■ Hit the secret of the design of the new step wagon directly to Satoko Ichikawa, a package designer
■ Significantly improves the points that were the bottleneck in the predecessor
■ Usability and running are also renewed, so I want you to expect it.
The new 6th Honda Step Wagon scheduled to be released this spring.How did you build this mid -size FF tall minivan packaging, which has extremely high indoor space, such as size, getting on and off, seat arrangement, and luggage loading?We asked Honda Technical Research Institute Design Center Automobile Design Development Office Technical Design Studio Package Designer Satoko Ichikawa.
で す か Is the 5 -number size maintained by the new step wagon?...... I don't think I can say more yet.
Ichikawa Yes ... maybe (laughs).The Step WGN, the current model, "Spada", has a total width of 5 numbers, but other companies' aero models have exceeded 5 number sizes long ago, and that is the mainstream.
─ The new model has changed drastically with the A pillar ...
Ichikawa: Well, I improved the view by pulling the root behind and raising the angle.In other large skeletons, you have a glass set out.Instead, we are squeezing up.The current model was an unstable proportion that looked big, as if the whole was warped, so this time we have devised a barrel -shaped cross -sectional shape in line with the concept of "relief".So, when you sit down, it looks wide, and the front window looks wide by pulling the A pillar, so that is an element that makes you feel like a class above.
As with N-BOX, cars with a width limit tend to be all vertical.This time, it has never been done, 1 than before.It is a skeleton that feels 5 times wider.
──The current model was close to the side indoor.
Ichikawa Yes, because I was standing like Hiace, the new model gives a sense of security by giving the surface.
で す か Do you have a good work to work aerodynamically?These tall minivans tend to be easily fueled by crosswinds ...
Ichikawa: I'm not a specialty of aerodynamics, but I had boiled down the shape of roof rails and front window garnish to the end.
──The width of the room is ...
Ichikawa It is expanded from the current model.As for the depth, I went a pillar a pillar, so I went a long time ago, so when I sit in the third row, the roof feels very long.That also contributes to the size.So the sun visor is also very large (laughs).Recently, minivans have many one -motion forms, and the top of the A pillar was close to the crew.
── Yes, the current model also had a strong feeling of oppression when the hip point of the driver's seat was raised.
Ichikawa: I don't feel it in the new model, I think it feels wide.It works for the second and third rows, so that the room is wide.
──It feels wider than the actual number ...
I think Ichikawa feels.We just searched for the reason why the person who got on the riding would say "wide" (laughs).
──It says that the new model raised the belt line, but did the requirements of the field of view not become stricter?
Ichikawa's current model sets a side view support mirror at the base of the passenger seat A pillar, but in the new model, it is transferred under the door mirror.Other than that, there are no particular view requirements, so by passing the upper and lower lines cleanly, we can use it like a ruler and make it easier to drive.
Also, when running on a highway with current models and other companies' products, the side view is too wide, so I'm afraid when I join, when trucks come right beside.Then, I compared which area was just right, and I decided that the belt line of the new step wagon was just right and invisible, just the right height.N-BOX is just a good height.Just when we were developing a new step wagon, driving was a social problem, and there were many scary accidents, so this kind of security is important.
─ The lower the belt line, the easier it is to directly see the beside and diagonally behind, so I feel that it is especially easier when entering the garage.
Ichikawa Around View Monitor's assist functions have cleared images, so instead of those who have absolute security on the car body side.
─ When you actually sit in the driver's seat, you can see the press line on the left and right of the hood properly.
Ichikawa I couldn't see the current model at all ...In the new model, the ridgeline is all square and horizontal and vertical, so it can be used as a ruler so that it is less likely to be diagonal in the garage.
─ The top of the instrument panel is also refreshing.
Ichikawa: Yes, if you get used to it, you will not be able to ride other cars (laughs).
──The impane shift is a straight gate type.
Ichikawa Yes, there is.E: HEV is a switch type.
─。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。This has recently become a social problem, but I feel that this is better from the perspective of preventing a rear -end collision due to incorrect operation.In the fit, E: HEV also uses a straight gate -type shift lever, and I thought this was an insight.In the minivan, you will want to make the instrument panel in the center as compact as possible, so you can see that you want to use a switch type.
Ichikawa That's right ...
──The sun visor is certainly very big.Especially in the winter season, direct sunlight is easy to hit from the front.
Ichikawa Yes, it would be tough without this size.In addition, there was a triangular garnish at the front end of the front door, but by folding the A pillar, the new model has been abolished.It's refreshing because there is no part.I don't think it's easy to make such a folded pillar.
──The second row seats have a lot of functions and get the impression that they are close to Odyssey.
Ichikawa: Well, this middle sheet is also used in Odyssey, but Odyssey has two slide lever, while the new step wagon is a person."Spada" is also attached to ottoman so that it can be used more comfortably.
I want you to set it as "Air" ...
Ichikawa (bitter smile).
─ I think that the storage of the third row will be prioritized ...
Ichikawa, but this time, the thickness of the seat is increased by about 20mm, and the hip point is raised to improve the sitting comfort.Also, as a design -like illusion, the shoulder part is shaved due to the storage shape, so that the color of the sheet surface and the upper part of the trim can be made to make it look bigger.Another reason is that raising the thickness of the seat by 20mm is the biggest cause that looks thin.By raising the tailgate opening ground clearance and adjusting the height of the third row seat, the bicycle was easy to put in without being higher than other cars.
── In the third row, the absolute size of the seat is small, but the head clearance and knee clearance are ...
Ichikawa is enough.The third row is the easiest position to see the rear entertainment system.In addition, the third row is designed with a focus on the view that is less drunk.The headrest in the first and second row has been thinned, but if the headrest is large, you will avoid it and look forward.If you do so, the shaft will be shaken and you will be drunk, so if you maintain a view that you can sit straight, it will be less likely to get drunk.
─ The line on the side is refreshing, and the visual noise seems to be reduced.
Ichikawa: It's hard to get sick.He is now studying scientifically in Honda to prove the difficulty of getting sick, and has also applied for a patent.
─ Did the smaller of the headrest make the requirements for whiplash measures become stricter?
I make it to meet the Ichikawa requirements.
──It stretched down ...?
Ichikawa That's right.When you use it, pull it out ...However, in the second row, I think that child seats are usually installed often, so it is good to have them put them below and sit in the third row.
─。 Since the domestic sales of Odyssey end, the new step wagon will be a minivan flagship.
Ichikawa Yes, I have adopted the smart part of Odyssey.
──The new step wagon is made not only to cover the child -rearing layer, but also to the position that Odyssey was responsible for.
Ichikawa: Such trim composition is also available.
──After this, how much the running has evolved ...
It will be released with Mitsuru Ichikawa, so please look forward to it.
── Thank you!
