Showcasing the racing spirit of Honda and its unique place in the world of high-performance, high-tech mobility, the Honda Project 2&4 made its North American debut today at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show. The Honda 2&4 represents collaboration between Honda’s motorcycle and automobile divisions on a new performance vehicle concept, combining the open and engaging feel of a motorcycle and the dynamic handling capabilities of an automobile.
Embodying the concept of creative craftsmanship, Honda Project 2&4 is the winner of the 2015 Honda Global Design Project and celebrates the company’s position as the world’s leading engine manufacturer, providing 28 million engines to people each year across its automotive, powersports, power equipment, marine and aerospace product lines. An example of the continuous effort to create an ever-more immersive driving experience, Honda Project 2&4 brings together the brand’s unique capabilities in two- and four-wheel mobility.
The Honda Project 2&4 is powered by the RC213V competition motorcycle engine, a 999 cc V-4 unit, originally developed for the world-class MotoGP motorcycle racing series and specially tuned for use on public roads. The engine expresses Honda’s global slogan “The Power of Dreams” representing inspiring innovation and originality. With a 14,000 rpm red line, the powerplant is mated to a six-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT) and delivers peak power of 212 horsepower at 13,000 rpm, and peak torque of 87 lb-ft. at 10,500 rpm.
Drawing upon Honda’s racing heritage, the body design and engine position were inspired by the legendary Honda RA272 Formula One racecar of 1965. With minimal bodywork and an open cockpit, the Honda Project 2&4 shows off its core frame and functional components, much like a motorcycle, and is similarly compact. The project vehicle weighs just 405 kg (892.9 lbs.) with an overall length of 3,040 mm (119.7 inches), a width of 1,820 mm (71.7 inches) and height of 995 mm (39.2 inches). These minimalist dimensions and low weight accentuate the power of the mid-mounted engine that, together with the low center of gravity, ensures an exceptionally high level of responsiveness.
The exhilarating feeling created from the open cockpit is significantly enhanced by the low-mounted driver’s seat. 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 and unique engineering.
The Honda Global Design Project is a global design competition among the Honda’s global design studios. The winning Honda Project 2&4 is the result of the company’s continuous effort to create a more exciting user experience and represents its drive to inspire and reward creative thinking. The concept was designed through collaboration between Honda’s motorcycle and automobile design centers in Japan.
