Further technical details for the new Honda e compact all-electric city car have been revealed ahead of its launch at Frankfurt
This is the Honda e, the final production-ready version of the firm’s compact, all-electric city car. Due to be revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show the baby EV is available to pre-order in the UK now, with a refundable reservation fee of £800. First deliveries are expected by Spring 2020, with pre-order customers given priority status.
The Honda e is powered by a water-cooled 35.5kWh lithium-ion battery pack positioned low down in the EV’s chassis, which the Japanese firm claims will offer the Honda e a perfect 50:50 weight distribution. A single rear-mounted electric motor, offered in two states of tune, feeds drive to the rear wheels.
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Entry-level models produce 134bhp, while the flagship variant has 152bhp and 315Nm of torque. Honda says this will propel the fastest version of its all-electric hatchback from 0–62mph in around eight seconds.
The Honda e’s battery pack offers a maximum WLTP-verified range of 125 miles. It can be charged using either a Type 2 AC connection or a CCS2 DC fast charger. With the latter option connected, the Honda e can recover an 80 percent charge in 30 minutes.
New 2020 Honda e: dimensions and design
Honda’s design team used the brand’s classic cars, such as the Mk1 Civic, as inspiration. As such, it retains relatively compact dimensions, measuring 3,895mm long, 1,750mm wide and 1,495mm tall, making it more compact than the BMW i3 and the Renault ZOE. As such, there is only seating for four people, with a full-width rear bench accommodating two adults.
It features a pair of door mounted cameras, rather than conventional mirrors, as standard, lifted directly from the close-to-production Honda e prototype. Small stalks with rearward facing cameras are equipped on the doors and broadcast a live feed directly into the cabin on two six-inch screens placed at either extreme of the dashboard.
The driver will be able to configure a normal or wide view, while Honda claims they are 90 per cent more aerodynamically efficient than normal mirrors. Alone, Honda says that the camera stalks contribute 3.8 per cent more to the e’s all-electric range.
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Like the prototype Honda e, the production-ready model features a set of unique pop-out door handles, while the vehicle can be locked and unlocked via a smartphone application.
Honda’s design team started from scratch with the Honda e’s cabin. It’s trimmed in a blend of wood and leather, while its dashboard is dominated by a pair of 12.3-inch screens. They stretch the width of the interior and provide access to a host of entertainment applications, as well as the usual driving information such as speed, range and navigation.
A suite of new connected services will debut on the Honda e, including the “Honda Personal Assistant.” Honda claims the system features a smart artificial intelligence facility, which can understand natural language commands. As an added benefit, the system uses machine learning to develop a better understanding of the driver’s voice over time.
Honda’s “My Honda+” smartphone application will also allow drivers to monitor their vehicles’ charge status, location and security. Owners can also use the application to pre-programme sat-nav directions, search for nearby charging stations and set the cabin’s climate control prior to entry.
Buyers will be able to choose from five exterior colour options, with white, blue and gun-metal metallic finishes available, as well as a subdued black and striking yellow. The Japanese firm says it has already received over 31,000 ‘expressions of interest’ across Europe, with over 9,000 coming from the UK.
Currently, there’s no indication how much the Honda e will cost, but project leader Kohei Hitomi indicated it will not be a budget vehicle. “Cost is an important factor,” he told us. “Look at the iPhone: they are not cheap products but still everybody wants them. The high cost has a justification. It is full of practicality and performance – we believe the same of our electric vehicle. We do not want to provide a low-cost product.”
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