The Honda E has been unveiled just a few weeks before the Frankfurt Motor Show.
We’re still only getting to see the new Honda E in artist renderings--the real deal will have to wait for Frankfurt. But what we see is a no-nonsense compact electric vehicle with a few surprises in store.
First, the car really is about as plain as you can expect an automobile to be. It’s a white box on four small wheels, with two round headlights, and a black-painted roof. But look a little closer and you’ll see a bunch of modern touches, such as the inset pop-out door handles or the camera system that replaces the side mirrors.
Those cameras display on a pair of 6-inch screens on the A-pillars, by the way. While the same system has been used in sports and supercars, this is the first time we’re seeing it on something as humble as a city runabout.
On the inside, a full-width digital dashboard connects to the infotainment system in a pair of 12.3-inch LCD screens. Both screens can display a number of onboard apps and important driving information, such as battery levels and navigation.
Under the hood is a single electric motor producing either 100 kW (134 hp) or 113 kW (151 hp), depending on the tuning. Honda doesn't say if the power levels can be changed by the driver or if they're set at the factory.
A 35.5kWh battery provides 220 km of range (137 miles) on a single charge, which isn't spectacular, but remember that the Honda E is supposed to be an urban commuter in Europe and not a highway driver. That said, it can still zip from zero to 62 mph in around 8 seconds, although Honda doesn't provide the E's top speed.
Charging is quick too, topping the battery up to 80% in just 30 minutes from a quick-charging station.
Honda did not reveal pricing or availability, but they did say that reservations are open now. But only if you’re in Europe--so far, the Honda E isn’t scheduled to make it to America, sadly.