Before its public debut at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, Honda has revealed its first electric car.
Dubbed the e Prototype, the city car is a near-production version of the Urban EV concept from the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show and comes with a claimed 124-mile electric range.
Honda has developed an all-new platform for the e Prototype, which could be stretched to accommodate EVs up to the size of the current HR-V. Here the Japanese brand has mounted the electric motor on the rear axle, meaning the E has rear-wheel drive.
Although the power output of the battery pack is yet to be confirmed, Honda said that the production car will have power and performance similar its closest market rivals, such as the Renault Zoe and Volkswagen e-Up – so expect the model to have around 100bhp and a 0-60mph time close to 11 seconds.
As Honda actually designed this production version of the model before the Urban EV concept, the overall retro look has been maintained and the ring LED lights give it a unique signature.
The Japanese marque said it was able to take a risk with this car, and the interior design displays that best. With five displays across the dash, conventional wing mirrors are replaced by cameras that send the feed through the two outermost screens – while the two touchscreens can be used in tandem, with the passenger able to look up new instructions and destinations, then swipe it across to the driver-side screen.
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The five-door model comes with seating for four and the rear bench can be folded down to extend the rather small boot – although the lounge-like feel of the concept remains.
Honda has said that production and sales will begin towards the end of 2019, with deliveries expected to begin in early 2020. Pricing is yet to be confirmed, but Honda has hinted it will be at the top-end of the current EV hatchback market – so expect a starting point close to £30,000.
