At the 2024 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, Honda is unveiling a restored version of its 1984 HP-X concept car. This visionary prototype, which inspired the first generation Honda NSX, is celebrating its 40th anniversary and is a testament to the Japanese automaker's bold styling.
The HP-X, a pioneering concept car
Concept cars play a crucial role in the automotive industry, offering a glimpse of future innovations in design and technology. Unfortunately, many fall into oblivion after their initial presentation. Honda decided to break this trend by resurrecting the HP-X, considered its first modern concept car.
First presented at the Turin Motor Show in 1984, the HP-X (Honda Pininfarina eXperimental) laid the foundations for what would become the iconic Honda NSX of 1990. This Japanese supercar revolutionized the sports car segment by offering high-level performance combined with everyday reliability, challenging established European manufacturers.
A futuristic design by Pininfarina
The HP-X features a very pronounced wedge-shaped design, characteristic of the futuristic concepts of the 80s. The result of a collaboration with the prestigious Italian coachbuilder Pininfarina, the prototype is distinguished by:
With its compact dimensions (4,160 mm long, 1,780 mm wide and 1,110 mm high), the HP-X already prefigures the philosophy of the future NSX: an agile and high-performance supercar, but accessible.
An interior geared towards piloting
The HP-X's cabin reflects Honda's ambition to create a driver-centric sports car. It features:
Although the concept is static, Honda had planned to integrate a 2.0-liter, 24-valve V6 engine in a mid-position. This block, derived from Honda's Formula 2 program of the 80s, already prefigures the mechanical configuration of the future NSX.
A meticulous restoration for Pebble Beach
To celebrate the HP-X’s 40th anniversary, Honda has entrusted its classic vehicle experts with its restoration. The concept car will be on display at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, one of the key events of the 2024 Monterey Auto Week, from August 9 to 18.
Dave Marek, Director of Design at Acura (Honda's premium brand), highlights the significance of the HP-X: “This concept was the star of the 1984 Turin Motor Show, embodying engineering excellence and cutting-edge design. Its extreme wedge-shaped styling continues to inspire future generations of automotive designers and engineers.”
The HP-X's Legacy in the Automotive Industry
The HP-X's influence extends far beyond the NSX. The concept car marked a turning point in Honda's approach to design and performance. It draws parallels with other Honda sports models, including:
Beyond Honda, the HP-X helped push the entire Japanese auto industry toward a bolder approach to design and performance. Manufacturers like Toyota with its Supra or Nissan with the GT-R followed this path, strengthening the reputation of Japanese sports cars on the international stage.
The unveiling of the restored HP-X at Pebble Beach is not just an exercise in nostalgia. It is a reminder of the importance of innovation and boldness in the automotive industry, at a time when electrification and automation are redefining the industry. The 1984 concept car remains an inspiration to today’s engineers and designers, proving that visionary ideas can span decades and continue to shape the future of the automobile.