Back in November of 2007 at the SEMA auto show in Los Angeles Hot Wheels brought a few concepts to the show that quite frankly shocked everyone. These concepts while not functioning as “real cars” were concept cars developed by Honda, Mitsubishi, Dodge, Ford, Chevrolet and many others. Among these concepts Honda built the “Honda Racer” which will be turned into an actual toy for the Hot Wheels® brand. This little toy is a 1/64th model of what the real thing would be. If the “Honda Racer” was real it would have a powerful V-10 VTEC engine that would displace 2.0 liters per cylinder. I have to say I am pretty excited by this because as a boy I played with “Hot Wheels” and “Matchbox” cars. Of course if I were to purchase one of these “Honda Racer’s” the car would never leave the box. For me it would be more of a collector’s item now.
The whole reason the Honda Racer was even built to begin with is because Mattel, who owns the “Hot Wheels” brand, asked auto manufacturers to participate in the Hot Wheels Designer Challenge. Honda’s entry into this challenge is pretty cool because they shaped the automobile in the shape of the Honda “H” logo. They also did a few things different then most car enthusiasts are used to seeing, they put the engine in-between the driver and the passenger. This design reminds me of a futuristic jet fighter with its pilot and co-pilot. I think what is really cool is that starting in August a 1/5th scale model of the “Honda Racer” will traveling through the United States on a tour and they should be going right through my home town of London, Ohio. The reason is that they will be traveling over historic U.S. route 40 which goes right on the outside of London, Ohio and about 15 miles from my home in Marysville. So I should get to see the “Honda Racer” and the other cars that were designed for the Hot Wheels Designer Challenge. The tour is a result of the “Hot Wheels 40th Anniversary” road trip starting in Segundo, Ca and ending in Watkins Glen, NY.
Side note: I found it hilarious that Honda releases the press release with specifications for the toy “Honda Racer”!
Hot Wheels “Honda Racer”
Technical Specifications for the Honda Racer:
|
Layout |
Mid engine/ rear wheel drive |
|
Seating Capacity |
2 |
|
Length x Width x Height (cm) |
7.0 x 3.0 x 2.2 |
|
Curb Weight |
40 grams |
|
Body/ Frame |
Real die-cast metal, plastic |
|
Fuel |
Gravity and a child’s imagination |
|
Engine |
Die-cast Honda V-10 (theoretical) |
|
Valvetrain |
DOHC VTEC, four valves per cylinder (theoretical) |
|
Displacement |
20 liters/1220 cubic inches (theoretical) |
|
Suspension |
Solid front and rear axles |
|
Tires |
Low-friction hard plastic |
Other concept cars in the Hot Wheels Designer Challenge:
Source: [Honda]
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