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Anyone Care To Guess What Car We Exposed Being Road Tested In California?

Agent001 submitted on 03/09/2008 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 12:31 PM
from: www.autospies.com

[80] user comments | category: Spy Shots

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Tags: 2009 Honda

Tag Link: 2009 Honda

Anyone Care To Guess What Car We Exposed Being Road Tested In California?

Agent 001 was testing the new Mercedes SL's this weekend in California when all of a sudden he came upon this camouflaged tester in the desert.

It looked like some kind of Honda to me but let's have the experts (you), take a shot at exposing what vehicle this is and who is the manufacturer.

As you can see from the photos, the driver was NOT happy we outed it.

Anyone Care To Guess What Car We Exposed Being Road Tested In California?

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bobs4state - 3/9/2008 12:44:40 PM

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Looks more like a Toyota to me.

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EnnNorak - 3/9/2008 2:56:41 PM

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At first I thought it was a Ford Escort wagon but I'm not so sure any more. Whatever its is, it's an el cheapo with 4-bolt wheels and cheap-looking door handles. No wonder the driver tries to cover his head in shame.

The door handles do not appear to be from a current Ford product. Whoever took these pictures must have noticed the Ford Escape heading in the opposite direction. Test cars along that route and on Nevada test routes and photo shoot routes usually travel in convoys -- too bad the pictures don't show an unusual number of vehicles from the same manufacturer in the same area which could be support vehicles in case of mechanical breakdown or vehicles carrying photographers.

I don't have the time but detectives among you may wish to track down who Continental is supplying these days with 195/65R15 tires. The styling theme of the tail lights could be a clue also.

brammer - 3/9/2008 4:24:55 PM

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EnnNorak- I think the "Ford Escape" driving in the opposite direction is actually an old school Isuzu Rodeo. But it's kind of irrelevant anyway...

M35MT - 3/10/2008 9:49:38 AMView My AgentSpace

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How the hell did you mistake that Rodeo for an Escape?

sold2early - 3/12/2008 4:44:07 PM

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I think the tires are 175's, not 195's...must be something small

EnnNorak - 3/13/2008 6:57:22 PM

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brammer, I don't think that a potential support vehicle travelling in the opposite direction is irrelevant. I've traveled along these test routes in California and Nevada and there are plenty of situations where a support vehicle for a test convoy is seen heading in the wrong direction; for example, if the last car in the convoy has a mechanical problem, a support vehicle would surely turn around and offer assistance. You may be right about the Izusu -- I took another look on a high resolution screen and it is definitely not an Escape.

I examined the tire more closely and sold2early is correct. It is a 175 and not 195. Th top part of the number is obscured by a round blemish which, at first glance, made me think it was a 9 instead of a 7.

Talli - 3/9/2008 12:57:28 PM

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whatever it is, the driver looks pissed!

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droptop - 3/9/2008 2:55:24 PMView My AgentSpace

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That's for sure. You should probably blur out the lady's face, she looks real angry.

huu76 - 3/9/2008 12:59:04 PM

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A slightly bigger Fit, maybe Honda Fat?

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delan - 3/11/2008 10:54:51 PMView My AgentSpace

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^that made me giggle!

laurent - 3/9/2008 1:12:30 PM

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Looks like an Odyssey from behind and a Fit from the front

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audispy - 3/9/2008 1:27:16 PM

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That's what I thought too. Looks alot like a Fit from the front specially the headlights, and it looks like an Odyssey from the back.

But with the Fit being redesigned I'm not so sure why this car has the headlights of the Fit? Something else I noticed is that the car doesn't have the sliding doors of a typical van, so I don't think this can be the Odyssey.

enthusiastx11 - 3/9/2008 1:18:01 PM

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honda of some sort.

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EnnNorak - 3/9/2008 2:58:24 PM

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I believe Odyssey is to heavy for el-cheapo 4-bolt wheels.

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EnnNorak - 3/9/2008 2:59:10 PM

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If it is a hybrid, I will definitely not bother.

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asiancars233 - 3/9/2008 1:33:16 PMView My AgentSpace

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The taillights look like toyota. The headlights look like the Honda Fit and if you can see in font of the side mirror there is a mini window, which is on some honda models. They probably are trying to compete with Toyota some more by providing more bigger vehicles. Next thing you know we'll have a Tundra sized Ridgeline

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asiancars233 - 3/9/2008 1:37:49 PMView My AgentSpace

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It does look like a new Odyssey. Except.. It has 4 doors.

