Filed under: Concept Cars, Honda, Motorcycles
Honda unveils V4 motorcycle concept
Click above for high-res gallery of the Honda V4 concept
Honda has just pulled the covers off a radical new concept motorcycle at the Intermot show in Cologne, Germany. Technically, there isn't much here that's real, but there's still plenty to dissect. Honda is obviously feverishly working on a new V4 engine and that will soon show up in a production bike. Rumor has it that the Japanese company is taking another look at oval pistons, which would allow for more valves and larger combustion chambers. Could this powerplant show up in a new Interceptor? While this is currently nothing more than a sculpture, so was the new VMax when Yamaha first showed that concept. Studying the lines a bit, we can tell that this wouldn't likely be a race bike, but more likely a new street-going model. We also see hubless wheels, which would be an extremely far-out bit of tech if they were to make it into production. Is that possible? According to Honda, yes. Big Red is saying this design is a "new beginning" for the company and the direction that it's headed, and that sounds awfully exciting. We'll be watching.
Gallery: Honda V4 motorcycle concept
[Source: Honda]
PRESS RELEASE:
Cologne, Germany, October 7, 2008-- Honda Motor Europe Ltd. exhibited the World Premiere V4 Concept Model at Intermot Cologne. The V4 Concept Model proposes a new, sensual design direction based on Honda's trademark 4-cylinder V- engine.
This year Honda celebrates its 60th anniversary as a company and next year the 50th anniversary of its participation in road racing, as well as the 30th anniversary of racing with an innovative 4-cylinder V-engine with oval pistons. Considering these milestones, Honda chose "The New Beginning" as its exhibition theme leading into 2009 and exhibited the V4 Concept Model which signifies the beginning of a new era.
For Intermot, Honda collected and exhibited successive V4 race machines as well as mass-market motorcycle products which were developed by feeding back the technologies cultivated through participation in challenging race competition, enabling visitors to review the lineage of 30 years of V4 engine technologies and see how Honda will take motorcycling somewhere it has not been before. The exhibition also offers an easy-to-understand introduction to various challenges Honda has undertaken in order to create joy for its customers, by utilizing its technologies that have been continuously advanced through Honda's 60-year history and by its participation in motorsports.
Honda understands the global trend today that motorcycle users see increasing value in more emotional and sensual performance during the real world riding experience rather than absolute performance measured in numeric specifications. On another front, user friendly features that meet with human sensibilities are also becoming important along with safety and environmental features, especially in mature markets.
Honda believes that the challenge to create attractive products with an increased focus on sensual performance will be the key for the future. At the same time, safety and environmental technologies as well as future energy technologies will continue to become an important theme for the development of motorcycle products. Moreover, in order to offer a comfortable life with motorcycles for a larger number of customers, Honda will put increased focus on the human-fitting match of rider and machine. Conceived around the trademark 4-cylinder V-engine, the V4 Concept Model expresses functional beauty as well as a more sensual image to appeal more to the emotions of people. Embodying Honda's passion for motorcycle development, the V4 Concept Model expresses the unique characteristics of Honda for a new era.
The V4 Concept Model mobilizes the driving forces of Honda - dreams, challenges, and creating new value. Honda positions this model as "the new beginning" of Honda's motorcycles.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Dan 5:08PM (10/08/2008)
The cool thing about motor cycles is that the wheels can't be a part of the body....
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ExqueezeMe! 5:40PM (10/08/2008)
They are onto something here people. When the world recovers from this financial mess, it will no doubt take on an entirely new form. Honda is preparing for...Tron
tankd0g 5:59PM (10/08/2008)
the perfect thing for your John McCain recommended "stay-cation".
Steven 5:11PM (10/08/2008)
WTF...I understand it's a concept sculpture, but that motorcycle does not make any sense.
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Ford Wannup 5:12PM (10/08/2008)
HOLY SMOKE! There is not ONE angle that is NOT interesting. It is so futuristic, and yet tantalizingly realistic. And the hubless wheels....pls...don't just toy with us on that.
Next Honda HR dept. assignment:
1) give bike designers their raise, bonus incentives for finishing this project in 6-12 months
2) move designers from this project to car dept.
3) set up remedial sessions for car designers
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Rocketboy 8:44AM (10/09/2008)
Not only are the wheels hub-less, they are also wheel-less. Now that's forward thinking!
l0lzilla 5:19PM (10/08/2008)
So I assume Honda's vision of this bike will roll on it's own plastic in the near future. Or in addition, the absence of suspension will lead to show that maybe it'll be hovering, who knows.
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Jason 5:24PM (10/08/2008)
It looks nice and all, and I realize it's just a concept... but uh, how exactly does that thing steer? Or roll for that matter?
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rob 5:26PM (10/08/2008)
and as an added bonus you can torture people with the wheels!
honda makes incredible motorcycles. this is just stupid.
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Torrent 5:29PM (10/08/2008)
wtf @ the wheels
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KeatMP 5:30PM (10/08/2008)
OK.....so how does it move??
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Stumpy 5:32PM (10/08/2008)
Talk about Form over Function!
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Rocketboy 8:48AM (10/09/2008)
or form over friction...
Aki 5:32PM (10/08/2008)
Where's the tire? How would it even move across the road?
A nerdy reference, but that silver X at the front reminds me of a head crab from Half-Life 2. Looks like it grabbed onto the nose.
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RLQ 5:52PM (10/08/2008)
I wish Honda would produce an updated RC-51.
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2007RC46SP2 9:20PM (10/08/2008)
rumor has it there will be an RC61 1000cc V4 bike in the near future.
RLQ 4:26AM (10/10/2008)
That would be so awesome.
notYou 6:07PM (10/08/2008)
sit still and look fast ... sitting still.
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1970Dodge 6:23PM (10/08/2008)
Hoverbike?
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CL 6:42PM (10/08/2008)
The hubless wheel concept is not new at all. Working version have been made and sold by the car/bike designer Franco Sbarro. Great benefits if durability is proven. I've seen it in person and it does work.
http://www.burningart.com/meico/moto/sbarro/
http://thenewcaferacersociety.blogspot.com/2008/05/sbarro-hubless-concepts.html
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