Honda P-NUT Concept Unveiled – Are They Joking?
Honda introduced their P-NUT EV concept at the LA Auto Show last night, good grief! I really hope they are kidding. The P-NUT stands for Personal Neo Urban Transport – and is one of the many “out there” concepts Honda has introduced since 2008.
For now P-NUT is more a design study then anything else. It’s also one of MANY EV vehicles coming out of Japan, including other models from Toyota/Scion and Nissan. Specifications for this “ultra-compact” include a combo of ” Internal-combustion engine, hybrid-electric and/or battery-electric” – variety is the spice of life, after all.
P-NUT was designed to be a three passenger (one driver, two rear passengers) vehicle, and is also rear-wheel drive. But what about it’s look? Honda’s LA Auto Show press release explains: “The objective of the exterior and interior designers was to explore the potential for a new type of small-segment-category vehicle that overcomes many of the objections for existing micro-car designs,” said Marek. “While the Honda P-NUT concept introduces function-oriented concepts, it also shows that small cars don’t have to compromise on style or amenities.”
“A new generation is discovering the benefits of living in urban centers that provide convenient access to business, entertainment and social opportunities,” said Dave Marek, director of advanced design for Honda R&D Americas, Inc. “The Personal-Neo Urban Transport concept explores the packaging and design potential for a vehicle conceived exclusively around the city lifestyle.”
The exterior styling is intended to capture a future direction for premium sophistication while balancing the need for maximum interior space and an aerodynamic appearance. The interior layout, in conjunction with the rear powertrain design, contributes prominently to the exterior’s overall shape.
The layout of the interior space, with its center driving position flanked by two rear seats, provides generous legroom for all occupants, roughly the equivalent of a mid-sized sedan in a vehicle that has an exterior footprint similar to a micro car. Interior functionality is increased by rear seating areas that fold up and out of the way to increase storage capacity. The windshield serves as a heads-up display for the navigation system and the back-up camera.
The modular rear engine bay, depicted on the exterior by blue composite material, is designed to accommodate a wide variety of potential propulsion technologies including a conventional small displacement internal combustion engine, a hybrid gasoline-electric powertrain, or a battery-electric powertrain.
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