1984 Honda HP-X

The HP-X holds the distinction of being Honda's first-ever concept car. Designed and built by Pininfarina, it was a mid-engine sports car that made its debut in 1984 at the Turin Auto Show. The working prototype played a significant role in the development of Honda's NSX supercar, a project that began the same year.

The Honda HP-X (or Honda Pininfarina Xperimental) was influenced by the prevalent wedge-shaped design trend of the era, as well as the aerodynamic principles of Ground Effects that were pioneered in Formula 1. Its compact footprint had an overall length of 163.8 inches, and it stood just 43.7 inches tall. The short hood angled sharply towards the rear, integrating with a steeply raked, single-piece Perspex windshield and a transparent roof. The canopy, which lifted upwards, also served as a driver-controlled air brake.

The exterior was finished in a two-tone paint scheme with white and dark blue sections separated by a red stripe. The two-tone theme continued to the interior, with the seats and console covered in red and gray.

The 2.0-liter, 24-valve DOHC V6 engine was derived from Honda's Formula 2 racing program. Honeycomb panels, carbon fiber and Kevlar was used throughout the vehicle to reduce weight and improve performance.

Access to the cockpit was by raising the transparent roof canopy, similar to that of a jet-fighter. The interior, with right-hand-drive steering, had a Honda-developed 'Electronic Drive Support System' that previewed advanced features in future models, including GPS, a CD Player, real-time telemetry, and even road condition warnings via 'special sonar.'

The Honda HP-X never made it past the concept stage, however it foreshowed styling cues and technology that were later implemented in future Honda products.

by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2024