Honda Urban EV Prototype to Debut in Geneva
Back in 2017, Honda debuted its adorable Urban EV Concept, a vehicle that ended up becoming the belle of the Frankfurt Auto Show. Its cheeky design was suitably modern while still adhering to traditional automotive models. In fact, the car seems styled in a manner that’s intentionally reminiscent of the first-generation Civic.
Having already promised a production version for the European market, Honda has issued an update on the vehicle’s progress. The automaker recently confirmed it will show a new prototype of the Urban EV at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show in March, ahead of a production model slated to debut later this year. It also provided a teaser sketch of the model (above), proving that Honda doesn’t want to alter the cute little car more than it needs to.
The sketch shows a more-rounded hatchback than what we saw in 2017, with bucket, not bench, seats (dang). However, everything else appears relatively unchanged. Its two-tone paint remains intact, as do the round headlamps, fender flares, rearview cameras, and basic shape. We expect a bigger vehicle than the concept, with enough room for a second set of doors to help broaden its general appeal. As well, expect Honda to drop the large internal screens for a more traditional layout. Most of these assumptions are based on spy shots of the model undergoing testing in Europe; United States-bound models would require the use of traditional side mirrors.
However, Honda still hasn’t said whether the Urban EV will make it to North America. Thus far, it’s being built exclusively for the European market with no word to the contrary. But we would love to see it here, even if it offers no significant advantages over something like Volkswagen’s e-Golf. Ideally, it would undercut its price and compete with its tepid 125-mile range.
Honda has already managed to produce an endearing design. If the company can also find a way to make it affordable and useful, at least within an urban environment, we might have something truly special on our hands. Hopefully, Honda will have good news for us in March.
[Images: Honda]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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I like the original better also, but at least Honda is trending in a better design direction than what they have going on currently. The Civic hatch still makes me wanna barf. I still recall a nice nearly production appearing Civic 2 door hatch concept called Gear shown in Montreal several years ago. I waited but nothing happened.
No advantages over a Golf? VW may have caught up to Honda in overall reliability, but when any maintenance does need to happen - and it will, even in an EV - the former's boneheaded levels of unnecessary complexity make the choice of which to own long-term quite easy. The original is much better-looking. Its headlights mimic a 90's BMW (a very good thing IMO), while the new one's look like a cheesy cartoon character.