If the Honda OSM (Open Study Model) concept is intended to be a low-emission vehicle, Honda's certainly keeping that aspect low-key.  Billed only as a 'green' vehicle, the convertible show car, unveiled today at the 2008 British Motor Show, offers no information on how clean it could be.

We do know, however, how clean the styling is.  Although it somewhat resembles a Civic hatchback with its roof lopped off, the OSM's lines are much smoother, especially when it comes to fender lines and lighting design.

A similar flow carries through to the interior, dominated by a modified form of the dual-level instrument panel found on the current Civic.  The OSM's 'waterfall' tonneau cover runs between the seats and into the center console, a cue borrowed from a number of historical convertibles.

With a number of similar-sized convertibles already available in Europe (e.g. Peugeot 207 CC, Ford Focus Coupe-Cabriolet), one could view the German-designed OSM as a preview of a Honda competitor.  That may not be so, as the automaker claims the OSM isn't intended to reach production.  We could, however, see the OSM setting a new design standard for future Honda cars, especially than the Civic.