NSX Predecessor: The Honda HP-X to Make U.S. Debut at Pebble Beach

NSX Predecessor: The Honda HP-X to Make U.S. Debut at Pebble Beach

As a seasoned gamer with a soft spot for automotive history and design, I can’t help but feel a rush of nostalgia when I hear about the Honda HP-X Concept making its return to the limelight at the 2024 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Back in my younger days, I remember drooling over this beauty in my favorite racing simulation games, dreaming of one day owning it in real life.


As a gaming enthusiast, I can hardly contain my excitement about the upcoming debut of Honda’s striking HP-X Concept car at the highly anticipated 2024 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Back in 1984, this beauty made its initial appearance at the Turin Auto Show, marking Honda’s bold aspiration to craft a mid-engine supercar – a dream that eventually bore fruit through the iconic NSX. I can hardly wait to see it live!

The Honda HP-X (Honda Pininfarina eXperimental) Concept, designed by the renowned Italian design house Pininfarina, showcases a striking wedge shape and cockpit reminiscent of a fighter jet. This unique look makes it one of the few Japanese vehicles to be displayed at the Pebble Beach Concours in more than half a century.

Dave Marek, a design executive at Acura and an honorary judge at the Pebble Beach Concours, noted that “The Honda HP-X Concept was the standout vehicle at the 1984 Turin Auto Show. Its bold, wedge-shaped design and engineering prowess have influenced and inspired upcoming car designers and engineers for years.”

The HP-X showcases cutting-edge aerodynamics, incorporating ground effects and progressive cooling mechanisms for its centrally positioned 2.0L DOHC 24-valve V6 engine, derived from a Honda F2 racing engine. The design’s sleek jet-fighter appearance, with a detachable one-piece Perspex canopy, and the utilization of modern materials such as honeycomb panels, carbon fiber, and Kevlar, underscores its forward-thinking aesthetic.

As a devoted enthusiast, I found myself immersed in the cutting-edge innovation that is the HP-X. This marvel showcased unparalleled comfort and functionality, thanks to Honda’s ingenious “Electronic Drive Support System.” It was a sneak peek into the future with real-time telemetry, GPS, and road condition alerts at my fingertips, transforming every drive into an exhilarating adventure.

“Felix Kilbertus, head of design at Pininfarina, stated that the HP-X embodies the innovative mindset shared by both Honda and Pininfarina. He further noted that the impact of this model on subsequent Honda designs and the automotive industry as a whole is clearly evident.”

Following a comprehensive renovation at Pininfarina’s Italian workshop, the HP-X is set to participate in the “Wedge-Shaped Design Cars and Prototypes” category at the 73rd Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on August 18, 2024.

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2024-08-01 08:56