Honda creates a 241km/h lawn mower

Built by Team Dynamics, Honda's British Touring Car Championship partner, and the team behind the original Mean Mower that took the record for the world’s fastest lawn mower in 2014, development has moved on to a whole new level. Now using CAD design, more bespoke parts, advanced materials, and 3D printing, it now packs almost double the power of the original, with the development team estimating it is capable of speeds in excess of 241km/h.

A key part of the brief was to retain the look of a lawn mower - in this case the Honda HF 2622 lawn tractor - which it does by carrying over its front cowl, grass box and body panels.

The second essential element is the ability to still cut grass, which it also still does, thanks to slight revisions to the cutter deck to house the chain running to the rear tyres and the two batteries required to power electric motors which spin carbon fibre blades to mow.

The engine - a 999cc four-cylinder unit taken from Honda's high-performing CBR1000RR Fireblade SP motorcycle - produces more than 190bhp at 13,000rpm. With a super-light frame and engine dry weight of just 69.1kg, Team Dynamics engineers predict an eye-watering power to weight ratio of 1000bhp/tonne.

Several other parts including clutch, ECU, six-speed drive train and full colour LCD display were taken from the Fireblade. The programmable quick shift gear system promises precise and responsive shift through carbon paddles on the steering wheel - with the team estimating that this new machine could reach 90mph in first gear.

The original Mean Mower was launched in 2013, aiming to highlight the breadth of Honda's product offering, sporty credentials and reputation as one of the world's most innovative companies. It went on to become the world's fastest lawnmower when it hit an incredible 187.6km/h, at the IDIADA Proving Ground, a record which has since been surpassed.