Honda’s new US$5.25 million private jet is faster, quieter and more luxurious than its predecessor

Honda is known the world over for its engineering prowess. Pretty much everything it produces is world class from hybrid supercars to lawn movers. But, many were unsure whether Honda was up to the task of building a jet from scratch. In autumn 2017, Business Insider had the opportunity to experience the HondaJet on a test flight over the northeastern United States. It was magnificent. The HondaJet proved to be quick, comfortable, and full of innovative design features. In 2018, Honda introduced an updated version of the plane called the HondaJet Elite. The name matches the designation given to the company’s luxury specification cars. How tycoon Roman Abramovich blows his millions The Elite was initially sold alongside the original HondaJet but has now taken over as the only version of the plane in production. This month, we made our way to down to Greensboro, North Carolina, home of the Honda Aircraft Corporation, for a test flight on board the HondaJet Elite. The HondaJet Elite starts at US$5.25 million, US$350,000 more than the original HondaJet. Here’s a look at our flight on the Honda HA-420 HondaJet Elite: Waiting for us on the apron was a new HondaJet Elite. The luxury Bombardier private jet that’s yours – for US$62 million We had an opportunity to check out to the original HondaJet back in 2017 and it won us over with its charm, performance and innovative features. Let’s see how Honda has updated its latest private jet. HondaJet’s overall dimensions remain unchanged at 43 feet long and 15 feet tall with a 40-foot wingspan. The HondaJet’s signature nose design also remains. According to the founding president and CEO of the Honda Aircraft Company, Michimasa Fujino, the nose of the plane was inspired by a pair of Salvatore Ferragamo high heels he encountered at a duty-free shop while on holiday in Hawaii. The HondaJet HF120 turbofan engines are also back for another tour of duty. Output from the General Electric/Honda engines is unchanged at 2,050 pounds of thrust. However, HondaJet retuned the acoustic qualities of the engine to make it quieter. Before you ask, it does not have VTEC. VTEC, Honda’s famous Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control system, is found in many of its car engines. The system, which allows the engine to be fuel-efficient at low RPMs while delivering an extra jolt of power at high RPMs, has become a pop-culture icon among car enthusiasts. The luxury Bombardier private jet that’s yours – for US$62 million What really makes this HondaJet stand out is the way it mounts its engines. Instead of on the main fuselage, the HondaJet’s engines are on pylons above each wing. Honda says this design not only contributes to a roomier and quieter cabin. Honda cleaned up the design of the wings and … … tweaked T-tail for greater efficiency. As a result, the HondaJet Elite needs just 3,491 feet of runway to take off and can climb at a rate of 4,100 feet per minute. The HondaJet Elite boasts a 57 cubic-foot trunk … … immediately behind the passenger cabin. There is also a nine-cubic foot frunk in the nose. Unlike many jets, the Honda boasts a single fuel filler located in the back of the plane by the right engine. Demand for second-hand private jets ‘a sign of stronger economy’ Fill her up. The cabin is made of a carbon fibre epoxy composite that is designed to be lighter and stronger than traditional aluminium construction. Let's step on board. Inside, the cabin is 17 feet 8 inches long, 5 feet wide, and 4 feet 8 inches tall. Which means adults will have to duck. The HondaJet’s main cabin seats four passengers in a club set-up. The seats sit on a floating ball-joint system. As a result, the seats can move forward, backward, and to the side. The original HondaJet came equipped with a seat facing the door. In the Elite, that seat has been replaced by a stylish, carbon fibre wrapped galley. Private jet holidays offer exciting adventures and true luxury While they keep the plane’s seating capacity unchanged, … … The HondaJet Elite comes with a lavatory equipped with a seat belt. This way, a passenger can sit here during the flight. Under the seat, is a fully functional toilet. Across from the toilet is a cobalt wash basin. The lavatory comes with a pair of small skylights. Look closely and you can see the carbon weave of the fuselage. A sixth passenger can sit in the cockpit to the right of the captain. That is because the HondaJet is designed for single-pilot operation. In flight, the HondaJet’s cabin is impressively quiet. The experience was even more hushed than the original version. At 30,000 feet, the HondaJet can cruise at speeds of up to 486mph. The HondaJet Elite boasts a range of more than 1,650 miles. That is up from the 1,400-mile range of the original model thanks to the addition of an extra fuel tank. Private jets and performances attract gamblers back to Macau The HondaJet Elite is equipped with an updated version of the Garmin G3000 avionics suite found in the original variant. The cockpit features three 14.1-inch high definition displays along with a pair of 5.7-inch touchscreens. The cockpit and its controls are designed to be clear and concise. Check out the push-button starters. Just like in your Honda Accord. The HondaJet uses a yoke instead of the side stick. To the right of the first officer is an emergency oxygen mask. The view from the first officer’s seat is stunning. The view from the back of the plane is equally breathtaking. The large windows flood the cabin with natural light. The plane does have sunshades. They can be controlled using your smartphone or by accessing a built-in touchpad. Shoot, glamp or jet through 2018 as personalised travel takes off The touchpad also gives you access to climate control and the sound system. Speaking of the stereo, the HondaJet does not use traditional speakers. Instead, its cabin is surrounded by a couple dozen transducers that vibrate inside the plane’s leather-lined interior walls. As a result, the music feels like it envelopes you. The seats are upholstered in rich leather. They are soft, comfortable and offer solid bolstering. On-demand luxury cars, private jets, jewellery, watches and even art are gaining popularity There are retractable tables on either side of the cabin. Beneath the tables are lighted HondaJet signs. Soon, it was time to head back to Greensboro. Our flight wasn’t terribly long, but it was long enough for us to come away impressed by the HondaJet Elite. The original HondaJet was a game-changer for us. With the HondaJet Elite, they’ve managed to make it faster, quieter and more luxurious. Want more stories like this? Sign up here. Follow STYLE on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter This article originally appeared on Business Insider.

Honda’s new US$5.25 million private jet is faster, quieter and more luxurious than its predecessor

The engines on this HondaJet are mounted on pylons above each wing instead of on the main fuselage