Honda unveils new electric cars with futuristic ‘Space-Hud’ and ‘Saloon’ concepts

Honda Sedan Electric Vehicle Concept

Courtesy of Honda

Honda engine unveiled two concept cars Tuesday at the CES technology conference as a preview of a new line of electrified vehicles that will begin arriving in North America in 2026.

The concept models are called “Space-Hub” and “Saloon”, which the Japanese automaker says will be the basis for the first production electric car “Honda 0 Series”. Honda says the new “0 Series” vehicles are developed around three core principles: “Thin, Light and Wise.”

“We will create an entirely new value from scratch, based on thin, light and wise as the foundation for our new Honda 0 EV series, to further push the joy and freedom of mobility to the next level,” Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe said in a release. .

Honda plans to introduce the first model of the Honda 0 series based on the Saloon concept in North America, followed by the introduction of the model in Japan, Asia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East and South America.

Honda Space Hub electric vehicle concept

Courtesy of Honda

The sedan is a sleek, futuristic-looking vehicle that seems fit for the “Tron” movies, with a large open-mouthed headlight in neon lighting with a redesigned Honda “H” in the middle. The rear, like the front, has a large recessed rectangular area with red lighting around the interior with “Honda” in the center.

Inside, the sedan features a minimalist digital cockpit with a Yolk steering wheel, similar to other companies’ concept cars that debuted at CES. For entry, large falcon wing doors open from the roof of the vehicle.

The Space-Hub is a minivan/shuttle that has the same type of design characteristics as a smaller sedan, but in a larger format. Its interior is similar to the cockpit, but has a spacious rear section with lounge seating.

Honda Sedan Electric Vehicle Concept

Courtesy of Honda

Both concepts appear to be designed to feature autonomous driving capabilities: the steering wheel can retract into the dashboard of each.

Honda said the 0 Series will first feature an advanced driver assistance system based on technologies first deployed in Japan, followed by a next-generation “automated driving” or AD system. The company says the upcoming system will expand the use of some hands-off features for use on both expressways and roads.

“The next generation AD system is developed based on Honda’s ‘human-centric’ safety concept. It will feature advanced artificial intelligence, sensing, recognition and driver monitoring technologies to achieve more natural and highly accurate human-like risk predictions. possible to offer AD features that people can use safely and confidently,” Honda said in a release.

Honda Sedan Electric Vehicle Concept

Courtesy of Honda

Honda hasn’t released exact specifications or performance expectations for the concept vehicles or upcoming EVs beyond projections for charging.

The company said Honda’s 0-series models launched in late 2020 will be capable of fast-charging from 15% to 80% battery capacity in about 10 to 15 minutes.

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