Design Student Envisions New Honda S2000 Roadster for 2020

Back in the 1995, when Honda was still producing and developing cars that drivers liked to drive, the automaker displayed a concept model called the SSM (for Sports Study Model) at the Tokyo Motor Show.

Three years later, Honda revealed the production model of that concept named the S2000 in celebration of its 40th anniversary.

The rear-wheel drive roadster with the manically revving 240hp (243PS) F20C 2.0-liter 4-cylinder DOHC-VTEC engine went on sale in 1999 and remained in production for a decade selling more than 112,000 units worldwide.

We've heard many rumors about a replacement for the S2000, but unfortunately, nothing concrete. Naturally, design students are not bound by any production plans and are free to visualize their ideas like Michael Mcgee who took part in a Honda sponsored project for the creation of an S2000 for the year 2020.

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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.”

Frankfurt: Honda Accord Tourer Concept

Wanna know what crossed my mind when I first saw the Accord Tourer? Mazda6. It’s amazing how two different design teams came up with the exact same “belt-line” and pronounced front wheel arches, that practically define both cars. Other than that, the Tourer concept that’s equipped with a newly developed 2.2-litre i-DTEC diesel engine indicates the design direction of the all-new Accord set to debut in Sedan and Tourer forms at the Geneva motor show next March. As many of you might be familiar with, the current European Accord is the N. American Acura TSX’s alter ego.

According to Honda, the all-new Accord will be offered withall-Euro 5-compliant engine line-ups consisting of 2.0 and 2.4-litre i-VTEC petrol engines and the 2.2-litre i-DTEC next-generation diesel engine. Compared to the current Accord engine line-up, output will be boosted and emissions and fuel economy significantly reduced. -Press release and images after the jump

HONDA PRESENTS THE ACCORD TOURER CONCEPT AND i-DTEC, THE NEXT-GENERATION CLEAN DIESEL ENGINE TECHNOLOGY, AT THE FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW

September 11, 2007 - Honda presented to the world the exciting Accord Tourer Concept and the new generation of Honda diesel engines, i-DTEC at the 2007 Frankfurt motor show.

The premiere of the Accord Tourer Concept provides a strong indication of the design direction of the all-new generation Accord Tourer set to debut in mid-2008. The wider, lower look signals a sportier, more emotional styling approach, and while the design of the current Accord Tourer maximises its load-carrying capability, the new model goes for smarter, sleeker proportions while retaining a strong degree of versatility and practicality. The Concept's greater width makes for a more spacious cabin and also allows an increased track for enhanced handling characteristics.

The all-new Accord range will boast one of the first all-Euro 5-compliant engine line-ups which will consist of two i-VTEC petrol engines of 2.0 and 2.4-litre capacities and a newly developed 2.2-litre i-DTEC next-generation diesel engine. Compared to the current Accord engine line-up, power output will be boosted and emissions and fuel economy significantly improved.

The latest engines will be complemented by innovative new chassis technology that will deliver exceptional handling, greater linear stability and a more involving driving experience without compromising ride comfort. The all-new Accord will debut in Sedan and Tourer forms at the 2008 Geneva motor show.

The all-new i-DTEC is the 2nd diesel engine Honda has developed. By further improving the current award winning i-CTDi's superb performance, fuel economy and emission efficiencies, i-DTEC has achieved various stringent emission standards in the U.S., Japan and Europe (Honda test data).

The first phase of the programme - compliance with the Euro 5 legislation expected in 2009 - has already reached fruition, and an example of the new engine, which makes its first appearance in next year's Accord range, is being shown on the stand.

Honda continues to work on the second phase of development of its latest diesel engine and has already achieved compliance with the stringent US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tier II/Bin 5 emissions requirements. This is of particular significance to the European market in that the Tier II standards are even more demanding than the Euro 6 requirements which remain at the proposal stage. An example of this engine is also on display at the stand.

Notes to editors:

• In Euro 5 regulation, emissions of particulates from diesel-engined cars are expected to be reduced by 80 per cent compared to Euro 4 (down from 25 to 5 mg/km), while NOx levels are cut from 250 to 180 mg/km.
• Tier II is the second stage of US emissions standards and is split into eight permanent and three temporary certification levels called ‘bins' to which vehicles are certified. When fully implemented in 2009, a manufacturer's light-vehicle fleet has to meet the average NOx standard of approximately 43.5 mg/km (0.07 g/mile) - the Bin 5 level (and equivalent to California's LEV II standard).