By Steve Laser
Honda has a history of creating concept cars with unique features and designs. One of our favorites is called W.O.W. which stands for “Wonderful Open-hearted Wagon”.
This story takes a quick look back at our visit to the 39th Tokyo Motor Show, where we attended the press days, Oct. 19-20, 2005, at Makuhari Messe in Chiba. Shown above is the Honda exhibit, with the FCX, Sports 4, and W.O.W. concepts.
“WOW” is a good word to describe our feelings when we first saw this concept on display. It had a futuristic, sporty, and fun attitude. The bright green exterior, bold lighting, and big alloy wheels attracted lots of attention.
The interior was created with dogs in mind. It featured flexible seating for up to six passengers, or four, with middle seats that could be transformed into a dog crate. The instrument panel had a built-in crate for a small dog (a toy dog is shown in the photo). The concept’s flat floor, covered with wood-style material, and the comfy, cushion-like passenger seats added to the dog-friendly ambience.
Dual power sliding doors on both sides were designed for easy entry and exit for passengers and their canine companions. The center walk-through space also made it easy for everyone to enjoy the roomy interior when parked. Rear doors were split 70:30 style for convenient access when loading or unloading cargo.
While the W.O.W. concept did not become a production vehicle, the automaker offers a wide selection of wagons and vans, along with a full line of canine accessories in the Honda Dog brand.
Photos © 2005 Steve Laser on location in Chiba, Japan
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