RE: Honda Urban EV Concept - Frankfurt 2017

[RenesisEvo]

Kolbenkopp said:

lufbramatt said:

Just thought it was funny how about the only thread I've ever seen on here where everyone is in agreement was about a EV city car, given the site's history.

Surprised me as well, not what I expected .

But perhaps the thread and that funky little concept is a bit of a refuge for people sick of all the overly fussy styling nowadays? And I don't mean the TVR, on 2nd look I find that rather decent.

I mean, picked at random, stuff like the current Civic or pretty much everything from Benz or an X6 or that X7 SUV monstrosity. All so busy, form > function, needlessly agressive, lacking elegance...

If one takes Dieter Rams' 10 commandements as reference, then the little Honda does at least one thing right: "good design is as little design as possible". I quite like that and hope it is starting a trend.

I find myself agreeing wholeheartedly. And thank you, I've learnt something today, about those 10 principles. No 6 especially resonates with my thoughts on many modern things, cars among them.

I was fortunately to see this concept in the flesh at Frankfurt today. I was surprised to read it's shorter than a Jazz, there's one nearby on the stand and the Urban looked bigger, possibly a result of those oversized wheels (too many spokes!!). I liked the clean simplicity of the interior and how that continued outside. Not convinced by the message displays. I'd like to see it in production, an agile homage to the N600 etc would be refreshing. For similar reasons my attention was drawn to a horribly green Mk1 Fiesta on Ford's nearby stand, a basic honesty long since buried by a tidal wave of featuritis.

[PunterCam]

Utterly pointless styling. Why bother?

Thin pillars? Obviously not.

Enormous wheels? Obviously not.

Big horrible screen where dashboard should be? I hope not. It's just cost cutting really... "Chuck a screen in - people think that's modern or something, I dunno, fk it, I'm going to lunch".

And after all that, what is there? A smallish car.

Honda are in a total rut and have been for nearly 10 years. I can only assume Americans are keeping them afloat out of habit...

[RobDickinson]

[hyphen]

Vergis said:

Front is Golf Mark 1 Rear is Peugeot 205

Rear of the car is a bit ugly for me, but rest is lovely.

[LordGrover]

Has this video been posted yet: video?
Not a lot more info though.

[Disco Infiltrator]

AMC Pacer inspired I feel.






Are these cool now?

[dxg]

Erm, as mentioned above, mk1 civic inspired:

[Fetchez la vache]

Disco Infiltrator said:

AMC Pacer inspired I feel.






Are these cool now?

Yep. 4 wheels and a roof. Identical.

Kolbenkopp said:

If one takes Dieter Rams' 10 commandements as reference

Not come across that before. Cheers
They're good rules to abide by. So many current designs wouldn't get very far on that list.

[Disco Infiltrator]

Fetchez la vache said:

Disco Infiltrator said:

AMC Pacer inspired I feel.






Are these cool now?

Yep. 4 wheels and a roof. Identical.

Kolbenkopp said:

If one takes Dieter Rams' 10 commandements as reference

Not come across that before. Cheers
They're good rules to abide by. So many current designs wouldn't get very far on that list.

I take it you didn't notice the similarity with the headlight or the black trim on the A-post?




Shades of the Gremlin too.




Honda clearly paying tribute to the glory days of AMC design

Edited by Disco Infiltrator on Friday 15th September 08:56

[Disco Infiltrator]

hyphen said:

Rear of the car is a bit ugly for me, but rest is lovely.

I genuinely think I may be on to something here.

AMC Gremlin rear view.

[Mr2Mike]

Disco Infiltrator said:

I genuinely think I may be on to something here.

I genuinely think you aren't.

[Disco Infiltrator]

Mr2Mike said:

Disco Infiltrator said:

I genuinely think I may be on to something here.

I genuinely think you aren't.

It does look good.

[Disco Infiltrator]

Disco Infiltrator said:

Fetchez la vache said:

Disco Infiltrator said:

AMC Pacer inspired I feel.






Are these cool now?

Yep. 4 wheels and a roof. Identical.

Kolbenkopp said:

If one takes Dieter Rams' 10 commandements as reference

Not come across that before. Cheers
They're good rules to abide by. So many current designs wouldn't get very far on that list.

I take it you didn't notice the similarity with the headlight or the black trim on the A-post?




Shades of the Gremlin too.




Honda clearly paying tribute to the glory days of AMC design

Edited by Disco Infiltrator on Friday 15th September 08:56

Right. I am actually getting somewhere.

Honda Z600.

[Eddiemunster41]

Looks awesome. Like fat golf. I'd buy one

[Mr2Mike]

Disco Infiltrator said:

Right. I am actually getting somewhere.

Honda Z600.

Much closer, the Z600 was basically a baby SB1 Civic in appearance.

[donteatpeople]

flat6monkey said:

Looks like the love child of a MK1 Golf and an original Mini Clubman.....for those old enough to remember !

That's an odd comment, I'm not sure how old you have to be to remember cars that still exist (I'm definitely old enough to remember the MK1 Golf I saw yesterday).

Besides, most self respecting car geeks of younger generations will recognise the styling themes from the '79 Civic featured in Gran Turismo:

[Nerdherder]

Honda, I think this is an ace concept. Considering that it's going on sale I need the following to buy one:

1. A 5 seats option.
2. A basic trim level with less lighting/screens. As restrained as possible please!
3. A roof rack to carry bikes/ski box.
4. A decent approach to battery reliability + good warranty options.

If these items become reality you've just found yourself a buyer.

I do think driver information needs to be presented in the classic location: In a binnacle behind the steering wheel!
Look at how Audi did it in the TT for inspriration (the in-vent temp displays are also a very nice touch).
Just ditch the concept screen. Silly expensive and not making any sense ergonomically.

Nice to haves:

1. Easy wipe fabric interior (Yes, it will be the family runabout)
2. Full leather steering wheel an option on any trim level.
3. Smaller diameter wheels with a classic style. Look at 70's Italian wheel designs as inspiration.

[LordGrover]

Any news?
It's a toss-up between this and Suzuki Jimny for me.

[Cupramax]

Nothing on Honda’s site since March this year, last saying orders will open early 2019.

https://hondanews.eu/gb/en/cars/media/pressrelease...

[Filibuster]

I can't believe this story is almost a year old! (how time passes, he?)

I'm still rather fond of it, but a year ago I was even more fond of it somehow.
Good call RE the Jimny, btw!