http://www.worldcarfans.com/90...nivan

Honda is well known for making good use of its resources. The new Freed is a good example of that, since it shares its platform with one of Honda’s bestselling vehicles, the Jazz/Fit. In other words, that means it is possible that countries that already produce the latter will be able to produce the new minivan, capable of carrying up to 8 people. Since the new Fit will be made in Brazil by Septembre, there is a good chance Honda chooses the Freed to compliment its range and expand its market. Nowadays, the only minivan produced in Brazil able to carry 7 people is Chevrolet Zafira (still the old model, but about to change).

Unfortunately, having possibilities not necessarily represents fulfilling them, so the production of Freed in Brazil, which would make it available to all Latin America, would depend on plant capabilities. The not so recent presentation of the new Civic has given Honda a hell of a headache. Once it was not able to deliver all the Civic cars that the market demanded, it had to lower Fit’s production and it caused huge waiting lists for both vehicles. A new product, under these circumstances, would have to be preceded by large investments and Honda may not be willing to make them for a vehicle that, in Latin America, due to its price, would most certainly have low sale volume.

Anyway, if it was presented with a price people could afford, the Freed would be a very good option. Equipped with the same 1.5-litre engine used on the Fit VTEC, it is 4.22 m long, 1.72 m tall and 1.70 m wide, with a very good wheelbase of 2.74 m. In Japan, it can carry 8 people, 7 people or 5 people, with increasing luggage capacity as the number of people inside the car diminishes. In Brazil, it would certainly be offered only in its 7 or 8 people configuration, with the possibility of taking out the third row of seats to have a better cargo volume. What is not very certain is the offer of this vehicle outside Japan.

 

ugly car... but if u want high MPG and more cargo room than other cars in its class i guess it works...

 

it's an interesting concept---i can't say that i hate it.

 

Kinda reminds me of that ugly Mazda....

 

Yikes... Looks like a serious tipping hazard...

 

K24 + K20 head + Honda Freed = Some serious people mover

 

Looks like Frankenstein to me?

 

When I first read the title, I thought a Honda was released from prison...

Now... I believe it should be put behind bars

 

as i was stuck behind (at starbucks) one of the 100 varients of this here in japan. i realized... in 3 weeks i get back to the states for good and get to drive my explorer again, but it seems huge compared to these yet i think these can carry as many passengers, using less fuel. i would buy one (not this one) if sold in the states. look up the diahastu move.. pretty cool or better yet, the honda SMX. these guys over here have something ready for the fuel prices/crunch that is one the horizon...

 

A mini-mini van lol..........

 

Manufacturers are beginning to understand that human beings take up less space when they are vertical rather than horizontal, thus efficient packaging demands they sit bolt upright. If they ever stumble onto the fact that we can be stacked like cordwood, they'll have a way to stick 12 to 15 uncomfortable passengers into the FREED. You'll get to know the folks in your carpool a WHOLE lot better.

 

The description says it "seats 8"...doesn't say anything about seating 8 COMFORTABLY.

 

well moat of the market will rather have efficiency over comfort...

 

I couldn't agree more. Saddly, if the price of gas keeps going up, someday we may all be driving something similar to this

 

i want to kick it.