Honda unveils striking EV concept cars in an effort to modernize the brand

Honda is a relative latecomer to electric vehicles (EV), but the announcement of a new range of battery-powered cars signals the brand’s intention to catch up.

Two concept cars – the Saloon and the Space-Hub – have been unveiled at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, with the first due to hit US roads in 2026 and in Britain shortly afterwards.

The rakish, wedge-shaped sedan features a swept-back design and a sporty two-door look, tailored for “ultimate driving pleasure,” according to Honda.

The Space-Hub is heavier and rectangular with a lounge-style interior with communal sofa-like seating facing each other. The central ‘hub’ is designed to ‘connect people’.

Shinji Aoyama, Global Vice President of Honda said: “We’ve gone back to basics and formulated the Honda 0 Series with a design for the new era.”

And the ultra-modern look also includes a refreshed Honda logo, heralding a new electric era with a revised ‘H’ badge.

The current 1981 incarnation will be replaced by a redesigned emblem that evokes “two outstretched hands” to symbolize “Honda’s commitment to expanding the possibilities of mobility and continuing to meet the needs of its customers,” the company says.

The 0 Series concepts include autonomous driving technology and AI software ‘ensuring safety and peace of mind’

Although it’s just a concept for now, Honda says the Saloon EV will hit the European car market before the end of the decade. Time will tell if the production version looks as dramatic as the concept

At the rear of the sedan is a unique brake light cluster, with wraparound LED bars enclosed in a section at the rear

Both the Limousine and Space-Hub will implement Honda’s new ‘Thin, Light, and Wise’ design philosophy and ‘man maximum, machine minimum’ concept.

Honda has always worked on the principle that it should increase the efficiency of a vehicle’s interior by maximizing space for people and minimizing the space required for components.

So the cars will use a special ‘thin’ (or low) EV architecture to improve aerodynamics and passenger comfort.

It will also help make battery-laden EVs as light as possible to increase range and performance.

Honda has redesigned its logo for the first time since 1981, with the new ‘H’ symbolizing two outstretched hands. It will use this on its future EV models, it confirmed this week

The 0 Series will also feature sustainable materials inside and out and have a nod to the natural environment in the design.

The battery size and range is currently unknown, but 0 Series models will “provide stress-free charging and worry-free battery performance.”

Recognizing that fast charging times are of paramount importance to EV owners, the later 0 Series models will be able to quickly charge from 15 to 80 percent in around 10 to 15 minutes.

Honda has also pledged to “limit battery capacity (range) degradation to less than 10 percent after 10 years of use.”

Like many recent EV concepts unveiled, Honda also included autonomous driving and AI software.

The Japanese company’s main goal with AI and autonomous driving is “to ensure safety and peace of mind,” the company said in a statement.

Both cars feature Level 3 automated driving, including an ADAS (advanced driver assistance system) based on Honda’s ‘human-centric’ safety concept that responds to ‘natural and highly accurate risk predictions’ that drivers are comfortable with.

Most of these facilities will be used on highways, but will also be adapted for smaller roads.

The Space-Hub concept is a more compact compact MPV with a lounge-like interior

The concept interiors are designed for maximum comfort and space for driver and passenger, utilizing Honda’s mantra ‘man maximum machine, minimum’

Honda’s 0 Series shows a new direction for a brand that has thus far been less successful in the EV market compared to its competitors.

Three years since Honda announced its ambitious goal to “increase the share of global EV sales to 100 percent by 2024,” the company appears to be delivering on its pledge to have zero environmental impact “throughout the vehicle’s life cycle.” to achieve, to double.