
Honda Micro Commuter Prototype is Micro...That's For Sure
The drawings hint at an updated version of either Honda's Micro Commuter or the similar MC-β EV. Both of these vehicles were small, two-seat electric vehicles that were never produced in great numbers and were instead used for small field trials and to make appearances at auto shows. This new vehicle is designed to be, "mechanically strong, simple in structure and light in weight while requiring a minimum number of component parts." There's a hint of the Renault Twizy in the way the patent describes and illustrates the new EV:
Owing to the upward slant of the front side frames and the upward offset of the rear side frames, a kick-up structure is formed in the rear part of the vehicle body by using linear members without requiring any bending or connecting arrangement for the structural members. As the front side frames extend obliquely in side view, the resistance of the vehicle body against side impacts is enhanced. Owing to the trapezoidal arrangement of the front side frames in cooperation with the cross members as seen in plan view, the vehicle body is made highly resistant to deformation at the time of a frontal collision or an offset frontal collision.
In other words, it's meant to be safe and quirky.

Source: USPTO
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