The new electric car platform developed for the production version of the Honda e prototype will be used for other small EVs in the future – which are set to include a a hot version of the e, and a production version of the Sports EV Concept.
The Sports EV Concept was shown at the 2017 Tokyo show, and previewed a striking two-seat, rear-wheel-drive sports car with styling based closely on the Urban EV Concept that previewed the e prototype. It was intended as a vision of a flagship performance EV from the firm that would sit alongside the Honda Civic Type R and NSX.
The production car that is developed from the e prototype will be built on a new platform designed for A- and B-segment electric cars, and e prototype project manager Kohei Hitomi confirmed it would be used as the basis for a range of machines. It is likely that the firm would push to style those cars in a similar retro manner to the e prototype to create an EV family, although more traditionally styled cars are also likely.
Speaking about the platform, Hitomi said: “The fundamental technology is there and our colleagues in the design department are thinking in many directions.”
Asked if the platform would suit a car like the Sports EV, he said: “It can be any car. It can be a sporty car or a box-type car. Personally, I’d very much welcome a sporty car on that platform.”
Speaking at the Geneva show, Hitomi said the e prototype was already developed for good driving dynamics, but that "If there was demand in the market [for performance variant], we’d definitely consider it.”
However, he added: “At the moment, we don’t expect to have a high demand for a high-performance variant of the e prototype. The car has been designed to satisfy all the demands and requirements with dynamic driving behaviour.”
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The production version of the
The production version of the Urban EV concept is very disappointing, will Honda lose their nerve with this one too?
catnip wrote:
I had similar thoughts when I first saw the E Prototype a few days ago, but that's because I was only comparing it directly to the concept car. But actually, if I ignore the concept and compare it to most other cars on the road, it's a brilliant looking thing. There's a half hour video on youtube (Fully charged) where they take a closer look at the details of the car, and why certain changes were made from the concept. After watching that, I appreciated the design a lot more.
I just wish the battery range was improved. Looking forward to their next EV though.
Like it!
There is something of the ‘60s about this design. It looks small, neat, cute, and generally very appealing to the eye.
I really hope Honda finds a way to make this car. Just a shame that at the same time they announce this car, they are shutting down a factory and making 3,000 of our fellow countrymen and women unemployed.
mmmmmm. savour the mundane
mmmmmm. savour the mundane