Honda introduces GEAR concept in Montreal

We already know that Europe often gets better cars than we do in the United States, but now Canada is getting in on the action, too. At the press days of the Montreal International Auto Show, the Japanese company introduced the Honda GEAR Concept.

The car is reportedly inspired by fixed-gear bicycles -- gag me with a spoon -- and Honda says it's simple, utilitarian, but also customizable.

“Subcompact cars are usually either utilitarian but uninspiring, or they're fun, zippy cars that are impractical and too expensive for the Gen-Y buyer,” said Dave Marek, design director at Honda R&D Americas, Inc. “GEAR Concept tears down those walls -- it's practical but fun, customizable, connected and affordable. Everything that young, discerning urban buyers would want in a car.”

The GEAR sports two giant headlights up front with what looks to be more lights running in between. The extremely clean looking hatch only wears one character line, from the front wheel arch to the lower edge of the window sill. The GEAR gets an awesome-but-also-clean wheel package with ten spokes that dive into the center of the wheel. Out back we can see two more giant lights, with a lens stretching between. It also gets quad exhausts, a rear air diffuser and a roof spoiler.

This car is in full concept mode, and we assume the windows are blacked out because there's no functional interior. But we like the GEAR. Despite its connection to the tight-pants-wearing, chain-wallet having, no-logo sporting, fixie-riding Gen Y-ers it supposedly caters to.

One thing is for sure: If Honda decides to bring this one to market, it'll have a few buyers in Detroit lined up.

Honda
The Honda GEAR was inspired by fixed-gear bicycles.

Honda
The Honda GEAR has four exhaust pipes.

By Jake Lingeman