With the Element's 2.4-liter, 160-hp i-VTEC® engine, virtually no destination is off-limits.
And, when you need to haul some extra gear, you can count on plenty of torque and an impressive 1,500-lb. towing capacity. Tough, tricky terrain is no problem with available Real Time™ 4-wheel drive. This sophisticated system senses wheel slippage and automatically sends power to the rear wheels. The unit-body construction provides bending and twisting resistance and promotes a quiet, smooth ride, even on dirt roads. Go ahead and drive for about 110,000 miles without even thinking about a tune-up.*
*Does not apply to oil and filter changes.
And, when you need to haul some extra gear, you can count on plenty of torque and an impressive 1,500-lb. towing capacity. Tough, tricky terrain is no problem with available Real Time™ 4-wheel drive. This sophisticated system senses wheel slippage and automatically sends power to the rear wheels. The unit-body construction provides bending and twisting resistance and promotes a quiet, smooth ride, even on dirt roads. Go ahead and drive for about 110,000 miles without even thinking about a tune-up.*
*Does not apply to oil and filter changes.
Click on an engineering feature below for more information.
The Element has a Real Time™ 4WD system that's designed to conquer any terrain, whether it's a sandy beach or rough, wet, snowy or slippery roads. Even when equipped with Real Time™ 4WD, the Element normally operates in front-wheel-drive mode. However, if either of the front wheels begins to lose traction, the system automatically engages a multi-plate clutch, which transmits torque to the rear wheels for added traction.
Element's control-link MacPherson strut front suspension uses long lower control arms to reduce camber changes when going over bumps. For more steering precision, especially over bumps, long tie-rod ends attached to a high-mounted steering rack help minimize wheel-toe changes. A sturdy front subframe attaches the front suspension arms and further strengthens the body, and a 30 mm front stabilizer bar helps reduce body roll in turns.
With the rear seats upright, cargo volume exceeds 25 cubic feet. When both rear seats are folded to the side, cargo volume increases to a maximum of 77.1 cubic feet. This allows the Element to carry a 10-foot long surfboard or multiple mountain bikes, laid flat or standing upright, inside, with the tailgate closed. With both rear seats set for four-passenger seating, it can transport four pairs of 190-cm snow skis and poles, or an extra-large hockey-equipment storage bag.
Contributing to Element's versatile, social nature is its large, removable glass skylight. By day, this feature increases the natural light inside. By night, two people can lie inside the Element on its folded seats and stargaze up through the skylight. It tilts for ventilation or can be completely removed. When removed, the skylight is stored in a zippered bag and clips to the vehicle's cargo hooks.
Honda Progressive Valve (HPV) shock absorbers use low-pressure gas and heavy-duty, high-density compression bushings to smoothly absorb small vibrations and firmly control larger movements for a more comfortable ride.
The system immobilizes the engine's fuel injection and ignition, and only a matching digital code in the ignition key can override it. When the driver puts the key in the ignition switch, it transmits a signal that reads the code in the key. If the code agrees with the code in the Powertrain Control Module, or PCM, the PCM lets the driver start the engine. Since there are around one million codes, it's practically impossible for a thief to program the key with the right code.
i-VTEC® enhances the effect of VTEC® on Element's engine by adding variable timing control, or VTC.
The Element's got a 270-watt AM/FM/CD audio system. And seven speakers, including the Dynamic Linear Phase subwoofer, which gives this stereo's bass response an amazing thump. It's even got hookups for MP3 players and video games.
As brake force is exerted on the rear wheel, it deflects the front of the trailing arm inward and rearward. The reactive link flexes in response to this force, but keeps the end of the trailing arm from moving inward. This creates a twisting motion in the trailing arm that causes the rear wheel to toe in. This toe-in increases vehicle stability under braking.
To help significantly reduce engine-idle vibration, a fluid-filled engine mount is used at the engine's inertial-axis mounting point.
