The 2014 model VEZEL is a new product, similar to a compact SUV but combining the personal feel of a coupe and the utility of a minivan. The keywords during the development of the VEZEL were “specialty car”, not just a small SUV, because the developers wanted to create a sensual car. The grand concept, therefore, was “Sensual, Crossover.” The concept of the package design was “Smart Cross PKG.” This was embodied by combining the attractive points of SUVs, coupes, and minivans. The concepts of the exterior design and interior design were “Dynamic Cross Solid” and “Expansible Cockpit” respectively. The exterior dynamically combines strength and sultriness, while the high-class interior brings out both spaciousness and a personal feel. Moreover, using the concept of “coordination” for the color material, the designers put together an internal and external design such that each variation was like a new work. By combining utility and “sensuality”, the VEZEL development team did more than just appeal to consumers by being better than competing products in fragmentary ways, such as performance or equipment. Rather, they brought out a product with multifaceted value that consumers would choose based on sensitivity.
Article of Honda R&D Technical Review Vol.27 No.1 (13 - 23)