I didn't realize that Honda was in the aviation business.
http://picasaweb.google.com/erik.myrom/HondaJet72309KLAF#5362461920499679618
http://picasaweb.google.com/erik.myrom/HondaJet72309KLAF#5362461920499679618
Runways of 3000 ft or less wouldn't be off limits to jet traffic anymore.
Putting the engine on the wing doesn't increase the efficiency by a substantial amount, if at all. It's designed to look cool.
Piper stopped by the local FBO with there single engine VLJ, pretty slick. The single engine is a great for the economical solution in my opinion, but the idea of a single engine jet seems a little perilous.
No worse than a single engine piston... They're both capable of gliding, only the jet gets to start higher.
And a turbine is much more reliable than a piston...at least certain turbines.
Most "cool" aerodynamic designs are only cool looking because they had to be that way.
According to the in-house research done and published by Honda Aviation, it is substantial enough to warrant the new design. Plus it frees up some cabin space, and it might be a bit easier to get around the engine for mx work. Oh, yeah, and it looks cool.