The Honda e, the tiny electric hatchback that caught the attention of most Europeans, have arrived in Japan with a starting price of 4,510,000 Yen plus additional cost. Having enjoyed its run from the streets of London and Paris, the Honda e is ready to take on the streets of Tokyo and this means investigation with the most important Honda ever made.
So, what's it all about the Honda e, you may ask? It's a rear-wheel-drive compact electric hatchback that started out in life as an Urban EV Concept from the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show and then spawned into a production vehicle that our friends from Honda Europe called their most important model as they begin their road to electrification. Of course, their electrification goals made a few sacrifices for the sake of their goal and that meant shutting down the British plant where the Civic Hatchback and Type R are made as well as its Turkish production operations. It's a sad story but such sacrifices have been done in the making of this very template they've set.
Yes, while the stying is broadly similar to the two concept cars it drew inspiration from, the interior is a real shocker because lurking through the wooden dashboard is a massive display of screens to toy around. It's like you're in the hot seat at mission control where you will have all the commands at your disposal but you're not in the Game of the Generals. You're inside of a tiny little Honda that snugs up to four people and boot space up to 565-litres, which is good enough for all walks of life. On an expensive version, you'll get tons of cool stuff such as a 100v AC power source to plug your laptop on and a premium sound system for a clearer sound experience.
Now we get to know more about its electric powertrain, the one customers are getting antsy about. Powered by a 35.5kWh Li-ion battery pack that produces 60kw of power and 315Nm of torque, the Honda e has a driving range of up to 283km per WLTC Mode standards while the Advance variant gets up to 259km of driving range. It can be charged to 80% in 30 minutes and it works as a backup generator for your home in an event of a power outage. There's your science lesson for you.
Because of its compact sizing, lightweight, high-strength platform, and RR layout a la Renault Twingo, some drivers would say that the Honda e delivers some spartan driving manners similar to the Porsche 911 but this is different because even though the electric motor is bolted at the back of the car, the Honda e is a fun-to-drive car that loves to twist itself without shouting. You'll find great reasons to enjoy its nimble dynamics that are surprisingly quirky for an electric car.
In the interest of safety, the Honda e is packed with a wide array of safety equipment that will keep drivers noticed. From its side cameras in place of door mirrors, the Single Pedal Control System similar to the one found on the current Nissan Leaf, Honda Parking Pilot, and a wide array of Honda Sensing safety tech, the list of safety features is certainly a shocker for those behind the wheel.
Is the Honda e the best electric car ever made? If so, looks like Honda's on the roll with the poster car of Honda "e:Technology" branding, a new strategy that unifies all of its electrified products under the same global name. The "e:Technology" branding kicked off with the launch of the new Honda Fit and the new Honda Accord hybrid vehicles with its e:HEV dual-motor hybrid system, and with the arrival of the Honda e, the road to electrification is in a full circle.
Photo: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.