Honda wants to build a version of this wild, wedgy EV for America
It’s true: The annual, ongoing Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas has become, by default, a newsworthy car show, as evidenced by a pair of wild concepts that Honda introduced this afternoon in Nevada.
The two cars signal the introduction of the 0—as in “zero”—Series, which Honda says is a new global EV line that launches in 2026. Unlike the recently unveiled Prologue and Acura ZDX, the 0 Series appears to be an in-house venture, not a collaboration with another major OEM.
The Honda 0 Series concepts are the ultra-sleek Saloon (above) and the Space-Hub, which looks like a minivan with a huge, windowless tail.
“The mobility we dream of is not an extension of the trend of ‘thick, heavy, but smart’ EVs,” said Toshihiro Mibe, global CEO of Honda as of April 2021. “We will create a completely new value from zero based on thin, light and wise as the foundation for our new Honda 0 EV series to further advance the joy and freedom of mobility to the next level.”
“We have gone back to basics and formulated the Honda 0 Series with a design for the new era,” said Shinji Aoyama, Global EVP of Honda. “A bold and pure proportion that from the first glance is overwhelmingly different from other EVs to evoke a new perspective for people.”
The Saloon, Honda says, sits on a dedicated EV platform, and features steer-by-wire and new “motion control management” systems. The instrument panel uses a “human-machine interface” that “enables simple and intuitive operations.” Additionally, the Saloon “features posture control that will assist the driver in a variety of driving situations to realize the ‘joy of driving’ in the EV era.”
Honda says a production vehicle based on the Saloon concept is expected to come to North America in 2026.
The Space-Hub, Honda says, “was developed under the theme of ‘augmenting people’s daily lives.’” The spacious cabin and good visibility offer a “flexible space that immediately accommodates a variety of passengers and becomes a ‘hub’ that connects people to each other.” No word on production plans for the Space-Hub.
The Honda 0 Series vehicles, which will wear a new “H mark” that resembles a set of outstretched hands, are expected to be equipped with next-generation automated driving (AD) that uses “advanced AI, sensing, recognition, and driver monitoring technologies to achieve more human-like, natural and high-precision risk predictions, making it possible to offer AD features people can feel safe and confident using. This advanced AD system will expand the application of some hands-off functions for use on both expressways and surface streets.”
Honda also says the 0 Series vehicles will use a smaller, high-density battery that will charge from 15 percent to 80 percent capacity in “about 10 to 15 minutes.” In the meantime, “by applying battery system control technology, Honda is targeting to minimize the degradation of battery capacity to less than 10 percent after 10 years of use.”
Honda is introducing the electric Prologue SUV, based on a collaboration with GM, early this year.
***
Check out the Hagerty Media homepage so you don’t miss a single story, or better yet, bookmark it. To get our best stories delivered right to your inbox, subscribe to our newsletters.
Not sure I want an EV, but the wedge (more of a computer mouse than wedge) saloon I would drive (if it actually has headroom).
The van looks like a vacuum cleaner, which I suppose the GM dustbusters are precedent for.
Wondering if the newer, sleek, modern EV will be affordable for the average person or family. Will it be like cutting edge TVs and electronics that start out at exorbitant prices that only the richest can afford. Please remember, middle-class America loves cool, exciting vehicles, too, so keep that in mind. Let the pricier ones be full of extra amenities and have silver/gems for dashboard appeal. Lol. I would pay $45k-60k for a luxury or sporty ride; others may pay up to $75k. I do love the look so may hold off on buying a ride in 2024!
I LOVE Hondas! But…GAG!
I used to love Hondas but when they abandoned building small economy cars in favor of SUVs & large hybrid sedans all with large pricetags, I abandoned them. These two examples are atrocious.
I really like the Saloon’s design, but those doors are massive. It will be interesting to see if the production version retains them – and if so, how they’ll open – or if they’ll be replaced by a more traditional 4-door approach.
I also like the Space-Hub….it’s what I imagine a modern Vanagon would look like; from both an exterior and interior perspective.
Not sure about all the marketing-speak used to describe what is essentially Level 2 autonomy, but I guess they wouldn’t be concept cars without a little futuristic prose accompanying their release.