The 1984 Honda HP-X Concept car, also known as Honda Pininfarina eXperimental, stands out as a testament to Honda's forward-thinking design and engineering capabilities. Making its North American debut at the 2024 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the HP-X showcases the company’s early ambition to develop a mid-engine supercar. Styled and handcrafted by the renowned Italian design house Pininfarina, this radical concept car drew significant attention with its extreme wedge-shaped profile and fighter-jet inspired cockpit. The attention to advanced aerodynamics is evident, as the HP-X employs "ground effects" for enhanced stability and innovative cooling solutions complemented by a mid-mounted 2.0-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 engine.
The design intricacies of the HP-X Concept are truly groundbreaking. One of the most striking aspects is its single-piece, removable Perspex canopy in place of conventional doors, evoking a distinct futuristic and aviation-inspired aesthetic. This canopy’s rear extends into a driver-controlled air brake, enhancing both functionality and sleek appearance. Additionally, the HP-X’s structure integrates alternative materials such as honeycomb panels, carbon fiber, and Kevlar, which significantly reduce weight and heighten performance. Inside the cockpit, the car features Honda’s pioneering "Electronic Drive Support System," which incorporated real-time telemetry, GPS, and advanced road condition warnings — technologies that have since become commonplace in modern vehicles.
Despite its revolutionary design and forward-thinking features, the Honda HP-X Concept never entered full-scale production. However, its influence is unmistakable in later Honda models, most notably in the first-generation NSX supercar. The HP-X served as a vital testbed for ambitious new ideas and engineering principles that would eventually shape the automotive industry. The restored HP-X now proudly stands as a symbol of innovation, displayed in prestigious events, it continues to inspire future generations of car designers and engineers, cementing its place in automotive history.
📷: HONDA/Pininfarina
