Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cars
  3. News

No, that’s not a reject Transformer; it’s Honda’s Concept D

Add as a preferred source on Google

Honda’s Chinese arm has just revealed an all-new, full-size concept SUV at the Shanghai Auto Show, cleverly called Concept D.

While, based upon the looks, D could stand for any number of things, like Dragon Fish, Demonic Robo-Pig, or Dirigible, it might as well stand for “Don’t expect to see it Stateside,” as the concept shows the way forward for a Chinese domestic market range-topping SUV. Now, why exactly the handsome Honda Pilot isn’t good enough for the Chinese domestic market is beyond me.

d
Image used with permission by copyright holder

With gold paint, gold accent wheels, and a face that only a fourth century emperor could love, the Concept D is likely designed for hauling around middle-class Chinese and their gold-covered iPhones and Apple Watches.

Recommended Videos

Other than a few images, all Honda will say about the concept is that it features advanced technology. Like what? We can only guess. Maybe it’s a transformer … with the ability to transform into a better-looking SUV?

honda_concept_d-2
Image used with permission by copyright holder

All cheap shots aside, I do rather like the look of the thing. Not because I think it’s attractive, which I certainly don’t. Instead, I like it because it looks like nothing else on the planet. We’ve recently derided automakers like Lincoln for cribbing the design pages of other carmakers. Honda hasn’t done that in the slightest. For that, at least, it deserves kudos.

We’re likely to see plenty more wacky concepts unveiled in Shanghai this week, so be sure to check back soon for more.

Nick Jaynes
Former Automotive Editor
Nick Jaynes is the Automotive Editor for Digital Trends. He developed a passion for writing about cars working his way…
Tesla’s wild new Roadster comes with a deep range cut
Its latest range claim is less than half the original target, raising questions about what buyers can expect.
Tesla Roadster 2026 with Elon Musk

Tesla's next-generation Roadster has lost more than half its promised range, going from 620 miles to just over 300. That's a pretty hefty downgrade for a car that's been nearly nine years in the making. Turns out, Tesla's latest speed demon is more interested in burning rubber than racking up road-trip miles.

Tesla's Roadster range has taken a serious hit

Read more
You can’t just buy the flying and flipping Tesla Roadster in Rocket mode
Hint: It's invite-only.
Tesla Roadster rocket

By now, you've probably seen dozens of videos on social media raving about the new Tesla Roadster, especially its flying and flipping stunt. It's an impressive feat of engineering, and something we've only ever seen in films and sci-fi literature. But the technology is real. Tesla has equipped the car with rocket-inspired thrusters that allow it to go airborne, flip, and land smoothly while surrounded by a cloud of white smoke.

If you think you can just go ahead and buy one, though, there's some disappointing news in store for you. The Rocket trim of the new Roadster, which comes with a full-flight system, is invite-only. And that means only a small pool of enthusiasts (read: very rich people) who manage to snag an invite from the brand will be able to buy it. You can't even reserve it as of now. Tesla's reservation page currently lists the Performance and Thrust models as the two that are open for bookings.

Read more
Tesla reveals redesigned Roadster, and it can go airborne using thrusters
The Roadster comes with rocket-inspired thrusters that allow it to fly. Briefly, of course.
Tesla Roadster

Tesla has just revealed its next-gen Roadster, and this one is pretty wild. At the launch event in Texas. the car drove inverted on a ramp, fired up the thrusters, and landed safely. Another stunt had the car speed up and fly over the entire line-up of Tesla electric cars. It's wild to see, and apparently, the thruster-based system that allows it to launch into the air, levitate, and slowly descend to the ground will be available on the production spec car when it goes into production next year.

The new Roadster comes equipped with a multi-mode fan & ground sealing system that pulls air from underneath the vehicle, allowing it to generate enough suction that it can hold the car upside down even when it's not moving. Then we have the side-mounted thrusters, which are powered by cold-gas and feature electric actuators to make adjustments within a fraction of a second, allowing the car to stabilize when it's mid-air.

Read more