Why Honda's car/bike deserves a closer look

When motorcyclists take a deep interest in anything with four wheels, you know it must be fascinating. Honda’s Project 2&4 most certainly is.

Honda revealed the unique motorcycle-car crossover concept at the Frankfurt motor show in September, but it seemed more appropriate to see it at last week's Los Angeles motor show for a number of reasons.

The concept wears a red-white colour scheme intended to evoke memories of Honda’s first Formula 1 victory 50 years ago at the Mexican Grand Prix. The driver was American Richie Ginther who was born just a few miles from the LA Convention Center, in which the Project 2&4 sat quietly behind the new Civic.

Honda remains the only Japanese constructor to win an F1 race.
Ginther’s RA272 F1 car was also a bastard mix; Honda created its 1.5-litre V12 by fusing three 500cc motorcycles engines.

It revved to an incredible 13,000rpm; coincidently so does the 999cc V4 engine sitting rearward of the driver in the Project 2&4.

Honda claims the Project 2&4’s MotoGP engine is detuned for road use but still bangs out 158kW at the top-end – just shy of the 170kW Honda claimed for the 1965 RA272.

The transmission uses a dual-clutch transmission (DCT) to action all six speeds. DCT is a slight compromise in weight but its automatic-like feel should allow the Project 2&4 some civility at low speeds and low engine revs.

No doubt the designers working at Honda’s motorcycle design studio in Asaka, Japan intended the Project 2&4 to be driveable and very – make that extremely – fast. It weighs just 405kg.

If you’re thinking Ariel Atom 3.5R, the Ariel weighs 145kg more and its supercharged Honda 2.0-litre engine creates 260kW. Given there’s not much difference in their power-to-weight ratios, 0-100km/h in less than three seconds is completely probable.

As a project, the 2&4 is incredibly well thought out in every detail and the build quality is as high as you’d expect from a one-off ‘competition’ concept. The driver sits very low within the squarish dimensions of its short wheelbase and wide track.

The RCV213 engine and DCT are contained just behind the driver’s seat with the V4’s left-side exhaust runners slithering out the back.

The laser headlight system is also very cool and reduces the front area. Everything appears track-ready.

Don’t ask about production possibilities. Just enjoy the fact that Honda had the courage to create it. How cool would it be to see Mick Doohan doing demo laps in the Project 2&4 at the Australian MotoGP at Phillip Island next October?