Temple of VTEC Rumors and News - Honda Introduces a World-Debut Concept Vehicle at 2007 SEMA Show

Honda Introduces a World-Debut Concept Vehicle Based on the Accord and a Wide Range of Customized Vehicles and Racecars at 2007 SEMA Show
S2000 CR and Odyssey racecars on display along with HFP Accord

10/30/2007 - LAS VEGAS - More than 17 Honda project and concept vehicles are on display at the 2007 Specialty Equipment Market Association's (SEMA) show in Las Vegas, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today.

Making its world debut, the Honda Accord Coupe HF-S Concept represents a radical vision for customizing the all-new Accord's design and performance through stylish and functional modifications. A dual-port exhaust system can provide additional performance when needed while retaining low noise output during relaxed driving. Purely a concept, the Accord HF-S Concept is a creation of Honda Access America, Inc., the U.S. accessory development division.

The 2008 Accord Coupe equipped with dealer-installed Honda Factory Performance� (HFP�) components melds a distinctive, custom appearance with an enhanced level of handling performance. All of the HFP components except the suspension kit (available Spring 2008) are currently available as dealer-installed accessories. All HFP products carry the same 3-year/36,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty as the rest of the vehicle, when installed at the time of new vehicle purchase, and are engineered to be fully compatible with the vehicle.

"The Accord HF-S Concept provides a glimpse into the future of vehicle customization," said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda. "The Honda Factory Performance-equipped 2008 Accord Coupe demonstrates the best of what the company offers today."

In addition to the Accords on display, fifteen more unique vehicles filled out the Honda booth, including the all-new S2000 CR and the recently-introduced Civic Mugen Si Sedan. A specially-prepared S2000 CR has been modified by Team Honda Research to compete in the 2007 National Auto Sport Association's (NASA) "25 Hours of Thunderhill" endurance race in December. Another racecar, the "One Lap Odyssey" modified by Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, LLC made its SEMA debut after winning its class in Car and Driver magazine's 2007 Cannonball One Lap of America.

Honda Accord Coupe HF-S Concept
Honda Access America, Inc., Honda's U.S. accessory development team designed and built the HF-S Concept to demonstrate how the customized use of technology could allow vehicle owners to fine-tune performance while adding their own senses of style. Key exterior and conceptual powertrain modifications represent functional performance and driving-experience enhancements.

Unique LED driving lights, placed on the fore-most corners, wrap around the front of the bumper providing increased visibility both forward and side for the driver while also creating a unique appearance. The shape of the front bumper is designed to create a vortex effect to enhance high-speed aerodynamics and engine cooling. On the sides of the vehicle, the shape of the carbon fiber panels decreases negative speed force around the wheel arches. The rear bumper diffuser is designed to reduce drag. The trunk spoiler is a prototype design engineered for high-speed down-force. The metallic color of the exterior is accented by Cadmium Orange Pearl - a color derived from super-heated metal. The use of this color for the brake calipers, badges, grille accent, and interior details underscores the vehicle's high-performance appearance.

Key to the concept is the use of technology to electronically customize throttle response, suspension settings, steering boost, and traction involvement to the driver's taste. Additionally, the exhaust is a two-stage design. It is engineered to be exceptionally quiet during relaxed cruising, and provide elevated levels of performance in high performance driving situations.

Honda Factory Performance (HFP) Accord Coupe
As a dealer-installed accessory, Honda's in-house HFP products carry the same 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty as the rest of the vehicle, when installed at the time of new vehicle purchase, and are engineered to be fully compatible with the vehicle. The Accord HFP package includes a wide range of performance- and style-enhancing products. The Sports Suspension package (available Spring 2008) reduces ride height by about 25 mm, lowering the vehicle's center of gravity, and enhancing the Accord Coupe's sporty road-handling characteristics. Larger wheels and tires include 19-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels designed for high-performance 245/40R-19 tires (sold separately). A full aerodynamic body kit (front, sides and rear) further elevates the style quotient of the entire vehicle. Interior and exterior HFP emblems complement the package. All of the Accord Coupe HFP components except suspension can currently be purchased individually, and the full HFP package including suspension will go on sale in the spring of 2008. American Honda launched its performance accessory program in 2002 with the introduction of a Honda Factory Performance package for the Civic EX Coupe, and currently offers HFP products for the Civic, Accord and Fit.

S2000 CR
Enhancing the S2000's performance potential, the S2000 CR introduces more track-oriented suspension settings, aerodynamic-enhancing bodywork, a removable hardtop, higher rigidity and reduced weight. The added features are designed to appeal to enthusiasts who enjoy open track-day events and also provide a more ideal starting point for racers who modify the S2000 for competition in club-racing events. Taking this concept even further, Team Honda Research, a group formed from Honda R&D Americas, Inc., engineers, added modifications necessary to compete in the 2007 NASA "25 Hours of Thunderhill" endurance race. All of the modifications are consistent with the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Touring 3 and the National Auto Sport Association (NASA) Performance Touring regulations.

Honda Manufacturing Alabama, LLC (HMA) One Lap Odyssey
The Car and Driver magazine 2007 Cannonball One Lap of America race included an Alabama-built Odyssey minivan, produced by a team of dedicated associates from Honda Manufacturing of Alabama (HMA) in Lincoln. The One Lap vehicle created by the HMA team was a fully-customized Odyssey minivan-turned-racer that sported a modified engine with a custom-built turbo charger, a six-speed manual transmission, a track-tuned suspension, competition roll cage and close to 400 horsepower at the wheels.

From May 5-12, the team raced from track to track over a 4,000-mile loop around the Midwest and western United States. The HMA Odyssey raced to an impressive first- place finish in the SUV category and 33rd overall in a field of 88 competitors. Along the way, the HMA team picked up a first-place finish - among all competitors - at the race segment held at the Mid-America Motorsports Park. This win came against the entire field, which included Corvettes, Vipers, Porsches and a Ford GT.

Tuner Project Vehicles Displayed at the Honda Booth

BRS autodesign Fit
BRS autodesign S2000
Zero 1000 Top Fuel S2000
DVS/Drag Cartel Fit
DVS/Drag Cartel Civic Si
Forever Orange Fit by Ryan Shutt
Ryan Shutt Polk Audio Civic Si
Kraftworks Fit
Kraftworks S2000
DSO Eyewear Element
RS-R S2000 Drift Car