Honda Model X
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What is it?
Honda Model X
What's special about it?
Honda takes immense pride in the fact that their vehicles are so popular
among young people. So they've decided to continue to capitalize on their favored
status by delving a little further into that market niche with the introduction
of the Model X concept vehicle. Targeted toward college-age extreme-sporting
males with lots of friends to haul around, the Model X is intended to be a dorm-room-on-wheels,
if you will, which combines the utility of an SUV or pickup with the roomy interior
of a minivan.
Model X is for "young, sweaty guys with attitude," so it's designed to take
a lot of abuse and clean up easily. It is not necessarily, however, made to
go off-road. With its center-opening rear doors and boxy design, it bears a
certain resemblance to the trail-busting Isuzu GBX concept vehicle, but the
press intro of Model X made no mention of taking this vehicle off the beaten
path.
Rather, the appeal of this concept lies on the inside. With a low, flat load
floor, easy-cleanup materials and reconfigurable seats, Model X is capable of
taking on four sweaty young guys, as well as their filthy sport equipment and
sopping wet Labrador retriever. Up front, on the other hand, Model X boasts
some serious tech appeal. The dashboard houses a flip-up monitor for the satellite
navigation system, wireless Internet access and DVD player, and the stereo system
features an MP3 player as well as CD and cassette players. The vehicle is powered
by a four-cylinder i-VTEC engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission.
Why should you care?
If you plan on being an active, college-age male sometime within the next few
years, Honda will most likely have a production version of the Model X waiting
for you. It should appeal to poseurs who just want to maintain the appearance
of being edgy and athletic, as well. Considering the generation that this vehicle
is so shamelessly targeted at, we're just surprised it wasn't named the Model
Y.


