Honda's highly anticipated electric city car, the Honda E, has appeared in production form at the Frankfurt motor show, as the firm confirms it will be available from £26,160 in the UK, including the £3500 plug-in grant.
The model's price tag is lower than initially expected, but more expensive than the new Volkswagen ID 3's £24,000 starting price. Entry-level models sit atop 16in wheels, and are powered by a 134bhp electric motor, with prices rising to £28,660 for the 152bhp Advance variant. Both available powertrains produce 232lb ft of torque and deliver 0-62mph in around 8sec.
In addition to the power boost, Advance trim adds 17in wheels, a parking assist programme, a digital rear-view mirror and an upgraded sound system. Range for both models is quoted at 136 miles, with Honda UK boss Phil Webb calling that "more than sufficient" for the average European commute of approximately 30 miles.
Project manager Kohei Hitomi told us earlier this year: “Some potential customers might not be satisfied, but when you think about bigger range and a bigger battery, it has drawbacks in terms of packaging and balance.” The e's relatively small powertrain has allowed for a compact footprint; all variants measure 3895mm by 1750mm, with a roof height of 1510mm.
Fast charging at 100kWh means an 80% charging in 30 minutes, claims Honda, while a 50kWh charger will manage the same in 36 minutes.
The e is also available on finance, with prices starting from £299 per month for the base-spec model, and £349 for Advance trim.
Also detailed at the model's Frankfurt debut is an associated smartphone app, MyHonda+, which will give e owners access to a suite of remote-operated services, like interior pre-heating, journey planning and charging process initiation.
There are only two visual changes between the prototype seen at the Geneva motor show in March and the final production car: the grille badge is not illuminated as this feature is illegal in Europe and the side skirt no longer says ‘Honda Design’.
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£30 = £26k
Public pressure and alarm at £30k. Is it £26k after the grant?
xxxx wrote:
I guess so.
If you just looked at the spec it would be a no go, but the looks and perhaps the interior ( need to see more pictures of that) do give it a sense of something different and could be a feel good factor for driving, similar to Tesla, rather than say something like the e 208 or e corsa.
£299 per month is not too bad. I tend to drive less than 100 miles per day, so that would not be a problem. I guess quality would be pretty good too.
oh yes teh Renault is cheaper
oh yes teh Renault is cheaper, ummm, no it is not, you have to pay £75 per month for the rent on the batteries so over three years, is nealry another £3k, or you pay an extra £7k to buy them outright, so please factor that in before you harp on about teh Renault being cheaper, plus, it is a Renault, at least Honda has a better reputation than Renault.
jonboy, top tip research before 'harping on'
Really, if only you read the previous article. The Renault starts off at £25.5k WITH battery whih is less than the £27k Honda (probably the low end of estimate as well)
Then there's the MINI EV at around £25k with Battery.
I think it is overpriced. But
I think it is overpriced. But to compare it to the Zoe, is to compare a more powerful RWD car to a slower FWD car. They are not in the same market. To me the worst thing they have done to the styling. I really think Honda are right that people will pay for a premium for the right product, just like millions do with the iphone. But this isnt it. The concept was.
I hope it does well enough that Honda follow it up with a production version of the Sport EV, but that they leave the styling of that alone