The Japanese brand has unveiled today at the New York Auto Show a dog friendly version of the Honda Element. The dog friendly Honda Element concept features a number of modifications to improve your best's friends trip. The dog friendly Honda Element comes with a cushioned pet bed in the cargo area with an elevated platform, second row and cargo area pet restraint systems and an extendable cargo area load-in ramp.
For the hot days of the summer, the dog friendly Honda Element has a 12V DC rear ventilation fan and even has a second row of seats covered with a dog patter design.
The equipment list of the dog friendly Honda Element also includes rubber floor mats with a toy bone pattern and a spill-resistant water bowl.
Honda Press Release:
American Honda has unveiled new dog-friendly transportation concepts designed for the Honda Element at the New York International Auto Show.
Developed specifically for the Element, the Dog Friendly™ components demonstrate the potential for a dedicated pet restraint system designed to meet the needs of dog owners. A finalized version of
the Dog Friendly Element is scheduled to debut this autumn.
Major components will likely include:
- a cushioned pet bed in the cargo area with an elevated platform;
- second row and cargo area pet restraint systems;
- an extendable cargo area load-in ramp;
- a 12V DC rear ventilation fan;
- second-row seat covers with a dog pattern design (matches the bed fabric);
- all-season rubber floor mats with a toy bone pattern;
- a spill-resistant water bowl; and
- Dog Friendly exterior emblems.
“In an interesting turn of events, cars are now chasing dogs,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda. “Factory integration of a cushioned pet bed, restraint systems and other components are intended to transform the Element into the ultimate dog car.”
The Dog Friendly equipment, engineered specifically for the Element, is designed to accommodate the transportation of dogs in the second-row passenger seats or in the cargo area. The restraint system concepts were designed and fabricated by Takata Corporation, one of the world’s leading automotive safety systems suppliers, exclusively for display on the Dog Friendly Honda Element concept vehicle. The restraint concepts are intended to complement the potential of the vehicle’s existing restraint systems by helping to protect the dog and helping to prevent injuries to other vehicle occupants due to an unrestrained dog impacting them in a collision.
For convenience, a ramp is included to help dogs
access the rear cargo area. The ramp stores underneath the bed platform and can be conveniently accessed when the rear tailgate is down.
“In-vehicle pet restraints should be part of every dog owner’s safe travel practices,” said Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. “The expanded availability of manufacturer-based restraints and features can help elevate pet comfort and convenience for owners. Good ventilation and access to water on longer trips should also be primary concerns.”
The Element has long been recognized for its dog-friendly interior with an easy-to-clean urethane floor and expansive, flat cargo area, wide-opening side cargo doors, low lift-in height, and accommodating dimensions for tall items. The consumer pet travel advice Web site, Dogcars.com, honored the 2007 Honda Element with its first-ever “Dog Car of the Year” award.
Substantially restyled for the 2009 model year and available with new features, the Honda Element builds on its spacious and versatile SUV character with a more chiseled exterior appearance and a refreshed interior design. Three unique Element styles are available that range from the rugged and simple Element LX, to the more refined Element EX, to the sporty Element SC.
