Honda E: Automaker's Compact EV Inches Closer to Production
The Honda Urban EV Concept is slowly moving closer to production, with the Japanese automaker today debuting the new Honda e Prototype.
The Honda e Prototype is an evolved version of the Urban EV Concept and is more representative of the production version of the electric hatchback that will enter production in Europe later this year.
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Honda also dropped some details on the charging performance and estimated driving range of its new EV. The automaker says the prototype has a “a range of over 200km and a ‘fast charge’ functionality of 80% battery charge in 30 minutes,” which are fairly conservative specifications that seem indicative of what we can expect from the production car. With rear-wheel drive and a square stance, Honda promises its electric compact will be fun-to-drive as well.
The Honda e also features a more production-ready cabin with a “modern minimalist aesthetic.” A wide triple-screen display spans the width of the dashboard and is joined by warm wood trim and melange-style sofa fabric seats. A perfectly flat floor, enabled by the electric powertrain, allows for ‘walk-through’ access to the rear seats from the front, accentuating the overall feeling of spaciousness.
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Outside the look is mostly the same, although you have probably noticed that the Honda e has gained a set of doors over the Urban EV Concept. The concept’s side view cameras, which replace traditional rear-facing mirrors, have also been retained for the Honda e and are expected to appear on the production model as well.
More details on the production Honda e should come to light as its late 2019/early 2020 on-sale date approaches.
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Sam McEachern holds a diploma in journalism from St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario, and has been covering the automotive industry for over 5 years. He conducts reviews and writes AutoGuide's news content. He's a die-hard motorsports fan with a passion for performance cars of all sorts.
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