Honda Announces All-new Step WGN

October 9, 2009 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced the introduction of the
all-new Step WGN. With the largest interior space in its class*1 and first in
class*1 under-floor storage for third-row seats the all-new Step WGN offers more
convenience than ever before and best-in-class fuel economy*1. The new Step WGN
and Step WGN special-needs vehicle*2 go on sale in Japan today, with the Step
WGN Spada and Step WGN Spada special-needs vehicle*2 to debut in Japan on
Friday, October 23.



This all-new fourth generation Step WGN, featuring Honda's original low-floor,
low-center-of-gravity platform, was developed around the concept of comfort for
everyone and is designed to be the ultimate in comfortable minivan
transportation for the entire family.



With the combination of a 2.0-liter i-VTEC engine and torque converter-equipped
CVT*3 both smooth driving and outstanding, class-leading*1 fuel economy of
14.2km/L*4 are achieved. Making further contributions to fuel economy are
features such as ECON mode, which regulates the engine and transmission to help
conserve fuel, and Eco Assist, with multiple functions that encourage
fuel-efficient driving including a guidance function that gives the driver
real-time feedback on the fuel-efficiency of his or her driving practices.



*1 8-passenger, 2,000cc class vehicles with an overall height of 1,800mm or
greater (Honda calculations)

*2 Side lift-up seat-equipped and passenger lift-up seat-equipped vehicles will
be released on the same day.

*3 Step WGN (FWD vehicle)

*4 Step WGN (FWD vehicle). Fuel economy when driven in 10-15 mode (Japanese
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism test specification)

Monthly sales target (Japan): 6,000 units



Size and spaciousness



* The exterior design features a dynamic square form that expresses spaciousness
and comfort.



* Built on a low-floor, low-center-of-gravity package, the new Step WGN's
overall length has been increased by 50mm*5 and overall height by 45mm to
achieve the roomiest cabin interior in its class*1, with a cabin height of
1,395mm*6.



* To create an enhanced feeling of freedom and spaciousness, the window area has
been increased all around. The window area of the sky roof*7 is among the
largest of any production vehicle in the world*8.

 

 Comfort and ease of use



* The interior design offers enhanced driving ease and ease of use for various
purposes.

* Third-row seats can be stored under the floor with a simple operation
requiring a minimum of strength -a class*1 first- to help occupants make the
most of the spacious interior.

* A newly developed side-view support mirror shows road surface conditions to
the front-left of the vehicle, aiding the driver when parallel parking and
navigating narrow roads.

 

 Economy



* The all-new Step WGN features outstanding, best in class*1 fuel economy of
14.2km/L*4.

* FWD models exceed Japanese government fuel economy standards for 2010 by 25%,
while 4WD models exceed them by 20%. All types are eligible for Japan's new
preferential tax scheme for environmentally responsible vehicles (reduced
automobile acquisition tax and automobile weight tax) and subsidy for
environmentally responsible vehicles, introduced in April 2009.



*5 Compared to previous model (Spada not included)

*6 Non-factory-option-equipped vehicle

*7 Factory option on the G L Package, L, and Spada S and Z types

*8 Honda calculations

Step WGN

? Indicates model shown in photo

Type	No. of occupants	Engine		Transmission	Drive	Price (incl. consumption tax)	Price (before tax)
G	8	2.0L i-VTEC		CVT	FWD	¥2,088,000	(¥1,988,572)
				5-speed automatic	4WD	¥2,358,000	(¥2,245,715)
G L Package				CVT	FWD	¥2,257,000	(¥2,149,524)	?
				5-speed automatic	4WD	¥2,527,000	(¥2,406,667)
L				CVT	FWD	¥2,408,000	(¥2,293,334)
				5-speed automatic	4WD	¥2,658,000	(¥2,531,429)
Li				CVT	FWD	¥3,208,000	(¥3,055,239)
				5-speed automatic	4WD	¥3,458,000	(¥3,293,334)

 

