Honda Step Bus Concept

[SL65]

Honda reveals it's Step Bus concept car at the LA show

Styling concept takes 'man maximum, machine minimum' philosophy to the extreme

Designed around high energy lifestyles, the Honda Step Bus Concept represents the ultimate expression of Honda packaging prowess with a mid-engine design and a fully maximized and quickly adaptable interior.

The highly configurable, high-tech interior provides ultimate urban utility from the outside in. Sliding front doors with a space efficient design let people enter and exit in tight spaces. Although micro in exterior size, the cavernous interior can harbor large amounts of band equipment, sports gear and other bulky items.

"Following the traditional Honda theme of 'man maximum, machine minimum,' the Step Bus seeks to create the largest possible interior with the smallest possible exterior," said John Mendel, senior vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "This innovative concept vehicle shows how large functionality can easily exist within small vehicle packages."

The Step Bus Concept is a product of the Honda R&D Co., Ltd., Wako design center in Saitama prefecture, Japan. Purely a styling concept, the vehicle uses a mid-engine, rear wheel drive platform with a small displacement power plant. The 5-passenger interior features modular construction with a spacious interior. The modular construction is highlighted by tracks in the door that can hold beverage containers, cell phones and more. Advanced technology includes a next-generation navigation system. The tall body provides room for a ceiling-mounted storage tray. Painted in light green metallic, the body design embraces a bold vertical architecture style that creates a large presence within a small space.

Am I the only one who finds themself strangely attracted to this car? I like it's design. It's so innocent, you just can't say mean things about it.

[Vette Boss]

Somehow it looks like those old vacuum cleaners, where the base had really vertical lines.

[zenkidori]

I just about passed out reading this thread...that's how boring this car is...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzz

[cvrefugee]

And you guys think my car is boxy?

[Magnet]

What gets me is that all of those cars in Japan have auto gearboxes, no matter how small they are.

Do you know how mind numbingly tortuous they are to drive?

[Blind_Io]

Originally Posted by zenkidori

I just about passed out reading this thread...that's how boring this car is...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzz

Yeah, but it will do well in the American market because it has cup holders.

[fbc]

What the hell is that supposed to be?? It's like they couldn't be bothered so they just made a box.. and then put too-small wheels on it... and squished it vertically in a vice.

[Viper007Bond]

The result of Japan being so pressed for space.

[vRS]

Holy shit, well at least its not as bad at that Perodua piece of shit box car

Designed around high energy lifestyles

Must be for funky grans then, like her

[No Boss]

[Blind_Io]

So when will CVG trade in his current Toaster for the new 4-slice model?

[Zegna]

I personally think this Step Bus Concept is fantastic. It's definitely formed within a minimalist approach.

I'm just a little bit let down with the fact that it is actually a concept car, although it looks very much production ready.

Would I own one? Absolutely, but only if I happen to live in downtown Tokyo.

[NAIDANAC A]

Originally Posted by Blind_Io

So when will CVG trade in his current Toaster for the new 4-slice model?

Hey his toaster is cool...that not so much.

[cvrefugee]

Originally Posted by Blind_Io

So when will CVG trade in his current Toaster for the new 4-slice model?

That Honda is no 4-slicer, it's a bona-fide toaster oven!

[BlaRo]

Hehe...Japanese people being Japanese. I hope they build it so I can laugh at it next time I go to Japan!

And SL65..."its", not "it's". You've done that mistake for a few threads already, how dare you be a moderator?!

[Raparperi]

Originally Posted by Blind_Io

Yeah, but it will do well in the American market because it has cup holders.

Are they big enough for the American market?

[chaos386]

When I read the title I asked myself 'hmm, is this related to the Honda Life Step Van?' After looking at the pictures: yep.

I like it, but it only makes sense in Japan, obviously. It's a shame, really, as I like the funky designs the JDM-only cars have.

[klutch]

Honda and Toyota seem to have some kind of shoebox with wheels at every show.

[mautzel]

Never thought that there'd be any direct competition for the already unsuccessful Peug 1007 - Japan, Korea and China seem to be copying everything really lately. But I do have to say that I've got a soft spot for the old fashioned interior (which obviously won't go into production that way)