Honda brought a retro-futuristic concept to the Frankfurt stage. Called the Urban EV Concept, it serves as a preview for a future Honda production model lated for the 2019 launch.
The pure-electric concept is based on a completely new platform. The design elements from the Urban EV will appear on future battery electric Honda production models. The styling is a bit retro with all squared elements like the grille, A-pillar and flared wheel arches. The C-pillar is styled in a style that is reminiscent of the hot hatches of the 1980-90s like the Lancia Delta. The concept is 100mm shorter than the Jazz.
The futuristic elements include circular LED headlights and tail lamps. There is a battery metre on the doors. The doors are rear-hinged. An interactive multilingual message can be displayed between the headlights, including greetings, advice for other road users, or charging status updates.
The interior is also futuristic in appearance. It has a large ‘floating’ screen running across the dashboard. Honda says the car can accommodate four passengers. There are many exotic materials inside the cabin.The dashboard itself is completed by a wrap-around screen that runs behind the console and extends into the doors. The main dashboard screen presents a range of vehicle information including remaining battery level. The extended door screens, on the other hand, function as the car’s wing mirrors through digital camera displays.
The Urban EV Concept is based on an all-new dedicated electric platform. It comes loaded with all the connectivity features the Japanese carmaker has to offer. Although the exact specifications haven’t been revealed, the powertrain is said to include a high-density battery pack. There is an integrated heat management system and an evolution of energy transfer function – both to and from the vehicle.
