This year Honda celebrates its 60th anniversary as a company and next year the 50th anniversary of its participation in road racing, as well as the 30th anniversary of racing with an innovative 4-cylinder V-engine with oval pistons. Considering these milestones, Honda chose "The New Beginning" as its exhibition theme leading into 2009 and exhibited the V4 Concept Model which signifies the beginning of a new era at the Motorcycle Show at Intermot.
The V4 Concept is very futuristic and would be great to see on the road. However significant research and development is needed before this wonderful looking bike becomes a reality.
Honda believes the challenge to create attractive products with an increased focus on sensual performance will be the key for the future. At the same time, safety and environmental technologies, as well as future energy technologies, will continue to be an important theme for the development of motorcycle products.
Conceived around the 4-cylinder V-engine, the V4 Concept Model expresses functional beauty as well as a more sensual image to appeal to people's emotions.
The motorcycling world is in for some great surprises in the future and it is great to see manufacturers exploring the limits of design.
By NRMA Motoring, October 2008.