Montreal show: Honda unwraps Gear concept

THE Montreal motor show is rarely one for world premieres, falling as it does in the wake of the much larger show in Detroit, but Honda has bucked the trend by using the event to unveil a sub-compact hatch concept called the Gear.

Inspired by fixed-gear bicycles – commonly known as ‘fixies’ and popular among young urbanites – the Gear is described as a simple and utilitarian car that is “customisable, connected and full of personality”.

Honda has kept details scarce, but a pair of images show the Gear to feature angular styling with a bluff nose, horizontal grille design, sharply raked rear window and large, translucent tail-light surrounds.

Honda Americas design director Dave Marek said sub-compact cars rarely achieve compromise between practicality and style.

“(The) Gear concept tears down those walls - it's practical but fun, customisable, connected and affordable. Everything that young, discerning urban buyers would want in a car,” he said.

Honda’s reveal of the Gear concept in Canada comes the same week as it premiered a trio of new concept cars in Detroit – the NSX supercar, MDX seven-seat SUV and the Jazz-based Urban SUV concept.