Honda have unveiled their RA108 for the 2008 Formula One season

Last season saw Honda claim only six points, courtesy of Jenson Button, who described the car as a "complete dog".

Honda's team principal Ross Brawn said: "Our target for 2008 is to get back to our position in the second half of 2006 and fight for points at every race.

"Only then will we have a stable base to target more ambitious results."

Former Ferrari technical director Brawn joined Honda in November last year and he will be expected to turn Honda from underachievers into a major force.

But Honda had already designed this season's RA108 car, which will replace the ill-handling and uncompetitive RA107, before his appointment.

Brawn admitted: "Since joining Honda my focus has been on evaluating the resources and practices of the operation and understanding how we can progress.

606: DEBATE How will Honda fare this season?

"We will have to see how much of a performance step has been achieved with this car."

Chief executive officer Nick Fry believes Honda can put the worst season in their modern history behind them.

He said: "Last year we failed to live up to our own expectations. This time last year saw the beginning of a downward curve.

"We have done everything possible to address the issues, which we have to put down as valuable experiences.

And speaking after Austrian test driver Alexander Wurz drove the new car out at Honda's headquarters, Fry said he is confident the new model is a world away from last year's version.

"The whole design philosophy of the car is completely different in every respect," he added.

"By the time when get to Melbourne, for the first race, every component on the car will be different to what we had on the car last year."

The important thing is that we keep improving throughout the season, race by race Jenson Button

That will be welcome news to drivers Button and Rubens Barrichello, who faced huge problems last year.

"The primary problem with last year's car was that it produced a lot of downforce but in a very aggressive way," said Brawn.

"The car was sensitive to pitch and roll, so it made it extremely difficult for the drivers to use.

"The focus with this car was to make sure we produced the aerodynamic force in a much more friendly, more usable way.

Brawn also revealed that the chassis has been slimmed down and that the car's appearance will also change dramatically before the first race grand prix of the season on 16 March.

The changes have given Button reason for optimism and the Briton feels that Honda are finally back on the right track.

He said: "Last year was a very tough year for us. We realised a few things needed to change, that were maybe going in the wrong direction.

"But we've had a chance to put them right, and I'm looking forward to 2008.

"For me the important thing is that we keep improving throughout the season, race by race."