| 
Honda lifted the embargo on its updated NBOX+, a sister-model of its bestselling NBOX minivehicle that passed our feared "from the backseat" test drive with flying colors.
 While the regulation NBOX supplies space for my knees and excited moonlighting driver Martin, the new NBOX+ delivers amazing versatility. It can double as a cargo hauler, a recreational vehicle, even as a double bed.  Limited by Japanese law to its small size of 11.2 by 4.9 ft, Honda rearranged the inside of its most successful kei. The tank was moved to the center, making space for a sloped floor and an attachable aluminum ramp.
 Three different sized boards can convert the inside to fit a multitude of uses.
 Fold the rear hatch up, drape a few yards of cloth over it, and voila, a tent.
 Add a thin futon, and the NBOX+ becomes a double bed on wheels.
 Members of the Japanese media immediately put this feature to the test. It put them to sleep.
 The dean of the foreign automotive media in Japan, Hans Greimel of Automotive News, also tested the double bed. Despite his American-sized frame, Hans approved.
 If you want even more exciting rides: Put a cross bike in the back and head for the hills.
Prices for the NBOX+ start at 1,350,000 yen ($17,000).  Sales of minivehicles had been in a downtrend after a peak in 2006. This year, kei cars turned the corner sharply in Japan. Nearly 1.2 million keis were sold in Japan in the first half of 2012, for a market share of 37 percent. Carmakers project sales of 2 million for the whole year, The Nikkei [sub] says.
Stay tuned for a "from the back bed" test drive when I am back in Japan. Driver Martin can watch.
from The Truth About Cars http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com | 
No comments:
Post a Comment