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asiancars233 - 3/9/2008 1:39:20 PMView My AgentSpace

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The back doors don't look like they could slide back and could someone possibly tell me what that silver badge is on the back?

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senorgato - 3/9/2008 2:08:40 PM

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Whatever it is, it's fugly. That rear quarter window is just the ugliest design along with the "extra" window in the front. Both things tell me it's more of a European design though the taillights scream Toyota. Yes, the headlights resemble the Fit, but they've been on a gazillion European cars for years.

It is more Toyota-like than anything, especially the instrument cluster surround in the interior.

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PlanB - 3/9/2008 2:47:34 PM

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Is Honda creating a Venza competitor? It looks like some sort of Honda Fit/MB R-Class type of vehicle. Or it could be just a heavily camoflaged Odyssey. Whatever it is, its definitely Honda.

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EnnNorak - 3/9/2008 3:00:50 PM

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Maybe it's a camo company trying to sell its products to the auto industry.

lexusis350 - 3/9/2008 2:52:16 PM

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I think from behind it looks like a Subaru. Maybe a Subaru minivan? It could also be the new Odyssey.

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newzie - 3/9/2008 3:09:01 PM

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Its the new Honda Stream. Honda said a while back the next generation Stream (or a variation of the current one) was coming to North America.

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Monk - 3/9/2008 3:10:29 PMView My AgentSpace

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why couldn't it be the redesigned toyota sienna?
I'm not sure when the sienna was designed last (2004?), but the tailights sure look similar to the highlander; the front headlamps could be passable for a sienna

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DROOPYSAKK - 3/9/2008 3:19:17 PM

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whatever it is, its the best looking car ever!

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EL34 - 3/9/2008 3:37:32 PM

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Honda Fit station wagon.

That rear side window is not pretty :-(

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Realtor33606 - 3/9/2008 3:37:57 PM

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This has Korean written ALL over it...

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montyz81 - 3/10/2008 9:37:45 AM

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it looks like a Kia to me

nybimmer - 3/9/2008 3:44:37 PM

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It is the 'nouveau' Renault Espace.

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cktoo - 3/9/2008 3:49:24 PM

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I'm 99% sure that's the Honda Stream. Definitely Odyssey-ish in the back and Fit-ish in the front. Plus, I believe those license plates are Honda Manufacturer plates. Weird thing is it is riding on Continental tires, which Honda never uses. They prefer the over-priced, crappy Michelin's.

Driver is certainly pissed. What is the driver pointing back at you?? Video Cam?? He might be pissed because it looks like you crossed the double yellow line to get some of these pics.

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aznstuart - 3/9/2008 4:11:06 PM

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Honda Airwave from Japan with a Fit front end. We've seen this prototype before. Last time it was tagged by Priddy as the new Hybrid vehicle from Honda.

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maximafan1 - 3/9/2008 4:25:19 PM

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i think itz a new "crossover" to compete with the new toyota VENZA

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Lyall - 3/9/2008 4:37:42 PM

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001- That's gotta be CA Hwy-33 North (Ojai thru Los Padres National Forest to Venticopa Pass/ Maricopa). I see a bunch of testers there- whenever I do a backroad switchback run on that route.

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senorgato - 3/9/2008 4:42:54 PM

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aznstuart seems to be correct. This appears to be the Honda Airwave with some redesigns. Very good eye!! And ugly car/suv/subcompact/thing.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gracinhamarco/2257532322/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Airwave

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JUGNU - 3/9/2008 5:07:54 PMView My AgentSpace

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maybe new R Class. LOL

JUGNU

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Homer008 - 3/9/2008 5:48:28 PM

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Why insult Honda like that?

SHEEPDOG

opus - 3/9/2008 5:10:27 PM

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Honda Stream knockoff for the NA market.

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Matthew1 - 3/9/2008 5:29:49 PM

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Looks very much like a reworked last-generation Honda Stream.

Considering the new angular shoulder line of the new Honda Stream, and the very 90's doors on this car, it would either mean this car is part mule, or American Honda's get VERY scaled down styling wise.

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Homer008 - 3/9/2008 5:51:03 PM

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I have no idea how all these folks know whether this thing is very scaled down or up or hybrid etc..but, I could tell you it looks alot like a next gen. Oddessy which is supposed comeout with an hybrid.
The oncoming SUV is 97 Isuzu Rodeo btw.