Step WGN Spada

Type	No. of occupants	Engine		Transmission	Drive	Price (incl. consumption tax)	Price (before tax)
S	8	2.0L i-VTEC		CVT	FWD	¥2,458,000	(¥2,340,953)	?
				5-speed automatic	4WD	¥2,728,000	(¥2,598,096)
Z				CVT	FWD	¥2,618,000	(¥2,493,334)
				5-speed automatic	4WD	¥2,868,000	(¥2,731,429)
Zi				CVT	FWD	¥3,348,000	(¥3,188,572)
				5-speed automatic	4WD	¥3,598,000	(¥3,426,667)

 

Special-needs vehicles

Type		No. of occupants	Engine		Transmission	Drive	Price (incl. consumption tax)	Price (before tax)
Side lift-up seat	G	7	2.0L i-VTEC		CVT	FWD	Tax exempt	(¥2,638,000)
					5-speed automatic	4WD	Tax exempt	(¥2,865,000)
	Spada S				CVT	FWD	Tax exempt	(¥2,819,000)
Passenger lift-up seat	G	8			CVT	FWD	Tax exempt	(¥2,638,000)
					5-speed automatic	4WD	Tax exempt	(¥2,865,000)
	Spada S				CVT	FWD	Tax exempt	(¥2,819,000)

 

• Prices are for reference only and do not include insurance, taxes
  (except consumption tax) registration, or other fees.


• In accordance with Japan's automobile recycling law, a separate
  recycling fee will be levied. The recycling fee includes a recycling deposit
  (to cover expenses required to recycle shredder dust, air bags, and
  fluorocarbons, plus an information management fee) and a capital management
  charge.


• There is an additional charge of ¥36,750 (¥35,000 before consumption
  tax) for the Premium White Pearl, Super Platinum Metallic, Premium Hidamari
  Ivory Pearl, and Premium Blackish Pearl body colors.


• There is an additional charge of ¥35,000 (consumption tax exempt) for
  side lift-up seat and passenger lift-up seat equipped models with the
  Premium White Pearl and Super Platinum Metallic body colors.


• The model equipped with a passenger lift-up mechanism is a designated
  special-equipment vehicle.

 

Body color/interior color combinations

Type			Body color
			Premium White Pearl	Super Platinum Metallic	Polished Metal Metallic	Deep Bordeaux Pearl	Premium Hidamari Ivory Pearl (New color)	Aozora Blue Metallic (New color)	Crystal Black Pearl	Premium Blackish Pearl	Cobalt Blue Pearl
Interior color	Step WGN	Gray
		Black
	Step WGN Spada	Cool Black
	Step WGN side lift-up seat and passenger lift-up seat equipped vehicles	Black
	Step WGN Spada side lift-up seat and passenger lift-up seat equipped vehicles	Cool Black

Key Features of the Step WGN

Exterior Design

• The exterior design features a dynamic square form that expresses
  spaciousness and comfort. It imparts a feeling of interior roominess and
  comfort, along with ease of driving.


• The front mask imparts a feeling of unity between the solidly sculpted
  front grill and large-sized headlights, for an intrepid expression that
  suggests girth and presence.


• The waistline has been lowered and the center pillars and rear quarter
  pillars colored black to create a sense of continuity between the rear
  quarter windows and the rear window, giving expression to a bright,
  expansive cabin.


• The roof appears to slope rearward relative to the forward-slanting
  lower body, creating a dynamic side silhouette while securing space for the
  second- and third-row seats and the tailgate opening.


• Nine color variations are available, including two new colors.

Interior Design

• The interior design offers enhanced driving ease and ease of use for
  various purposes. It delivers an easy-to-drive, comfortable, fun-to-use
  space.


• The dashboard features a horizontal motif, spreading out to either side.
  Three-dimensional sculpting is used to position the controls conveniently in
  front of the driver, while the instrument panel is positioned higher up and
  farther away, placing items requiring visual monitoring nearer to the
  driver's line of sight with minimal re-focusing required.


