“New Company” is the rather uninspiring name chosen for a joint venture expected to materialize by the end of 2022. Sony and Honda have agreed to develop and build EVs together, with the first car scheduled to hit the streets in 2025. Since it wouldn’t be feasible for the tech company to erect a factory to assemble the car, Honda will be in charge of production.

It’ll be interesting to see whether the first EV will be molded after the 2020 Vision-S 01 sedan or the 2022 Vision-S 02 SUV. Both concepts were presented in Las Vegas at CES as zero-emission models engineered in association with Magna Steyr, ZF, Bosch, and other important names in the automotive industry.

We do know the production-ready EV will benefit from a platform conceived by Sony, and it goes without saying Honda will have access to it as well. However, it’s too soon to say if the Japanese automaker will launch its own models based on the Sony-developed underpinnings. The two concepts we mentioned had a pair of electric motors packing well over 500 horsepower. Naturally, the SUV was the heavier of the two vehicles by tipping the scales at a hefty 2,480 kilograms (5,467 pounds).

Logic tells us the SUV has bigger chances of reaching production first what with more and more people moving away from the traditional sedan body style. The Vision-S 02 was likely conceived as a potential Tesla Model X and Mercedes EQS SUV rival by offering a spacious cabin configured with a three-row layout and seven seats.

If you’re wondering about their sizes, both shared a generous wheelbase measuring 3.03 meters (119.3 inches) and an overall length of 4.89 meters (192.7 inches). Obviously, the SUV was taller (65 vs 57.1 inches) and also a smidge wider (76 vs 74.8 inches). The sedan came equipped with 20-inch wheels whereas its high-riding equivalent sat on a larger 21-inch set. Both had AWD and an air suspension, with the sedan delivering better performance: 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.8 seconds en route to a maximum speed of 149 mph (240 km/h).

If these concepts are any indication, Sony will be taking the EV scene by storm.

Source: Honda

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Looking like no other Honda before it, the concept trio proposes SUV, GT, and Coupe models for the impending electric era. These vehicles adopt a fresh design language with a radically angular approach and wide LED vertical and horizontal light bars to separate them from the traditional models. It goes without saying the road-going EVs won’t look this wild, but it appears Honda is willing to try a bolder styling theme.

Technical specifications have not been provided, but we do know the three concepts are part of the company’s greater plan to launch 10 EVs in China in the next five years. Taking into account the aforementioned e:NS1 and e:NP1 from the local Dongfeng Honda and GAC Honda joint ventures, we already know the identities of half of them.

The concept cars are already being developed into production models and all appear to be larger. It remains to be seen whether they’ll be dedicated EVs or use platforms shared with cars powered by combustion engines. What we do know for sure is that every single new model launched by Honda from 2030 will be electrified, either a hybrid or a pure EV.

These e:N Series models will be sold at dedicated areas built into existing Honda dealers as well as at bespoke showrooms the company aims to open in the coming years. Some of the new EVs developed and manufactured in China will also be sold in export markets, but it’s too early to know which.

Source: Honda

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Essentially, these are electric versions of the latest-generation HR-V, which is sold in the world’s most populous country by the two joint ventures as the XR-V and Vezel. The e:NS1 and e:NP1 are both set to go on sale in China next spring with a moniker that stems from “e” as in “e:Technology” and the “N” representing “New/Next.” These are certainly not the most exciting names for a production model, but the two EVs look smart.

Around 1,200 Honda dealerships across China will be upgraded to include a dedicated area for the e:N Series of EVs, plus dedicated dealers in the most important cities around the country. Not only that, but Honda says it will organize various events in China dedicated exclusively to its new wave of electric vehicles.

Interestingly, even though the e:N Series will be developed and manufactured in China, Honda is planning to globally export these models all over the world later this decade. To support its extended family of EVs, the Japanese automaker aims to bolster its relationship with battery suppliers as well as accelerate its partnership with CATL, a global leader in lithium-ion battery development.

As far as the two electric crossovers are concerned, they’re powered by a single motor producing 201 hp (150 kW) and sourcing its juice from a 68.8-kWh battery. The e:NS1 and e:NP1 ride on large 18-inch wheels and feature a closed-off grille since there’s no need to cool down a combustion engine anymore. The EVs top out at 150 km/h (93 mph) and are quite heavy, tipping the scales at 2,108 kg (4,647 lbs).

Source: Honda

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Originally announced at the end of June, the new SUV will ride on a dedicated electric car platform based on the Ultium architecture developed by General Motors. Honda is now announcing it has set an annual sales target of 70,000 units for the Prologue, which won’t hit the market until 2024 when it will be followed later that year by a mechanically related Acura electric SUV.

