Honda Freed

Honda Freed
Overview
Manufacturer	Honda
Production	2008–present
Body and chassis
Class	Mini MPV
Body style	5-door minivan
Layout	Front engine, front-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Related	Honda Jazz/Fit Honda City Honda HR-V/Vezel

The Honda Freed (Japanese: ホンダ・フリード Honda furīdo) is a mini MPV produced by the Japanese automaker Honda since 2008. The vehicle is a replacement for the Honda Mobilio. The Freed is based on the Jazz/Fit platform. Three different versions of the Freed are available: a seven-seat version which features captain’s seats in the second row; an eight-seat version; and a five-seat version. Honda also stated that a wheelchair-accessible model is offered in addition to versions with a side lift-up seat and passenger lift-up seat.

In September 2009, it was announced that a hybrid version would be available by 2011.^[1]

First generation

First generation
Overview
Manufacturer	Honda
Production	2008–2016
Assembly	Sayama Plant, Sayama, Saitama, Japan Karawang, Indonesia (Honda Karawang Plant)
Body and chassis
Class	Mini MPV
Body style	5-door MPV
Layout	Front engine, front-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Related	Honda Jazz/Fit (2nd gen.) Honda City (5th gen.) Honda Insight (2nd gen.)
Powertrain
Engine	1.5 L L15A I4
Transmission	5-speed automatic CVT
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,740 mm (107.9 in)
Length	4,215 mm (165.9 in)
Width	1,695 mm (66.7 in)
Height	1,715 mm (67.5 in)
Curb weight	1,330 kg (2,932.1 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Honda Mobilio and Honda Mobilio Spike

Engine

Rear view of the Freed

The Freed is equipped with a 1.5 L engine with 118 horsepower, which is the same engine that is used in the Jazz/City, but the engine used has more torque. For example, the Freed's engine has 118 horsepower and 148 Nm of torque, while the Jazz/City has 120 horsepower with 145 Nm of torque.

Indonesia

On 21 March 2009, the first generation Freed was launched in Indonesia, the second country where the Freed was released after Japan. It is assembled at Honda's Karawang Plant and exported to other South East Asian markets. The Freed's ground clearance is 20 mm higher. For the Indonesian version the Honda Freed use the 7-seater layout and a 5-speed automatic gearbox instead the CVT transmission in the Japanese Domestic Market version.

As for 2014 models, Freed for Indonesian market consists of 3 trims, the A, S and E. E trims comes with anti pinch function on both sliding doors, retractable door mirror with turning lamps, and double din audio monitor with iPod/iPhone compatible.^[2]

Japan

The first generation Honda Freed was available in Japan in 2 forms; the petrol powered in G or G Aero grade and hybrid variant. The hybrid variant uses i-VTEC together with Honda's IMA hybrid car technology.

A facelifted Freed was launched in the Japanese market on October 28, 2011 securing sales of over 20,000 units in its first two weeks on sale, of which 63% were of the hybrid model.^[3][4]

Freed Spike

In 2010, Honda released the 'soul twinbrother' of Freed called Freed Spike for Japanese markets only. Honda said that this car is a "compact multi-wagon" for the people with "active lifestyle."

This car features a whole different grille, headlamps, and front fascia; a covered third side window, partially covered taillights, and new alloy wheels. Inside, apart from the familiarly similar dashboard to Freed, it has a dual height floor in the cargo area and some additional storage areas on the side panels.^[5]

The Freed Spike was replaced by the second generation Freed+ on September 16, 2016.

Freed hybrid in Japan (front view)  Freed hybrid in Japan (rear view)  Honda Freed interior (with Internavi navigation display)

Malaysia

On 22 April 2010, the Freed was launched in Malaysia. It was only available in one trim level (Grade E).^[6] Honda Malaysia targeted to sell 1,200 units a year.

In July 2012, Honda Malaysia added a cheaper version of the Honda Freed called the Grade S. It was priced RM99,800 on-the-road with insurance. Features lost from the Grade E model were powered sliding rear doors with remote operation, automatic air-conditioning, indicators for the side mirrors or intermittent wipers, tail spoiler and the Alpine DVD player.^[7]

In January 2013, Honda Malaysia launched the facelifted model to Malaysia. Like before, it was available in two trim levels (Grade E and Grade S). The Grade E model gained some extra features which included leather seats, and fold-down armrests for both front seats are now available across the board (previously only the driver and two mid-row chairs had armrests).^[8]

The lower spec RM99,800 Grade S is available in Brilliant White Pearl, Polished Metal Metallic and Crystal Black Pearl. The RM113,500 Grade E can only be had in Brilliant White Pearl.^[9]

Hong Kong

On 23 January 2011, the Freed was officially launched in Hong Kong. Unlike other non-Japanese market models, all Freeds sold in Hong Kong are manufactured in Japan and seat 6.^[10]

Singapore

In Singapore, the Freed is available from the authorised distributor and also through parallel import distributors.^[11][12]

Second generation

Second generation Freed

The second generation Honda Freed was unveiled in June 2016 and launched in Japan on 16 September 2016.^[13] In August 2016, the advertising campaign of the second generation Freed in Japan uses Pharrell Williams' hit song "Happy".^[14]

The new Freed is conceived based on the “Dynamism and Functionality” theme, and at one glance the looks doesn’t differ much from its curvier predecessor. Apart from the updated grille and lights, the new Freed retains the rear sliding doors with some minor improvements.^[15]

It is also offered in 5-seater option as the Freed+, which replaced the Freed Spike in the previous generation.

References

1. Honda to introduce Freed hybrid in 2011
2. http://www.honda-indonesia.com/product/freed/specifications
3. New Honda Freed scores 20k orders in 2 weeks
4. New Honda Freed Released in Indonesia
5. New Honda Freed Spike "Lifestyle" Minivan Debuts in Japan
6. http://paultan.org/2010/04/22/honda-freed-premium-compact-mpv-launched-rm112980/
7. http://paultan.org/2012/07/05/honda-freed-new-grade-s-variant-debuts-rm100k/
8. http://paultan.org/2013/01/31/honda-freed-mpv-facelifted-rm99800-to-rm113500/
9. http://paultan.org/2013/01/31/honda-freed-mpv-facelifted-rm99800-to-rm113500/
10. Freed specification in Hong Kong
11. "And then, they were Freed!". Retrieved 2009-09-20.
12. "Honda Freed Review in Singapore". Retrieved 2009-12-15.
13. Honda Begins Sales in Japan of All-New Freed and Freed+ Compact Minivan
14. フリード 「リアルな声」篇 ティザー② 30秒
15. All-new Honda Freed launched in Japan, priced between RM76k to RM110k

External links

• Vehicle Information
• Japanese page