Honda (UK) is set to wow visitors to this year’s Festival of Speed with two very different displays of power, both never seen before at Goodwood. One will take place on the legendary hillclimb and the other on the dirt of the Forest Rally Stage.
Prior to its very first global customer handovers the latest incarnation of Honda’s NSX supercar will take to the hill with its blistering track performance ably demonstrated by McLaren-Honda Formula One driver Jenson Button and a select number of extra-special Honda drivers.
In the Forest Rally Stage, celebrating 30 years since the first in a run of four consecutive Paris-Dakar wins, the all-new CRF1000L Africa Twin will demonstrate its off-road credentials. Joining a whole host of rallying greats, Africa Twin will become the first motorcycle ever to grace the Goodwood Forest Rally Stage. The Honda machine will be ridden by four-time motocross world champion, Dave Thorpe.
Philip Crossman, managing director at Honda UK, commented: “The Goodwood Festival of Speed, or the unofficial British Motor Show as it more commonly known, is the perfect opportunity to show off the latest embodiment of two of our most iconic products, the NSX and the Africa Twin. We are delighted that these two Honda heroes will be piloted by riders and drivers of such significance to both the Honda family and the visitors to the Festival of Speed.”
Starting from £130,000 and made in Marysville Ohio by a team of just 100 people, the much-anticipated NSX boasts 573hp and is capable of reaching speeds of up to 191mph and the 0-62mph sprint in less than three seconds. Powered by a 3.5 litre DOHC V6 engine and three electric motors, the NSX uses four different modes to adjust the driving experience, with the integrated dynamic system (IDS) featuring Quiet, Sport, Sport + and Track, all of which alter the engine, motor, transmission, chassis response and engine sound level to differing levels.
Africa Twin, designed to be a true adventure motorcycle, mixes touring comfort with all-round usability, whatever the terrain. It boasts switchable rear ABS, multi-mode Honda Selectable Torque Control and an option to specify an all-new evolution of Honda’s unique Dual Clutch Transmission.
Action on Africa Twin at Goodwood is not confined to the Forest Rally Stage. Showgoers* will be able to register to experience it first-hand at the Honda Off-Road Experience. This ever-popular area of Festival of Speed also allows children from 5-11 to enjoy their first taste of motorcycling with Honda My First Licence and those from 15 years old and upwards can sign-up to ride a CRF250L on a specially laid-out grass-track.
As well as Africa Twin, people will be able to get up close and personal with the bulk of the Honda two-wheel range, which will be on display adjacent to the Honda Off-Road Experience.
Alongside the two wheel presence at the Festival of Speed, Honda will also showcase its entire range of cars as well. With the entire range refreshed over the course of 2015, the Honda stand at Goodwood for 2016 will feature the Civic, Civic Type R, Civic Tourer, HR-V, Jazz and CR-V.
Goodwood Festival of Speed takes place 23-26 June.
For more information on NSX, Africa Twin and the entire Honda range of cars, motorcycles and power products, visit honda.co.uk.