The new EV will kick-start an electric revolution at Honda, which aims to sell 500,000 cars without combustion engines by the end of the decade. Come 2040, the automaker estimates that its North American portfolio will exclusively feature EVs. To get there, the Prologue needs to be a success in an increasingly competitive electric car market as more and more models are either going on sale or being announced.

Little else is known about the SUV, but it’s expected to be built by GM at the Ramos Arizpe, Mexic while the slightly smaller Acura model might be assembled in Spring Hill, Tennessee. The two EVs will inherit the Ultium battery packs from other GM products, such as the Cadillac Lyriq and the GMC Hummer EV.

It wouldn’t be too far-fetched to assume the Prologue will be able to cover more than 300 miles between cycles considering the Lyriq comes with a large 100-kWh battery pack. Rumor has it the electric SUV has been designed at Honda’s design studio in Los Angeles to cater to North American tastes and make sure it’s vastly different in terms of appearance than GM products.

Some say the Prologue will have three rows of seats, which could mean the performance-oriented luxury Acura variant could come strictly with two rows, but nothing is official at this point.

Source: Honda

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Jean-Marc Streng went on to mention “it’s going to be an offer in the right segment, which will achieve more sales.” That’s honestly not a lot to go by, although Auto Express understands it will probably take the shape of a small crossover to complement the Honda E. If that’s correct, expect the new EV to be molded after the Honda SUV e:concept, which originally appeared at the 2020 Beijing Motor Show.

In terms of size, the British magazine estimates it will be positioned between the Jazz Crosstar supermini and the recently introduced third-generation HR-V. It would make sense for the engineers to use the same platform developed for the Honda E pint-sized electric hatchback from which the small crossover is expected to largely inherit the interior cabin.

It goes without saying the upcoming EV will be larger, which should translate into a bigger battery compared to the 35.5-kWh pack used by the Honda E. It should have enough juice for a maximum range of more than 200 miles based on the WLTP cycle, which frankly seems a bit low for 2023 standards, but the E hasn’t exactly been praised for its range either.

It’s worth noting Honda’s European lineup will be entirely electrified by 2022, meaning the company will only sell hybrids and pure electric cars by the end of next year. The firm has already announced its EV ambitions, with the ultimate goal to abandon combustion engines by 2040 when it aims to sell only battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

Source: Auto Express

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The e-motors and the ICE work together to deliver a combined output of 129 horsepower (96 kilowatts) and a peak torque of 253 Newton-meters (187 pound-feet). That makes it a tad stronger than the Jazz supermini, but that’s to be expected considering the HR-V is a larger and heavier vehicle that could use the extra grunt.

To make the interior cabin as roomy as possible, Honda’s engineers have positioned the two electric motors alongside the internal combustion engine. The hybrid arrangement makes the 2022 HR-V impressively efficient, promising to sip just 5.4 liters / 100 km (52.3 mpg UK or 43.5 mpg US) in the WLTP cycle, equating to 122 g/km of CO2 emissions.

It does 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 10.6 seconds, and while that’s certainly not quick, the new electrified crossover delivers adequate performance for someone in the market for a vehicle easy on the wallet and nature. Turn on Hybrid Drive and the power coming from the gasoline engine can be channeled to recharge the battery, which is located underneath the cargo floor.

There is also a Sport mode that sharpens up the acceleration response to unlock extra performance from the hybrid powertrain. Honda has engineered the new HR-V with an Econ mode as well, in which case it dials down the air conditioning and the throttle response to maximize efficiency. The Normal mode offers a balanced blend of Sport and Econ.

The electrified-only HR-V and the 2024 Prologue zero-emissions SUV are stepping stones to Honda’s ambitious goal to sell only EVs by 2040.

Source: Honda

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Little else is known about the vehicle, but we do know it will be followed later in the 2024 calendar year by an Acura electric SUV using the same GM-sourced underpinnings. Per an Automotive News report from January 2021, both will apparently be made by GM, with the Honda due to be manufactured in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico and the Acura in Spring Hill, Tennessee. However, Honda has yet to confirm the production locations of its two new EVs.

These new zero-emissions models will help Honda in its quest to have 40% of its sales represented by EVs by 2030, with the percentage to grow to 80% by 2035. Ultimately, the company’s North American division aims to have an all-electric lineup by 2040. To get there, a new e:Architecture is being developed for all things electric, and it will debut in the latter half of this decade in the United States. Further down the line, additional EVs riding on this platform will be introduced in other regions. It remains to be seen how this in-house platform will impact Honda’s relationship with General Motors.

