Honda hints at next-gen roadster?

If you believe what you read elsewhere, Honda's OSM (Open Study Model) is a glimpse at the next generation of Honda sportscar and the replacement for the rear-wheel-drive S2000. Well, we're not so sure…

The two-seat "low-emission sportscar study" was revealed at this week's British International Motor Show, at ExCeL in London. There it starred on Honda's stand alongside the confirmed-for-production CR-Z sports hybrid and the limited-production FCX Clarity hydrogen fuel cell car.

According to Honda, the oddly-styled roadster represents Honda's ability "to design stylish and exciting cars that are also environmentally responsible."

Says Honda's project leader for the OSM, Andreas Sittel: "We're trying to show that low-emission cars can be attractive. There is no reason why a car that's more environmentally friendly can't look great too -- and be sporty and fun to drive."

Honda says the concept for the project was 'Clean and Dynamic'. It claims it delivers this, in part, via a fusion of exterior and interior styling which ensured "a joined-up, consistent 'language' between the two".

"The exterior design is a balance of smooth, rounded curves and sharp lines to provide definition in key areas. The headlights are cleverly integrated into the front end, stretching from the nose to the top of the wheel arches to look more like a part of the original body," the company's release says.

"Inside, this uninterrupted, fluid approach is continued, with long sweeping curves extending from both door panels to form a frame for the instrument display. The concept for the dashboard was to avoid creating the traditional block of 'heavy' colour and material in front of the driver; in keeping with the clean and lightweight theme. For that reason, the dash is broken into sections, with the most important instruments in direct line-of-sight of the driver."

The Honda OSM was designed at Honda's European R&D facility in Offenbach, Germany.

Details of the OSM's drivetrain and exactly how it achieves its label as a low-emission model are not available. It's a reasonable guess, given the vehicle's dimensions, that it is built on the same front-wheel-drive underpinnings as the abovementioned CR-Z.

Showgoers say though Honda has hinted the car is a hybrid (like the CR-Z) no details have been released.

The company says there are currently no plans for the OSM to enter production.

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