Japanese brand celebrates racing heritage with grand prix-powered concept car.
Honda has revealed the 2&4 Concept ahead of the 2015 Frankfurt motor show. Photo: Supplied Honda has created a radical concept car that provides the thrills of its championship-winning MotoGP bike while sitting down.
The Japanese brand has released details of the 2&4 concept it intends to reveal at next week's Frankfurt motor show, a lightweight race car for the road powered by a modified version of the engine from its championship-winning MotoGP motorcycle.
The Honda 2&4 Concept is powered by the company's MotoGP engine. Photo: Supplied Sadly, the car is not planned for production. Instead, it has been built as result of an internal competition between its global design studios to "inspire creativity as one Team Honda".
Considering the company is the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer and a pioneering car maker - with a strong racing history in both two- and four-wheel racing disciplines - the 2&4 offers a logical synergy between the two sides. It certainly makes more sense than putting one of its underperforming Formula One engines in a motorcycle...
The 2&4 also harks back to the company's glory days with its traditional colour scheme while signalling the brand has a renewed focus on performance.
At the heart of the concept is a road-legal version of the 999cc V4 engine - dubbed RC213V - that develops approximately 160kW at 13,000rpm and 118Nm of torque at 10,500rpm. The mid-mounted engine drives the rear wheels through a six-speed dual-clutch transmission.
While Honda hasn't provided any performance data, it says the frame-like structure, lightweight components and minimalist body panels result in a featherweight 405kg total mass, allowing the car to create "extreme performance".
More interestingly, Honda says the driver's seat is suspended from the frame, placing "the driver as close to the action as possible, evoking the freedom of a bike".
