Until 2025 Honda wants to equip all models with electric drive; as a hybrid, plug-in hybrid or pure electric car. One such is the Honda e, which already comes 2020 and which the Japanese have now introduced once again in more detail. Still, the vehicle is a prototype, but in fact almost the later production model. And you can look forward to that, even if this joy will have its price.
SP-X / Cologne. Finally, there is really good news from Honda again. From March next year, the Japanese want to deliver their smart electric city car "Honda e". Pre-orders will be accepted against 800 Euro fee already, who does not want the car then, of course, gets his money back completely. However, it is not daring to say that interested parties should hurry if they still want to drive the 2020 four-door 3,90. Because for Germany only 1.500 of the total 5.000 reserved for Europe copies are provided and already 240 pre-orders have been received. And that, although the production vehicle will be presented only at the IAA in September and the final price has not yet been communicated. Only so much tells Honda: Under 30.000 Euro is nothing.
Also, the technical specifications are not yet complete, because we currently see officially the "Honda e Prototype" - but according to technology specialist Kotaro Yamamoto already "to 98 percent of the later standard standard". What we know: The Honda e will have a Panasonic battery with a capacity of 36 kWh, which is supposed to provide true 200 kilometer range to WLTP. The batteries are hidden in the subfloor, as expected, and can be filled to 2 percent in 30 minutes via the CCS80 connector on a fast charging station in XNUMX minutes. The tailgate sits on the bonnet, where it acts as a design element on the one hand, but on the other hand should also allow a frontal and close approach to a charging station.
The engine works in the rear and drives the rear axle. This is not only intended to ensure the ideal weight distribution of the 1,5 50: 50 heavy vehicle on the front and rear axles, but also ensures a very small turning radius of 8,60 meters. The performance of the engine will, according to Honda at "about 100 PS" are the torque "about 300 Newton meters" amount.
Kotaro Yamamoto explains the relatively low range compared to competitors such as the Renault Zoe: "Offering more and more range is counterproductive. It will make the cars bigger, heavier and more expensive. "In fact, 200 kilometers are more than enough for a vehicle designed as a city and a second car. The impact on the price in this case, however, manageable. Given the relatively small battery, you could have expected a cheaper offer.
The reason for the pricing should be in some peculiarities of the Honda e. Thus, the small car produced in Japan is the first vehicle in these classes no longer has conventional mirrors, but two small cameras that transmit the image on two, placed near the front doors displays. The significantly smaller camera unit compared to a standard exterior mirror housing offers 90 percent less air resistance while reducing the blind spot by 10 percent. With a wide-angle lens, the blind spot can even be reduced by 50 percent.
Also, the rearview mirror is designed as a screen, but you can also "turn off" this, then you have a normal mirror. A clever measure, because so a driver has the ability to watch the rear traffic with a full trunk over the camera, but when about children are on board to look over the mirror to the rear and then to see the back seat. However, not only children are sitting in the rear of the Honda e prima, two adults can do well there on short and medium distances.
From the two side mirror displays in the corners of the dashboard, a 8-Zoll-driver display and two further, side-by-side extending two 12,3 inch displays results in an impressive, door-to-door continuous display tape, as it has not been so yet has seen, let alone in a small car.
In contrast to the technically advanced ambience is the overall design of the vehicle. On the outside, it reminds of the first Honda Civic, thanks to the friendly looking round headlights, which the designers deliberately wanted. The Honda e is offered in the standard equipment in two trim levels, in the base of the vehicle is on 16- in the higher version on 17-inch wide wheels, which, along with the short overhangs, which allows an e-car yes, and full stand firm on the street.
Inside, despite the cool display splendor, a rather cozy atmosphere prevails, also thanks to some wood imitation and the more reminiscent of a sofa cover seat fabric. The fact that Honda has consistently designed the back seat provides additional sofa ambience. However, it can only be handled in one piece.
This shortcoming is unlikely to play a role in a cool city car. The Honda e acts rather as a vehicle with which the developers have given a lot of effort. The fact that it is initially offered only here and not in Japan or the US, despite the situation that is not easy for the brand in Europe, gives hope that Honda has not given up the local markets. The Honda e is not only a promise for the attractive mobility of tomorrow, but also for a (re) successful future of the Japanese brand.