• The 3D, self-illuminated gauges are grouped by function and feature a
  three-dimensional, front-to-back layout. An 'ECO ring' changes color to
  indicate fuel consumption in real time, thus helping the driver improve fuel
  economy.


• The urethane pads employed in the first- and second-row seat cushions
  have been made softer and upholstered with high-elasticity material for
  improved fit and seating comfort.


• A wooden-style floor in the second and third rows, available as a
  factory option*9, gives the interior the feel of a living room.

*9 Available on the G L Package, L, and Spada S and Z FWD types

Powertrain

• The 2.0-liter i-VTEC engine combines powerful low-end torque with
  comfortable driving performance. In addition to controlling valve timing,
  the variable intake system also uses DBW (Drive-By-Wire) to select the
  optimum throttle valve opening, achieving a significant decrease in pumping
  losses due to intake resistance. This results in a major improvement in fuel
  economy.


• The torque converter-equipped CVT delivers outstanding fuel economy
  along with smooth driving free of shift shock, responding fluidly to the
  driver's needs across a wide range of driving conditions.


• Enhanced engine and transmission performance and lightening throughout
  contribute to improved fuel economy, while ECON mode further contributes to
  improved real-world fuel economy.

Packaging

• Built on a low-floor, low-center-of-gravity package, the new Step WGN's
  overall height has been increased by 45mm to achieve the roomiest cabin
  interior in its class*1, with a cabin height of 1,395mm*6. Head clearance
  has been significantly increased in all three rows, contributing a relaxed
  feel while driving and greater ease of movement within the cabin.


• Overall length has been increased by 50mm*5 and the rear pillar oriented
  vertically, creating a longer cabin. The result is a best in class*1 3,095mm
  long cabin, with increased tandem distance between the first- and second-row
  seats.


• Innovations to rear floor construction, including a broadly curving rear
  frame that extends from behind the rear wheels to the outer extremities of
  the body, open up enough space to allow the third-row seats to be stored
  flat under the floor, creating a spacious cargo area.


• Window area has been expanded by extending the side windows vertically
  and the rear quarter windows to the rear, augmenting the visual sense of
  spaciousness.


• A wider roof with optimized positioning of roof-side structural
  components creates enough space for a sky roof*7 that, at 1,400mm long by
  840mm wide (internal dimensions), features a total glass area among the
  largest in the world*8.

Utility

• Under-floor storage for third-row seats results in a flat, easy to use
  cargo area, allowing bicycles or other large objects to be loaded more
  easily.


• The cargo area floor has been lowered and the height and width of the
  tailgate opening increased to create a squarer-shaped opening for
  outstanding convenience.


• The standard second-row 6:4-split tumble seats feature a one-motion
  design that allows the seat back to be folded down and then the seat to be
  flipped up, simply by pulling on either the seat-side reclining lever or the
  strap located on the back of the seat. The seats can be set to a variety of
  configurations with a few simple operations. And, with the 6:4-split, tip-up
  and slide seats, available as a factory option, the center portion of the
  second-row seat can be folded away to enable smooth passage from the first-
  to the third-row seats*9.


• A full complement of storage compartments, including a convenient,
  oversized tray on the dashboard that starts at the center and extends toward
  the passenger side, further enhances ease of use.


• The new Step WGN is easier to get in and out of than ever, with a wider
  slide-door opening to complement the low-floor design that allows passengers
  to enter the second-row seating area with a single step.


• Visibility has been improved thanks to a cross-sectional shape for the
  front pillar that makes it appear thinner to the driver and lowering the
  lower edge of the front door window by 25mm. Larger rear quarter windows and
  rear windows further enhance the all-around broad, panoramic view.

Body

• Front-end rigidity has been improved through such measures as adding
  closed cross-section materials to connect the front bulkhead to the upper
  frame and employing a closed cross-sectional configuration for the shock
  absorber attachments.


• Rigidity of the rear shock absorber attachments has been improved by
  surrounding the rear shock absorber housing with the rear frame.


