Honda has released a redesigned Shuttle for the Japanese market. It is essentially a station wagon based on the Fit platform, offered with both petrol and hybrid powertrains.
Purely gasoline versions are powered by the standard 1.5L direct-injection inline-four found on the standard Honda Fit, good for 130hp and 114 lb-ft of torque in US market trim. The not-for-North America hybrid adds an electric motor and a dual-clutch transmission. For the first time on the Shuttle, the hybrid system is also available with all-wheel-drive.
Cargo volumes were not specified, but in the previous-generation Shuttle the longroof variant added four cubic feet to the cargo area for petrol-powered versions (the hybrids had less due to the battery pack).
Styling takes after the Fit in the grille, hood, and angled character line that runs from the front doors to the taillights. Fog lights and 16-inch wheels denote the top-spec versions.
Clever storage options include a parcel shelf that attaches to the rear seatbacks and a below-the-floor tray underneath the trunk floor.
The original Shuttle was an offshoot of the Civic lineup, what was known in the US as the Civic Wagon. The Fit-based Shuttle is not expected to make landfall in the US.
Leave a Reply