Honda mows down acceleration world record
BY ROBBIE WALLIS | 11th Jun 2019
HONDA has created a dog’s worst nightmare in the form of the Mean Mower, which has set a Guinness World Record for the quickest acceleration from standstill to 100mph (161km/h) for a lawnmower.
Reaching the landmark speed in just 6.29 seconds, the Mean Mower is powered by a 1.0-litre V2 engine derived from the CBR10000RR motorcycle, which is capable of producing 141kW at a heady 13,000rpm and 116Nm of torque at 11,000rpm.
Weighing in at around 140kg, the Mean Mower boasts an estimated 1000bhp (745kW) per tonne, giving it a greater power-to-weight ratio than the monstrous Bugatti Chiron.
Honda also estimates the Mean Mower is able to knock over the sprint from zero to 60mph (96.5km/h) in under three seconds, which would place it in the top echelon of performance cars available today.
In order to qualify for the world record, the vehicle must not only “intrinsically look like a lawnmower”, it must also be able to functionally cut grass, with Honda using the HF 2622 lawn tractor as a base vehicle.
Honda has to make some adjustments to the cutter deck in order to fit the chain that drives the rear tyres, as well as two batteries that power the electric motors that spin the special carbon-fibre rotor blades.
To keep in line with the ‘intrinsic look’ of the Mean Mower, the front cowl, grass box and body panels have all been retained.
Honda teamed up with BTC Championship partner Team Dynamics, who tweaked the Mean Mower in a number of ways to allow for its scintillating straight-line speed and employed techniques such as digital design and 3D printing.
The stock tyres were swapped out for Goldspeed Red Label slick rubber, measuring 10x8 inches at the rear and 10x6 inches up front.
Brakes come in the form of four-piston front callipers with drilled titanium coated pistons, and six-piston grabbers at the rear.
Other custom gear includes a Sparco steering wheel with carbon paddle shifters for the six-speed gearbox, a Kelgate steering rack, custom Cobra seat, and a modified exhaust system with custom headers, exhaust and silencer all finished in titanium.
On a separate test run, Honda took the opportunity to test the top speed of the Mean Mower, where it achieved 150.99mph (243km/h).
The Mean Mower was piloted by stunt driver, kart and car racer Jess Hawkins.
Believe it or not, the Mean Mower is not the first hi-po lawn mower from Honda, with the original Mean Mower created in 2014 where it set the record (at the time) for fastest lawnmower with a top speed to 116.87mph (188km/h).
Honda UK managing director Dave Hodgetts said the Mean Mower took the performance of its predecessor to a whole new level.
“After taking the top speed record in 2014, we wanted to do something a little different by setting an all-new record for acceleration, and the result is fantastic,” he said.
“Team Dynamics have gone above and beyond in developing and building this real feat of engineering, and hats off to Jess for being brave enough to get behind the wheel!”
