The cars — the Sports 4 Concept, the FCX and the W.O.W. Concept — were personally unveiled to a jampacked press conference by Honda Motor Co. president Takeo Fukui.
Honda Sports 4 Concept
The Sports 4 Concept is Honda’s vision of a sports car of the future, a vehicle that allows anyone, not just expert drivers, to experience the excitement of driving a high-performance automobile.
The designers chose a mid-size body to strike the ideal balance between superior driving performance and spacious comfort. Honda then equipped it with its original Super Handling All-Wheel Drive technology, which dynamically allocates torque to all four wheels for enhanced cornering performance, delivering superior driving stability and handling.
The exterior design contrasts sharp lines with generous surfaces in a low center-of-gravity, low-inertia body. The result is a sports car design that combines sharpness with elegance.
All the displays and controls, including the Intelligent Night Vision pop-up display that opens and closes in response to changes in ambient light, are designed for instant recognition and intuitive control.
The Sports 4 Concept features independent bucket seats for each occupant. Electronically controlled personal sky roofs with separate controls for each seat open wide to let everyone enjoy the thrilling feel of riding in a sports convertible.
FCX Concept
Already on the road, Honda’s FCX fuel cell vehicle defines a new paradigm in mobility. The FCX Concept boasts a fuel cell system that delivers more power in less space, in a unique, low-floor fuel cell platform. It’s a nextgeneration sedan with a low center of gravity and a full-sized cabin, offering the kind of driving pleasure and roomy interior previously unimaginable in a fuel cell vehicle.
Honda’s advanced intelligent systems accommodate the needs of drivers with enhanced safety and driving pleasure.
The instrument panel in front of the passenger seat tilts up and down 45 degrees in response to vehicle speed. Tilting the panel upward during high-speed driving gives the passenger a sense of security, while tilting it downward during low-speed travel opens the space for a more relaxed feel.
Approaching the vehicle, the driver is recognized by vehicle sensors and intelligent cameras, and the vehicle’s doors unlock. The driving unit also automatically sets the steering wheel, accelerator pedal, and instrument panel to the optimal position for the driver.
W.O.W. Concept
Honda believes a man and his four-legged friend should be able to travel together in comfort, and supports dogs and their drivers with a range of fun events. The W.O.W., not to be confused with the DOT’s Wealth of Wonders, but Honda’s Wonderful Open-hearted Wagon Concept is all about helping keep one’s puppy at his side and have more fun together.
The special features start with seats that can be transformed into a crate where one can safely leave a dog, and flexible vents that introduce streams of fresh air into the cabin.
The unique low-floor platform allows for a surprisingly spacious cabin within a compact body, and the raised central part of the roof creates a walk-through for free and easy movement in the cabin.
To maximize canine appreciation, the interior is fashioned with materials like wooden flooring that recreate a terrace environment dogs feel comfortable with. The unique interior design is enhanced by the soothing look of natural wood and a state-of-the-art multi-material instrument panel.
The W.O.W. has flexible seating for four to six persons plus a dog. The backseat and cushion of the extra seat can be detached to form a crate for a larger dog.
Among the three concept cars, the W.O.W. attracted the most number of spectators because of its use of a live dog during its demonstrations. And of the three, it seems the W.O.W. has a better chance of becoming a production car in the near future because of its simple and practical design. It also addresses man’s natural interest in caring for his favorite pet.
