2007 Honda Element SC Road Test

When we last met, the Element and I, the time was late summer and theplace was unfamiliar; not for the car, but for me. Under normal circumstances, the vehicles adapt to my routine. They endure my favourite winding roads, my scrutiny on handling, ride, comfort and build quality, and the piece de resistance, my daily shuffle through traffic jams. The Element was different in that it inspired me to switch things up a bit, and rather than force it into my routine it caused me to learn about what it was made for. So, I bit the bullet and did something most unusual, at least for me, I took it camping. I gained an appreciation for the little box that could, an appreciation that I never thought possible and to this day, its triumph of form following function has escalated its position on my list of vehicles that impressed me.

Therefore, it was a good source of surprise (and confusion) when I was presented with this, the Element SC, an Element designed by someone that spends too much of their free time playing Need for Speed Underground on their xBox.

Indeed,

Comes from the factory, pre-tuned. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

this latest Element looks like something from a video game. Ifthe stark boxiness of its body weren't enough, the effect is magnified by the removal of roof rack headgear, body kit, lowering springs, 18-inch gunmetal-gray painted wheels, and most certainly the all-black paint job and complementary midnight tinted windows and smoked taillights. The marquee colour for the SC is Root Beer, as in the fizzy beverage; brown rarely looks good on any vehicle, but here it's quite sharp. On its own, the primer-like shade of gray that makes up the car's secondary trim is dull, but it too manages to work on the Element. Yet there's still more to discover about the SC's looks. Honda went so far as to send it in for plastic surgery, resulting in a new face. Wider set eyes

New headlamps give the SC a look all its own. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

with projector beam pupils twinkle brighter, with a narrower grille pursed between. It's different, and more attractive to boot.

Most people are probably familiar withhopped up funk boxes like this, made even more popular by the Scion xB cult. The SC, though similar, maintains a different stance, coming straight from the factory ready-tuned and a decent performer at that. It's also a much bigger vehicle, 170.3 inches in length and 71.5 inches in width versus 150.5 inches and 66.5 inches for the Scion.

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