Dubai, UAE, April 03, 2006 - Honda today introduced the all new 2006 Honda MR-V, setting a new standard in the 8-passenger mid-size SUV segment. The new car comprises of a wealth of practical refinements; new colors, design and added features such as rugged exterior, refined interiors, advanced and improvised engine technology and advanced safety features.

Rugged and refined, the 2006 Honda MR-V has newly designed grille, hood, fenders, bumpers, projector beam halogen headlights, clear tail lights lenses and side-marker lights on front fenders. In addition to this EX, EX-L models comes with fog lights and new alloy wheels giving it a sporty look. Elevating it to a new standard of Mid-size SUV segment, this new SUV has a brand new instrument panel design, even better seat fabrics, adjustable headrests, conversation mirror with a sunglass holder and a new backlit gauge.

Powertrain technology, the 2006 Honda MR-V includes a 3.5-liter SOHC VTEC engine, 255 horsepower and 250 lb. -ft. of torque (SAE net, revised 8/04)*, Drive-by-Wire throttle control, a 5-speed automatic transmission with a direct control shift system for smoother gear change experience and active noise cancellation. The 2006 Honda MRV also has an independent front and rear suspension and a rigid body structure to help deliver top-of-the-line ride and handling performance.

A safe car, it also includes Three-Row Side Curtain Airbags with rollover sensor that further compliments the vehicle's existing standard Driver's and Front Passenger's Airbags (SRS), Driver's and Front Passenger's Side Air Bags It also has Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with traction control and Driver's and front passenger's seat belt reminder.

Family friendly, the new MR-V offers room for eight passengers (two front, three middle and three rear) with an adaptable seating system that can transform the second and third rows into cargo areas along a 60/40 split in the bench-style seats that fold into the floor. Family-friendly storage areas and beverage holders are featured in all three rows of seating. World-class fit and finish, a new more sophisticated interior design and dynamic exterior styling elevates the 2006 Honda MR-V to a new standard in the mid-size SUV segment. Like all Honda products, the 2006 Honda MR-V has world-class ergonomics with controls that are intuitive and easy to operate. New noise dampening materials have also been applied to make this the quietest MR-V ever.

The 2006 Honda MR-V EX comes equipped with a long list of standard comfort and convenience items including remote keyless entry, power windows with auto-up/down driver's window, dual power mirrors, adjustable steering column, front and rear air conditioning with air-filtration system, AM/FM/Cassette and a 6-disc in-dash CD player 7-speaker audio system, cruise control, body colored side molding steering wheel-mounted audio controls, body-colored side mirrors and door handles, roof rails, and Immobilizer Theft Deterrent System.

The awarding Honda MRV, famous as the Pilot in the US has a few awards to it belts:

- Pilot Won Edmunds.com "Consumers' Most Wanted" Award for 2005

- Pilot Wins ALG's Residual Value Award

- NHTSA gives Pilot Five Stars for Safety

- Pilot--2005 Car and Driver "5Best" Trucks

- 2006 Pilot wins Kiplinger's Best in Class crossover award

* For the 2006 model year, all Honda horsepower and torque specifications have been updated to reflect revised Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J1349 (Rev 8/04) net calculations that went into affect in January of 2005. These new calculations reflect a number of significant changes in the way horsepower and torque are measured and may cause SAE net horsepower and torque totals published in 2006 media materials to differ from the figures published in previous years.

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About Honda:
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. develops, produces and manufactures a wide variety of products, ranging from small general-purpose engines to specialty sports cars that incorporate the company's highly efficient internal combustion engine technology. Approximately 19 million Honda engines were sold worldwide during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005. Honda operates through 124 overseas production facilities in 28 countries, which supply Honda parts to most of the industrialized countries in the world. The Company operates three business segments: motorcycles business, automobiles business and power products business.

© Press Release 2006