Leaks and spy photos of a new Honda appeared in various places including online and print news outlets.

[4] The transverse-mounted V4 architecture is kept from previous VFR models though the engine and gearbox are completely new with displacement increased from 800 to 1200 cubic centimeters.

The exterior features a variety of aerodynamic enhancements taken from the Honda MotoGP bike including a dual-layered fairing designed to pull heat away from the rider and an X-shaped bulbous front nose to keep the vehicle stable at high speeds as well as increase turn-in handling.

[15] The new engine incorporates the single overhead camshaft distribution system called "Unicam" which was tested on Honda's offroad machines.

This compact system reduces engine size, allowing it to be placed further forward in the frame while lowering the bike's center of gravity.

A 28° positioning of crank pins and a specific firing order of the cylinders (1&4 and 2&3 layout instead of the regular 1&3 and 2&4) resulted in an engine with perfect primary balance.

The V4 has the rear bank of cylinders paired closely together, with the big ends of their connecting rods on the inner sides of the crank journals.

Engineers developed a two-part shaft connected by a spline that allows the system to flex under load mimicking the feel and performance benefits of a traditional chain drive.

Some had expected a return of the VFR to its racing past because of a much more sport-focused concept model along with V4 engine architecture sourced from the Honda RC212V MotoGP bike.