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olscuul - 3/9/2008 6:58:37 PM

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the wheels/tires look like ford. the front fender inner liners look like gm to me. the rear lights look like toyota, the fronts like a nissan.
that protective piece of sheet metal underneath in back looks familiar.
licence plate is the easiest way to figure it out.
i'm sure that manufacturers have a series of consecutive numbers.

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CaliCarGuy - 3/9/2008 7:26:43 PM

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well from the back those look like bmw tail lights. almost like a 5 series. so i thought it was some sort of bmw van. but then from the front the headlights look like big ass honda fit healights. so maybe this is the next generation honda odyssey

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farabira1 - 3/9/2008 8:20:30 PM

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I think it's next generation Toyota Sienna.

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bmwfan1513 - 3/9/2008 9:38:26 PM

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Ugly.

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nSun - 3/9/2008 9:40:09 PM

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Honda Oddessey

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bobs4state - 3/9/2008 10:52:56 PM

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This is it. End of discussion:

http://www.honda.co.jp/AIRWAVE/

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pchera01 - 3/10/2008 3:33:58 AM

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thanks

xcboi02 - 3/10/2008 11:41:22 AM

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I would guess it is a Honda, but .. I think it's them seeing if they can have a mini-minivan... Something that competes with the like of the Mazda5 (which does have the sliding doors, but could get away with the regular doors)... While it's similar size of the R-Class, they would still likely be not a competitor due to price difference.

Bored - 3/9/2008 11:04:58 PM

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I think most of you guys are right. It definitely looks like the Honda Stream. But since Civic and CR-V are built on the same platform as the Stream, why bother? It would make more sense if it was a mid-generation redesign of the CR-V (hate the nose on the current gen). And if they were bringing it here, I would think it needed a 6-speed auto, hybrid and/or diesel engine option.

...But what do I know? I don't work in the industry.

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bobs4state - 3/9/2008 11:23:11 PM

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Actually, I think the Airwave/Stream makes sense from Honda's viewpoint. Considering the current economic client and the price of gas, it makes sense to offer a lower-priced family hauler that gets better gas mileage. I won't be buying one, because I don't need or want a minivan, but if I were young, on a tight budget and hauling two or more kids around, such a vehical would be appealing.

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bobs4state - 3/9/2008 11:23:46 PM

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Sorry, that's "climate."

Htay7500 - 3/10/2008 7:03:11 PM

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do you know if it seats 6-7 people? the only info I have on this car is thats its based on the fit.

senorgato - 3/9/2008 11:24:36 PM

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bobs4state, interesting how that's on a japanese language website and that version looks like a previous version, not this version, and the car hasn't even been introduced in this country yet. Yet, the two guys in the photo are not Japanese, and the license plate is California.

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bobs4state - 3/10/2008 12:27:14 AM

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I don't see any differnces in the versions other than the version in the photos above is left-hand drive. What do you see? I agree with you. I think the point is that Honda is preparing to release a new vehical here, that is obviously a us-spec Airwave.

henbmw - 3/10/2008 12:18:14 AM

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Its Ferrari's new hatchback. Check out those ceramic brakes

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senorgato - 3/10/2008 1:04:05 AM

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bobs, the headlights in the camouflaged pics look completely different. Much larger and more bulbous, like very large Honda Fit lights.

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bobs4state - 3/10/2008 9:28:39 AM

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Yeah, I can see the difference in the headlights. Do you think they needed to do that for U.S. specs, or is this just another case of Honda's design team screwing something up?

Designer1 - 3/10/2008 1:12:34 AM

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It looks like a Honda minivan.

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Matthew1 - 3/10/2008 1:19:00 AM

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Thank you Sherlock Holmes!

Mercedes - 3/10/2008 2:20:42 AM

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Another dull ass commuter from Japan. Whoopie.

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Lavic - 3/10/2008 7:49:02 AM

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Honda is probably trying to go head to head against the Mazda 5 with this thing. If they are building it on the Civic platform just as Mazda is using it's 3's platform.

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Bimmer4me - 3/10/2008 9:56:52 AM

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It's the new Kia Sedona Minivan. or a Hyundai van.

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07G35J - 3/10/2008 10:08:32 AM

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It looks like a Honda something...

