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.
Reader Comments (Page 4 of 16)
bepsf 7:14PM (12/17/2006)
This thing is pretty big - nearly the size of that LR3. That along with the 3-bar grille and oval logo placements, tail-lamps and chunky logos make me think "Ford" - but then we know better than that...
...however, the rear-end detailing, chunky arches and wheels and sleek door-handles scream Honda, and knowing that we just received the new CRV my bet is the new Element.
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ryan 7:14PM (12/17/2006)
don't you guys get the grill?
IT's A FORD!
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JC 7:19PM (12/17/2006)
Could this be the new Ford fairlane? I'd bet my money it is.
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ruggels 7:23PM (12/17/2006)
oooh ooh, I got it, given the comment responses to that great chevy only sold in other markets, the rear tails betray this is another european targeted ford! YES! more great products for other markets :)
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ruggels 7:31PM (12/17/2006)
also per the too big to be the cube even if it shares a passing resemblance to the xtrail, do we a) really think nissan is going to launch the xtrail name domestically and b) nissan's stated many times, publicly and privately, that, were they to bring the cube to the US, it would need to grow in size.
that said, it looks allot like that kia, sans the grill, and i've seen kias undergoing testing with mule kit on the I-15 several times.
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ruggels 7:32PM (12/17/2006)
Lastly, what's with this bigger then the rover bs, what because it appears, due to distance and the angle of the photo, to come in higher then the rover. ooo then the astrovan must be HUGE. erm right. check out the people next to the doors, etc, this car is not as tall as the rover, not as big, give me a break.
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chris 7:46PM (12/17/2006)
I think its some new Isuzu. Thats why its hard to tell because no one cares or knows what style direction they are going in.
Im sure people dont even know that Isuzu exists let alone know that they sell cars here.
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Allan Wolozny 7:54PM (12/17/2006)
It is definitely the Next Ford Fairlane. If it is, go Ford as this will sell!!!
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maughanm 7:56PM (12/17/2006)
Run that license plate and find out who it's registered to!
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Will 7:59PM (12/17/2006)
Looks kinda like a Ford product. I say this for 2 reasons, both cars parked next to it are Ford's (Weak Explanation but...)
The front and back Manufacturer emblems look like an oval also, and the 3 bar grille is a good sign.
Although, the wheels do not look anything like Ford's normal design, they look Honda/Hyundai-ish. And the overall body, except the rear hatch look quite Nissan-ish.
Whatever the hell it is, it looks very close to production. Im sure we will find out very soon what it is, and it does look like it possibly may be bound for US shores.
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Bren 8:01PM (12/17/2006)
Maybe an updated version of the Honda HR-V... finally coming to the U.S.?
Whatever it is, I LIKE it.
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rwcmick 8:02PM (12/17/2006)
Nissan Bevel
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Bren 8:11PM (12/17/2006)
Isn't it pretty obvious that this vehicle is way too small for it to be the Fairlane?
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IsuzuMatt 8:18PM (12/17/2006)
What if this is Isuzu's new breakthrough product. While it has been a few years of piggy-backing GM products, this could be the next Trooper! Now the grill and styling doesn't scream Isuzu product, when was the last time you saw something they designed themselves anyway? I don't think any of us have a memory that good.
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CDBP 8:22PM (12/17/2006)
#60:
"CD/BP--why so sure it's a photo shoot? And if it's a photo shoot, why need there be a track for durability testing? It's too finished to be an engineering mule anway.
I was thinking domestic market photo shoot when I figured white didn't make sense. But I believe white is quite popular in Asian markets, which might also like to see the vehicle in an LA setting.
Still, I'm sticking with clinic vehicle. If this is a JDM model, the company (I think Honda) might still clinic it in LA to see if it might be a good idea to sell it in the U.S. as well.
Honda doesn't currently offer a two-row midsize SUV, so there's a hole to fill."
Ive seen the uncropped photos, there is a video production crew visible.
Why would there be ANY correlation to doing a photo shoot and needing a test track? Honda has a need to do photo shoots in LA, so they do them. Honda has a need for a test track in LA so they built one?
Definitely a JDM car and definitely not hear to be clinic'ed
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niko 8:26PM (12/17/2006)
its a new honda crossover that seats 7. take a look...
http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=640875
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Ariza 8:28PM (12/17/2006)
I agree with otheres here, looks like a Nissan product.
Very similar but slight larger than the Nissan Cube.
I saw an import Nissan Cube driving around LA the other day and I have to say it would kill Scion if Nissan brought it over stateside, its a hot little car
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lavardera 8:30PM (12/17/2006)
Honda. Both the Element and Pilot have bars on the grill. Both the Element and Ridgeline have the angled kick at the pillar bottom. CRV and element both show with 7 spoke wheels. Rear lights on the pillars is also a CRV theme.
Get Honda on the phone, tell them to spill their guts, or you'll go public with the pictures...
doh!
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sam 8:32PM (12/17/2006)
it could just be a new JDM car for Japan. It might be a photo shoot for a car to be released at the Tokyo auto Salon
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ruggels 8:36PM (12/17/2006)
Nissan won't bring that cube stateside because it lacks a lot in terms of creature comforts on the inside the scion affords (ironic, scion and comfort in the same sentence, but go drive a cube and you'll get it). Odd though, that a cube would be driving around la, the last i saw one in the area, when i had a chance to play with it, was 2003. At that time Nissan had brought it over for an alternative car symposium.
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