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Low Emission Honda Roadster Unveils One of Honda’s Core Engineering Principles
:: 28 July, 2008
Honda’s low-emission sportscar, a lightweight roadster design study displays one of Honda’s core engineering principles – to design stylish and exciting cars that are also environmentally responsible.
Named the OSM (for Open Study Model), the two-seater joins the confirmed-for-production CR-Z sports hybrid and FCX Clarity hydrogen fuel cell car on the Honda stand at the show.
“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.”
The concept for the project was ‘Clean and Dynamic’ – and this direction was followed for both the exterior and interior design, ensuring a joined-up, consistent ‘language’ between the two. One example of this can be seen at the rear of the car, where the body actually extends into the cabin between the seats.
The exterior design is a balance of smooth, rounded curves and sharp lines to provide definition in key areas. The headlights are cleverly integrated into the front end, stretching from the nose to the top of the wheel arches to look more like a part of the original body.
Inside, this uninterrupted, fluid approach is continued, with long sweeping curves extending from both door panels to form a frame for the instrument display. The concept for the dashboard was to avoid creating the traditional block of ‘heavy’ colour and material in front of the driver; in keeping with the clean and lightweight theme. For that reason, the dash is broken into sections, with the most important instruments in direct line-of-sight of the driver.
At present, the Honda OSM is a design study model, and there are no plans for it to enter production.
About Honda CR-Z
The Honda CR-Z (Compact Renaissance Zero) is a gasoline-electric hybrid automobile developed and planned for production by Honda. The CR-Z was first introduced as a concept car by Honda CEO Takeo Fukui on October 23, 2007 at the 2007 Tokyo Auto Show. Fukui further announced that a production model is "in the works" and that the car is intended to be "sporty, incredibly efficient and inexpensive". Aside from the fact that it will use Honda's Integrated Motor Assist system, the specifications of CR-Z's drive train are unknown. The CR-Z concept features 19-inch wheels, lightweight seats, and blue neon-lit gauges.
According to Automotive News Europe, Honda plans to roll out the production CR-Z in 2009 or 2010, first in Europe before expanding production and distribution to the rest of the world. The CR-Z is expected to cost approximately €25,000 (with higher-trim models retailing up to €28k) and be primarily geared towards the European market. Because of the vehicle's importance on that continent, Mark Turner of Honda UK says that Europe will have a great deal of influence on the final design of the vehicle.
About Honda FCX
The Honda FCX Clarity is a hydrogen fuel cell automobile manufactured by Honda.
Currently there are more than twenty 2002 prototype-based, leased vehicles in the hands of customers in three different American states, including the state of New York, city of Las Vegas, Chula Vista, San Francisco and the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
Limited marketing of a latest fuel cell vehicle based on the 2007 concept model began in June 19, 2008 in Japan and the United States. Honda believes it could start mass producing vehicles based on the FCX concept by the year 2018.
On 15 November 2007 at the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show, Honda unveiled the FCX Clarity, the first production model, and announced that the car would be available for lease beginning in the summer 2008. Initial availability will be limited to the Southern California market, with availability expanding as hydrogen fueling stations become available. Leases will only be available for 36 months at $600 per month.
