本田新一代Freed MPV专利图近日曝光。上代Freed与本田飞度基于同一平台，但新一代车型车身尺寸有所增加，其中长度增加了35毫米至4250毫米，宽度未变，仍为1695毫米，高度增加5毫米至1710毫米。预计车身长度增加的部分主要是给了轴距，因此新车轴距将高于现行版的2740毫米。由于轴距增加，内部空间更宽敞，这也将成为新车的一大卖点。有人认为，新车仍将搭载1.5升自然进气引擎，但本田将在新车生命周期后半程增加一台1.0升三缸涡轮引擎，这台引擎还将配备在2017款思域欧规车型上。另外，新车还有可能搭载混动系统，包括一台1.5升引擎和一台电机，锂电池组，七速双离合器变速器。与前代车型采用IMA系统不同，新车将采用i-DCD系统，可提供更优异性能。新车与前代车型一个很大的不同是将销往更多国家，其中包括将首次进入中国市场。预计该车将由东风本田或广州本田生产。

 

Honda Freed mini MPV leaked via Chinese patent bureau

The current Freed small MPV has been around since 2008, so naturally time has come to be replaced by an all-new model. Latest reports are indicating the second generation will be introduced in Japan this August, but we won’t have to wait that long to check out its design. Here are some very revealing images of the exterior which as you would expect from a family hauler, it’s not exactly exciting.

 

Compared to the outgoing Jazz/Fit-based model, the new Freed will allegedly be 35 mm longer (at 4,250 mm), 5 mm taller (at 1,710 mm) and will retain the same 1,695 mm width. We imagine most of the stretch will be found in the wheelbase set to grow from the current 2,740 mm. By extending the distance between the two axles, it means the next Freed will have a more spacious interior cabin which is obviously the key selling point of a vehicle in this class.

 

Some say the naturally-aspirated 1.5-liter gasoline engine will soldier on in the second generation, but will be joined later in the model’s life by a turbocharged three-cylinder, 1.0-liter unit sourced from the 2017 Civic in Euro spec.

 

There’s also going to be a hybrid version, one that will combine a 1.5-liter with an electric motor, a lithium-ion battery, and a seven-speed, dual-clutch gearbox. Unlike the first-gen Freed which has an Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system, its replacement will switch to Honda’s Intelligent Dual-Clutch Drive (i-DCD) which will deliver superior performance.

 

An important difference between the first gen and the new version will be the broader availability since Honda reportedly has plans to sell the Freed in China for the first time. If it’s going to happen, most likely the version for that country will be made locally by either the Dongfeng-Honda or Guangzhou-Honda local joint ventures.