RE: Honda Urban EV production prototype for Geneva

RE: Honda Urban EV production prototype for Geneva

Wednesday 23rd January 2019

Honda Urban EV production prototype for Geneva

Concept car will become near-reality at Geneva; here's the first look



It's fair to say that Honda's Urban EV concept was one of the biggest surprises of the 2017 Frankfurt show. It wasn't simply because Honda had come up with a funky, relevant, interesting concept car either, but because it was also committing the concept to production. Soon as well, they said - unlike the NSX - with production cars due in 2020.

Almost two years on from that reveal and that timescale looks to be on track, with a 'prototype version' of Honda's new electric vehicle due at Geneva in March. Quite clearly it's derived from that concept, albeit with the retro chic toned down somewhat. Honda says the car has been developed "with a focus on functionality and purpose and the prototype sketch demonstrates this through its clean, simple and unique design." This sketch is all that's been released thus far, with no additional details or images.

It seems wrong therefore to pass any judgement just yet, though it's hard to avoid a sliver of disappointment given how fresh and smart that Urban EV looked - this prototype doesn't immediately grab you in the same way. Still, there's a lot more to discover as the show nears, so let's keep hope for a while - maybe Honda can do the Sports EV one day, too...



Author
Discussion

TrickyTrevM5

Original Poster:

297 posts

185 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2019
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This looks great. I really hope they can make it - and make it look like the concept. coolest EV since the i8

borat52

559 posts

207 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2019
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Make it self driving, build it to a tight budget with a modest range so that it can autopilot to a recharge station while it's mates come off charge and take up the reins and you have the perfect self driving city taxi there.

Smitters

3,995 posts

156 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2019
quotequote all
I really hope the proper images are better than the one released. It's gone from genuine interest to meh for me, having lost all presence.

Nerdherder

1,773 posts

96 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2019
quotequote all
Smitters said:
I really hope the proper images are better than the one released. It's gone from genuine interest to meh for me, having lost all presence.
Same here. Was very Excited about the concept, the new render.. Not so much. Keep it well proportioned like the concept please Honda!

AmitG

3,272 posts

159 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2019
quotequote all
Smitters said:
I really hope the proper images are better than the one released. It's gone from genuine interest to meh for me, having lost all presence.
I agree. The concept was lovely - it looked really tidy with its straight edges, like a Golf mk1. The new one appears to look rather blobby.


Jhonno

5,762 posts

140 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2019
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Let's hope it isn't another Supra scenario! hurl

indapendentlee

401 posts

98 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2019
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Suspect an attempt has been made to make it crashable - I don't think the angle of that shot helps but it definitely appears to have gained some head-friendly flab. Still the most likely thing to get me into an EV if the numbers aren't silly!

nicfaz

430 posts

229 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2019
quotequote all
Oh dear - the challenge was always going to be to translate that great looking concept into something that meets all the regs. From the evidence of that photo, they've failed. I think "doesn't immediately grab you in the same way" was very polite shorthand for "looks rubbish".

gumball3K

60 posts

197 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2019
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Mark 1 Golf GTI with alpina alloys. Nice looking car though.

gumball3K

60 posts

197 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2019
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anonymous-user

53 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2019
quotequote all
Mk1 civic not mk1 golf ...

Unfortunately it looks like it has been rounded off at the front, in 5 door guise (hopefully a 3 available) with terrible alloys.

There are some in the wild shots (albeit testing) here;

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motor-shows-gen...


Genuinely interested in one of these but can see the price being circa £30k to challenge the mini hybrid.

Ed.

2,172 posts

237 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2019
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Far more Civic than Golf, new image is disappointing.

oilit

2,618 posts

177 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2019
quotequote all
put sensible wheels on it and it would look better I think - I still like it ..be interesting to see the 'numbers'

CrunkleFloop

772 posts

244 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2019
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Lord.Vader said:
Mk1 civic not mk1 golf ...
Exactly - Anyone who thinks this is modelled like a Mk1 Golf has never seen a Mk1 Civic...


dinkel

26,886 posts

257 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2019
quotequote all
Ed. said:


Far more Civic than Golf, new image is disappointing.
Why not replicate the original?

sr.guiri

477 posts

88 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2019
quotequote all
That looks lovely. The Mark 1 Golf and Civic too.

Obviously not pencilled by the guy who did the new Civic vomit


anonymous-user

53 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2019
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Not as attractive as the concept, bus still much better proportioned than the current fugly MINI. Hope Honda can make it financially competitive.

leakymanifold

61 posts

85 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2019
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I'm not convinced the idea of en electric small city car has legs. The demographics point to ever increasing urbanisation and city dwelling. This means shorter commuting distances or use of public transport. The final mile can then be by bike or increasingly - e-scooters (which are awesome fun). Electric cars are a long way from eliminating their premium over fossil fuel competitors so odds of a family being able to afford both a family sized electric car AND a small city runabout electric car are reduced. Compiled even further with the fact that increased urbanisation means less parking availability. Which leads me to then wonder - how big is the market for such cars really? Tesla seem to think its not worth the bother and strategically I would agree.

carlingofblack

363 posts

163 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2019
quotequote all
Yes - completely agree. The original looked superb. This latest reworking is as if they’ve mated it with a Mk 1 Fiat Multipla. Not nearly as stylish to my eye.

Smitters

3,995 posts

156 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2019
quotequote all
Lord.Vader said:
Mk1 civic not mk1 golf ...

Unfortunately it looks like it has been rounded off at the front, in 5 door guise (hopefully a 3 available) with terrible alloys.

There are some in the wild shots (albeit testing) here;

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motor-shows-gen...


Genuinely interested in one of these but can see the price being circa £30k to challenge the mini hybrid.
Cheers for the link - it gives me some hope. I think the thing I liked was it was quite loveable looking in general, but with a more aggressive looking front end. It now looks decidedly more ordinary, but the render is much worse than the spy pics.