In Canada, Honda Unveils Gear Concept In a panel discussion with designers at the Eyes on Design awards presentation at the Detroit auto show on Tuesday afternoon, Dave Marek, design director at Honda R&D Americas, talked about the invigorating effects of a move. His studio had recently moved from sedate Pasadena, Calif., to a new space in downtown Los Angeles, not far from the Staples Center, he said. The new digs are grittier. "Our conference room is now in a shipping container," Mr. Marek said. The energy of the new studio may be echoed in a new vigor in Honda's designs for the United States. Although, of course, their origins preceded the move. At Detroit on Monday, the studio showed its Urban S.U.V. Concept. Then, on Thursday, in a surprise, Honda revealed the Gear, a subcompact-size concept, at the Montreal International Auto Show. The Urban S.U.V. Concept shown in Detroit is smaller than the CR-V and shares a platform with the Honda Fit sedan. It is a study for a production model, the company said, set for Japan by the end of 2013 and the United States in 2014. The concept showed new energy, with striking sweep of character line along its side. The Gear is very different. A pure thinking exercise, with no production plans, it radiates a contrasting spirit to the Urban S.U.V. But it may be urban in a different way: cute but energetic, it echoes the spirit of the original Civics and especially the CRX models. In a release, Honda Canada described the Gear Concept Study Model as "a vehicle that demonstrates Honda's innovative approach to providing the automotive answer for young, urban, Gen-Y lifestyles." The Gear concept is inspired by simple, no-nonsense fixed-gear bicycles, Honda said. Such basic bikes are used in cities to reduce auto use, and messengers and other urban warriors swear by them. By contrast with edgy forms of the Urban Concept, which appeared to compete with Hyundai and Kia design, the Gear offers softer, more approachable forms. A coupe with a hatchback, the car offers an interior designed for personalization and a high level of compatibility to electronics. "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," Mr. Marek said. Gear Concept tears down those walls - it's practical but fun, customizable, connected and affordable.