Honda Aircraft this week unveiled the HondaJet 2600 concept at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) conference in Las Vegas.
The 11-seat HondaJet 2600 would inherit the company's over-the-wing-engine-mount (OTWEM) concept and have a range that would cross the USA from coast-to-coast without refueling.
“Over the past five years, we introduced the HondaJet Elite, then the Elite S, to further enhance the original HondaJet design," said Honda Aircraft Company President and CEO Michimasa Fujino. "Now, we are validating market demand as we unveil a new aircraft concept in a different segment from the original HondaJet.
"With the HondaJet 2600 Concept, which enables efficient transcontinental flight, offers new level of cabin comfort and capacity, and dramatically reduces CO2 emssions, we are introducing a new generation of business jets.”
As well as the long legs, the HondaJet 2600 is expected to cruise at 450 KTAS and have a ceiling of 47,000 feet. It will also have a larger cabin pressurised to 6363 feet. Honda believes the aircraft will be 20% more efficient on fuel than typical business jets.
Honda is still gathering market and customer feedback on the concept, which was presented at NBAA as a mock-up.