Much as the world (and especially Japanese K-car buyers) love the S660 roadster, the sports potential of that mid-engine roadster is limited. Limited by power caps, safety rules and exhange rates — the S660 is not a global halo car, and definitely not a mini-NSX.
What about the latest in Honda engine tech, paired with an open-wheeled racing design fresh from 2025?
Now that would be something!
Running the ultra-potent RC213V MotoGP bike engine, the Project 2&4 is ultra light and ultra simple. Ultra fresh sci-fi looks are just part of its charm, however.
The real thrills will come from the car being wrung out at max attack around a tight racetrack.
This Project 2&4 is officially a design and brand prototype — with no immediate production potential. The result we see here today and will see in the flesh in Frankfurt came from a global Honda design shootout. Who could encapsulate Honda driving joy, and also synergize disparate Honda group strengths?
A bike engine in an ultralight track car! So while it is not production-ready, the idea is viable for a limited-use track car, possibly street legal depending on the market. This in production (and even concept) form is the antithesis of the Vision Gran Turismo concepts. While those hypercars are exciting, they are less than realistic for a 2016 model — often no matter what the price.
Power from the 1.0-liter two-cylinder engine is 215PS, sent to the back wheels via a six-speed DCT. Overall weight? Just over 800-pounds. Curb weight does not include you. =]
What makes the Project 2&4 special is that it could be real. The entire exercise seems divine and inspired. Bravo Honda.
Even more realism? Honda is selling a limited number of road-legal RC213V MotoGP race bikes as we speak… and mentions that the exhaust/emissions-friendly version of the engine is fit in the Project 2&4.
Watch this space for the 10th-generation Honda Civic reveal on the 16th, and more details on this fabulous statement of intent from Honda for Frankfurt.
2015 Honda Project 2&4 Concept
09.Sep.2015
HONDA PROJECT 2&4 POWERED BY RC213V TO DEBUT AT FRANKFURT: A COMBINATION OF GLOBAL CREATIVITY AND CRAFTSMANSHIP
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Winner of Honda’s ‘Global Design Project’ to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show
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Cabin-less structure features a floating seat design for immersive driving experience
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Powered by Honda’s MotoGP RC213V engine, modified to run on public roads
‘Honda Project 2&4 powered by RC213V’, the winning entry from Honda’s ‘Global Design Project’, will make its global debut at the 66th Frankfurt Motor Show at stand B11 in Hall 9.0.
Embodying the concept of ‘creative craftsmanship’, Honda Project 2&4 celebrates Honda’s position as the world’s leading engine manufacturer, providing engines to 28 million people per year across two- and four-wheel automotive, power equipment, marine and aerospace applications.
An example of the continuous effort by Honda to design an ever-more immersive driving experience, Honda Project 2&4 brings together the brand’s unique capabilities in two- and four-wheel mobility. Featuring the RC213V competition motorcycle engine, which has been modified to run on public roads, Honda Project 2&4 provides the freedom of a motorcycle and the manoeuvrability of a car.
Its exceptional power unit, developed for the world-class MotoGP motorcycle racing series and specially tuned for the public road, is a 999 cc V-4 four-stroke unit and conforms to Honda’s ‘The Power of Dreams’ guiding philosophy that inspires innovation and originality. Peak power output is over 215 PS at 13,000 rpm, while peak torque of over 118 Nm is delivered at 10,500 rpm. Transmission is provided by a six-speed DCT gearbox.
2016 Honda RC213V
Inspired by the global creativity of one ‘Team Honda’
Over 80 designers and creators participated in the in-house ‘Global Design Project’ competition, which is part of Honda’s initiative to inspire creativity as one ‘Team Honda’.
The objective of the annual contest between Honda design studios is to challenge team and project members to share one goal and achieve high targets.
Honda Project 2&4 is an example of what this stimulating challenge can generate thanks to the differing qualities of each participant. Conceived by Honda’s motorcycle design studio in Asaka and designed in collaboration with the automobile design studio in Wako, Honda Project 2&4 seeks to create an intense driving experience by combining the most thrilling elements of riding a motorcycle with the most engaging characteristics of driving a car. The result not only showcases the creativity flowing through Honda’s design studios, but also challenges expectations of the future of mobility.
Conceived for immersive driving thrills
Drawing on Honda’s racing heritage, the body design and engine position has been inspired by the legendary Honda RA272 of 1965. The structure reveals the core frame and functional parts of the car, much as would be more customary for a bike, and is similarly compact. Overall length is 3,040 mm, width 1,820 mmand height 995 mm. A resulting weight of just 405 kg maximises the impact of the power of the mid-mounted engine which, together with the low centre of gravity, ensures an exceptionally high level of responsiveness.
The exhilarating feeling created from the open cockpit is significantly enhanced by the driver’s seat, uniquely suspended just above the road. The ‘floating seat’ design places the driver as close to the action as possible, evoking the freedom of a bike and completing the immersion provided by Honda Project 2&4’s extreme performance, 14,000 rpm red line and unique engineering.
Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly-expanding automotive news magazine.
He holds a Journalism JBA degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Tom currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his two amazing dogs, Drake and Tank.
Mr. Burkart is available for all questions and concerns by email Tom(at)car-revs-daily.com.