Honda designed the car, something they call an ultra compact, to show that small cars could still provide the comfort you get with a mid-size vehicle. The car has a small footprint, measuring 3.4 m long, 1.75 m wide and 1.4 meters tall (11.2 x 5.7 x 4.6 feet), making ideal, according to Honda’s marketing people, for those living in densely populated urban areas.
The car itself is straight out of science fiction. Designed as a three-seater, the driver sits up front in the middle of the car, while passengers sit behind and two either side, reminiscent of the McLaren F1. The steering mechanism looks more like something out of a spaceship or video game, with its two handles, as opposed to traditional wheel. The windshield shield rises up from the front of the car, over the driver and passengers, creating a bubble-effect and providing everyone in the car with great sightlines. The windshield also serves as a heads-up display for the driver, removing the clutter of a dashboard. The entire navigation system is projected onto the windshield, also along with images from a rearview camera for backing up.
The one feature that many latched onto at the LA car was the placement and design of the engine compartment. Placed at the back of the car (the cabin takes up the whole front of the car), Honda designed the compartment to be able to hold one of three option: an efficient gas motor, a fuel/electric hybrid, or a straight electric motor.
Honda has no plans to put the car into production, but wouldn’t it be fun to see one driving down your street in the near future?
