Wednesday 23rd January 2019

Honda Urban EV production prototype for Geneva

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

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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...

[TrickyTrevM5]

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

[borat52]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Let's hope it isn't another Supra scenario!

[indapendentlee]

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]

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]

Mark 1 Golf GTI with alpina alloys. Nice looking car though.

[gumball3K]

[anonymous-user]

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.]

Far more Civic than Golf, new image is disappointing.

[oilit]

put sensible wheels on it and it would look better I think - I still like it ..be interesting to see the 'numbers'

[CrunkleFloop]

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]

Ed. said:

Far more Civic than Golf, new image is disappointing.

Why not replicate the original?

[sr.guiri]

That looks lovely. The Mark 1 Golf and Civic too.

Obviously not pencilled by the guy who did the new Civic

[anonymous-user]

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

[leakymanifold]

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]

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]

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.