Honda Patents Reveal SUV and Pickup Inspired by the Element

Honda designers have been busy with creative camper and pickup projects, recently revealed in patent drawings.

Honda’s long-unseen Element might be making a return. Recent patents suggest a boxy SUV with design elements reminiscent of the original model. The Element’s unique appeal garnered a loyal fan base, but its discontinuation in 2011 left a gap in the market. These new patent filings have sparked renewed excitement about a potential revival.

The sketches show a crossover with an innovative tail extension that transforms into a roof-mounted tent, adding an extra room at the rear of the vehicle. This feature seems ideal for family camping trips, but that’s just the beginning of what makes it intriguing.

The vehicle revealed in the patents closely resembles the original Element. It features rear suicide doors, a clamshell hood, and a floating roof, all of which nod to the classic boxy design but with contemporary updates.

Honda’s patent filings go beyond just the camping crossover. They also reveal a compact pickup concept featuring a modular interior with an adjustable divider. This adaptable truck can switch from a single-seater work vehicle to a two-person hauler. Its bold fender flares, deployable steps, and full-width taillight bar give the concept a rugged, adventurous appearance.

The patent drawings (below) appear to be a contemporary reimagining of the Honda Element (above).

The patents, filed in December 2022 and published this past June, have fueled speculation about a possible revival of the Element. Car and Driver was the first to spot these intriguing designs, noting similarities between the new concepts and the original Element.

Introduced as a concept in 2001 and then as a production model in 2002, the quirky crossover was available until 2011, when it was discontinued without a direct successor. A modern version could potentially slot below the HR-V in Honda’s SUV lineup, possibly offering a hybrid or fully electric powertrain.

But will it actually happen?

While it would be exciting to see these crossover and pickup concepts become production models, it’s quite possible they were developed solely for trademark protection of their innovative camper and pickup partition ideas. Automakers often patent concepts to safeguard intellectual property without necessarily intending to produce them. Until Honda makes a definitive move, Element fans might have to view this as hopeful speculation.

In the meantime, our exclusive renderings, inspired by the official patent drawings with some creative interpretation, can help fuel your imagination of the electrified camper we’ve always dreamed of.

Author:

  • Growing up with a father who was a mechanic I had an appreciation for cars and motorcycles from an early age. I shared my first bike with my brother that had little more than a 40cc engine but it opened up a world of excitement for me, I was hooked. As I grew older I progressed onto bigger bikes and...

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