Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Honda Fuzo Concept


Would you like this to be your ride? Here is a car that maybe in your future! Honda is a very progressive technological automobile manufacturer. They are working the Honda Fuzo Concept....which is a flying car.

There is a very interesting story behind the Fuzo, the automotive designer Jonathan Mahieddine applied for a job with Honda an submitted his design for the Fuzo as part of the his resume. If Honda does not hire this young man.....another smart auto manufacturer should!

There is no doubt that Mr Mahieddine has created a unique vision of the future. Personally, the car reminds me of vehicles that were used in Star Wars (the movie). But, what impresses me most if the fact that this car shows great innovation.



The Fuzo seats three people and was designed with Kevlar, carbon fiber and carbon nanotubes to reduce weight. The Fuzo is powered by four turbine engines and reaches a top speed of 350 mph.

What is interesting about the car is that it can take off like vertically like a Harrier Jet ....then it can fly straight. The Fuzo uses retractable wheels when landing ....then it can drive on the streets like a normal car.

The Fuzo would have a GPS system that navigates to the destination but also acts as a collision avoidance system. An interesting feature would be airbags on the exterior of the car to protect pedestrians in an accident. For more pictures go to the Road and Track Slideshow: Honda's Hovering Concept Car. This post was based on an article in Road and Track.
SUMMARY:
My take on the Fuzo is that it is a great design exercise. There have been a number of flying cars designed in the past.
The technological problems have kept them from production. In the future, maybe twenty years or so this might be an actual production car. I would certainly enjoy taking it for a spin!

7 comments:

  1. Peter, That looks really fun. That is what we call something amazing. We would be right there with you on a ride in this one. We need more innovation like this. If they do not hire him someone should. Or go it on his own if he can.
    Dan and Deanna "Marketing Unscrambled"

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  2. Hi Dan & Deanna,

    I agree with you! The Honda Fuzo looks like it would be a blast to drive....or fly! This kind of innovation has to be rewarded by the market!

    The Honda Fuzo is such a cool car...they will probably produce a car like this one day!

    Thank you for your comment!

    Pete Baca
    The Car Enthusiast Online

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  3. Hi Pete .. what an incredible car .. and yes (me too) .. I'll take it for a spin.

    Are they or is there any nearly developed concept for magnetic field roads .. if you get my meaning .. I'd the idea promulgated probably 10 - 15 years ago .. ie flying cars on these fields .. so there are no crashes etc??

    Interesting car & post -
    Hilary Melton-Butcher
    Positive Letters

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  4. Hi Hilary,

    Yes, I agree the Honda Fuzo is an incredible car! Yes, I am familiar with the concept....somewhat similar to the magna trains in Japan.

    Technology will have to advance substantially before any of these concepts become reality. I am waiting for that day!

    Thank you for your great comment!

    Pete Baca
    The Car Enthusiast Online

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  5. Hampton W AndersonJune 6, 2009 at 9:36 AM

    This vehicle is fantastic. Our technology moves at such a rapid pace, whci leads me to hope for a soon-to appearance and fly by experience. I have searched for cost estimates and have not been succesful, do you have any idea what price bracket it will be in? Hampton Anderson, Edmond, OK

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  6. Hi Hampton,

    Your right...this car concept is a blast! Honda will manufacture a small business jet called the HondaJet...which is scheduled for the first test flight in January 2010. The first jet deliveries are scheduled for 2011.

    So, Honda does have experience with aircraft! So, it is possible that they will produce this in the future.

    You inquired about the cost....Honda has not released pricing since this is a concept car.
    They are testing the water with the concept car...they want to know what the market thinks of the vehicle. My bet is they were blown away by the response!

    Pricing will not be available until they have production plans! So, that will take a few years. I am waiting for that day!

    Thanks for your great comment!

    Pete Baca
    The Car Enthusiast Online

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  7. cool idea but how does the rear turbine keep the fuzo aloft in the air with it falling. from thirteen year old science enthusiast

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