Honda had a subdued press event at the 2006 New York Auto Show. The speech began with a discussion of the progress of Honda’s Safety for Everyone initiative, which, as far as we can tell, is doing fine. Honda also announced the new Civic GX Natural Gas model, which will be sold only in California. It promises to be the cleanest-running vehicle sold on earth, and offers a 250-mile range with an overnight fill-up via a home unit.
Suddenly, the speakers started pounding out techno music, and the sedate Honda stage became an urban lightshow. The debut was essentially just a new trim level of a rather old model, but they sue seemed excited. The Element SC is a sure bet for production, although details won’t be released until later this fall. We do know it sports fully painted body panels, a unique bumper and grille, a 3-inch lowered suspension, and a carpeted interior with copper-colored lighting. The prototype also sported 21-inch rims, but we’d be surprised if those make the cut. This “city performer” is powered by the 2.4-liter four-cylinder, here making 166 horsepower thanks to the i-vtec valve timing system (10hp up on the regular Element.)
