![Honda nXt Commuter project](../transport/banner.jpg)
Honda nXt commuter
Internship project, Honda R&D Europe, 2000.
Next generation urban commuter
Development of the design of a new gen commuter, starting from market research report to a proposed concept design.
Followed at every step by Mr. Satoshi Kawawa, Honda R&D Europe Senior designer, the process involved also learning and improving sketching and presentation techniques.
After a market research report, finding a customer profile, the sketching started, investigating vehicle architecture.
While an early design inspired by the Messerschmitt was fun, soon a 3 wheeler, with tilting body and safe hull frame has emerged as a design proposal.
Also a full closed body was explored, with two small wheels downing from both sides at low speed to provide stability.
![messerschmit](honda/honda sketch 3w 09.jpg)
![top opening](honda/honda sketch 3w 08.jpg)
![3/4](honda/fighter1.jpg)
![side view](honda/fighter2.jpg)
![3/4](honda/honda sketch02.jpg)
![rear 3/4](honda/honda sketch 2w 02.jpg)
![3/4](honda/honda sketch a03.jpg)
![side view](honda/honda sketch03.jpg)
![side view](honda/honda sketch layout.jpg)
Final design
The chosen design of the next gen commuter featured then a strong visible and unpainted aluminum frame, two seats in line, front headlights and windsheld, a rear shelf on which is possible to mount a removable storage container, removable plastic doors with side windows and a removable glass roof, like a Targa
The power unit is hybrid, featuring a CNG engine as generator, with the CNG tank placed beneath the seats, and it would provide energy to a battery pack and to the electric engine driving the rear wheel.
![rear 3/4](honda/honda sketch def1.jpg)
![final design](honda/honda scelto.jpg)
![3/4](honda/honda definitivo render.jpg)
![3/4](honda/honda definitivo PO.jpg)