2003 Honda Kiwami Concept

The Honda Kiwami Concept, a futuristic sedan introduced at the 37th Tokyo Motor Show in 2003, was designed by Hiroaki Nakamura, who aimed to capture the essence of Japanese minimalism. True to this vision, the Kiwami featured an extremely low, flat roofline and a streamlined profile that seemed to flow seamlessly into the road. As Nakamura put it, "I threw out everything except what was absolutely necessary," resulting in a sleek, essentialist form that exuded a uniquely Japanese spirit.

The Kiwami was powered by Honda's latest advancement in fuel cell technology. This hydrogen fuel cell system was engineered to operate reliably even at sub-zero temperatures—a notable achievement as competing technologies struggled in such conditions. Honda positioned itself at the forefront of fuel cell innovation, aiming to be the first to commercialize fuel cell vehicles. However, instead of direct consumer sales, Honda provided these vehicles to corporate clients for testing purposes. At the time, Honda’s president, Takeo Fukui, suggested that mass-market sales of fuel cell vehicles might still be several years away, optimistically targeting 2010 for potential commercialization.

The Kiwami Concept embodied Honda’s exploration into clean energy technology and minimalist design, offering a glimpse into the potential future of hydrogen-powered vehicles with a distinctly Japanese aesthetic.