Honda Racer: Honda USA Designs Commemorative Hot Wheels Scale Model

To celebrate Hot Wheel’s 40th anniversary, Mattel invited six major automakers to send their design propositions for a commemorative line of 1/64 scale toy cars. Honda on its part created the “Honda Racer” you see in the picture above. Designed by the Japanese carmaker’s US studio in Torrance California, the Racer is inspired in color and shape, from Honda’s early participation in Formula 1 and in particular, the 1967 RA 273 racecar.

The key element to the design of the two-seater race car however, is that the body is in the shape of the Honda "H" emblem. Even though this is 1/64 die-cast scale model, the Honda Racer has been designed to be equipped with a 2.0-liter displacement V10 VTEC engine that sits between the piloting team. -Continued

"The Honda Racer combines the excitement of Honda's racing heritage with Hot Wheels' reputation for speed, power, performance and attitude," says Guillermo Gonzalez, senior designer of Honda R&D Americas, and designer of the Honda Racer. "The core concept is built around our idea for an 'ultimate racecar' and leverages the design freedom made possible by a scale model car."

"Sure, it is awesome to play with the cars on the orange track again, but I discovered that designing a Hot Wheels car is very different and in some ways more liberating than designing a production car," says Gonzalez. "For example, the primary design constraint is that the car had to fit on the orange track and perform a loop. Aside from that, the possibilities are without limit."

The Honda Racer Hot Wheels die-casr model will be arrive on store shelves in May 2008. See Mitsubishi's Hot Wheels 40th Anniversary die-cast model here, and Lotus', here.

Honda Racer: Honda USA Designs Commemorative Hot Wheels Scale Model

Honda’s Chinese Arm Introduces Linian Crossover Concept in Beijing

Following last year’s announcement concerning the development of its own-branded cars (see here), Honda’s Chinese manufacturing joint venture, Guangzhou Honda introduced its first product in the form of a compact crossover concept at the 2008 Beijing Auto Show (April 20 – 28).

Although we managed to find Guangzhou Honda’s official press release, it didn’t contain any noteworthy information on the Linian concept. However sources state that if all goes as planned, Guangzhou Honda will develop a production version of the 5-door compact-sized crossover that will enter the Chinese market in 2010. -Continued

Press Release - Translated From Chinese

Guangzhou Honda own-brand "concept" concept car

Design Idea:
"Concept" concept car, is rooted in "the next flu" and the "dream" of the design, interpretation of the future lifestyle and trend direction, inspired the new generation of China's boundless imagination for the future, creating an unparalleled sensory impact and the future of our unique trend.

Design characteristics:
Simple, atmospheric modeling with the former face fierce headlights and foster self-confidence and momentum; coherent side of the main body leaning forward with the contour lines bring a new generation of the 18th Army, active dynamic style to the rear of rich layers delicate lines and the front modeling in concert with a display of the new generation of fashion acumen.

Yue dynamic:
"Concept" concept car to a Honda for the technical support of the vitality of the brand through the direct transfer control feelings to the outside world. At the same time, underlines the innovators demeanor advancing with the times.
"Concept" concept cars on display is a dream for the future and the fervent desire for this to the originator, Guangzhou Honda will practice China has created ideal for the ultimate realization of China has created a world-class fashion dynamic quality of life the lofty vision.

Honda’s Chinese Arm Introduces Linian Crossover Concept in Beijing