Pokiou
07-30-2008, 10:13 PM
Honda Goes Topless in London
Honda is calling the two-seat OSM Concept [Open Study Model] a “design study”, but many believe it signals a next generation S2000 (http://automobiles.honda.com/s2000/) Roadster. This train of thought makes sense considering that the high revving sports car staple is some 8 model years old, a down right geriatric life stage by today’s auto industry standards (http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/14/ford-moving-to-three-year-redesigns-to-keep-things-fresh/). The OSM concept, revealed at the British International Motor Show (http://www.britishmotorshow.co.uk/) in London, is being positioned as a stylish sports car that also happens to be environmentally responsible. And based on the clean lines and chiseled flanks seen in company released photos, we are definitely in agreement on the stylish part. Alongside OSM at the Honda display were equally green efforts from the automaker, like the CR-Z (http://automobiles.honda.com/cr-z/) sports hybrid concept and FCX Clarity (http://automobiles.honda.com/fcx-clarity/) hydrogen fuel cell car.
http://users.tpg.com.au/ipok//hondaosm.jpg
Looking at the front end alone, you can’t really blame anyone for speculating about a future S2000. The trapezoidal front air damn [or fascia] bears a striking resemblance to the current model’s more squared off opening. Also similar is the short rear deck and long hood layout consistent with the classical shape of a 2-seat roadster. Differences become more apparent once you dive into the details. Although the hood continues to square off as it tapers forward, OSM’s bodywork has much more exaggerated lips that extend past the front fascia. This makes for a cool effect when viewing the concept’s side profile. LED-adorned eyes are a lot longer, narrower and set farther back into the bodywork [just above the front wheel wells] than on the S2000. Also new are razor thin fog lamps running parallel with the larger headlamps that lay above them. Other major differences include a flatter windshield rake, seriously carved up flanks, a more rounded off tail and the use of a single red light strip in back. This LED brake light bar wraps all the way around OSM’s rear end, which makes it quite visible when viewing from the side. The futuristic interior, with its layered or stacked information display, seems an evolutionary progression of what you would see inside of today’s Civic line up.
Overall, the new design makes for a decidedly European looking sports car, which makes sense considering that the concept was designed by Honda’s R&D facility in Offenbach, Germany. Many insiders suggest that Honda will take S2000 further up market when the next generation breaks, which would place it firmly in Z4/Boxster/TT/SLK territory.
Honda wasn’t bashful about talking up OSM’s eco-friendly status and low emissions but provided no details on what type of power plant lies beneath the skin. A hybrid set-up of some sort seems a logical choice considering that Honda has another hybrid model set to debut in 2009. Lightweight construction was mentioned though, which is always a good sign for favorable power to weight ratios.
“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.”
http://users.tpg.com.au/ipok//hondaosm2.jpg
Honda is calling the two-seat OSM Concept [Open Study Model] a “design study”, but many believe it signals a next generation S2000 (http://automobiles.honda.com/s2000/) Roadster. This train of thought makes sense considering that the high revving sports car staple is some 8 model years old, a down right geriatric life stage by today’s auto industry standards (http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/14/ford-moving-to-three-year-redesigns-to-keep-things-fresh/). The OSM concept, revealed at the British International Motor Show (http://www.britishmotorshow.co.uk/) in London, is being positioned as a stylish sports car that also happens to be environmentally responsible. And based on the clean lines and chiseled flanks seen in company released photos, we are definitely in agreement on the stylish part. Alongside OSM at the Honda display were equally green efforts from the automaker, like the CR-Z (http://automobiles.honda.com/cr-z/) sports hybrid concept and FCX Clarity (http://automobiles.honda.com/fcx-clarity/) hydrogen fuel cell car.
http://users.tpg.com.au/ipok//hondaosm.jpg
Looking at the front end alone, you can’t really blame anyone for speculating about a future S2000. The trapezoidal front air damn [or fascia] bears a striking resemblance to the current model’s more squared off opening. Also similar is the short rear deck and long hood layout consistent with the classical shape of a 2-seat roadster. Differences become more apparent once you dive into the details. Although the hood continues to square off as it tapers forward, OSM’s bodywork has much more exaggerated lips that extend past the front fascia. This makes for a cool effect when viewing the concept’s side profile. LED-adorned eyes are a lot longer, narrower and set farther back into the bodywork [just above the front wheel wells] than on the S2000. Also new are razor thin fog lamps running parallel with the larger headlamps that lay above them. Other major differences include a flatter windshield rake, seriously carved up flanks, a more rounded off tail and the use of a single red light strip in back. This LED brake light bar wraps all the way around OSM’s rear end, which makes it quite visible when viewing from the side. The futuristic interior, with its layered or stacked information display, seems an evolutionary progression of what you would see inside of today’s Civic line up.
Overall, the new design makes for a decidedly European looking sports car, which makes sense considering that the concept was designed by Honda’s R&D facility in Offenbach, Germany. Many insiders suggest that Honda will take S2000 further up market when the next generation breaks, which would place it firmly in Z4/Boxster/TT/SLK territory.
Honda wasn’t bashful about talking up OSM’s eco-friendly status and low emissions but provided no details on what type of power plant lies beneath the skin. A hybrid set-up of some sort seems a logical choice considering that Honda has another hybrid model set to debut in 2009. Lightweight construction was mentioned though, which is always a good sign for favorable power to weight ratios.
“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.”
http://users.tpg.com.au/ipok//hondaosm2.jpg