In what appears to be an effort to distance itself from General Motors, Honda made a big splash at the consumer tech conference CES on Tuesday with two all-new concept EVs.
After ending its plans to collaborate with the American carmaker on an EV, Honda unveiled two concept EVs: the Saloon and Space-Hub. Part of the Honda 0 (pronounced “zero”) series, executives were optimistic at the Las Vegas event about hitting a 2026 production date for the sports car.
Also unveiled Tuesday: a new Honda logo for its EV line. The Honda Prologue was revealed in 2022 as a co-developed electric SUV with GM. It will be Honda’s first U.S. EV, while the Honda 0 series will be the first independently developed lineup. To describe the new electric approach, Honda said “Honda is going thin, light and wise.”
As part of the new catchphrase, Honda promised better battery efficiency with short 15-minute charging times and battery degradation limited to only 10% capacity loss after 10 years.
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Saloon Dreams
A low-lying sports car, the Saloon concept is the flagship product with a dedicated battery platform part of Honda’s ground-up electrification and design. Execs emphasized a steer-by-wire and motion control management system. It was described as an aerodynamic ride that’s sporty but lets the driver feel a “one-ness” with the vehicle with a spacious interior (despite its wedge shape) and dynamic driving performance.
As this was CES, autonomous driving and interior tech features were played up, including AI to learn driver behavior and destination information. Automated driving will include more hands-off scenarios in the second half of the decade.
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Space-Hub: Minivan of the Future
Evoking some elements of Honda’s popular Odyssey minivan, the Space-Hub concept van is a funky van. Honda harped on the spaciousness that will create a space for customers to “enjoy what they want to do.” This seems like a far cry from what Honda’s first electric van will eventually look like, but it gives a sense of how autonomous driving will be incorporated into future models.
The Space-Hub will likely stay in the concept zone, but the Saloon is expected to make a U.S. appearance in some form in 2026.
The CES tech conference continues through Friday at the Las Vegas Convention Center and other venues.