Honda’s OSM Concept Redesigned to Look Like Next-Gen S2000

When Honda introduced the OSM concept at the British Motor Show in July, many people saw it as a styling exercise for the next-generation S2000. However, truth is that the OSM is a roadster concept of Honda’s next hybrid sportscar, the CR-Z, due for launch in 2010 –see details of the CR-Z here and of the OSM here.

A member of the Greek forum 4Troxoi that goes by the alias “Morpheus” decided to prove this by showing us what the OSM Concept would actually look like if Honda’s intentions were to preview the second-generation S2000. Simply by changing the OSM’s overall proportions and especially with the low slung, elongated front-end, the artist actually managed to transform the concept into a RWD-like roadster that could indeed pass for the future S2000. Not bad, wouldn’t you say?

Via: 4Troxoi , Thanks for the tip Alex!

Honda OSM Concept: Live Photos from British Motor Show

Honda might have skimped the details on its London Show OSM concept car (Open Study Model) but the two-seater roadster looks awfully close in size and design to the CR-Z hybrid coupe concept that’s scheduled to enter production by 2010 –details here. If Honda actually considers creating a production version of the OSM, it will probably be more of a Mazda Miata / MX-5 type of roadster than a direct replacement for the more expensive S2000. Overall, and with the exception of the Star Trek tail-lamps that look they were lifted off a Japanese minivan, we find the OSM’s design quite appealing. -Photo gallery after the jump

Honda OSM Concept: Honda’s Eco-Friendly Miata

Making its world debut at the British Motor Show in London the OSM (for Open Study Model) is a roadster concept from Honda that seems to be loosely based on the confirmed-for-production CR-Z sports hybrid. And we’re saying “seems to be” as Honda’s official release makes no reference to the car’s dimensions or powertrain options. Despite the lack of any technical info, the Japanese carmaker describes the OSM as a low-emission, lightweight roadster – go figure… -Continued

“We’re trying to show that low emission cars can be attractive,” says Andreas Sittel, Project Leader for OSM. “There is no reason why a car that’s more environmentally friendly can’t look great too – and be sporty and fun to drive.”

According to Japanese carmaker, at present, the OSM which was designed by Honda’s R&D facility in Offenbach, Germany is just a design study model, and there are no plans for it to enter production.

Honda OSM: Low Emission Roadster to Debut in London Show

Following in the footsteps of the environmentally friendly CR-Z hybrid concept, Honda announced today that it will unveil a low-emission, lightweight roadster concept at the British International Motor Show later this month. Designed by Honda's R&D facility in Offenbach, Germany, the OSM (for Open Study Model) looks pretty good in the sketch provided by the Japanese carmaker. But then again, all vehicles look nice in preliminary renderings…

Although there are no plans for this design study model to enter production, Honda said that it will gather feedback from customers at the show to guide any future developments.

Honda Racer: Honda USA Designs Commemorative Hot Wheels Scale Model

To celebrate Hot Wheel’s 40th anniversary, Mattel invited six major automakers to send their design propositions for a commemorative line of 1/64 scale toy cars. Honda on its part created the “Honda Racer” you see in the picture above. Designed by the Japanese carmaker’s US studio in Torrance California, the Racer is inspired in color and shape, from Honda’s early participation in Formula 1 and in particular, the 1967 RA 273 racecar.

The key element to the design of the two-seater race car however, is that the body is in the shape of the Honda "H" emblem. Even though this is 1/64 die-cast scale model, the Honda Racer has been designed to be equipped with a 2.0-liter displacement V10 VTEC engine that sits between the piloting team. -Continued

"The Honda Racer combines the excitement of Honda's racing heritage with Hot Wheels' reputation for speed, power, performance and attitude," says Guillermo Gonzalez, senior designer of Honda R&D Americas, and designer of the Honda Racer. "The core concept is built around our idea for an 'ultimate racecar' and leverages the design freedom made possible by a scale model car."

"Sure, it is awesome to play with the cars on the orange track again, but I discovered that designing a Hot Wheels car is very different and in some ways more liberating than designing a production car," says Gonzalez. "For example, the primary design constraint is that the car had to fit on the orange track and perform a loop. Aside from that, the possibilities are without limit."

The Honda Racer Hot Wheels die-casr model will be arrive on store shelves in May 2008. See Mitsubishi's Hot Wheels 40th Anniversary die-cast model here, and Lotus', here.

