Honda Teases New EVs With Concept Cars Space-Hud And Salon

(CTN News) – On Tuesday, Honda Motor unveiled two concept cars at the CES tech conference as a preview of a new line of electrified vehicles to be available in North America by 2026.

According to Honda, the first production “Honda 0 Series” EV will be based on the concept models “Space-Hub” and “Saloon.” The new “0 Series” is being developed under three core principles: thin, light, and wise.

The new 0 EV series will be built on the pillars of thin, light and wise to further advance the joy and freedom of mobility, CEO Toshihiro Mibe said in a press release.

In North America, Honda will introduce the first 0 Series model based on the Saloon concept, followed by models in Japan, Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, and South America.

Designed to look like a vehicle from a “Tron” movie, the Saloon has an open-mouthed front-end light in neon lighting with a redesigned “H” in the middle. It also features a large indented rectangular area with red lighting around the interior with the word “Honda” in the center.

Saloon features a minimalistic digital cockpit with a yolk steering wheel, similar to concept cars from other companies at CES. The vehicle’s roof has a large falcon wing door that opens upward.

Similar to the Saloon, the Space-Hub is a minivan/shuttle with a larger size. There is a similar cockpit on the inside, but its back area is cavernous and has lounge-style seating.

Each concept appears to feature autonomous driving capabilities: the steering yolk can be retracted into the dashboard.

According to Honda, the 0 Series will introduce an advanced driver-assistive system based on technologies first deployed in Japan, followed by a next-generation “automated driving” system. Both expressways and surface streets will be able to utilize some hands-off functions with the upcoming system, the company says.

Honda has developed a ‘human-centric’ safety concept for its next-generation AD system.

A number of advanced AI, sensing, recognition, and driver monitoring technologies will be integrated into the vehicle to achieve more human-like, natural, and high-precision risk predictions, thereby providing AD features that people will feel safe and confident using,” Honda said in the release.

Only projected recharging times were provided for concept vehicles or upcoming EVs.

In about 10 to 15 minutes, the Honda 0 Series models to be launched in the late 2020s will be able to fast charge from 15% to 80% of their battery capacity.

SEE ALSO:

Performance-wise, Tesla Outperforms Volkswagen, Subaru, And BMW