Future models in Honda’s 0 Series electric car line-up will all receive distinctive styling, although with a shared focus on bold and simple design language.
The first two models in the range of seven EVs due to be launched between now and 2030 were previewed with the 0 SUV and 0 Saloon prototypes shown at this year’s CES tech event.
Those two models share some key design philosophies, including simple, bold bodywork and a focus on interior space, but unlike many car families have markedly different treatment in overall proportions and key styling elements such as the front end and lighting.
Toshinobu Minami, head of Honda’s design centre, said that the focus on both initial 0 Series models was to “give them strong characteristics”, because “in a world with a lot of new players such as start-ups and tech firms now building EVs, the electric vehicle could become a bit of a commodity. But these are very different and we wanted to give them a distinct character.”
He added that “we wanted distinctive design to be a pillar of the 0 Series models”.
Minami said that the 0 SUV, which will be the first model to go on sale, was “very close” to production, adding that the bolder Saloon needed “a bit of treatment, but the size and shape will remain the same”.
Minami said that “trying to make the design as pure as possible” will be a pillar of the 0 Series line-up, but added: “We will try to unify the design, but they will not be exactly the same aside from size.
“These are not cars where there will be one simple design; different cars will be like parent and child. We’ll have a wide spread of a line-up, with more variety than you’d be used to from a European premium brand.”
The 0 Series models are a stark departure from Honda’s existing line-up, but Minami said that future ICE models would not adopt similar designs. “Hybrid and combustion models are going to be different in terms of design, but dynamic and simple will be key words for all models in the future,” he said.
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Cars on average are getting larger year on year by about 15 mm , your average car today is about 4.5m ,they don't fit in most car parking bays or at the roadside either,so why make cars bigger?,ok, the tech going inside is needed today, but certainly in the UK the roads and infrastructure isn't everywhere,so cars of these sizes won't suit most areas.
I didn't know Marcello Gandini worked for Honda before he died! It's nice that he wanted to return to his Countach roots.
Plenty of Espada in there!
Ver true, well spotted! Clearly some '70s Lamborghini fans at Honda these days!
A bit of late Diablo/early Murcielago on the front end, too. It looks fantastic but it will get extremely hot if parked outside in an Australian summer.
Very true. They have clearly ignored Jaguar's "Copy Nothing" policy (just like jaGUar did!!).
The air conditioning will indeed be doing overtime in that car!
I'm all for a bit of retro in car designs, I'm just not sure this works too well though.