Could we see a return of the funky toaster?
- Patents seem to show a modern take on the Honda Element
- Sales were acceptably strong for the Element when new
- A new Element could take on the Kia Soul
For example, what appears to be a camper shell sprouts from the roof, looking for all the world like a pop-up section on an old Westfalia van. Out back there appears to be some sort of extension which could be a tent or other enclosure. These would fit well with the type of lifestyle customers Honda was chasing with the old Element and would likely go after with a new iteration. The vehicle shown in these patent drawings seems to have decent ground clearance, a very square design, and those clamshell doors mentioned earlier.
Meanwhile, the second patent shows an adaptable cargo partition which is intended to turn the rear of a vehicle into an open pickup truck bed. Like the Element reprise described above, it seems to be very square in design but with significant changes to the A-pillar area and side doors — to say nothing of the exposed cargo bed instead of enclosed cargo area. It’s neat Honda is even considering such a notion, though we all know that patents are often just that — notions, especially in the automotive world.
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