When you assume automakers are pulling again on the EV market, don’t inform that to Honda. The Japanese automaker used this week’s Shopper Electronics Present in Las Vegas to roll out a trio of battery-powered fashions, together with a high-tech package deal developed in partnership with Sony, in addition to two EVs primarily based on the 0 Collection ideas first unveiled at CES a yr in the past.
Whereas Honda was a pioneer in automotive electrification, launching its first hybrid mannequin a quarter-century in the past, it’s been gradual to go all-electric. For the time being, it presents simply two fashions, the Honda Prologue and the Acura ZDX — each developed as a part of a three way partnership with Common Motors.
At this yr’s Shopper Electronics Present, nevertheless, the third-largest Japanese automaker made it clear it’s bored with lagging behind rivals like GM, Hyundai, and Volkswagen.
Throughout a Tuesday morning information convention, Honda revealed two new “0 Collection” fashions primarily based on ideas first proven at CES 2024. That adopted a Monday evening reveal of a 3rd battery-electric mannequin, this one developed in partnership with client electronics large Sony and set to be offered by the brand new Afeela model.
Going It Alone
Whereas Honda relied closely on GM to get into the EV market, the 0 Collection fashions are in-house initiatives that make the most of new, skateboard-like platforms and designs.
Firm officers introduced that each 0 Collection automobiles will make use of the brand new Asimo OS, “a brand new unique car working system developed by Honda (which) will provide a custom-made mobility expertise.”
Each the Saloon and SUV will go into manufacturing in 2026 on the new Honda EV Hub in Ohio. That ought to assist the automaker sidestep the tariffs President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to place in place on foreign-made EVs and different automobiles.
Honda 0: Pushing Design Limits
The 2 0 Collection fashions, an SUV and a “saloon” automotive, mark a particular shift for the automaker, the 2 EVs adopting decidedly futuristic designs that distinction sharply with the present Prologue and ZDX packages.
Formally described as “ideas,” Honda officers privately confirmed that the fashions on show at CES 2025 will endure solely the slightest tweaks once they lastly go into manufacturing. Certainly, they don’t veer a lot from the prototypes the automaker first revealed in Las Vegas a yr in the past.
Honda 0 Saloon
The Saloon will function the flagship of the brand new Honda Collection 0 household — anticipated to convey much more all-electric fashions to market earlier than the top of the last decade.
As with the primary present automotive, the near-production package deal has a definite Lamborghini really feel to the design. Just like the previous, short-range Honda Readability, the Saloon adopts what Honda describes as a “skinny, gentle and clever” exterior design language. The cabin places an emphasis on what the product improvement workforce calls the “human-machine interface.” In Honda-speak, that’s meant to allow easy and intuitive operations.
Honda plans to first launch the electrical Saloon within the U.S. subsequent yr after which develop to the Japanese and European markets.
Honda 0 Collection SUV
The Honda 0 Collection SUV is loosely primarily based on the sooner “House Hub” idea. It’s a roomy folks mover that may develop into a lounge on wheels due to the ASIMO-powered working system, Honda stated. If that title is acquainted, it borrows closely from the know-how used to run Honda’s previous humanoid robotic, often known as ASIMO.
It’s the kind of design that different producers have rolled out in recent times to indicate what journey might be like when totally autonomous driving turns into the norm.
The people-mover will characteristic steer-by-wire capabilities making it doable to function in Degree 3 autonomy. That goes past present semi-autonomous driving programs, akin to Tesla’s Autopilot and GM’s Tremendous Cruise. That can permit motorists to not solely take their arms off the wheel but in addition their eyes off the street to allow them to textual content or watch movies, amongst different issues.
Vary, Efficiency TBA
Honda has but to supply particular particulars in regards to the powertrain choices for the 0 Collection fashions. However officers have indicated there will probably be a number of driveline choices for every mannequin, together with two- and all-wheel-drive.
They’ve additionally instructed on background that we are going to see “aggressive” vary which, primarily based on aggressive EVs, would counsel as a lot as 300 miles or extra per cost.
Honda additionally indicated it is going to be organising a charging community “that allows the shoppers to take pleasure in stress-free freedom of mobility and … enabling folks to take pleasure in clear and good day by day lives using EV batteries.”
Sony/Honda AFEELA 1
Honda has taken a special course with the Sony/Honda AFEELA 1 that the companions revealed throughout a Monday evening CES keynote. The production-intent mannequin doesn’t stray a lot — if in any respect — from idea variations the 2 firms confirmed off in recent times. And it retains its concentrate on integrating Sony know-how.
“We’re more than happy to unveil AFEELA 1, developed for the period of autonomous driving, at CES 2025. AFEELA 1 might be known as a buddy, combining superior software program with meticulously refined {hardware}. We are going to meet our clients’ expectations by offering a secure, safe, and cozy journey expertise,” stated Sony Honda Mobility CEO Yasuhide Mizuno.
If there was one shock it was the revelation that the electrical sedan will begin at $89,000, seemingly limiting its potential buyer base.
