Honda surprises with Gear concept in Montreal

Thu, 17 Jan 2013

It's not often that a major automobile manufacturer debuts a brand-new concept at the Montreal International Auto Show – mostly because it takes place concurrently with the massive show in Detroit – but here we are with the so-called Honda Gear Concept Study Model, which was just uncovered by our friendly neighbors to the north.

According to the automaker, the Gear "demonstrates Honda's innovative approach to providing the automotive answer for young, urban, Gen-Y lifestyles. Inspired by fixed-gear bicycles... Gear is simple and utilitarian, but also customizable, connected and full of personality." It is apparently "practical but fun, customizable, connected and affordable. Everything that young, discerning urban buyers would want in a car," according to Dave Marek, Design Director at Honda R&D Americas.

We don't know anything else – what might lie underhood, how it is "connected" or at what price point it might potentially be sold at. Check out our high-res image gallery above and the press release below and you'll know just about as much as we do.

Honda GEAR Concept Makes Global Debut at the Montreal International Auto Show

MONTREAL (January 17, 2012) – At today's Montreal International Auto Show, Honda Canada provided the world with its first look at the new GEAR Concept Study Model – a vehicle that demonstrates Honda's innovative approach to providing the automotive answer for young, urban, Gen-Y lifestyles.

Inspired by fixed-gear bicycles, GEAR is a concept that represents an entirely new way of looking at the sub-compact vehicle. It is simple and utilitarian, but also customizable, connected and full of personality.

"Subcompact cars are usually either utilitarian, but uninspiring or they're fun, zippy cars that are impractical and too expensive for the Gen-Y buyer," said Dave Marek, Design Director at Honda R&D Americas, Inc. "GEAR Concept tears down those walls – it's practical but fun, customizable, connected and affordable. Everything that young, discerning urban buyers would want in a car."

By Jeremy Korzeniewski