Honda’s Chinese Arm Introduces Linian Crossover Concept in Beijing

Following last year’s announcement concerning the development of its own-branded cars (see here), Honda’s Chinese manufacturing joint venture, Guangzhou Honda introduced its first product in the form of a compact crossover concept at the 2008 Beijing Auto Show (April 20 – 28).

Although we managed to find Guangzhou Honda’s official press release, it didn’t contain any noteworthy information on the Linian concept. However sources state that if all goes as planned, Guangzhou Honda will develop a production version of the 5-door compact-sized crossover that will enter the Chinese market in 2010. -Continued

Press Release - Translated From Chinese

Guangzhou Honda own-brand "concept" concept car

Design Idea:
"Concept" concept car, is rooted in "the next flu" and the "dream" of the design, interpretation of the future lifestyle and trend direction, inspired the new generation of China's boundless imagination for the future, creating an unparalleled sensory impact and the future of our unique trend.

Design characteristics:
Simple, atmospheric modeling with the former face fierce headlights and foster self-confidence and momentum; coherent side of the main body leaning forward with the contour lines bring a new generation of the 18th Army, active dynamic style to the rear of rich layers delicate lines and the front modeling in concert with a display of the new generation of fashion acumen.

Yue dynamic:
"Concept" concept car to a Honda for the technical support of the vitality of the brand through the direct transfer control feelings to the outside world. At the same time, underlines the innovators demeanor advancing with the times.
"Concept" concept cars on display is a dream for the future and the fervent desire for this to the originator, Guangzhou Honda will practice China has created ideal for the ultimate realization of China has created a world-class fashion dynamic quality of life the lofty vision.

Honda Pilot SUV Concept Heading For Detroit

Honda announced that it will unveil a prototype of the next-generation Pilot at the January 2008 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. In the Japanese carmaker’s own words, “the prototype will convey design features of the more boldly-styled, next-generation Pilot and will emphasize authentic SUV styling, clever interior packaging and advanced technologies for safety, fuel efficiency and convenience”.

Along with the Pilot SUV Concept, Honda’s Detroit Show stand will also host the North American debut of the CR-Z concept vehicle (see high-res images here) which was introduced at the 40th Tokyo Motor Show in October.

Honda CR-Z Hybrid Concept From The Tokyo Show

In our opinion, the Honda CR-Z concept (click here) was one of the most important cars that made their debut at the 2007 Tokyo Show last month. The reason is that, not only is the CR-Z Coupe heading for production, but it will also be equipped with a hybrid powertrain. You may not completely agree with Honda’s styling choices, but to us, a mainstream compact coupe with a hybrid powertrain sounds like a recipe made for success.

2007 SEMA: Honda Accord Coupe HF-S Concept

Making its world debut today at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, the Honda Accord Coupe HF-S Concept attempts to demonstrate how far you can go with in-house tuning. "The Accord HF-S Concept provides a glimpse into the future of vehicle customization," said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda.

Built by Honda Access America, Inc. (Honda’s U.S. accessory development division), the Accord Coupe concept gets a stylish bodykit with carbon fiber panels, new bumpers and LED driving lights on all four corners. Additionally, the concept also features a dual-port exhaust system providimg extra power when needed along with an electronically controlled system that allows the driver to customize throttle response, suspension settings, steering boost, and traction involvement. -Press release & high-res images after the jump

Press Release

Honda Access America, Inc., Honda's U.S. accessory development team designed and built the HF-S Concept to demonstrate how the customized use of technology could allow vehicle owners to fine-tune performance while adding their own senses of style. Key exterior and conceptual powertrain modifications represent functional performance and driving-experience enhancements.

Unique LED driving lights, placed on the fore-most corners, wrap around the front of the bumper providing increased visibility both forward and side for the driver while also creating a unique appearance. The shape of the front bumper is designed to create a vortex effect to enhance high-speed aerodynamics and engine cooling. On the sides of the vehicle, the shape of the carbon fiber panels decreases negative speed force around the wheel arches. The rear bumper diffuser is designed to reduce drag. The trunk spoiler is a prototype design engineered for high-speed down-force. The metallic color of the exterior is accented by Cadmium Orange Pearl - a color derived from super-heated metal. The use of this color for the brake calipers, badges, grille accent, and interior details underscores the vehicle's high-performance appearance.

Key to the concept is the use of technology to electronically customize throttle response, suspension settings, steering boost, and traction involvement to the driver's taste. Additionally, the exhaust is a two-stage design. It is engineered to be exceptionally quiet during relaxed cruising, and provide elevated levels of performance in high performance driving situations.

