Filed under: Spy Photos, Japan
Mystery JDM car caught in downtown LA
click image to enlarge
Hello, what's this? That's what we'd like to know. Since receiving these shots from an Autoblog reader who took them from his apartment balcony in downtown L.A., we've been racking our brains trying to place its OEM of origin. Considering the Scion reveal party took place last Friday, our first thought was that Toyota was already getting busy shooting promotional video for the new xB.
Upon closer examination, the car is a dead ringer for what a next generation Honda Element would like. Check out the thick B-pillar that kinks out at the bottom on either side – A classic Element styling cue. Unfortunately, industry insiders tell us that the Element is nowhere near a next generation redesign.
We know for sure it's a Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) vehicle, based on the fact that it's right-hand drive and the two little oval stickers on the back hatch. The green sticker, according to our JDM expert Alex, means the vehicle either meets or exceeds Japan's 2010 fuel efficiency target. The blue decal indicates that it has a star rating (can't tell the number) for emissions reduction versus 2000 levels.
However, we've shown the vehicle to others who think it could even be a next generation Nissan X-Trail (look at the rear).
What's our official call? We think it's a next-generation JDM Honda of some sort. The visual links to the current Element cannot be denied. Well then, that's that. Or is it, what do you think this vehicle is?
UPDATE 1: We've been contacted by several people who saw the new Scion xB in person late last week at the reveal party in Miami, and each has confirmed this is not the next Scion xB.
UPDATE 2: More pictures of vehicle with doors and hatch open added after jump.
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 16)
JST000 4:48PM (12/17/2006)
It does have nissan styling cues...Xtrail, maybe...looks better than the current model anyways.
Reply
dan 4:49PM (12/17/2006)
Could it possibly be a future Ford small car? They are supposedly working on one and the three bar grill along with the SUV styling and Escape-esque headlights make me wonder...
Reply
Car videos & Motorcycle videos 4:54PM (12/17/2006)
From the front it looks like a Nissan product due to square features, but the rear is total Honda product. Overall it is one good looking suv, if this is the new Element then this is sure to be a winner.
http://www.dpccars.com
Reply
ruggels 4:56PM (12/17/2006)
mmm my vote is a us spec cube :)
Reply
randy 4:59PM (12/17/2006)
ford fairlane http://trucks.about.com/od/conceptcars/ss/fordfairlane.htm
Reply
fisker 5:01PM (12/17/2006)
its definetly japenese thats 4 sure, no way in hell would it european, let a lone american, i thikn its either a honda or a susuki
Reply
Michael Karesh 5:02PM (12/17/2006)
Next-gen Honda Element works for me.
I get a strong Honda vibe from the design. Many similarities to the Ridgeline.
It looks very wide. Could it even be on the Ody/Pilot/Ridgeline platform? Might be a SWB two-row companion to a future enlarged Pilot.
Reply
geoff 5:05PM (12/17/2006)
definitely looks like a honda...look at the tail lights. if not a honda, most definitely japanese. no american car has ever looked this.
Reply
mazz 5:05PM (12/17/2006)
its gotta be some kind of honda product,
the back has similar features to the new 2007 honda cr-v, with those long rear lights and the plastic part under the bumper
Reply
jaydez 5:06PM (12/17/2006)
I think it looks like a Ford. The front looks like an edge/escape mix. The grille screams Ford. And its parked between an Landrover and an Aerostar van.
Reply
Michael Karesh 5:07PM (12/17/2006)
Just noticed the dual exhaust. I pray that if this happens to be the new xB that Toyota isn't actually giving its anemic 1.5-liter a dual exhaust. Unless there's well over 200 horsepower under the hood, that exhaust is false advertising.
Suggests a turbo four or V6, and Honda has both.
Reply
Bedhead 5:08PM (12/17/2006)
Ford Bronco. Look at the lower bumpers – they're a dead ringer for the ones on a Ford Escape. Rear exhausts/reflectors? Ford Fusion. And it also seems to be sporting a blue manufacturer plate.
Looks like a love child of the Ford Escape, Land Rover LR2, and Ford SYNus concept.
Not to mention it says, "Hello, I'm Dave," loud and clear.
But the wheels and RHD say, "Honda". I still say Ford.
Reply
RC 5:11PM (12/17/2006)
this is easy, its a FORD, the grill is obviously missing the blue oval, and the bumper looks like the front of the Escape. I have one word for this car. COOL, this looks awesome.
Reply
Kowell 5:12PM (12/17/2006)
the 3 line front grille screams out Ford but the back is denifitly more of an Honda styling....
Reply
dakota 5:15PM (12/17/2006)
Looks to be a Ford.
Escape Headlights
3 bar Grill
Escape Door Pulls
Reply
Michael Karesh 5:15PM (12/17/2006)
Jaydez #10: I think Ford stopped durability testing the Aerostar 15-20 years ago. Also, only the Japanese have significant operations in SoCal. Except for Nissan, which moved to TN. So it's either a Honda or a Toyota/Scion.
The more I look at it, the more the architecture looks like that of the large Honda truck platform. Notice where the A-pillar hits, compare that to the Pilot and Ridgeline.
Reply
CDBP 5:19PM (12/17/2006)
"Also, only the Japanese have significant operations in SoCal."
Wrong.
Reply
John P. 5:21PM (12/17/2006)
I almost want to say Ford, but the wheel arches say Honda, The latest Ford's have much nicer rounded wheel arches while this is squared off like a Honda, or Acura.
I'm hoping it's not a Ford, it looks pretty crappy from here, though I'd have to see some nicer shots to be sure.
Reply
Michael Karesh 5:25PM (12/17/2006)
CD/BP #17: So what do you know that I don't?
To have a prototype like this in SoCal, the company must have engineering operations and/or high-level execs nearby, not just a design center.
So, who has a North American HQ or R&D facility in SoCal other than the Japanese?
For everyone who thinks this is a Ford: the RHD and JDM stickers rule that out. This isn't necessarily the final grille design, and you'll find somewhat similar grilles on the current Pilot and Ridgeline. Ford's bars are much thicker.
Reply
ezbst 5:29PM (12/17/2006)
I totally agree with #4, I think this is a larger offering from Nissan, similar to the Cube, which they said would come to North America in 2007:
http://www.autonet.ca/Spotlight/NewModels/story.cfm?story=/Spotlight/NewModels/2004/07/29/562045.html
The Cube is probably too small and weird for the boring American public so I think this is the result. I doubt they'll call it Cube, though.
Reply