Wednesday 13th September 2017

Honda Urban EV Concept - Frankfurt 2017

Is it a Mk1 Civic? Is it an Autobianchi A112? Whatever, it previews Honda's 2019 production EV

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Honda has unveiled its Urban EV Concept at Frankfurt, built on a new platform that will set the brand's direction in terms of EV technology and design.

Maybe the 20s won't make production...

Takahiro Hachigo, President and CEO of Honda, said "This is not some vision of the distant future; a production version of this car will be here in Europe in 2019."

With its low and wide stance - it's 100mm shorter than a Jazz - the Urban EV Concept should be a cinch to drive in urban environments. A large wraparound windscreen aids visibility and the occupants enter via rear-hinged doors - think Rolls-Royce Phantom on a mini scale. Up front, messages can be displayed between the headlights including greetings, advice to drivers and charging status updates. Just wait until it's used in a road rage incident!

Isn't it cute?

Whilst Type R models wear a provocative red Honda badge, this EV concept wears one backlit in blue, a feature which is to make its way to future EVs.

Inside, the 'floating' dashboard is wrapped in a wood finish that also makes its way to the seat backs, squabs and arm rests. A large panoramic display presents a wealth of information along with Honda's Automated Network Assistant. Because this is a concept car, and no concept car worth its salt uses mirrors, here the door screen provides a view of the road behind. We can't wait to hear more details as the production car approaches - bring on 2019!

 

 

[TrickyTrevM5]

other than the i8, this is the best looking EV i've seen from a mainstream car company (Tesla only makes 50k cars per year). I would be tempted to buy one when they come out if they look like this - so that i can ditch my diesel mini for townie driving....and keep my M5 and Rangey