Finally answering the cult of Element enthusiasts (hey, we know a few), Honda is set to rock its Box with a production version of SC prototype unveiled here in New York.

Lowered three-inches on a sport suspension and seen here on 21" wheels and tires (245/35R21), the 2007 Element SC prototype sports a full body kit, painted exterior paneling and trim, and most obviously, a reworked nose with blacked-out grille and projector-beam headlamps.

The Element SC's interior has received a light revamp as well, netting a reworked center console, full interior carpeting (in place of the current Element's washable flooring), 'copper hue instrument panel' with LED backlighting and piano black trim.

Also indicative of the direction Honda is taking with its Element, the concept's 2.4-liter i-VTEC engine gets a ten pony bump to 166 horsepower, courtesy less-restrictive intake and exhaust systems, as well as high-lift cams. The throttle will henceforth be drive-by-wire, and the automatic sprouts a fifth gear.

In the safety arena, the Element gets a new seat belt design that eases entry and exit to the rear seat-- a common complaint among H-Box afficianados. This, along with a side curtain airbags, stability control, and anti-lock supervision.

A production version of the urbanized Element is set for this fall.

(full press release and tons of photos after the jump!)

[Source: Honda]

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New York Auto Show: Honda rocks the box with Element SC prototype originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Apr 2006 11:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.