July 22, 2008–
Honda's low-emission sportscar study model has been revealed at the British International Motor Show, at ExCel, London



The lightweight roadster design study is a concept showing Honda's core
engineering principals, designing stylish and exciting cars that are
also environmentally responsible.

Named the OSM (for Open Study Model), the two-seater joins the
confirmed-for-production CR-Z sports hybrid and FCX Clarity hydrogen
fuel cell car on the Honda stand at the show.

"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."

The concept for the project was ‘Clean and Dynamic' - and this
direction was followed for both the exterior and interior design,
ensuring a joined-up, consistent ‘language' between the two. One
example of this can be seen at the rear of the car, where the body
actually extends into the cabin between the seats.

The exterior design is a balance of smooth, rounded curves and sharp
lines to provide definition in key areas. The headlights are cleverly
integrated into the front end, stretching from the nose to the top of
the wheel arches to look more like a part of the original body.

Inside, this uninterrupted, fluid approach is continued, with long
sweeping curves extending from both door panels to form a frame for the
instrument display. The concept for the dashboard was to avoid creating
the traditional block of ‘heavy' colour and material in front of the
driver; in keeping with the clean and lightweight theme. For that
reason, the dash is broken into sections, with the most important
instruments in direct line-of-sight of the driver.

Key information is displayed in a rounded, enclosed central binnacle,
with levels and figures in bright blue on a black background. This
matches the trim inside the car, with the seats and door furniture
trimmed in a new, gloss-effect blue leather, accompanied by white
leather sections, in line with the exterior body colour, a one-off
paint called Mystic Pearl.

The driver's main controls and functions are distributed in an
intuitive layout, close at hand on a panel that curves downwards to the
right of the driver. A centrally-mounted semi-sequential gear-shift
points towards a fun-to-drive transmission, along with paddle shifts
either side of the steering wheel. Integrated into the gearshifter
itself is a red ignition ‘start' button, which reinforces the sporty
direction of the car.

The Honda OSM was designed by Honda's R&D facility in Offenbach,
Germany. It's the latest example of the young talent being developed
within Honda's design studios in Europe - following the Honda Small
Hybrid Sports Concept (Geneva 2007) and the Accord Tourer Concept
(Frankfurt 2007).

At present, the Honda OSM is a design study model, and there are no plans for it to enter production.

Honda's cleaner cars - a brief history

1972	The CVCC engine is developed for the Civic - a low-emission petrol engine that meets strict US regulations
1993	Honda wins prestigious World Solar Challenge with the solar-powered Type Dream car
1996	Honda EV Plus electric vehicle - capable of carrying four adults nearly 224km on a single charge - is presented to the public
1997	The Civic GX, which runs on natural gas, is available to buy in America. It becomes the world's cleanest car
1999	Honda launches the Insight - a petrol-electric hybrid car capable of 3.4 l/100km on the combined cycle, with emissions of just 80g/km of CO2
2003	Civic IMA hybrid saloon is launched, with CO2 emissions of 116g/km
2006	New Civic Hybrid goes on sale, with fuel economy of 4.6 l/100km (combined) and emissions of 109g/km
2007	A lightweight hybrid sportscar concept, named CR-Z, is revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show, and a version is confirmed for production
2008	The hydrogen fuel cell-powered Honda FCX Clarity rolls off the production line in Japan, and leasing of these zero emission vehicles starts in the US Honda unveils OSM study model at the British International Motor Show.
2009	A much more affordable hybrid car from Honda is due to go on sale in the Spring - making cleaner motoring technology available to more people