Honda SSM

Vehicle Overview

The Honda SSM (SSM stood for Sports Study Model), was an interesting 1995 show car designed by Pininfarina. It was the precursor of the S2000. It used NSX-style aluminum construction and ensured sharp handling through its front-engine/rear-drive layout: Honda claimed a perfect 50/50 weight distribution front-to-rear. One novel feature on the car was a central “spur”, which separated the driver’s and passenger’s compartments and was claimed to improve rigidity significantly. The Honda SSM ’s power was supplied by a 2.0-litre five-cylinder VTEC engine, driving through a new electronic sequential-shift automatic gearbox derived from that in the NSX. The instrument pack was an LCD display with a card-style ignition system and push-button starter.