Honda P-NUT Personal Urban Transport Concept
Honda has unveiled a bold new urban transport concept at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show. The Honda P-NUT Personal Urban Transport Concept is a three-seater ultra-compact designed to compete with the SmartCars of the world, thanks to a future-forward design sensibility and a focus on short-range urban transport. This rear-engine, RWD city car uses the front-end space to place the driver front-and-center, with two fold-out seats for passengers in the rear section. As a result, the Honda P-NUT is one part motorcycle, one part ultra compact– as much a competitor to the Aptera car designs as it is to a two seater SmartCar.
While we appreciate the concept and functionality of the Honda P-NUT, we’re not too big on the design. It should be the task of the designer to create a progressive concept like this that, well, a normal driver would actually want to be seen in. The three-seater, two-in-the-back option can be done really well, and it can be done in an uninspiring matter. Sadly, the P-NUT is trending toward the latter… But aside from the awkward exterior, the Honda P-NUT is a nice addition to the concept cars that are driving the shape of the wheels of tomorrow.
I don’t like it. First of all, it is listed as a “personal” transportation item. Doesn’t personal mean one person??? This thing purports to carry three so where does “personal” fit in?
Second, why does the design of this vehicle have to go to such lengths to be “different” without being palatable?? Some elements, of the design, are nice but it is so severe in design it becomes weird.
Nice,better than all the bubble, ball, looking E cars out there.You would diffidently know what this was seeing it in a parking lot!