Automotive News reports Honda’s electric SUV will be larger than the fancier Acura, but it’s too early to know for sure. 2024 is still two and a half years away and this teaser isn’t helping much since the design and size remain a complete mystery. We at least know the name of the Honda model and chances are we won’t have to wait much longer to discover which moniker the Acura equivalent is going to adopt.

Source: Honda

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It’s scheduled to go on sale in Europe by fall 2022 and will use a hybrid powertrain already installed in the Jazz supermini and HR-V crossover. The five-door hatchback will rely on an Atkinson-cycle 1.5-liter engine and a pair of electric motors, producing 108 horsepower in the supermini and 129 hp in the crossover.

It’s worth noting Honda also sells an electrified CR-V in Europe where the larger crossover utilizes a bigger 2.0-liter engine with a combined output rated at 181 horsepower. However, it’s not clear at this point which configuration of the e:HEV setup the Civic Hatchback will be using.

Beyond the electrified derivative, Honda has also confirmed the high-performance Civic Type R will go on sale in 2022. Details about the hot hatch have not been disclosed, but there are contradicting reports about whether the engineers will adopt a hybrid powertrain or not. Before coming out with the flagship version, the Japanese marque will introduce the Si sporty sedan, with both performance versions to offer a six-speed manual gearbox without any hybrid boost.

It’s worth mentioning the new Civic is the last Honda model in Europe to adopt a hybrid-only configuration. It’s part of the company’s plan to electrify all of its mainstream models on the Old Continent by 2022. The hatchback for European markets won’t be assembled anymore at the Swindon factory in the UK because the plant will be closing soon. Instead, the Euro-spec Civic Hatchback could come from the Indiana facility in the US where the North American version is going to be assembled.

Source: Honda

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The silver lining for those looking to buy a Clarity is that Honda has told Autoblog the Fuel Cell version is going to be available for lessees into the 2022 calendar year as well. The model’s demise should not come as a surprise considering the sedan never really took off in terms of sales. For example, just 551 cars were sold last year in the United States, down from 805 examples in 2019. That makes the Clarity the second-slowest selling Honda in the US, after the NSX hybrid supercar.

It goes without saying Honda will be supporting existing Clarity customers even after the car’s production will end in a couple of months. It’s worth noting the Clarity Fuel Cell is only available for sale in California while the Electric was available exclusively in Orgeon and California. The plug-in hybrid is the only variant to be sold in the entire US. The factory where the electric sedan is assembled will be closing by March next year, which will also impact the Legend and Odyssey as both are also produced there. However, the US-spec version of the minivan is built in Alabama and therefore will still be sold.

Honda is still very much determined to reach carbon neutrality by the middle of the century despite retiring the Clarity. Until that happens, the Japanese automaker has vowed to offer only battery-electric and fuel cell vehicles by 2040, heralded by a volume battery-electric car scheduled to come out in 2024. In addition, Honda mentions hydrogen cars “will play a key role in our zero emissions strategy” through agreements with other companies (including General Motors) regarding vehicle development and manufacturing.

Source: Honda via Autoblog

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To get there, it aims for electric and fuel cell vehicles in North America to represent 40% of its annual sales by the end of the decade, rising to 80% by 2035 before abandoning the combustion engine altogether five years later. Achieving these ambitious goals will take a lot of work, which is why Honda is collaborating with General Motors on two large zero-emissions vehicles making use of GM’s new Ultium batteries used by the Cadillac Lyriq and GMC Hummer.

The two EVs will be launched in North America for the 2024 model year, meaning they’ll go on sale in 2023. One will be badged as a Honda while the other as a fancier Acura. From 2025 onwards, a new family of EVs will be launched on a dedicated e:Architecture developed from the ground up exclusively for electric cars. North America will be the first region to get the new wave of EVs, with global markets to follow.

At home in Japan, Honda is targeting electric and fuel cell vehicles to achieve a sales ratio of 20% by 2030, 80% by 2035, and 100% by 2040. A fully electric kei car will be launched locally in 2024 and the company will offer an electrified powertrain for all of its JDM cars by the end of this decade.

As for China, the goal is to reach 40% of total sales by 2030 to be represented by electric and fuel cell cars, with the percentage growing to 80% by 2035 and 100% by 2040. No fewer than ten EVs will be launched within the next five years in the People’s Republic, including a production version of the SUV e:Prototype due in spring 2022.

In the long run, Honda will strive to become completely carbon-neutral by having a zero environmental impact. Whether we’re talking about car or motorcycle production, the target is to become carbon neutral by 2050 when all of the company’s corporate activities will also be earth-friendly.

By the middle of the century, Honda hopes there will be no more fatalities resulted from collisions involving its cars and motorcycles by heavily investing in R&D to develop new safety systems.

Source: Honda

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