Spy Shots: 2007 Honda Element SC
Super sleuthing spy photographer Chris Doane has captured the upcoming 2007 Honda Element SC out in the wild. The Element SC was previewed as a concept at the New York auto show earlier in the year and the production version will come with many styling cues from the show car including "Ridgeline-inspired" projection beam lamps, body color exterior panels and an "aero-enhanced" grille. The suspension will also be lowered and the vehicle's 2.4L DOHC i-VTEC engine will now make 166 hp, up 10 ponies from the current powerplant. Also notice the much larger wheel/tire combo that should enhance the Element SC's performance envelope beyond that of a toaster on wheels. Look for the upgraded Element SC in Honda dealers starting this fall, as it will arrive as a 2007 model.[Source: VTEC.net]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Buster Hymen 6:41PM (6/07/2006)
Honda missed the mark on the Element. I have no idea why they continue to make this vehicle when I believe it's never hit their sales goal.
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John 6:46PM (6/07/2006)
What are they aiming for this time? It looks somewhat different than the current element as far as personality.
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WillDaThrill 6:47PM (6/07/2006)
No matter how you polish a turd......it's still a turd.
Don't think this vehicle is ever going to loose it's dork factor.
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Randy 6:48PM (6/07/2006)
The above comment is terribly wrong. This vehicle has outperformed its sales goals from the start. The comment obviously came from someone who is either ignorant, misinformed, or both.
Get a clue...
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doug 6:55PM (6/07/2006)
The Element sold 5200 units in May, 22000 YTD, same as last year. The Element is not a typical SUV, it is more of a van.
I am about to buy a used one to use for business. As I looked thru the brochure while the salesperson filed out paperwork, I said "none of these people (in the brochure) actually buy the Element, do they" noting the young hikers and surfers pictured. She said no with a laugh.
But if it sells, why not keep it..
And it's cheap - an EX AWD is $20,500 before discounts. Got offered one for $20,400 at one dealer, but am buying used.
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doug 6:59PM (6/07/2006)
The Element sold 5200 units in May, 22000 YTD, same as last year. The Element is not a typical SUV, it is more of a van.
I am about to buy a used one to use for business. As I looked thru the brochure while the salesperson filed out paperwork, I said "none of these people (in the brochure) actually buy the Element, do they" noting the young hikers and surfers pictured. She said no with a laugh.
But if it sells, why not keep it..
And it's cheap - an EX AWD is $21,600 before discounts. Got offered one for $20,400 at one dealer, but am buying used.
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Sheniferous 6:59PM (6/07/2006)
#1 50,000 units a year. Yea, Honda really wants to discontinue that.
As far as the picture goes, I believe this is not the SC trim but the 2007 Element EX-P. Honda said the front changes were going to carry over across the line, as well as the interior changes too.
In addition, this looks to be a 2006 EX-P test mule with the revised front end (direct bolt on to all previous Elements) revised side skirts, and slightly revised rear bumper trim.
The wheels appear to be 18" which will probably make it to the production SC, but all the physical changes will still be carried over across the Element line.
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Tim UF 7:28PM (6/07/2006)
well, the good news is, its an upgrade, tha bad news is, its still an element. Too bad it gets awful real world fuel economy (ive heard), and it will just get worse with forced induction, hipo engines on a likely heavier car.
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GOKARTN 7:28PM (6/07/2006)
The inerior of the Element is the most practical and clever of any SUV. We put our bikes in ours - upright. When the bikes are muddy or wet, there is no carpet to stain, just get a wet spounge and wipe it out. Why would they want to ruin such a great thing by carpeting it. It is a Sports Utility Vehicle for people who actually participate in sports.
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Vik 7:34PM (6/07/2006)
Underpowered...still.
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Aki 7:55PM (6/07/2006)
I was never a fan on the current Element, but surprisingly I'm diggin the next one. Seems so hassle free, and the styling's less effeminate.
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jay 8:02PM (6/07/2006)
did they scrap the urathane floor?
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KC 8:50PM (6/07/2006)
I have a 2006 and love it. It is very versatile. I average around 23 MPG - the funny thiing is I get 22 city and about 24 or 25 on the highway. It drives like a car and can handle all types of weather and road conditions (although probably not off-road conditions). The Element is for people who are looking for versatility, realworld functionality and reliability at an affordable price. In other words, practical-minded people. I could care less who else likes it or doesn't. I'll let the insecure people worry about that.
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DubbedinEnglish 9:38PM (6/07/2006)
WTF......They call it an "SC" package and no S/C. Hmmm this files under all vehicles that are called "sport" bt contain no performance upgrades....BLASPHEMY!!!!!!
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Lithous 9:55PM (6/07/2006)
"And it's cheap - an EX AWD is $20,500 before discounts."
Impossible. Only GM and Ford give discounts.
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Richard Warren 9:56PM (6/07/2006)
Ugly still, but hey, if ya want to drive ugly, that's your choice.
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Warren 10:09PM (6/07/2006)
#13...people that bought the Aztec said the same thing. Still ugly as shit.
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Paul H 10:17PM (6/07/2006)
I think that one looks a lot better than the current one...thank God all the plastic is gone. But if you're going to offer a performance version, give it more than a 10 hp boost. An Element V6, even if it cost a few grand more, would probably sell very well. Or if they could at least give the SC the Civic Si engine...
Oh and my uncle owns one and loves it. Every time someone calls him while he's driving he tells them he's "in his Element."
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PJ 4:08AM (6/08/2006)
As I understand it, the Element has met Honda's sales expectations just fine, it's just been selling to a much older and tamer audience than Honda originally intended.
That's not out of the ordinary, though. The same is true of the Scions and most compact cars. Realistically, how many 18-25-year-olds have the cash to blow on any new car, period? Older buyers will always dominate new car sales because they have better-paying jobs (or a job at all, in some cases).
I agree that the Element could use more power, but then, as an enthusiast, I'd never buy this car anyway. The extra cost of installing a Civic Si engine would not likely be justified by a flurry of sales (most enthusiasts would rather simply get the Si and have style and handling, too).
That said, I admire the Element for its uniqueness, its clever interior features, and its enormous cargo capacity. The biggest problem with this vehicle, IMHO, is its load rating--it's only rated to carry something like 850 pounds inside. You could max it out with four large male occupants, let alone a weekend's worth of active-lifestyle gear.
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foxrun 6:40AM (6/08/2006)
That has got to be the ugliest thing I have ever seen.
That will be placed right beside the Pacer one day.
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