Official: Honda To Produce Hybrid Powered CR-Z!

Honda has confirmed plans to build a production version of the CR-Z prototype that made its worldwide debut today (Oct. 24, 2007) at the 40th Tokyo Show. Dubbed as the successor of the highly popular CR-X compact sports coupe, the CR-Z (which stands for Compact Renaissance – Zero) is powered by the latest iteration of Honda’s hybrid IMA powertrain which promises to deliver low emissions and fuel consumption figures.

According to Honda’s own words, the road-going version of the CR-Z “will be a compact, lightweight sportscar powered by a hybrid powertrain”. Though the Japanese carmaker was hesitant to announce launch timings for the production version, our sources state that the CR-Z will be introduced sometime between late-2009 and mid-2010. While we might not be exactly crazy for the CR-Z’s appearance, the fact that it will be equipped with a hybrid powertrain has definitely sweetened it up. Follow the jump to check out our CR-Z Tokyo Show image gallery along with a few comments made by Honda UK’s Enviroment Manager, John Kingston. -Continued

“Hybrids have always been seen as niche products, and hybrid car design has mostly been based around practicality and versatility,” said John Kingston, Environment Manager at Honda (UK). “The CR-Z Concept looks stunning, and shows that green cars can be sexy and exciting – but also minimise environmental impact”

“The fact that we will be producing cars like this – and the global hybrid – proves that hybrid cars are becoming key volume products within our range. All of this means that Honda will be selling over 1/4 million hybrids a year by 2009.”

Honda 1-4 Concept: 2007 Design LA

Honda’s vision of the future goes by the name “1-4” that represents the concept’s ability to transform from one to four separate modes of transportation. The design team decided that the “1-4” should be solar-powered which sounds pretty ok to us. And even if it didn't who the hell cares. You can check out all the details after the jump. -Continued

Honda - 1⁴ - One to the Power of Four

The solar-hybrid powered Honda 1⁴ is an energy efficient, fully robotic commuting solution. A suburban community re-population movement in the 2050’s has increased consumer demand for a truly flexible commuter vehicle.

The solar-hybrid Honda 1⁴ solves the carpooling dilemma because it allows carpoolers to take advantage of HOV lanes, share commuting costs and once near the passengers’ final destinations, robotically transforms from one to four separate and unique modes of transportation.

Through a combination of gyros, artificial intelligence and molecular engineering, each individual vehicle instinctively reconfigures as a fully functional vehicle. When traveling as one, the division points are undetectable. The latest advancements in molecular engineering allow the body panels to divide and reshape to form each individual vehicle.

Honda Research & Development Design Team: Ben Davidson, Khrystyne Zurian & Shae Shatz

Honda PUYO Concept - 2007 Tokyo Show

If this is what the future has in store for us, someone please zap us back to the past were designers actually designed cars and not dodo eggs on wheelchair tires… Yes, the Puyo concept incorporates fuel-cell technology and its outer-shell is features soft-touch materials, but would you ever dream of owning a car that looks like it was just hatched? -Images and press release after the jump

PUYO

‘PUYO' is a Japanese onomatopoeia that expresses the sensation of touching the vehicle's soft body. It is meant to convey a warm, friendly impression.

The PUYO represents a new idea in mobility that brings together ‘clean', ‘safe' and ‘fun' functionality in an environmentally responsible, people-friendly minimalist design featuring an ultra-high efficiency, small frame and fuel cell technology to please both users and onlookers alike.

Exterior design

The development theme for the PUYO exterior was to create a cornerless, ‘Seamless Soft Box' form that is kind to both people and the environment. The goal was to create a personable design with the feel of an adorable pet, while taking advantage of the maximum spaciousness of the box-shaped design. The PUYO's ‘gel body' features soft materials to promote greater real-world safety. Moreover, the body has been made luminescent to guide people into the proper operating position and notify them of the vehicle's condition, facilitating a more intimate relationship between people and their cars.

Interior design

Developed to have a ‘Silky Feel', the PUYO's interior is designed to provide a refreshing, people-friendly space imbued with a feeling of transparency. Features such as an instrument panel monitor, controls that take advantage of the elastic qualities of cloth to rise up when the vehicle starts up, luminous fluid meter displays, and a joystick for intuitive operation are all designed to gently support occupants' senses and sensibilities.