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.

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.