2009 Honda P-NUT Concept

2009 Honda P-NUT Concept

As we reported over the weekend, the Honda P-NUT was headed for a debut at the L.A. Auto Show. It was a bittersweet report because we didn’t even have a sketch of what Honda is calling a “Personal-Neo Urban Transport.” Well, now we have something better! Yes, photos. Now you can "eww" and "aww!"

2009 Honda P-NUT Concept

2009 Honda P-NUT Concept

We should be clear that the Honda P-NUT is just a “design study,” so specifics about powertrains or the potential to come to market is probably unlikely. However, Honda did say that the three-passenger P-NUT features a center driving position with the powertrain located at the rear of the vehicle. It actually kind of reminds me of a modern Iso Isetta. For those of you unfamiliar with the Isetta, it was introduced in November 1953 and caused quite the sensation among the press. It also measured a diminutive 7.5 ft long by 4.5 ft wide. (Note: it eventually became a BMW model).

2009 Honda P-NUT Concept

2009 Honda P-NUT Concept

One thing that is different about the Honda P-NUT is that it is a three-seater concept, which provides a surprising amount of room for the occupants. Not only that, but the P-NUT has the prescribed amount of the “cool” factor that we would expect to see in a concept car; from the edgy design, to the windshield that doubles as the heads up display for the navigation and the reversing camera. If that isn’t cool enough, the Honda P-NUT has a very Star Wars X-Wing fighter look.

Bottom line—At a little over 11 ft long and almost 6 feet wide, the Honda P-NUT really is a modern marvel that might give competitors, like the Smart ForTwo, a little bit of heartburn.