Honda Crossroad
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Honda Crossroad refers to two specific types of SUVs made by Honda. One of them is a rebadged Land Rover Discovery Series I SUV[1] while the other is a completely different vehicle distinct from the rebadged Discovery Series I.
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[edit] Honda Crossroad (Rebadged)
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| Manufacturer | Honda |
|---|---|
| Also called | Land Rover Discovery Series I |
| Production | October, 1993-1998 |
| Class | SUV |
| Body style(s) | 4-door SUV |
| Layout | FR layout/All wheel drive |
| Engine(s) | 3.9 L 180 hp V8 |
| Transmission(s) | 4-speed automatic |
| Wheelbase | 2,540 mm (100.0 in) |
| Length | 4,535 mm (178.5 in) |
| Width | 1,800 mm (70.9 in) |
| Height | 1,950 mm (76.8 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,970 kg (4,300 lb) |
Honda rebadged and marketed the Crossover in a response from the market that SUVs were getting popular to purchase.[2][3] Honda bought the rights to the Discovery Series I from Land Rover and had it placed in the Japanese SUV market for a short time before the partnership ended when BMW bought Land Rover.[2] Some of them had been sold as well to New Zealand.[4] 400 million pounds were paid to Land Rover to market and produce the Crossroad in Japan.[5]
With the end of the Crossroad in the Japanese SUV market due to the termination of Honda's partnership with Land Rover, Honda went ahead to drop the Crossroad and decided to produce and sell the Honda CR-V as their new SUV.[6]
The Crossroad had been marketed for a short time in Japan from October, 1993[5][7] to 1998. Similar to the Discovery Series I, it was sold as a 4-door SUV. 200,000 units of the vehicle had been sold before it was discontinued.[8]
[edit] Problems
Problems had emerged regarding the marketing of the Crossroad in Japan. For instance, Honda had threatened to end ties with Rover after it received news that it was sold to BMW.[9] In 1997, a recall was issued by Honda on the advise of Ministry of Transportation due to a malfunction locking mechanism on the SUV's driver-side front door that could make the vehicle open while driving.[10] Around 4,754 vehicles made from July 1995 to December 1996 were affected by the recall.[10]
[edit] Honda Crossroad (reintroduction)
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| Manufacturer | Honda |
|---|---|
| Production | 2008-present |
| Class | Mini SUV |
| Body style(s) | 4-door SUV |
| Layout | FF layout/All wheel drive |
| Engine(s) | 1.8L 140 hp I4 2.0L 150 hp I4 |
| Transmission(s) | 5-speed automatic |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 in (2700 mm) |
| Length | 168.7 in (4285 mm) |
| Width | 69.9 in (1775 mm) |
| Height | 65.7 in (1669 mm) |
| Related | Honda Stream 2nd Gen |
The Honda Crossroad name was reused as a new crossover SUV, released for the Japanese market in February 2007 for the 2008 model year. The Crossroad features three rows of seats capable of accommodating up to 7 passengers. It replaces the Honda HR-V for the Japanese market.
Under the hood, the Crossroad sports one of two 4-cylinder engines of 1.8 and 2.0L in displacement. Both will be mated to the only available transmission: a 5-speed automatic. Honda's Real-Time AWD system has been thoroughly revised for the Crossroad. It now works in conjunction with stability and traction control as well as ABS brakes. For the first time in a Honda, the Crossroad will be equipped with Hill-Start Assist which temporarily maintains brake pressure after the brake pedal is released when starting on a hill. Under normal driving conditions, the Crossroad behaves as a FWD vehicle.
According to AutoWeek, Honda said it won't import the Crossroad to North America, since their similarly-sized Element takes its place.[11] Honda's crossover SUV lineup in the United States and Canada already has the smaller Element, the mid-priced CR-V and the larger Pilot, as all three models are made in North America.
[edit] References
- ^ "Unofficial Discovery Page". http://www.lr-mad.co.uk/disco.html. Retrieved on 2009-04-20.
- ^ a b "FIRST LOOKS: Honda Crossroad". Motor Trader. http://www.motortrader.com.my/NUS/articles/article_830/page_m.asp. Retrieved on 2009-04-20.
- ^ "Honda Crossroad: Top Nine Whacked-Out Automotive Rebadges Gallery". http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/top-nine-whacked-out-automotive-rebadges/hondacrossroad-11/. Retrieved on 2009-04-20.
- ^ "Land Rover". 2003-12-20. http://www.roverclub.se/lre.html. Retrieved on 2009-04-20.
- ^ a b Michael Harrison (1994-02-22). "Divorce will cost both partners dear". The Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/divorce-will-cost-both-partners-dear-1395741.html. Retrieved on 2009-04-20.
- ^ "Crossroad" (in German). Archived from the original on 2007-02-25. http://web.archive.org/web/20070225103533/http://www.luk-korbmacher.de/Autos/Honda/SUVs/discovery.htm. Retrieved on 2009-04-20.
- ^ Michael Harrison (1993-11-08). "Land-Rover on track to enter new pastures: Michael Harrison on a breakthrough that reverses the European trend of laying off workers". The Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/landrover-on-track-to-enter-new-pastures-michael-harrison-on-a-breakthrough-that-reverses-the-european-trend-of-laying-off-workers-1502967.html. Retrieved on 2009-04-20.
- ^ "Japanese crossovers proliferate" (PDF). 16. http://www.sae.org/automag/globalvehicles/09-2007/1-115-9-12.pdf. Retrieved on 2009-04-20.
- ^ Michael Harrison (1994-02-03). "Honda to decide next week if it will sever ties with Rover". The Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/honda-to-decide-next-week-if-it-will-sever-ties-with-rover-1391675.html. Retrieved on 2009-04-20.
- ^ a b Paul Dever (1997-02-24). "Rover Japan Recalls Land Rover Discovery and Honda Crossroad". Kyodo News. http://www.theautochannel.com/news/date/19970224/news03288.html. Retrieved on 2009-04-20.
- ^ "Crossroad Won't Cross Over". AutoWeek. http://autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070227/FREE/70226007/1528. Retrieved on February 27 2007.
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