KEY POINTS:
Honda has been responsible for producing some pretty dull eco-cars - consider the Civic Hybrid - but the Japanese maker is making good with a new concept car called OSM (Open Study Model).
The lightweight roadster design study follows the confirmed-for-production CR-Z sports hybrid.
"We're trying to show that low-emission cars can be attractive," says Andreas Sittel, project leader for OSM.
"There is no reason why a car that's more environmentally friendly can't look great too - and be sporty and fun to drive."
The concept for the project was "clean and dynamic", with a consistent design language through the car.
One example of this can be seen at the rear, where the body of the vehicle actually extends into the cabin between the seats.
The OSM was designed by Honda's research and development facility in Offenbach, Germany.
It's the latest example of the young talent being developed within Honda's design studios in Europe - following on from the Honda Small Hybrid Sports Concept (Geneva 2007) and the Accord Tourer.
However, at present the OSM is a design study model and there are no plans for it to enter production.
