Honda has revealed the Winner of its in-house global design competition - the Project 2&4 concept.
Set to be unveiled in Frankfurt, the concept is an example of the continuous effort by Honda to design an 'ever-more immersive driving experience'. The Honda Project 2&4 brings together the brand's capabilities in two- and four-wheel mobility - as the Project 2&4 combines the RC213V competition motorcycle engine with the body of a car.
Developed for the MotoGP motorcycle racing series and specially tuned for the public road, the power-plant is a 999 cc V-4 four-stroke unit and features a peak power output of over 215 PS at 13,000 rpm, while peak torque of over 118 Nm is delivered at 10,500 rpm. Transmission is provided by a six-speed DCT gearbox.
Drawing on Honda's racing heritage, the body design and engine position has been inspired by the brand's RA272 of 1965. The structure reveals the core frame and functional parts of the car, much as would be more customary for a bike, and is similarly compact. Overall length is 3,040 mm, width 1,820mm and height 995 mm. A resulting weight of just 405 kg maximises the impact of the power of the mid-mounted engine which, together with the low centre of gravity, ensures an 'exceptionally high level of responsiveness' says the Japanese firm.
Honda says the exhilarating feeling created from the open cockpit is significantly enhanced by the driver's seat, suspended just above the road. The 'floating seat' design places the driver as close to the action as possible, evoking the freedom of a bike and completing the immersion provided by Honda Project 2&4's extreme performance, 14,000 rpm red line and unique engineering.
Over 80 designers and creators participated in the Global Design Project competition, which is part of Honda's initiative to inspire creativity as one 'Team Honda'. The Project 2&4 is an example of what this challenge can generate thanks to the differing qualities of each participant.
Conceived by Honda's motorcycle design studio in Asaka and designed in collaboration with the automobile design studio in Wako, the concept seeks to create an intense driving experience by combining the 'most thrilling elements of riding a motorcycle with the most engaging characteristics of driving a car'.