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Whelan - 3/10/2008 11:50:10 AM

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OK Here's my $.02 if people are still reading.

1) The emblem taped up in the back has the distinctive shaping of a squared off Honda emblem.

2) The thing that looks like some kind of tagging on the back right of the hatch lid actually appears to be a Reverse lamp. Since it does not have one on the tails. Think Scion Xb since the new one has one reverse lamp in the bumper now.

2) Just because there is no track for a sliding door, doesn't mean it is not a new mechanism. Maybe they created a new type of slider. Or maybe they are offering two different styles of this car, one with doors, one without. Again, think of the Ford S MAX in Europe, has closing doors, and its cousing the Mazda 5 in the US, with sliders. Same car, two different designs.

3) The 4-bolt pattern is not really used by many people at all anymore. It could be just a quick setup since it is a test mule. Why exactly, I'm not sure, but given the caravan size of this vehicle it seems kinda awkward for only 4 bolts.

4) The front end definitely looks like a Ford Fiesta messed around with a Honda Fit. But the tails are somewhat Toyota.

Conclusion, the Odyssey replacement it is not, the Odyssey has too many points like the tails that go almost all the way across the rear hatch. The Odyssey also looks slightly larger than this, and it's hood would be more atune to the Accord then this. And the updated one out is waay too drastically different from what this would be.

I also don't think it is a Toyota, cause Yotas don't have anything that this really matches up to.

My vote, it is either some kind of Honda that is built to compete against the crossovers like the Taurus X. Wagon carrying room, a raised up ride, etc. But instead of giving it more of an SUV look, they kept it to a more caravan styling. That is my $.02, and yes it will be a new model, not an update.

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Matthew1 - 3/10/2008 11:04:29 PM

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We ALREADY know what it is. Why don't you read the posts above....

It's a Honda Stream/Airwave.

utahnkid - 3/10/2008 1:15:22 PM

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What's the point of camouflaging their designs? I mean they put them out there to test everything in the real world right? they're smart enough to realize you can't just shut the engineers in a building and expect them to know how everything will mesh together out on the open road, well why doesn't the same go for the exterior design? I think if they let the public see what direction the design is going they never would have produced a Pontiac Aztec... Car nuts like us have nothing better to do then sit around and talk about their cars anyways, well why not give us the opportunity to see them when our advice can actually have some impact.

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Matthew1 - 3/10/2008 11:10:44 PM

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Then there would be no point in Autoshows, teaser images and official release images, all ways of creating hype and interest for a model.

If they just said 'here it is' and parked it outside a Wal-Mart, it wouldn't have nearly as much impact.

Remember car companies are in the business of selling cars, and marketing is what they use to sell them.

If they gave the general public the opportunity to change the design before production it would cost the companies millions in re-tooling, put designers out of a job, and let's be honest, make the cars look rubbish.

Car companies want visionaries and professionals designing and engineering their cars, not sixteen year-old boys in Utah.

I don't even know why I resonded to your message it was so stupid.

Porschinator - 3/11/2008 12:40:49 AM

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WGAF! Its a minivan...lol

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Whelan - 3/11/2008 10:51:31 AM

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Reading the full article to find out what it is. That's kinda a spoiler. They should have let people guess and guess then told us in another article or topic. Guessing was half the fun, at least I know I was right without having to read the article.

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AE86 - 3/12/2008 1:41:02 PM

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This is a Honda based on the 3421 distributor plates. Toyota plates are something like 791.

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snuffytheoso - 3/13/2008 10:48:35 PM

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My vote is for a Honda Fit Wagon. Looks like they are moving towards a Mazda 5. Not a bad idea. Mazda 5 versatility with Honda quality. Making the Fit a wagon is much better over a hatchback design.

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DieselRules - 3/14/2008 1:36:40 AM

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the hideous C-pillar can only come from Asia.

Same with the ugly lights that are longer than the doors!

Odyssey??? You can't run a 2-ton mega-van on 175 series tires ... they don't even put tires that small on a base Civic anymore, do they?

Its definitely the Stream, which must be really tiny.

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saintdiablosaint - 3/14/2008 11:34:46 PM

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its a small MPV to "fit" between the odyssey and fit. kudos to anyone who thought airwave right waway just like i did. it looks smaller though, and probably will have a civic platform and 5 seats. im guessing a 2.4 liter engine from the crv, or the civic's 1.8 liter unit if the 2.4 model competes with the crv too much

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