Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced the debut of the Airwave, an all-new 1.5-liter compact station wagon that boasts top-of-class luggage capacity, the practical utility of versatile seating arrangements in a compact body, along with an extra-large glass “Sky Roof” that conveys an exhilarating open-air feeling. The new Airwave will go on sale April 8, 2005, at Honda automobile dealers throughout Japan.
 
The Airwave was designed around the “new wave compact” concept—a new idea for compact cars that function as a cool lifestyle component for youthful customers who value their own individual sensibilities over any single style.
 
In order to achieve both a roomy passenger interior and a luggage compartment that boasts top-of-class storage capacity, Airwave incorporates Honda’s original center-fuel tank layout. In combination with the convenience of a low-floor design, this also allows a variety of seating arrangements. The Sky Roof, with its extra-large opening, delivers an open-air feeling, while the ample glass area that extends seamlessly from the front windshield up onto the roof adds to the exterior stylishness.
 
The Airwave is equipped with a 1.5-liter VTEC engine that provides ample power for a fun, exciting drive. In combination with the Honda Multimatic S transmission, it delivers smooth acceleration with high torque and high output performance at mid to high speeds, combined with top-of-class fuel economy of 18.0km/l.
 
Key Features
Packaging and utility
· The center-tank layout, which positions the fuel tank under the front seat, results in a low, flat floor and versatile seating arrangements, creating a spacious passenger interior and luggage compartment.
· The easy-to-operate ULTR seats feature four seating arrangement modes.
· Full consideration was given to rear-seat comfort as well, with a top-of-class tandem distance of 985mm that creates a spacious passenger environment.
· The low floor made possible by the center-tank layout results in a luggage room height of just 520mm above the ground, making it easier to load and unload luggage. At the same time, the low floor secures a top-of-class maximum luggage room capacity of 473 liters.
 

Interior design
· The ‘airy cabin’ design concept provides a comfortable space that makes occupants feel as if they are riding on air, with an exhilarating feel of liberation. The expansive glass Sky Roof creates a liberated feel any time, anywhere, regardless of the climate or season.

· The 1,110mm long by 770mm wide large-aperture Sky Roof combines privacy glass to cut out bright light and high-thermal-absorbing UV-cut glass with outstanding insulating properties to fully protect occupants from ultraviolet radiation and the sun’s heat. Also, an electric sunshade opens and closes in three stages with the press of a switch, to allow occupants to adjust the size of the opening.

· The front seats are formed to naturally and deeply embrace the lumbar area, with a softer middle portion and firmer sides for the right combination of soft comfort and firm support. In the rear, full consideration has been given to cushion thickness and seatback height, to combine comfort a step above the rest with the functionality of the ULTR seats’ versatile seating arrangements.
· The instrument panel was designed on the motif of a bird with outspread wings, creating a relaxing image of two layers of overlapping wings. At the same time, the 2-tone color wing-line flows out to the sides to achieve a rounded overall design that imparts feelings of both liberation and security.

· The speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, temperature gauge, and 7-speed mode shift indicator are laid out as five independent, self-illuminating meters.

· The interior is available in two color schemes: one features Black & Bright Titanium two-tone coloring, with Black above and Bright Titanium below, while the other is a sporty Black monotone. The two color schemes can be freely combined with the eight body colors.

Exterior design
· Created under a ‘smart, dynamic’ design concept, the Airwave’s exterior presents a carefree form for stylish urban cruising. The Sky Roof creates a continuous glass area from the windshield to the roof for a glassy effect that gives occupants a beautiful view of the sky above.
· For the front view, the bumper flows smoothly into the sides of the vehicle to create a rounded look, while the bold, chrome-plated front grill adds a feeling of girth.
· The rear view presents the same feeling of girth as the front view, while the rear quarter glass draws it together to create a sporty silhouette with a stable feel.
· For the side view, a deeply sculpted character line produces an effective wedge shape, for a taut yet substantial feel expressive of dynamic motion.

Performance
Engine and transmission
· The 1.5-liter VTEC engine (81 kW (110 PS), 134 Nm) delivers a sophisticated balance of performance and environmental friendliness, with pleasing, smooth and top-of-class fuel economy of 18.0km/l. The Airwave is equipped with a Honda Multimatic S continuously variable automatic transmission, to respond to a wide variety of situations, from city driving to outdoor leisure activities. To further add to the fun of the drive, the L and L Sky Roof types are also equipped with 7-speed mode so the driver can enjoy a manual shift feel, along with a shift indicator that displays gear changes made using the paddle shifters.
· Lightweight, compact, real-time 4-wheel drive is also available on all types.
 
Chassis
· The suspension employs a new design with struts in the front and a rear suspension with an H-Type torsion beam-based layout. Compliant responsiveness and stable cornering are achieved through roll center height adjustment and optimized roll steer to create a relaxed, stable ride that feels comfortable and secure for all vehicle occupants.
· The brake system delivers reliable stopping power even when the car is weighted down with luggage. Fourteen-inch ventilated front discs are combined with 7+8-inch tandem master power cylinders that deliver a lighter pedal touch and powerful braking along with superior space efficiency.
· In order to incorporate the sky roof and the largest tailgate in its class (1,130mm wide by 855mm high opening)without sacrificing body rigidity, closed cross-section frames are employed around the entire circumference of each opening. Reinforcing materials have been added to a Monaca-style core with overlapping front and rear sections to achieve strength and rigidity without a thicker cross-section.
 
 
Safety Performance
· ABS with EBD (Electronic Brake-force Distribution) and brake assist (which augments pedal pressure) are standard on all types, along with a high-mount LED rear brake light that heightens recognition for the drivers of vehicles to the rear.
· Honda’s original G-CON (G-force Control) technology is incorporated to create a body with a crash safety design that can withstand a 55km/h full-frontal collision, a 64km/h front offset collision, 55km/h side collision, and a 50km/h rear collision.
· All types are equipped with 3-point, pretensioner ELR seatbelts with load limiters and lap pretensioners for both front seats. All of the back seats, including the center seat, are equipped with 3-point ELR/ALR (child seat restraint mechanism) seatbelts and headrests, to secure a high level of safety in the rear seats as well.
· The pedestrian injury reduction body features a hood, front bumper, and other parts designed to absorb impact to a pedestrian’s head and lower limbs in the event of an accident, reducing injury severity.