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)
CD/BP 6:48PM (12/17/2006)
Also durability testing IS done in SoCal. In addition to normal road testing, Honda and Hyundai Kia have tracks in SoCal.
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Driver X 6:50PM (12/17/2006)
The tail lights look Volvo-ish?
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Taylor Alexander 6:56PM (12/17/2006)
i'd call it a ford. the grill and headlights speak to me... they say "buy me a burrito"
but in between bites they sometimes cough "ford" by accident...
-Taylor
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Matt 10:54PM (12/17/2006)
I vote for Honda.
The thick pillars and angles, the wheels. Though the thin, wrap-around syle grill is reminiscent of Nissan Cube or even Scion xB design, the whels are talking to me the strongest. They look exactly like the wheels on the 2007 Accord, which are in turn a knock-off of the wheels on the 2006/7 Mercedes S550.
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Model Z 7:10PM (12/17/2006)
My first impression was this vehicle was a Mitsubishi because of all the "surface entertainment". After I studied all the photos, I think this is a Ford product. The rear has styling elements of a Volvo stationwagon tailights and some of the Land Rover models. The headlights have similarities to a Mazda MPV. A few years ago Ford had a concept video about a "Gorilla" type - safe and rugged - urban vehicle. I see traits of this concepts in the photos. I think this could be derived from the overseas Ranger platform by Ford of Australia. (Long time reader; 1st time poster).
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Gary 7:06PM (12/17/2006)
nope: not a cube. too big. not an X-Trail, cause it's something else.
my money is on element.
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ryan 7:08PM (12/17/2006)
it's the Ford SYNus concept but in 4-door.
the grill is 100% ford, and so is the rear hatch.
http://car-reviews.automobile.com/images/cars/ArtImages/35447/15.jpg
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Brett Scrocroft 7:10PM (12/17/2006)
To Josh E. Oliver,
I heard the Fairlane was shelved?
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Michael Karesh 7:13PM (12/17/2006)
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.
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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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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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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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Derek 9:20PM (12/17/2006)
This has to be a small JDM SUV of the sort that are sold in the domestic market. Look at the proportions, the design language and the wheels, they all point towards Honda.
http://www.car-market.jp/honda/hondaimage/SETPWAGON.jpg
http://www.japanesecarfans.com/news/2040317.011/2040317.011.1M.jpg
This is kind of what I'm getting at...those hyper-small soft-roaders. Don't forget, Japanese companies often do photo/commercial shoots in California cuz Japanese people LOVE anything American.
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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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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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Paul 9:36PM (12/17/2006)
Looks like a bigger Nissan Cube, but why bring that to the US unless it was only for ad shooting. Is it the production Ford Fairlane?
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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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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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