Honda's Low-Emission Roadster Concept

Honda continues dropping the worst names on its concepts. This funky roadster gets the name OSM, for Open Study Model. There isn’t a lot of meat to this concept either, other than it being “low-emission.” Our guess is that it’s based on the CR-Z sports hybrid concept’s production platform, and that it could become another small hybrid in Honda’s lineup. Personally, we like the looks and could see this car taking the place of the S2000, which has been a cult favorite but only sells in the hundreds of units.

For now, Honda is just testing the waters with the design, much like it did with the CR-Z. If people like it, who knows? This could be cruising your local beach someday soon. More photos below.

Comments

[Mart]

Is it me or does this concept look rather production ready? The interior could come out tomorrow and fit well with the current line-up. All that would need to be changed are the concept lights and this could be on the streets!

[Dave T.]

Mart,
It's probably one of the most "finished" concepts I've seen from Honda in a while yes. Usually they don't even do interiors unless the real thing is well underway.

[GV]

i totally agree this concept is production looking and it does look pretty good!! i like it i hope it does replace the outgoing s200 model in the future!!

[markt]

i thought the same thing when i saw that interior. good exterior, not bad looking needs some small refinements but otherwise a production ready concept" then i saw the interior and went WOW! That looks good.

[Lil'Tom]

The interior looks like an update on the Civic SI.

It's usually hard to judge a car like this without seeing it in person, but I think the photos look great.

[Capeplates]

another japanese innovation that is pleasing to the eye. The American manufacturers must be shaking their heads, they are so far behind in new designs they will never regain their number one spot!

[Thad]

It's amazing how well run Honda is. Just this morning I read that Toyota offically outsold GM. Even with GM dumping cars on the rental market they still couldn't hold on to first place. If I was in the market for a car today I wouldn't consider anything but a Honda or Toyota.

[Dave T.]

Toyota sales in the U.S. are down as well. Honda is one of only a few that is up for 2008 in the U.S. Including Kia, Mini, Mercedes, Subaru.

Being #1 globally might not be a good thing for Toyota either. a lot more scrutiny will come their way.

[alex]

as a diehard honda person, and (honda owner), this is a great idea. Please kill the s2000 asap and make this the next honda convertible. I go to hondapreview.com a lot and dont know too much about this making production, but this could be a possibility. I used to sell hondas and the fact that the s2000 was only a manual and a two seater hurt sales very much. I love the interior. i love the way this thing looks.

[J]

A 2+2 S2K replacement, huh?
Where is the line to buy it?

[Keith]

Thad,
Exactly how is your comment relevant to this posting?

J,
This looks like a 2-seater only, no 2+2. I would say it's also FWD by its proportions so I doubt it would match the capabilities of the S2000.

[ziggy]

This just shows that honda knows what they're doing. Quality with their finger on the comsumer pulse. This will be a hot seller and will not be long before it goes into production.

[Keith]

Because the 2-seat ragtop market is such a high growth category? Or like the del Sol was such a runaway success?

[L.P.]

I believe this car is production ready. The over exterior is excellent and the interior is very good looking. This should replace the S2000 no doubt. The S2000 isn't selling much and has kept the same platform and design for years. I agree with Dave T., kill the S2000. If the car goes into production, Honda's all set. I wouldn't be surprised if this comes into production. A great looking car inside and out, and a great replacement to the S2000. Good job Honda.

[Greg Zelse]

Keith,
The posting is relevant because the poster is paying a compliment to Honda the company. The article is about a Honda product so it's not hard to make the connection. You must have attended public school.

Greg

[J]

Keith,

I still think I can see 2 dog-seat sized seats back there just like the Lexus SC.
About the FWD, I am still in doubt that Honda is taking that risky move, as I don't seem to recall a lot of FWD open top who are successful in terms of sales figures.

[ziggy]

I could see this selling about 30,000 in the first year of production - which is really good for that segment. I could also see honda doing a hard top version or a retractable hard top. Honda will do it up right - much like other manufacturers don't.