Honda to reveal OSM open-top concept in London
by Damon Lavrinc on Jul 8th 2008 at 10:28AM 
The London Motor Show opens up on July 22nd and with it, comes a new concept from Honda, the Open Study Model or OSM. The lightweight, two-seater, open-air sports car is another design study by Honda that attempts to blend performance and sustainable motoring into a comprehensive package. Designed by Honda's R&D center in Offenbach, Germany, the OSM is a vehicle in the same environmentally friendly vein as the CR-Z concept unveiled in Tokyo last year, considered to be a low emissions alternative to the traditional sports coupe.
The CR-Z is still slated to be released sometime next year, but Honda insists that the OSM is strictly a design study and is not confirmed for production. However, as OSM (read: awesome) as it may be, it's not the next S2000, according to Honda spokesperson Steve Kirk.
[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Todd 10:43AM (7/08/2008)
Ha maybe they are going to replace the S2000 with a 1.5L fwd convertible.
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Sean Flanagan 11:09AM (7/08/2008)
AKA a new Honda Beat.
Temple 12:17PM (7/08/2008)
The Honda Beat was a Pininfarina-designed 660cc mid-engined kei-car. I doubt this will be a kei-car, and it likely won't be mid-engined either, but Honda has always been rumored to have a smaller S-car (like a S1500 maybe); but the nomenclature no longer makes sense since the displacement no longer equals the name.
rypt 12:44PM (7/08/2008)
You know what would rock? For Honda to make an RWD roadster using a modified K24/K20 engine :)
cheezwiz 10:51AM (7/08/2008)
Dear Honda,
Call it the s1600 and drop in a revised B16 engine designed to lay down 190 HP. Drop the weight from the s2000 20% to a more miata-esque 2100 lbs. That should be environmentally friendly enough to get 30mpg highway and still get s2000-esque performance.
thanks.
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Ken 11:08AM (7/08/2008)
The S2000 already has good fuel economy for a high strung motor. Several friends with S2k's get well above 30 mpg on the freeway already in spite of the short gearing.
cheezwiz 12:17PM (7/08/2008)
Hence, you could improve that economy even further through lighter weight and less displacement. EPA rating is only around 25, currently. Wouldn't it be nice to see 20% better economy without giving up performance or character?
Sean Flanagan 1:45PM (7/08/2008)
Honda hasn't used the B-series engine in years, so if they use anything, it would be the K-series.
the vegas style guy 1:59PM (7/08/2008)
YEP! 100% agree
TJ 10:59AM (7/08/2008)
Lotus Elan, Mercury Capri, is that you?
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MGBYG 11:04AM (7/08/2008)
Haven't the French and Italians already tried this huge-front-overhang-with-no-bum FWD cabriolet theme?
Suddenly its 1992.
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mk 11:09AM (7/08/2008)
If it is not the next S2000, it should be.
The previous rendering was not good, this one actually looks decent, even if vague.
Please don't make it FWD. A sports car body and interior deserve a sports car drivetrain. RWD.
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cly 11:31AM (7/08/2008)
"Designed by Honda's R&D center in Offenbach"
Thank goodness it's not designed by the morons at Acura's "Advanced" R&D Center in California.
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azzo45 2:58PM (7/08/2008)
Why would any Acura team design a Honda cly? 95% of Honda/ Acura styling is done in the Torrance, CA HQ.
...you an ex employee? Just askin'
Pat 12:05PM (7/08/2008)
The concept looks a lot like an S2000 and I personally wouldn't mind seeing it as a successor.
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2004m3driver 12:39PM (7/08/2008)
Yeah, it looks simple and sporty. I like it a lot.
Richardh 2:59PM (7/08/2008)
Yes! Please unveil a new MY S2000 or a replacement so when I buy a used one in the fall I can save a little more please Honda :D
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PrimoTT 4:03PM (7/08/2008)
Why the f*ck not, Honda!?!? As a former owner of Integra R , Civic Si, S2000 Honda really irks me these days.
Your cars lack passion and you do nothing progressive and exciting in the sport coupe market anymore. Why? You guys need to seriously think about rebuilding the brand for the enthusiasts. Quit going 9/10ths on everything you do. LEAD the industry you created in the 90's. Don't rest on your laurels with your bread and butter vehicles.
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azzo45 7:41PM (7/08/2008)
I agree with you, they are doing nothing to back up their N/A Motorsports "dreams". Why race 650HP Indy cars if they only offer 197HP Civic SI models?
Acura on the other hand is doing better job(ALMS program & a upcoming NSX) , but wish they had a bit more offerings as well.
Andy 4:55PM (7/08/2008)
del sol?
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