• Transmission of vibrations to the cabin area has been effectively
  controlled by reducing sources of noise and vibration and increasing overall
  body and chassis rigidity. Other measures, including acoustic pressure
  control in body panels used to eliminate cabin hum and expanded use of sound
  damping and insulating materials, achieve outstanding interior quietness.

Chassis

• The front suspension features McPherson struts for their outstanding
  space efficiency, which contributes to the short-nose design.


• The rear employs an H-shaped torsion beam suspension with a compact
  design that plays a major role in realizing the low-floor,
  low-center-of-gravity platform.


• Despite its long wheelbase, the all-new Step WGN features a best in
  class*1 minimum turning radius of 5.3m. Combined with EPS (Electric Power
  Steering), this provides superb maneuverability that facilitates smooth
  navigation of tight parking areas and narrow roads.

Advanced Features

• The Active Front lighting System (AFS) improves the driver's sense of
  security while cornering at night by pointing the headlight units in the
  direction of the turn to illuminate the path of vehicle travel. Availability
  depends on type*10.


• The Hill-Start Assist function temporarily maintains brake pressure
  after the brake pedal is released when starting on a hill to ensure smoother
  starts and prevent the vehicle from rolling backward*11.


• A side-view support mirror shows road surface conditions up to 7m in
  front of the left-front wheel, increasing the driver's sense of security
  when parallel parking or navigating narrow roads.


• A multi-view camera system uses cameras to provide views of surrounding
  areas to support comfortable and safe driving. Availability depends on
  type*12.

*10 Standard equipment on the L, Li, and Spada Z and Zi types

*11 Standard equipment on the Li and Spada Z and Zi types. Factory option on the
G L Package, L, and Spada S types

*12 Standard equipment on the Li and Spada Zi types. Factory option on the L and
Spada S and Z types

Safety Performance

• The Advanced Compatibility EngineeringTM (ACETM) body structure enhances
  self-protection while also mitigating damage to other vehicles in the event
  of a frontal collision. The body is also designed to help mitigate
  pedestrian injuries in the event of a collision.


• The Collision Mitigation Braking SystemTM (CMBSTM) with seatbelt E-pretensioners
  (driver and front passenger) is designed to help monitors potential rear-end
  collisions and alert the driver to take evasive action, mitigating injuries
  and vehicle damage in the event of an accident. Availability depends on
  type*13.


• A driver-side i-SRS airbag system with continuously staged inflation,
  standard on all types, accommodates a broad range of occupant positions and
  potential collision situations.


• A front-seat i-side airbag system (equipped with passenger seat
  positioning detection system) and side-curtain airbag system (rows one to
  three) is designed to help reduce the risk of head injury in a side impact
  for occupants in all three rows. Availability depends on type*14.

*13 Standard equipment on the Li and Spada Zi types

*14 Standard equipment on the Li and Spada Zi types. Factory option on the G L
Package, L, and Spada S and Z FWD types

Environmental Performance

• All model types are certified by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure,
  Transport and Tourism as having emissions levels 75% lower than those
  required by 2005 standards.


• FWD models exceed Japanese government fuel economy standards for 2010 by
  25%, while 4WD models exceed them by 20%. All model types are eligible for
  Japan's new preferential tax scheme for environmentally responsible vehicles
  (reduced automobile acquisition tax and automobile weight tax) and subsidy
  for environmentally responsible vehicles, introduced in April 2009.

Special-needs Vehicles (side lift-up seat and passenger lift-up seat
equipped vehicles)

• The side lift-up seat and passenger lift-up seat equipped vehicles take
  full advantage of the Step WGN's outstanding attributes, including its
  spacious, liberated interior, low, flat floor, and large door openings. All
  operations of the full electric power seats, from swiveling to raising and
  lowering, can be easily accomplished with a single switch. The cargo area,
  which is large enough to accommodate a wheelchair, comes equipped with a net
  for securing a wheelchair and a protective cover, standard.

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