Temple of VTEC Rumors and News - Honda reveals production version of the Urban SUV Concept. Names it 'Vezel' in Japan.

Honda has officially revealed the Urban SUV at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show. In Japan, it has been badged "Vezel". There's no word yet on what it will be called in the USA when it debuts later in 2014.

As mentioned in the press release below, the Japanese model will be offered with the 1-motor hybrid system (paired to a 1.5L gasoline engine and 7-speed dual-clutch transmission). The non-hybrid model will have a 1.5L Earth Dreams DOHC 4-cylinder with Direct Injection. Rumor has it that the US version will be offered with the new 1.5L Turbo VTEC engine that was announced by Honda yesterday.

Press release follows.

Honda Unveils Planned Production Model Named VEZEL at the 43rd Tokyo Motor Show 2013

TOKYO, Japan, November 20, 2013 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today unveiled the planned production model named the VEZEL, a new vehicle that belongs to a new category of automobiles that fuses together multifaceted values at a high level. The VEZEL is on display at the Honda booth during the 43rd Tokyo Motor Show 2013 (press days: November 20 - 21, 2013, public days: November 23 - December 1, 2013).

More details about the VEZEL will be announced on December 19, 2013 and the vehicle will go on sale in Japan on the following day, December 20, 2013.

The VEZEL is a completely new model that goes beyond the boundaries of automobile categories by fusing together multifaceted values at a high level, including the dynamic qualities of an SUV, the elegance of a coupe and the functionality of a minivan.

The exterior design of the VEZEL expresses SUV-like stability in its lower body and coupe-like styling in its upper body. These two different types of styling are fused together by the sharp character lines to create an inspiring and emotional exterior design. The interior design creates a coupe-like, high-quality personal space for the front seats and minivan-like elbowroom, comfort and functionality for the rear seats.

In Japan, both the hybrid and gasoline models of the VEZEL will go on sale. The hybrid model will be equipped with SPORT HYBRID i-DCD* that combines a 1.5 L direct injection engine with a high-output motor, and the gasoline model will be equipped with a 1.5 L direct injection engine. Adopting the new-generation powertrain technologies, the VEZEL realizes a dynamic driving character and excellent fuel economy at the same time for both models.

Honda also unveiled the VEZEL exterior design on the Honda website starting today prior to the official announcement of the model. Honda is planning to continue providing updated information on this website prior to the formal launch of the vehicle.

URL: http://www.honda.co.jp/VEZEL/new/ (only in Japanese)

* i-DCD stands for Intelligent Dual Clutch Drive