Honda's Urban SUV Concept (2013): first teaser shot

This is Honda's first teaser image of its new Urban SUV Concept. The design study will take the stage at the 2013 Detroit motor show in January.

Honda's own words don't let on much about the car, if we're being honest.

The company says the design 'combines a sporty and dynamic SUV profile with a spacious interior utilising Honda’s centre-tank layout, creating a highly functional design.' Hmmm.

From the sketch, we can see the car will adopt the CR-V's kinked glasshouse shape, though the taillights will sit on the tailgate, rather than set high in the D-pillars.

What we do know is that the concept will eventually evolve into a small crossover, to sit below the CR-V in the model range. American sources report an $800m investment in the Jazz production facility in Celeya, Mexico will allow necessary retooling to spawn several next-gen derivatives.

Based on the compact Jazz platform, a small sub-CR-V model would rival other funky supermini crossovers like the Nissan Juke, Vauxhall Mokka, and Ford Ecosport.

Stay tuned to CAR Online from 14 January 2013 for all the news and updates as they happen, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

By Ollie Kew