Frankfurt Motor Show 2017: Honda’s new Urban EV Concept with ‘interactive multilingual messages’
Honda has revealed an all-new electric vehicle, the Urban EV Concept, a slightly boxy model but with lovely interior design and some interesting and innovative hi-tech features.
The concept was officially introduced by Honda Motor Co. President and CEO, Takahiro Hachigo, during his press conference speech.
“This is not some vision of the distant future; a production version of this car will be here in Europe in 2019,” he told audiences.
The concept car is built on a completely new platform, and sets the direction for the technology and design that will appear on a future battery electric Honda production model.
A compact electric vehicle, the Urban EV Concept’s total vehicle length is 100mm shorter than the Jazz supermini.
The Honda emblem on the concept is backlit in blue, which previews a new styling feature for the company‘s future EVs, while at the front of the car interactive multilingual messages can be displayed between the headlights, including greetings, advice for other drivers on the road, or charging status updates.
Inside the car looks very interesting too. Honda’s Urban EV Concept can accommodate four occupants, across two bench seats finished in different materials.
To create a lounge feeling, the front row is upholstered with natural grey fabric, with the seat backs, squabs and arm rests embellished with contemporary wood finish accents. The seat belts for the rear bench are fixed in the middle of the seat, allowing the belt to retract out of the way before a passenger exits the car.
The same wood finish wraps around a large ‘floating’ dashboard console. This houses the steering wheel column, a set of simple control buttons, and a panoramic display screen. The dashboard itself is completed by a wrap-around screen that runs behind the console and extends into the doors.
Honda’s ‘Electric Vision’ strategy, launched at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, includes the development of a dedicated electric vehicle platform, featuring fully-electric powertrain technology.
However, there’s no word on the expected performance of this Honda EV which is due to reach Europe in two years time.
