 5's way more stylish any day of the week!!!

Glenn |B)

[x10dude]

These vehicles are nice to discuss but I agree with an earlier post. This probably won't make it to North America.

[skyhawk]

These vehicles are nice to discuss but I agree with an earlier post. This probably won't make it to North America.

Maybe a designer from the honda Element division transfered to the Honda Fit section.. And they made a compromise. I make the front, you make the rear, and let's smoothen the edges a bit.

[Hibernicus]

I like the Freed, though I wouldn't compare it to the 5. The Honda Stream is a lot closer to the 5. If they offered the Stream here in the U.S. I'd be torn.

[dnc]

I just heard about this Freed recently. Is it a microvan or micro minivan? I associate microvan w/ all those flat-nosed "kei" car ones in Japan (like the Mazda SCRUM *sigh*). I think those would be my top choice for an everyday and weekend/leisure/light business vehicle (though they'd probably have to be widened/chunked up a bit for the U.S.), but they'll probably never be sold here (dangit)!! :(

Seems like the next best thing would be this Freed. It's not great looking - looks like a smaller Toyota Previa (which seems to me a top choice for best U.S. minivan). When I've seen 3D viewings of the Freed online, it looks more attractive than in just static shots. It's hard to get a sense of the scale, because there aren't many good pictures or videos online yet with people near the car.

What makes me want to hold out for this one (or any other similar newcomers) is -


2 sliding rear doors
165" long - shorter than typical U.S. compact sedan (sure, a U.S. spec one could be longer)
tall interior space (sense of roominess - great for lounging around and sleeping in the back, if all the back seats can be removed)
not sure about this one - but can all the 2nd and 3rd seats be removed completely, for a totally flat cargo bed area to lie down in? This is a make-or-break feature - I need room for two adults to lounge about and sleep in for weekend outdoor trips. I don't want to deal with modding the car a la Sportsmobile (pop-tops, etc.).
my overall preference for Honda - based on family vehicles and overall reputation, they seem to always excel at combining bang-for-the-buck, ergonomics and versatility, maximizing spaciousness and window visibility, and reliability/longevity (but not always looks).


I wouldn't intend or want to haul 5+ adults in this. I'd probably want to leave only the two front seats (if possible), and maybe pop in one of the extra seats when I occasionally have an extra passenger.

I'd love to see Mazda sell something like this soon (I know the MAZDA5 is similar, but it's significantly longer and lacks the tall roof and flat cargo floor). I currently drive a Protege, and I have little to complain about it (it has low miles for its age, though). Family members are now buying new Mazda3's because of their great reputation and "sporty" drive. I'd also love to test drive the Mazda2/Ford Focus when they arrive here. I had always wanted a compact hatchback like this, but they were not "hot" or an SUV and thus were hardly available back when I got my Protege.

I'm impressed by the Mazda3's historic reputation for being one of the best bang-for-the-buck choices in its class, even beating out Honda and Toyota. That's why I'd LOVE to see more styles from Mazda USA - you know, the microvans, minivans, full-size vans (headbang)... and even urban microcars.