Like a flying sports car, the HondaJet (which went into
service about three years ago) is small, sexy, and highly capable—and now it’s
even better.
Earlier this week, Honda Aircraft announced that the very first
HondaJet Elite, the upgraded version of the company’s signature very light jet,
has been delivered to its first new owner.
Though it shares the same DNA, the Elite has some big shoes
to fill in replacing the original HondaJet, which was the most delivered jet in
its category last year as well as in the first two quarters of this year. And
while the exterior remains the same (who would mess around with that sleek
beauty?), the new jet boasts a plethora of improved features, both in terms of
performance and passenger comfort.
On the mechanical side, the biggest advantage of the Elite
over its predecessor is its range increase, which takes the jet from a maximum
range of 1,407 miles to around 1,654 miles, an increase of about 17
percent—enough to make it farthest flying jet in its class. The new plane still
cruises at about 486 mph and maintains its lauded fuel efficiency.
Inside, your passengers will be able to relax more
comfortably thanks to new inlets on HondaJet’s signature over-the-wing engines
that help reduce noise—especially of the high frequency variety—in the cabin.
New options available to owners include a galley with a coffee machine,
two-toned leather seats, and a belted lavatory that increases the number of
passengers it can accommodate to six. Perhaps the coolest upgrade is the new
speaker-less sound system from Bongiovi Audio, which (much like the Sony Bravia
A8F) uses transducers to vibrate the interior panels of the plane to produce
audio waves. Talk about surround sound!
Luckily for Honda Aircraft, the new jet is already proving
popular. In fact, the company announced that it had recently sold 10 planes in
Japan alone—a region it first started servicing in June.
The HondaJet Elite starts from $5.25 million.
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