|
Honda unveiled
the Personal-Neo Urban Transport
(P-NUT) design study model at LA
Auto Show 2009 today,
demonstrating a futuristic
concept for an ultra-compact and
stylish city coupe.
Designed around a
small, micro-car ‘footprint’,
ideal for use in cities and
tight urban areas, the
P-NUT’s packaging concept
includes a central driving
position, rear powertrain layout
and clever interior space-saving
solutions.
“A new generation
is discovering the benefits of
living in urban centres that
provide convenient access to
business, entertainment and
social amenities,” said Dave
Marek, director of advanced
design for Honda R&D Americas,
Inc. “The Personal-Neo Urban
Transport concept explores the
packaging and design potential
for a vehicle conceived
exclusively around the city
lifestyle.”
The P-NUT’s
exterior styling uses crisp
angles with dynamic flowing
lines that span outward toward
the rear of the car, creating a
sleek yet planted and aggressive
look that also allows for a
spacious and open interior with
excellent visibility.
The exterior
styling intends to be premium
and sophisticated while
balancing the need for maximum
interior space and an
aerodynamic appearance. The
interior layout, in conjunction
with the rear powertrain design,
contributes to the car’s overall
exterior shape.
Inside, with its
centre driving position flanked
by two rear seats, the P-NUT
provides generous legroom for
all occupants, roughly the
equivalent of a mid-sized saloon
but in a vehicle with the
exterior footprint similar to a
micro car. In addition there are
clever interior solutions such
as rear seating areas that fold
up and out of the way to
increase storage capacity. The
windshield serves as a head-up
display for the navigation
system and the reversing camera.
“The objective of
the exterior and interior
designers was to explore the
potential for a new type of
small-segment-category vehicle
that overcomes many of the
obstacles for existing micro-car
designs,” said Marek. “While the
Honda P-NUT concept introduces
function-oriented concepts, it
also shows that small cars don’t
have to compromise on style or
amenities.”
The modular rear
engine bay is designed to
accommodate a wide variety of
potential powertrain
technologies including a
conventional small internal
combustion engine, a hybrid
system, or a battery-electric
drivetrain.
The P-NUT design
study model has been developed
by The Advanced Design Studio of
Honda R&D Americas, Inc. in Los
Angeles. There are currently no
plans for production. |
