Carmall.com - PT Honda Prospect Motor (HPM), has just launched another rendition of Honda Freed yesterday (8/5). It sported a fresher looks if compared to its predecessor. Some alterations were added by the manufacturer to attract more interest from modern families, especially those dynamic ones who have two kids or more. So, what are the changes?

Before we get down to it, first of all, PT HPM offers three choices of Honda Freed for the buyers. Type A (Standard) sold at an affordable price of Rp. 210 million, Type S which offers extra comfort and Type E (Premium) being the most complete of the three with all of the A's and S' features combined into one plus several other features, thus it is being retailed slightly higher with Rp. 261 million price tag.

Exterior

New Honda Freed brings about some transformations on its outlook. At its anterior, front grille has become more elegant with a touch of chrome plus new reflector design on its main headlamps. Front bumper also received some tweaks that make it look more dynamic. While on its rear, specifically for Type E and S the license plate garnish also has chrome motives, but this is not included for the A type. For this new edition of Freed, its taillights now sported a wider new design.

Freed's outlook is complimented with new and attractive 7 spokes rims design for the E and S type. Passenger's comfort has also been taken into account by installing new heat rejection green tinted glass to keep the cabin's temperature cooled.

Those beautification tweaks acted as a supplement for the previously provided features. For examples, the power sliding door that comes with remote control, fuel lid auto lock safety system (to keep the sliding door off the fuel-tank lid when refueling), automatically folded rear-view mirror when crossing through narrow lanes and tailgate spoiler above the back door.

Interior

Upon entering the cabin, if the manufacturer claimed that it is luxurious yet comfortable. Well, we dare say that we agree only on its comfort factor. This is because the dashboard looks so simple as well as the use of fabric material in beige on the entire types of New Freed. Nevertheless, the New Honda Freed definitely has optimum comfort level.

Arm rest is now available in the second row (type E and S) and at the first row passenger's seat. Driver's seat height can also be adjusted thanks to the new seat height adjustment system.

Other amenities such as new entertainment system with touch screen and remote control for playing movies or songs from DVD, CD or USB and not only that Freed's audio system is also compatible with iPod, iPhone and Bluetooth.

Some changes also occur on the now bright colours Multi Layered Meter Cluster that positioned so the driver can still focus on the road ahead. Prolonged features such as automatic AC, in-dash shift knob lever, tilt steering are still available in this walk through cabin.

Performance

Power generator of the New Freed is still using the same format as its predecessor; i-VITEC 1.500 cc, SOHC, 4-cylinder inline engine with 16 valves that could churn power up to 118hp with maximum torque of 14.9 kgm at 4.800 rpm. Even though the format remains the same but the engine has been perfected with installation of torque boot resonator to increase low rotation torque and upper rotation force and eventually paired with an automatic 5-speed transmission for better performance.

Electronic power steering system has caused the steering wheel to be lighter on low speed and sturdier when driven at high speed. In order to prevent grave accident to happen, these three types of Freed have applied ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) brake and EBD (Electronic Brake-Force Distribution). Unfortunately, dual SRS Front Airbags only featured in the premium type. So, is this your choice of a family car?