Scarlett Johansson rides futuristic Honda NM4 Vultus in 2017 cult anime

Honda have designed a futuristic NM4 Vultus scooter which stars in the upcoming feature film Ghost in the Shell – and is ridden by Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson.

The standard Vultus, launched in 2014, already looks like it came straight from a sci-fi movie, but the team working on the design for the live-action adaptation have developed the NM4 as the film’s hero bike.

Based on design sketches by Honda, and as seen in the trailer, protagonist Johansson rides the scooter in a futuristic world as a cyber-enhanced soldier on a permanent mission to stop the world’s most dangerous criminals.

TOP STORIES

• Five bikes that could be yours for less than £100-a-month
• BMW R nineT Pure: ‘A charming motorcycle’
• High Beach meet: ‘Ancient woodland attracting bikers for almost 90 years’
• What’s good about this Rokker jacket?
• Bike of the day: Ducati 848

Unveiled in 2014, the standard Vultus is a mix between a scooter-comfy riding style with a cruiser, thanks to forward footboards and long, swept back bars. The hinged pillion seat can be lifted and used as a back rest for the rider.

However, the Ghost in the Shell Vultus has been transformed from a relaxed cruiser/scooter into an aggressive-looking sportsbike, complete with underslung exhaust, rearset footpegs instead of the standard footboards, ultra-low clip-ons and a sleek, minimalist tail unit.

The design sketch of the bike (above) appears to hint at hub centre steering, although with the vast expanse of bodywork surrounding the front wheel it’s much more likely to be the standard forks. The Honda logo on the upper fairing stands out from the black carbon fibre bodywork with LEDs.

Honda’s Vultus is powered by the 745cc parallel-twin engine used in the NC series and new X-ADV, and comes complete with Honda’s Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) system. In a moment of prescience Honda’s original press realese from 2014 stated: “The NM4 Vultus, with its LED lights, future-shock style and stealth bomber silhouette presents a look that will not have been seen in any cityscape this side of an anime movie…”

Now, three years later, the Vultus is appearing in the most-anticipated anime films of all time.

The bike appears very briefly in the trailer below at the 1:26 mark.

Honda, if you could make this bike a reality for 2018 that would be great, thanks.

 

Looking for the perfect two-wheeled companion? Visit MCN Bikes For Sale website or use MCN’s Bikes For Sale App.