New Honda e: compact EV tackles Goodwood hillclimb

The camera system will feature two modes: a normal mode and a wide mode with an extended field of view, and Honda claims they reduce blindspots by at least 10% compared to mirrors. A special water-repellent coating will be used to stop water obscuring the driver's vision.

Honda recently began taking orders for the E, ahead of first deliveries beginning in spring 2020.

Mirroring the process of rivals such as Tesla and Peugeot with the e-208, potential customers are invited to cough up a reservation fee of £800 for "priority status" in the order books. Those customers will be invited to place a full order later this year. The e's pricing is still yet to be announced, but as with most reservations, the fee is refundable if buyers change their mind. 

A near-production version of the E was shown at this year's Geneva motor show, dubbed the E Prototype. Honda has confirmed the 'E' name will stay for the production version and revealed a selection of available paint options for customers at launch.

The firm believes the car’s retro design will give it an Apple-style appeal to customers. 

Honda has said there are more than 6500 people in the UK who have expressed interest in the E so far. Pricing has yet to be set, but Autocar understands a ballpark figure is £35,000. 

Project manager Kohei Hitomi said the machine had been the subject of an internal “battle” over whether to put it into production, with the positive reaction to the concept being a key factor in it gaining approval. 

The car is slightly shorter than the Honda Jazz and around 100mm taller than the Mini hatchback. It is built on a new platform designed for A and B-segment electric cars, with underfloor batteries produced by Panasonic that are similar to those used in the US-market Accord plug-in hybrid. The rear-mounted electric motor drives the rear wheels, which employ torque vectoring to give a smoother response and improved handling in tight corners. 

As well as featuring cameras instead of rear-view mirrors, there are also flush door handles to further boost aerodynamic efficiency, while the charging port is mounted centrally in the bonnet. 

The cockpit of the E is dominated by two 12in touchscreens, built into a dashboard finished with a wood-effect trim. The seats – including a two-seat bench in the rear – are covered in polyester, which, as with the wood effect, is designed to make the interior feel like a living room.