– one of the world's top gatherings of automotive and motorsports enthusiasts. Styled and handcrafted by renowned Italian design house Pininfarina and making its first major public appearance since 1984, the radical wedge-shaped HP-X (Honda Pininfarina eXperimental) Concept preceded the development of the first-generation NSX supercar.
Following an extensive restoration carried out at the Pininfarina workshop in Italy, the legendary Honda HP-X Concept will be displayed in the Wedge-Shaped Concept Cars and Prototypes Class at the 73rd Annual Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024.
"The Honda HP-X Concept was the star of the 1984 Turin Auto Show, showcasing elements of engineering excellence and cutting-edge design, with extreme wedge-shape styling that continues to inspire future generations of car designers and engineers," said Dave Marek, Acura design executive and honorary Pebble Beach Concours judge.
"The forward-thinking HP-X had an undeniable impact on the industry, highlighting our commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in automotive design."
The HP-X employed advanced aerodynamics including "ground effects" and innovative cooling solutions for its mid-mounted 2.0-liter DOHC 24-valveV6 engine, which was based on a Honda F2 racing engine. There are no doors, instead the futuristic concept features a jet-fighter style removable single-piece Perspex canopy. The rear of the canopy extends into a fairing with two main functions
– improving the car's streamline appearance and serving as a driver-controlled air brake.Additionally, the HP-X explored the cutting-edge use of alternative materials including honeycomb panels, carbon fiber and Kevlar to reduce weight and improve performance.
The HP-X's interior explored new levels of comfort, ergonomics and function thanks to extensive styling research. A Honda developed "Electronic Drive Support System" previewed advanced features including real-time telemetry, GPS and even road condition warnings via "special sonar"
– commonplace technologies today.
"The Honda HP-X is an ideal example of Pininfarina's unique ability to present innovative ideas through concept cars that set future trends," said Felix Kilbertus, Pininfarina's chief creative officer. "At Pininfarina, we strive to infuse our values of design excellence into every project, ensuring that the essence of the brand we collaborate with remains intact, while confidently looking ahead. The HP-X did not go into production as such, but its influence on subsequent Honda models and the broader automotive landscape is undeniable.
It stands as a testament to both Honda's and Pininfarina's innovative spirit, inspiring future developments in the automotive industry."
Designed with a focus on advancing technology, the HP-X Concept served as a testbed for ambitious new ideas, technologies and engineering principles that would eventually be seen in later Honda and Acura models, particularly in the mid-engine two-seat NSX which debuted just a few years later. Designed and developed in Japan, the first-generation NSX embodied many of the ideas and innovations first explored in the HP-X, firmly cementing the concept's place in automotive history.
HP-X Concept Dimensions:
Overall Length: 4,160 mm (163.8 inches)
Overall Width: 1,780 mm (70.1 inches)
Overall Height: 1,110 mm (43.7 inches)
About Pininfarina
Global icon of Italian style, Pininfarina is recognized for its unparalleled ability to create timeless beauty through its values of elegance, purity, and innovation.
Founded in 1930, Pininfarina has evolved from an artisan concern to an international service Group, supreme expression of automotive styling and an established reality in industrial and experience design, architecture, nautical and mobility beyond automotive. A group employing 500 people, offices in Italy, Germany, China, and the United States and listed on the Stock Exchange since 1986. Over the course of nine decades Pininfarina has designed more than 1,300 automotive and mobility projects and more than 650 product and architecture projects, receiving more than 70 international design awards in past 10 years.
About Honda
Honda offers a full line of clean, safe, fun and connected vehicles sold through more than 1,000 independent U.S. Honda dealers. The award-winning Honda lineup includes the Civic and Accord, along with the HR-V, CR-V, Passport, Prologue and Pilot sport utility vehicles, the Ridgeline pickup and the Odyssey minivan. The Honda electrified vehicle lineup includes the Prologue, the brand's first battery-electric SUV, along with the Accord hybrid, CR-V hybrid, and new Civic hybrid which represented more than a quarter of Honda auto sales in 2023.
Honda has been producing automobiles in America for over 40 years and currently operates 18 major manufacturing facilities in North America. In 2023, more than 99% of all Honda vehicles sold in the U.S. were made in North America, with about two-thirds made in America, using domestic and globally sourced parts.
More information about Honda is available in the Digital FactBook.
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