February 27, 2019
Honda's First-Ever EV, the Honda e is Cute and Downright Sporty
Honda’s first-ever all-electric vehicle takes one step closer to production. The first-ever Honda e will make its global debut at the Geneva Motor Show in a few weeks’ time as a prototype. And like all other Hondas before it, it’ll stay true to the carmaker’s thrust to deliver a fun-to-drive experience even if it doesn’t have a VTEC engine under the hood.
Riding on a new platform, the Honda e has rear-wheel drive for a fun and emotive everyday driving experience. In addition, it’ll have fast-charging capabilities, where it can charge 80 percent of its battery in just 30 minutes. It promises to have a range of over 200 kilometers as well.
The design itself was previewed by the Honda Urban EV Concept and blends simplicity and functionality seamlessly. It features smooth body contours leading from the hood to the windshield and a stepless A-pillar that sits virtually flush with the glass.
Stand-out style elements, which accentuate the clean, uncluttered profile, include flush ‘pop out’ door handles and compact cameras replacing traditional side view mirrors. Both the door handles and Camera Mirror System are unique features for a vehicle in this class. The car’s advanced charging port is integrated centrally in the hood for ease of use from either side of the car, with LED lighting visible through the glass cover to welcome the driver and inform of the battery charging status.
Black panels with unique concave profiles at the front and rear are defining design motifs. The unique and exacting attention to detail of the round light clusters enhance the overall simple, clean design and defines the Honda e Prototype’s ‘human face’.
Inside, a spacious cabin with a modern minimalist aesthetic creates a relaxed ambience for occupants. A comfortable lounge-like feel is achieved with the application of mélange-style sofa fabric and other tactile materials often found in contemporary homes. The sense of spaciousness is enhanced by the walk-through flat floor in the front and rear of the cabin.
To keep occupants engaged with their connected lifestyles, the intuitive and customizable dual screen horizontal display features a range of intelligent applications and services. This sophisticated high-end interface has been designed for ultimate usability and shifts the car beyond being a means of transportation to become fully integrated into modern everyday life.
The array of next-generation digital aids is presented alongside many of the car’s comfort and infotainment controls for easy multi-tasking and simple menu navigation. Screens showing the rear-view images relayed from the Camera Mirror System are integrated at either end of the dashboard ergonomically positioned to ensure a natural feel and vision for the driver. The vehicle also features a digital rear-view camera increasing the driver’s field of vision.
Honda says the Honda e is designed to meet the needs of the modern lifestyle, combining design, functionality, and driving dynamics perfect for the urban environment. It goes on sale in Europe first by later this year.
Looks like a VW Golf
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