Honda OSM concept news - Honda's next top model? - 2008

Look, it's Honda's 'low emissions' roadster, the OSM, that we saw a quick sketch of a few weeks ago. Pretty, isn't it?

Trouble is, we've no idea how it deserves its name, because Honda failed to mention how the OSM will be powered... Which is a slight problem.

We can only assume it'll use a hybrid powertrain - a bit like the CR-Z's three-stage i-VTEC petrol engine coupled to an IMA hybrid electric motor.

We're holding out hope for fuel-cell power, combined with a conventional petrol unit. But that's pricey.

And probably unlikely. Electric hybrid, then?

We'll be talking to the car's designer later today, and will do our very best to tease some info out of the poor guy.

So, for now, it's just a design study. Open Study Model, to be precise.

At first glance, it looks kind of like a Lotus Elan - there's something in the rake of the screen and the angle of the bonnet that reminds us of the 90s baby roadster.

There's a bit of Civic Type R in there, too. Round the back, it takes inspiration from the ageing NSX, with a strip of red LEDs spanning its entire width.

Take a look at the pic, and see what you think... Then check back later to see if we've got to the root of that power issue.