Should you suppose automakers are pulling again on the EV market, don’t inform that to Honda. The Japanese automaker used this week’s Shopper Electronics Present in Las Vegas to roll out a trio of battery-powered fashions, together with a high-tech bundle developed in partnership with Sony, in addition to two EVs primarily based on the 0 Sequence ideas first unveiled at CES a yr 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 gradual to go all-electric. For the time being, it provides simply two fashions, the Honda Prologue and the Acura ZDX — each developed as a part of a three way partnership with Normal Motors.
At this yr’s Shopper Electronics Present, nevertheless, the third-largest Japanese automaker made it clear it’s uninterested in lagging behind rivals like GM, Hyundai, and Volkswagen.
Throughout a Tuesday morning information convention, Honda revealed two new “0 Sequence” fashions primarily based on ideas first proven at CES 2024. That adopted a Monday night time reveal of a 3rd battery-electric mannequin, this one developed in partnership with shopper electronics large Sony and set to be bought by way of the brand new Afeela model.
Going It Alone
Whereas Honda relied closely on GM to get into the EV market, the 0 Sequence fashions are in-house tasks 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 brand new unique automobile working system developed by Honda (which) will provide a personalized mobility expertise.”
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
The 2 0 Sequence fashions, an SUV and a “saloon” automobile, 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 “ideas,” Honda officers privately confirmed that the fashions on show at CES 2025 will bear 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 yr in the past.
Honda 0 Saloon
The Saloon will function the flagship of the brand new Honda Sequence 0 household — anticipated to deliver much more all-electric fashions to market earlier than the top of the last decade.
As with the primary present automobile, the near-production bundle 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 “skinny, gentle and clever” exterior design language. The cabin places an emphasis on what the product growth group calls the “human-machine interface.” In Honda-speak, that’s meant to allow easy and intuitive operations.
Honda plans to first launch the electrical Saloon within the U.S. subsequent yr after which broaden to the Japanese and European markets.
Honda 0 Sequence SUV
The Honda 0 Sequence SUV is loosely primarily based on the sooner “House Hub” idea. It’s a roomy folks mover that may change into a front room on wheels because of the ASIMO-powered working system, Honda stated. If that identify is acquainted, it borrows closely from the know-how used to run Honda’s previous humanoid robotic, often known as ASIMO.
It’s the kind of design that different producers have rolled out in recent times to indicate what journey could possibly be like when absolutely autonomous driving turns into the norm.
The people-mover will characteristic steer-by-wire capabilities making it attainable to function in Degree 3 autonomy. That goes past present semi-autonomous driving techniques, reminiscent of Tesla’s Autopilot and GM’s Tremendous Cruise. That may permit motorists to not solely take their fingers off the wheel but additionally their eyes off the street to allow them to textual content or watch movies, amongst different issues.
Vary, Efficiency TBA
Honda has but to supply particular particulars in regards to the powertrain choices for the 0 Sequence fashions. However officers have indicated there will likely be a number of driveline choices for every mannequin, together with two- and all-wheel-drive.
They’ve additionally steered on background that we are going to see “aggressive” vary which, primarily based on aggressive EVs, would recommend as a lot as 300 miles or extra per cost.
Honda additionally indicated it will likely be establishing a charging community “that allows the purchasers to get pleasure from stress-free freedom of mobility and … enabling folks to get pleasure from clear and sensible every day lives using EV batteries.”
Sony/Honda AFEELA 1
Honda has taken a unique path with the Sony/Honda AFEELA 1 that the companions revealed throughout a Monday night time 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.
“We’re very happy to unveil AFEELA 1, developed for the period of autonomous driving, at CES 2025. AFEELA 1 might be known as a buddy, combining superior software program with meticulously refined {hardware}. We’ll meet our prospects’ expectations by offering a protected, safe, and comfy journey expertise,” stated Sony Honda Mobility CEO Yasuhide Mizuno.
If there was one shock it was the revelation that the electrical sedan will begin at $89,000, probably limiting its potential buyer base.
