Now That’s What I Call Scifi 1984
Honda must be feeling in a nostalgic mood as it dug back through it’s catalogue all the way back to their very first concept car, the Honda HP-X. This hot little Wedge shaped number was Styled and handcrafted by renowned Italian design house Pininfarina and hasn’t been seen publicly since it debuted in 1984. It had to undergo major renovations at the Pininfarina workshop in Italy after sitting dormant for 40 years. Honda wanted to have it ready for the Wedge-Shaped Concept Cars and Prototypes Class at the 73rd Annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in August, 2024.
Its mid-mounted 2.0-liter DOHC 24-valveV6 engine was based on a Honda F2 racing engine. Its doors were based on nothing at all since it doesn’t have any, instead opting for a jet-fighter style perspex canopy on the top. Sorry Grandma, you’re gonna have to find your own way to the airport unless you limber up quick. The question is, in a “bottom of the lake” scenario, which would be a better option.
As well as reinventing car ingress the HP-X explored alternative materials to reduce weight and improve performance, leading them to honeycomb panels, carbon fiber and Kevlar.
Back in 1984 they imagined a future of that implemented a “Electronic Drive Support System” with the aid of real-time telemetry, GPS and even road condition warnings via “special sonar”. It looks like in one regard they were right on the money.
“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. “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.”
The car that were directly influenced by this concept was the mid-engine two-seat NSX which debuted just a few years later. Personally I wouldn’t be mad if I saw this particular shape cutting me off in traffic occasionally. It’s a reminder that the past always thought the future would be cooler than it is.
