First look: Hybrid Honda roadster emerges in the metal
BY MARTON PETTENDY | 24th Jul 2008
WE SAW the crazy sketch two weeks ago and now Honda has given the Open Study Model (OSM) concept car its global debut at this week’s British motor show.
Officially, Honda maintains it has no plans for the hybrid two-seat roadster to enter production, saying the OSM was designed specifically to demonstrate that stylish, exciting cars can also be environmentally responsible.
“We’re trying to show that low emission cars can be attractive,” said OSM project leader Andreas Sittel. “There is no reason why a car that’s more environmentally friendly can’t look great too – and be sporty and fun to drive.” The lightweight, low-emissions roadster was showcased in London alongside the petrol-electric CR-Z three-door sports car, which has been confirmed for production, and the five-door FCX Clarity hydrogen fuel cell car, which entered limited production in June and will soon be leased to customers in the US and Japan.
As such, the OSM is one of three things: a preview of what Honda’s next-generation S2000 roadster might look like, a convertible version of the three-door Civic hatch (available here only in Type R guise) or nothing more than a flight of fantasy from Honda’s German R&D centre.
