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Showing posts with label Honda Element. Show all posts

Honda to Terminate Element Crossover Next Year, No Direct Successor Planned

The quirky-looking Honda Element will soon cease to be as the Japanese automaker has decided to retire the boxy crossover model with the funky rear suicide-style doors after the 2011MY, due to declining sales. There's no direct successor planned, though Honda may develop a new derivative of the CR-V to fill the gap in the near future.

And yes, we have another recall. This time it's Honda issuing two recalls, one for 384,220 vehicles including the 2003 Accord and Civic Coupe / Sedan, and the 2003 and 2004 Element to fix a potential problem with their ignition interlock systems, and another separate recall for 585 Element models from the 2010 model year for an issue with the automatic transmission.

Approximately 344,000 Honda Odyssey minivans and 68,000 Element crossovers from the 2007-2008 model years are being recalled in the United States to address a problem with the brakes.

The Japanese automaker said that it had received a number of customer complaints of brake pedals that feel "soft" or that gradually needed more pressure to work. Honda added that the in the affected vehicles, this condition tends to "very slowly increase over time".

Believe it or not, a whole month has past since the first photos of the facelifted Element unceremoniously hit the web -see here, but the leak didn't prevent Honda from sticking to its original plan that was to release the official data on the car at the end of October. For 2009, Honda has enhanced the Element's exterior styling with subtle changes that include a new bumper design and front grille inspired from the redesigned Pilot SUV, restyled front fenders which are made from metal instead of composite materials, a new hood design, squared wheel arches, and new headlight and taillight configurations. -Continued

Changes in the interior are less significant as they are limited to the brighter color schemes with titanium-look side linings, different fabric patterns, a new overhead console with two large storage bins and revised switchgear designs and meter graphics.

As before, the Element is available in three styles, the basic LX, the more refined EX and the sportier SC which stands out thanks to the addition of a factory bodykit, larger alloy wheels, a custom grille and the lower stance achieved by lowering the ride height of the suspension and the addition of slimmer roof moldings.

There are no surprises under the hood as the Element continues to use a 2.4-liter, 4-cylinder engine producing 166HP at 5800 rpm and 161 lb-ft. of torque at 4000 rpm that can be hooked up to either a standard 5-speed manual transmission or an optional 5-speed automatic transmission. The Element LX and EX are available in two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive configurations, while the sport-tuned Element SC continues to be available exclusively in two-wheel-drive.

Prices for the 2009 Element that goes on sale today in the U.S. with start at $20,175 for the 2009 Element 2WD LX, plus a destination and handling charge of $670.

2009 Honda Element LX

2009 Honda Element SC

2009 Honda Element Facelift: Official Photos

The very first official photos of the revised 2009 Honda Element unceremoniously hit the web today. Expected to hit U.S. dealerships this fall, the 2009 Element obtains Honda’s new corporate grille which was first seen in the redesigned Pilot crossover along with larger, wraparound headlamps and a newly styled front bumper. At the rear-end, the facelifted Element features a new set of tail lamps, a redesigned fifth door with more angular crests and a slightly revised bumper. -Continued

The same styling tweaks have also been applied to the sportier 2009 Element SC that stands out thanks to the mild aero-kit and the body-colored moldings. We're not aware of any other changes, so until Honda releases official details on the redesigned Element, enjoy the photo gallery below.