The Acura ZDX - A Big, Hot Mess or a Work of Art?
Honda OSM concept unveiled at London Motor Show

Honda OSM concept unveiled at London Motor Show

Viknesh Vijayenthiran July 22nd, 2008 Viknesh Vijayenthiran By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Author July 22nd, 2008
  • Articles Contributed: 3138
  • Comments Posted: 0
  • Leaderboard Rank: N/A

December 31st, 1969 Honda has taken the covers off a new two-seat concept for a future low-emissions sports car that's already being touted as a preview of the replacement for the aging S2000 roadster. The new concept, dubbed the Open Study Model (OSM), is officially described as a ‘design study’ that promotes Honda’s new green performance image. The goal for the project was to create something ‘Clean and Dynamic’ – and this direction was followed for both the exterior and interior design. Key characteristics are the smooth and rounded curves, and unique headlights that stretch from the nose to the top of the wheel arches. Inside, 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 innards trimmed in glossy blue leather. A centrally-mounted semi-sequential gearlever is also installed, as is a pair of steering wheel mounted paddle shifters. Integrated into the gearshifter is a red ignition ‘start’ button. Honda spokesman Steve Kirk previously stated that the OSM is just a design study and is not yet confirmed for production. He also said it was not a successor for the S2000 roadster despite being a convertible. Also on show at this week’s London event is the confirmed-for-production CR-Z sports hybrid and FCX Clarity hydrogen fuel cell car. Honda OSM Concept 2007 Honda CR-Z hybrid concept2008 Honda OSM Roadster conceptHonda CR-Z Concept
Honda OSM concept unveiled at London Motor Show

Honda OSM concept unveiled at London Motor Show

Enlarge Photo

Honda has taken the covers off a new two-seat concept for a future low-emissions sports car that's already being touted as a preview of the replacement for the aging S2000 roadster. The new concept, dubbed the Open Study Model (OSM), is officially described as a ‘design study’ that promotes Honda’s new green performance image.

The goal for the project was to create something ‘Clean and Dynamic’ – and this direction was followed for both the exterior and interior design. Key characteristics are the smooth and rounded curves, and unique headlights that stretch from the nose to the top of the wheel arches.

Inside, 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 innards trimmed in glossy blue leather.

A centrally-mounted semi-sequential gearlever is also installed, as is a pair of steering wheel mounted paddle shifters. Integrated into the gearshifter is a red ignition ‘start’ button.

Honda spokesman Steve Kirk previously stated that the OSM is just a design study and is not yet confirmed for production. He also said it was not a successor for the S2000 roadster despite being a convertible.

Also on show at this week’s London event is the confirmed-for-production CR-Z sports hybrid and FCX Clarity hydrogen fuel cell car.

Honda OSM Concept

2007 Honda CR-Z hybrid concept
2008 Honda OSM Roadster concept
Gallery
  • 2008 honda osm concept 001
  • 2008 honda osm concept 002
  • 2008 honda osm concept 003
  • 2008 honda osm concept 004
Honda CR-Z Concept
Gallery
  • 2007 honda cr z concept motorauthority 001
  • 2007 honda cr z concept motorauthority 002
  • 2007 honda cr z concept motorauthority 003
  • 2007 honda cr z concept motorauthority 004
  • 2007 honda cr z concept motorauthority 005
  • 2007 honda cr z concept motorauthority 006
  • 2007 honda cr z concept motorauthority 007
  • 2007 honda cr z concept motorauthority 008
  • 2007 honda cr z concept motorauthority 009
  • 2007 honda cr z concept motorauthority 010
  • 2007 honda cr z concept motorauthority 011
  • 2007 honda cr z concept motorauthority 012
  • 2007 honda cr z concept motorauthority 013
  • 2007 honda cr z concept motorauthority 014
  • 2007 honda cr z concept motorauthority 015

Tags:

Posted in: Honda, News, Concept Cars, Convertible


Comments (12 total)

Meet the top commenters on the Leaderboard

  1. By bambam #1, Posted: 7/8/2008

    I thought I was good.
    not bad from Honda. I like them both the previous cr-z and this new one but I'm not a convertible fan unless its hard top

  2. By Roy #2, Posted: 7/8/2008

    So this concept looks like a replacement for the UN-fuel efficient and decidedly eco-unfriendly S2000. We can but hope. That was a great car, with a gem of an engine that got abysmal mileage. It actually made Mazda's RX-8 look reasonable. Speaking of which, how soon does anyone think that Mazda will announce the long-overdue death of the RX rotary engine?

  3. By Chris #3, Posted: 7/9/2008

    roy i agree with you that this thing looks like an S2000 all the way.. with styling cues from the CRZ......

    but death of the rotary? you realize that mazda just redesigned the renesis and are still pushing hard on it right? you dont kill an engine or a car like that. its one of the only interestingly devious cars left.

    if you want a fast mazda, get a speed6 or the speedMX5 which should be coming around in a year or two..

  4. By stewie #4, Posted: 7/22/2008

    I kind of remember reading recently that Mazda has changes planned for their rotary engine so not death anytime soon.

    This looks OK & I'm sure it'll look better when they take out the futuristic concept only details & make it more mainstream. That smile shaped tail light has to go.

  5. By 94 Taurus owner #5, Posted: 7/22/2008

    This is nice but am I the only one that notices this slightly resembles a Pugeot.

  6. By Stephen #6, Posted: 7/22/2008

    I wonder if I can order my new S2000 without the recycled Civic components? (look at the steering wheel!)

  7. By Gus #7, Posted: 7/22/2008

    Looks like fun.

  8. By InkMaster #8, Posted: 7/22/2008

    Looks nice but not as a S2000 replacement... Looking to much like a toy to replace something as awesome as the S2000

  9. By NoNameDenton #9, Posted: 7/22/2008

    The S2000 is awesome? I disagree, the MX-5 from Mazda is a much better car at a lower price.

  10. By InkMaster #10, Posted: 7/22/2008

    NoNameDenton -- You're not serious in comparing a S2000 to a Miata? I mean thats like comparing a Corvette to a Mustang... I mean sure you can get Corvette performance from a Mustang but by time you do, it'll cost as much as a Corvette. Same story here. Plus the S2000 is a much better looking car...

  11. By NoNameDenton #11, Posted: 7/22/2008

    No way is that Honda better looking then the MX-5 and it is a very fair comparison, every one else compares the two to each other.

  12. By Earthling #12, Posted: 7/24/2008

    NoNameDenton, sure the S2000 and MX5 have similarities in looks, but no way can u compare the 2 apart from that.

    They're worlds apart mate...

Post a Comment

Post anonymously
Sign In |
will stay private
your 'posted by' name will link to the URL

More from MotorAuthority

More from High Gear Media