Why can't the rear seats be put on tracks like the front inorder to get more room for gear when needed? I want the rest left the same so that you could still take them out or flip them up to the side as needed. It would make way too much sense given the limited storage area in the back.

Neat idea, but a real engineering feat to have both the sliding tracks and the flip-up feature and still conform to NHTSA seat rigidity rules. Certainly not impossible, but probably costly to produce.

I want a goose that lays golden eggs.

I want a goose that lays golden eggs.

dont we all???

Neat idea, but a real engineering feat to have both the sliding tracks and the flip-up feature and still conform to NHTSA seat rigidity rules. Certainly not impossible, but probably costly to produce.

wasn't there talk and discussion of the JDM E having sliding rear seats that still fold up?

i remember seeing animations of the J-spec E's rear seats sliding and whatnot.

You are absolutely right. Here's a link to the Flash page with the animated view:

http://www.honda.co.jp/ELEMENT/view/interior/

Click the lower right checkbox of the five selections under "Seating" to see the sliding action.

Looking at the photos and illustrations, this particular sliding arrangement is probably not what we're after. The center seat anchor base (the part that folds) stays fixed and the seat slider is on top of that. If the base doesn't move with the seat, it would still interfere with use of that space.

OTOH, this, of course, only adds to the mystique of the JDM seats.

My edu-theory about US NHTSA requirements is likely a factor here. Seat rigidity would be a problem with the track system done this way - one track on the base, one track in the side. I'll betcha that the slider latch is on one track only, which means that the seat could twist under load.

Hey - the CRV rear seats move fore/aft! It can be done. It just makes too much sense. For a vehicle that touts utility, I surprised Honda didn't already do it. It would also address the consumers issue when considering this vehicle the issue with lack of cargo area.

but do the crv seats flip up? no

i'd rather have the flip up option.

Listen - I want it all. Take the CRV seat track and install it atop the E's fold up platform. Think inside the box will ya!

Neat idea, but a real engineering feat to have both the sliding tracks and the flip-up feature and still conform to NHTSA seat rigidity rules. Certainly not impossible, but probably costly to produce.

JDM honda element rears seat 3, slide AND fold up

Besides the one animation, do we have other evidence of how this JDM 'sliding' version works? The cutaway view of the interior doesn's show this sliding feature.

The animation isn't all that clear about what is going on, or why the seats slide. They are in the back position to provide space for the front seats to recline. They are in the forward position for folding against the wall. It is almost as though the animator thought the seats had to slide forward so the headrests would clear the tailgate frame in the folded position. Maybe the seats don't really slide.

paulj

Here's a link to the Japanese owner's manual. Hopefully the babelfish link works:

http://babelfish.altavista.com/babelfish/trurl_pagecontent?lp=ja_en&trurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.honda.co.jp%2fmanual%2felem ent%2f2003%2fseat%2frear01%2findex.html

Without babelfish translation:
http://www.honda.co.jp/manual/element/2003/seat/rear02/index.html

http://www.honda.co.jp/manual/element/2003/seat/cargo/index.html

Some warnings:
- In full flat state, while the person and the baggage etc. are placed please do not travel.
When using the brake and the like, there is a possibility of leading to unexpected accident.
- In full flat state, please do not run around on the seat.
In addition, when moving on the seat, stepping on the center of the seat, please move slowly.
When the edge of the seat is stepped on, there is a possibility of stepping on the foot and removing.
- When operating, in order not to put the hand and the foot etc., please note sufficiently.
- There is a possibility the back rest returning suddenly, doing the wound in the face and the like. When causing the back rest, attaching the hand to the back rest, please be sure to operate.

Besides the one animation, do we have other evidence of how this JDM 'sliding' version works? The cutaway view of the interior doesn's show this sliding feature.

The animation isn't all that clear about what is going on, or why the seats slide. They are in the back position to provide space for the front seats to recline. They are in the forward position for folding against the wall. It is almost as though the animator thought the seats had to slide forward so the headrests would clear the tailgate frame in the folded position. Maybe the seats don't really slide.

paulj


clear evidence the seats slide:

http://babelfish.altavista.com/babelfish/trurl_pagecontent?lp=ja_en&trurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.honda.co.jp%2fmanual%2felem ent%2f2003%2fseat%2frear01%2findex.html

check the 1st pic!

And yet there are two rear seats here, not the reported three.

The instructions say that if you want to seat 3 (or use the 'middle' seat) you have to position the two seats equally. In other words, the middle person sits over the crack between the two halves. The 3 person seating in the back of a RAV4 works the same way. In the USA version, the cup holders occupy this middle seating position.

GOTTA LOVE that Japanese on-line manual...either that, or the translator.

"Speedometer
Travelling speed is shown with km/h.
- Because it becomes cause of engine breakdown, in order above limited rpm (red zone) not to enter, please drive. Especially when the high-speed travelling time, speed change (down-shift) doing, please note.
Limited rpm......... 6,500rpm

Temperature gauge
When the engine switch "II" being, temperature of the engine chilled water is shown. While travelling it is normal from the graduation "of H" to point to the left side.
- When the needle it enters into the graduation "of H", there is a possibility of the overheat. At once stopping in the safe place, please cool the engine. That way when travelling is continued, it becomes cause of engine breakdown. "

Sounds like, whether you stop or you drive, you get 'engine breakdown.' I wonder if any Japanese guys will actually buy, after those instructions?

[QUOTE=RainDriver]GOTTA LOVE that Japanese on-line manual...either that, or the translator.

QUOTE]

its the Translator..
it doesn't work for phrases....

It only work to translate word for word