Honda presents near-series e-SUV for China
Honda is planning ten fully electric models for the Chinese market within the next five years, as the company announced at Auto Shanghai. Honda is now showing a preview of the first BEV model, which is to go on sale in China in spring 2022, with the “Honda SUV e:prototype”.
This is the near-production version of the vehicle; the Japanese company had already shown a concept study in September 2020 under the name “e:concept”. While the concept car was – unusually for an SUV of this size – still a three-door model, the prototype is, as expected, a five-door model. In addition, the previously conspicuously long front bonnet is somewhat shorter.
The rear design looks much more conventional than the 2020 study, and Honda is also following the trend towards a continuous band of lights. In the case of the “e:prototype” in two respects: the third brake light is integrated into the roof edge spoiler and also extends across the entire width of the vehicle.
The vehicle’s charging port is not explicitly shown. It could be hidden behind a flap at the front. However, not in the top of the front bonnet like the Honda e, but behind the illuminated Honda logo, where the only visible flap in the bodywork is located.
The electric SUV’s technical details have not yet been mentioned but the driver should be able to feel “the ‘joy of driving’ in abundance”. The prototype has the third generation of the infotainment system ‘Honda Connect’ and is supposed to be able to be kept up-to-date with OTA updates.
Honda is also presenting the Breeze PHEV, the first plug-in hybrid model from its joint venture with GAC. This is also an SUV, and Honda speaks of an “EV-like feeling” when describing the drive. As with the hybrid versions of the Honda Jazz and also the CR-V, the electric motor apparently always takes over the drive, the combustion engine serves primarily as a generator – in the Breeze PHEV, however, with a larger, externally chargeable battery. The model is to be launched in China in the second half of the year.
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