In the event you assume automakers are pulling again on the EV market, don’t inform that to Honda. The Japanese automaker used this week’s Client 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 Sequence ideas first unveiled at CES a 12 months 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 sluggish to go all-electric. In the intervening time, it provides simply two fashions, the Honda Prologue and the Acura ZDX — each developed as a part of a three way partnership with Basic Motors.
At this 12 months’s Client Electronics Present, nevertheless, the third-largest Japanese automaker made it clear it’s uninterested in lagging behind rivals like GM, Hyundai, and Volkswagen.
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Going It Alone
Whereas Honda relied closely on GM to get into the EV market, the 0 Sequence fashions are in-house initiatives that make the most of new, skateboard-like platforms and designs.
Firm officers introduced that each 0 Sequence automobiles will make use of the brand new Asimo OS, “a new original vehicle operating system developed by Honda (which) will offer a customized mobility experience.”
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
2025 Honda 0 Saloon Prototype; (picture/Honda)
The 2 0 Sequence 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 “concepts,” 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 12 months in the past.
Honda 0 Saloon
2025 Honda 0 Saloon Prototype; (picture/Honda)
The Saloon will function the flagship of the brand new Honda Sequence 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 “thin, light and wise” exterior design language. The cabin places an emphasis on what the product improvement crew calls the “human-machine interface.” In Honda-speak, that’s meant to allow easy and intuitive operations.
2025 Honda 0 Saloon Prototype inside; (picture/Honda)
Honda plans to first launch the electrical Saloon within the U.S. subsequent 12 months after which develop to the Japanese and European markets.
Honda 0 Sequence SUV
2025 Honda 0 SUV Prototype; (picture/Honda)
The Honda 0 Sequence SUV is loosely primarily based on the sooner “Space Hub” idea. It’s a roomy folks mover that may grow to be a front room on wheels because of 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, also referred to as ASIMO.
It’s the kind of design that different producers have rolled out in recent times to point out what journey may very well be like when totally autonomous driving turns into the norm.
2025 Honda 0 SUV Prototype inside; (picture/Honda)
The people-mover will characteristic steer-by-wire capabilities making it doable to function in Stage 3 autonomy. That goes past present semi-autonomous driving techniques, akin to Tesla’s Autopilot and GM’s Tremendous Cruise. That can enable motorists to not solely take their fingers off the wheel but additionally their eyes off the highway to allow them to textual content or watch movies, amongst different issues.
2025 Honda 0 SUV Prototype inside; (picture/Honda)
Vary, Efficiency TBA
Honda has but to supply particular particulars concerning the powertrain choices for the 0 Sequence fashions. However officers have indicated there can be a number of driveline choices for every mannequin, together with two- and all-wheel-drive.
They’ve additionally prompt on background that we’ll see “competitive” vary which, primarily based on aggressive EVs, would recommend as a lot as 300 miles or extra per cost.
Honda additionally indicated will probably be establishing a charging community “that enables the customers to enjoy stress-free freedom of mobility and … enabling people to enjoy clean and smart daily lives utilizing EV batteries.”
Sony/Honda AFEELA 1
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Honda has taken a unique path 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 corporations confirmed off in recent times. And it retains its give attention to integrating Sony know-how.
AFEELA 1 Signature inside; (picture/AFEELA)
“We are very pleased to unveil AFEELA 1, developed for the era of autonomous driving, at CES 2025. AFEELA 1 can be called a buddy, combining advanced software with meticulously refined hardware. We will meet our customers’ expectations by providing a safe, secure, and comfortable travel experience,” stated Sony Honda Mobility CEO Yasuhide Mizuno.
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If there was one shock it was the revelation that the electrical sedan will begin at $89,000, doubtless limiting its potential buyer base.