MASS PRODUCTION HONDA E REVEALED

First images of Honda e in final mass production form
Honda e set for official debut at 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show
Honda confirms further technical specification details of new compact EV
Honda e designed to meet the needs of customers looking for an EV to suit their urban lifestyles

Honda have unveiled the first official images of its new Honda e electric vehicle (EV). The car is the next step towards Honda’s commitment to making 100% of its European automobile sales electrified by 2025 and is set to make its official public debut at 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show, alongside Honda’s range of electrified and sporty automobiles.

Honda e design details

Developed with a focus on simplicity in design and usability, the Honda e will meet the needs of modern urban lifestyles through seamlessly integrated connected technologies and exceptional driving dynamics.

Clean external lines are accentuated by the Side Camera Mirror System that replaces conventional side view mirrors with compact cameras, providing live images to two six-inch screens inside the vehicle. The camera technology, a first in the compact segment, brings significant benefits for styling, safety, aerodynamics and refinement.

The car is distinguished in profile by its smooth styling contours, enhanced by pop-out door handles that provide a seamless look. Inside, a next-generation five screen full-width digital dashboard and connected infotainment system are incorporated within a relaxing and modern passenger cabin that uses subtle, contemporary materials.

The largest area of the Honda e’s full-width digital dashboard is occupied by dual 12.3-inch LCD touchscreens. These act as the primary infotainment displays, presenting a range of applications and connected infotainment services that help the car to seamlessly integrate with the owner’s modern urban lifestyle. As a result, the driver and passengers – whether the car is driving, parked or charging – can enjoy the same connectivity and comfort.

Honda e technical specifications

The Honda e is equipped with a high-power electric motor available with two power outputs of 100 kW (136ps) * or 113kW (154ps) *, and impressive torque of 315Nm*. The 35.5kWh battery is one of the most compact in its class yet delivers a range of up to 220km * from a single charge, perfect for every day urban commuting. A fast-charging capability also allows recharge to 80% capacity in 30 minutes *. On the road, the car delivers a responsive and fun experience, with the powerful electric motor driving the rear wheels for a sporty and connected feel. The Honda e delivers outstanding acceleration from a standing start and will reach 0-100km/h in approximately 8 seconds *.

Honda e connected services and artificial intelligence

Connected services and applications accessed via the touchscreen interface can also be activated using voice commands to engage with the Honda Personal Assistant service. The intuitive Honda Personal Assistant is a smart artificial intelligence (AI) facility that uses unique contextual understanding to create natural conversations and provide access to a range of online services.

The unique Honda Personal Assistant is activated by saying, “OK Honda”, followed by the question or instruction. Machine learning enables the technology to develop a greater understanding of an individuals’ voice over time, in order to deliver more accurate responses.

Away from the car, Honda e owners can enjoy the peace-of-mind of being able to stay connected to their vehicle remotely through the My Honda+ smartphone application.

The mobile service, originally launched in 2017, has been updated to deliver a wider range of functionality, including easy navigation to a detailed vehicle condition report, remote climate control, and security and location monitoring. Additional EV-specific functions include battery charge control and range monitor, while charging station and navigation search results can be sent to the car from a mobile device.

The Honda e is also accessible using a digital key, allowing the car to be locked and unlocked using only the smartphone application.

Customers can make a reservation for priority ordering online in UK, Germany, France and Norway, or register their interest in other European markets on Honda national websites.

* Honda Internal data

Honda E

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The new Honda e has been engineered to deliver an exceptional driving experience in urban environments. With an outstanding blend of highly responsive dynamics, efficiency and performance, Honda’s next-generation electric vehicle will bring unrivalled fun-to-drive characteristics and usability to the compact electric car segment.

The Honda e, is equipped with a high-power electric motor delivering up to approximately 150PS (110 kW) and impressive torque in excess of 300Nm. The 35.5kWh battery in the Honda e is one of the most compact in its class, contributing to an exceptional balance of low weight, fast-charging capability of 80% in 30 minutes, and a range of over 200km, perfect for every day urban commuting.

Honda engineers paid special attention to enhancing the driving dynamics to deliver a fun and engaging experience. With the battery located low under the vehicle floor, the car’s centre of gravity is approximately 50cm from the ground. With a 50:50 weight distribution, wide yet compact size and short overhangs at the front and rear, the Honda e delivers an optimal balance of stability and handling performance to the compact electric car segment.

To help deliver a sporty character, power is delivered through the rear wheels, which also enables a greater steering articulation for the front wheels. As a result, the turning radius is approximately 4.3 metres, ensuring the Honda e is exceptionally manoeuvrable in small city streets.

The low centre of gravity and planted stature of the Honda e allows body roll to be managed without stiffly-sprung suspension, delivering outstanding handling through fast lane changes. Honda engineers benchmarked the ride quality of the car against larger segment cars, utilising a four-wheel independent McPherson Strut design to ensure a comfortable and refined ride for occupants.

The Honda e will also offer Single Pedal Control, enabling the driver to accelerate and slow the car using only the accelerator pedal. When the accelerator pedal is depressed the car will accelerate as normal; when it is released, automatic regenerative braking will occur, and will slow the car. The Single Pedal Control improves driving efficiency in urban environments and reduces the need to use multiple pedals, making the drive more engaging, exciting and seamless with maximum control for the driver.

High-strength materials used in the skeletal structure contribute to structural rigidity while also reducing weight. This lightweight chassis provides the ideal platform from which to fine tune suspension and steering settings for a dynamic driving experience. The Honda e’s dynamic characteristics can be further enhanced by ‘Sport Mode’, which boosts performance through faster acceleration response.

The Honda e is designed to meet the needs of the modern lifestyle. It achieves a unique combination of standout design, advanced functionality and sporty driving dynamics, to create the perfect vehicle for the urban environment.

Honda’s new compact electric car forms part of the brand’s strategy to feature electrified powertrains in all cars it sells in Europe by 2025.

The production version of the Honda e will be unveiled later this year and customers can make a reservation for priority ordering online in UK, Germany, France and Norway or register their interest in other European markets on the Honda national websites.