Predicting the future of two-wheeled transportation has always fascinated many designers, and proof of this is the Honda Elysium, a science fiction megascooter.
The first mass-produced scooter with a roof was the BMW C1, an invention of the Bavarian firm to avoid the uncomfortable helmet for its driver, put on sale in the year 2000.
The Benelli Adiva also appeared later, although this scooter did not have a safety roof but only “props”.
Just a year after the C1, the incredible Honda Elysium megascooter was born, albeit only a prototype. It came out at the Tokyo show in 2001, 21 years ago.
The Elysium was a futuristic megascooter with a roof, very sharp and sloped lines, aerodynamic and really attractive.
The “interior” was very attractive, with an elegant combination of ocher tones on the seat, floor, cuffs, sides of the shield and roof.
The Honda Elysium was only a prototype although very viable and real
The seats were luxurious, very comfortable, spacious, worthy of a tour, so Honda thought of this vehicle for more than just urban tours.
If its aesthetics were incredible, its engine was also unique: a 750 cc 4-stroke boxer twin-cylinder, with automatic CVT transmission, and cardan shaft final drive.
Interestingly, this engine was placed under the pilot’s seat, with the cylinders protruding from each side, really curious. It had two exhaust silencers with outlets on each side.
And it is that this Elysium, saving the distances, was a refresh of his 1962 Juno M85 scooter, which was powered by a boxer engine.
Continuing with the surprises, the front suspension was alternative, with a kind of Duolever system, the wheels were 15” and the front braking included a double disc with three-piston calipers and a combined braking system.
At the back, it equipped a single-sided swingarm with cardan transmission, so that maintenance was zero, as befits a scooter.
But the innovations do not end here… One of its surprises was that the roof was retractable and electrically operated, like in luxury sports cars.
The roof folded over the built-in “trunk”, which was accessed by opening the passenger backrest and which could fit two helmets.
To make matters worse, the command post was also futuristic, since it incorporated a four-sphere digital instrumentation, with a central screen equipped with GPS, plus two side LCD screens that acted as electronic rear-view mirrors, as well as a rear sonar!
And we’re talking about 21 years ago… Without a doubt, the Honda Elysium was a megascooter way ahead of its time and if it were launched today it wouldn’t be out of date at all…
Well, in one thing it would be outdated: it should already be electric!
