HONDA The Power of Dreams

Goodwood Festival of Speed 2019 is off to a great start with the Honda e Prototype making its UK debut in the traditional hill climb. And on Friday, Honda is set to create even more excitement.

Honda’s “Club EV” exhibit booth has eight VR headsets for visitors to get up close with the Honda e Prototype and understand that this electric vehicle is much more than just a car with a motor instead of an engine. The state-of-the-art 3D experience allows visitors to look inside the Honda e Prototype without having to physically getting in the car or looking from behind other visitors.

To demonstrate Honda's commitment to electrification, two CR-V hybrids are displayed at the booth’s entrance, and inside the booth, Honda’s technological advancements from 1972 to the present are showcased: a 1972 Civic, and the iconic 1999 Insight which represents the beginning of Honda’s electrification technology. And, also on display is the 2019 NSX, the pinnacle of current hybrid technology.

Club EV is in a prime location in a venue where a wide variety of racing machines will be running through the show. The design of the booth is not only inspired by the Honda e Prototype, but also represents Honda’s goal to have an electric powertrain in every car sold in Europe by 2025. Honda is trying to show that it is a company that can realize an electrified future for cars in an exciting, practical, and sustainable way, while keeping its customers and the environment at the forefront.

While the first floor of the booth is similar to what would be expected at a race track, the second floor is a different world. Visitors who have seen the Honda e Prototype before Goodwood would immediately recognize the design motif of the second floor. The shape mirrors the design of the Honda e Prototype’s front fascia, with two large round windows representing the headlights. Since this is the first time that the British public will be able to see the new car, the second floor of the exhibition focuses exclusively on the Honda e Prototype.

The newest NSX on display has been upgraded with a range of performance enhancements that make it more comfortable as well as more exciting to drive than its predecessor.

Club EV is the centerpiece of this year’s Goodwood, and will be an experience unlike any other. People unable to visit Goodwood can still explore the virtualized booths, on their computer, smartphone, or tablet.

Exhibits are not limited to cars and motorcycles, as visitors can experience the popular Space Invaders and other video games of the day by the 1972 Civic, and across from the 1999 Insight is a game from the popular TV show Quiz Millionaire.

Day 2 at Goodwood was a reminder that Honda has been at the forefront of technology from the dawn of electrification technology to the present day. And heading into the future, technology is sure to change even more rapidly. However, half of year’s Goodwood still remains to be enjoyed. There is still much more to come during the weekend. In the remaining two days, this report will not only cover the event, but also what can be learned from the Honda e Prototypes and the role Honda played in the technological revolution of Formula 1.