The Forgotten Supercar Concept That Paved the Way for the NSX
Actually, I was just looking for some information on Google about the Formula 2 engine that Honda used in the 1980s. While searching, I stumbled upon images of the Honda HP-X Concept. This study was powered by Honda's Formula 2 engine of that time.
Since I had never seen this concept before, I started digging deeper. I quickly discovered that the Japanese automaker recently brought the Honda HP-X Concept back into the public eye. Honda restored the study to present it at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in the summer of 2024. There, the concept participated in the class "Wedge-Shaped Concept Cars and Prototypes."
Back after four decades!
This means it returned to the automotive world exactly 40 years later. Honda originally unveiled the concept in 1984 at the Turin Motor Show. Designed by Pininfarina, the concept was a preview of a mid-engine supercar. Just over five years later, this vision became a reality with the launch of the Honda NSX. When comparing both vehicles, you can even notice certain similarities.
Even though the later production sports car is less radical than the concept, both share the wedge shape. This follows the "wedge trend" that was hugely popular for about two decades, starting in the late 1960s. The effect is further emphasized by sharp creases running at a 45-degree angle from the front wheels to the rear. Additionally, the side profile remains uninterrupted, as there are no conventional doors.
The HP-X Concept took inspiration from aviation!
To access the cockpit, the entire one-piece Perspex canopy had to be removed. This was an idea borrowed from fighter jets like the General Dynamics F-16, the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18, or the European Panavia Tornado. These aircraft represented the cutting edge of aerospace technology in the early 1980s. However, this was not a completely new idea for cars. The Lancia Stratos Zero had already showcased a similar approach back in 1970.
The name HP-X stands for "Honda Pininfarina eXperimental." When Honda officially introduced the NSX in Tokyo in October 1989, the marketing team directly referenced the concept's name. Initially, the sports car was called NS-X or "New Sportscar – eXperimental." The hyphen was only dropped when the vehicle transitioned from pre-production to series production.
Powered by a Formula 2 engine!
The HP-X Concept was equipped with a slightly tamed version of Honda's in-house Formula 2 engine. This 1,996 cc power unit secured three Formula 2 European Championship titles, with Geoff Lees (1981), Jonathan Palmer (1983), and Mike Thackwell (1984) as champions. In Honda's home country, Japan, Satoru Nakajima (1981, 1982, 1984–1986) and Geoff Lees (1983) won six additional championships using this engine.
Another motorsport-inspired feature was the design of the underbody. Honda and Pininfarina created – as Honda stated in a 1984 press release – "special channels to maximize ground effect." Such tunnels were already used in Group C race cars by Porsche and March at the time. However, integrating them into a concept car was groundbreaking.
The concept was a 1:1 model – not a drivable prototype!
Another fascinating feature was the design of the cockpit canopy. It was initially intended to enhance aerodynamics. However, the designers also envisioned it functioning as an air brake, helping to reduce speed during braking. A similar concept was once tested by Matra at Le Mans but was quickly banned for safety reasons. In the case of the HP-X, this wasn't a concern.
Honda and Pininfarina conceived the HP-X as a full-scale 1:1 model. The goal was to showcase what might be possible in the future. The study explored innovative materials like honeycomb structures, carbon fiber, and Kevlar to reduce weight. This forward-thinking approach extended to the interior as well.
The concept featured satellite navigation!
Honda's "Electronic Drive Support System," showcased in the concept, included real-time telemetry and satellite navigation. Keep in mind that, at the time, these technologies were primarily used by the military. The GPS system we rely on today only became fully available for civilian use in the mid-1990s. Until the year 2000, civilian signals were even deliberately degraded.
Thus, it was practically science fiction when Honda stated in its 1984 press release for the HP-X Concept: "Another monitor inside the instrument panel may display the road map of the current location... Special equipment processing input signals may determine and display the car's position on the map in synchronization with vehicle movements."