Skip advert
Advertisement

Honda Sports EV Concept revealed in Tokyo

An all-electric two-seat Sports EV Concept has joined the Honda Urban EV in Tokyo

Honda has taken the covers off an all-electric two-seat sports car at the Tokyo Motor Show, joining the Urban EV Concept that was enthusiastically received at the Frankfurt Motor Show earlier in the year.

The Honda Sports EV Concept looks likely to fill the performance gap between the Honda Civic Type-R hot hatchback and Honda NSX supercar, but while the Urban EV hatchback has been given a 2019 production date, no timing for the Sports EV Concept’s launch has been released.

It will, however, sit on the same platform as the Urban EV, and while no technical details have been given, it’s likely to be rear-wheel drive.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Sports EV Concept also shares its design language with the hatchback, featuring a retro-style shape, punctuated by modern features including round LED headlights and an illuminated Honda bonnet badge. Low-slung bodywork, an elongated bonnet (with a central cutout) and coupe roofline give it the clear sports car styling of a 1960s model, despite its cutting-edge technology.

Like the Urban EV, it features a wrap-around windscreen and side windows, with a thick C-pillar and rear-hinged doors.

Teaser design sketch

In September, Honda released a teaser design sketch featuring no tell-tale shutlines, door handles or panel gaps, but a tapering ‘Coke bottle’ profile. Honda announced it would have a “striking silhouette, friendly face and supple body surfaces”, while it also featured the same square LED headlights fitted to the Urban EV Concept shown at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show in early September.

The Urban EV found a huge amount of favour – both with the motoring press and consumers – when it was unveiled, and Honda made clear it would make it into production for 2019. Although the limited information presently available on the Sports EV makes a full assessment purely speculative, if it can pull off a similar trick to the Urban EV Concept, it could cement Honda’s reputation as one of the designers to watch when it comes to future electric cars.

The Urban EV (above) found a huge amount of favour – both with the motoring press and consumers – when it was unveiled, and Honda made clear it would make it into production for 2019. Although the limited information presently available on the Sports EV makes a full assessment purely speculative, if it can pull off a similar trick to the Urban EV Concept, it could cement Honda’s reputation as one of the designers to watch when it comes to future electric cars.

The drive towards electric vehicles continues apace as emissions and environmental friendliness continue to loom large in carmakers’ minds, and the Honda Sports EV Concept looks set to be the latest model to show the switch to electric power need not come at the expense of character.

Honda has big ambitions for electric cars: the Japanese manufacturer recently went on record saying two-thirds of all its cars would feature some form of alternative propulsion by 2025, while the company also has a 1,000bhp quad-electric supercar powertrain in the pipeline.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe: details and first drive of the sleek executive four-door
BMW M235 Gran Coupe front quarter
News
26 Nov 2024

New BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe: details and first drive of the sleek executive four-door

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s Black Friday offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
29 Nov 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s Black Friday offers

2025 Toyota Yaris announced with minor upgrades
2025 Toyota Yaris front quarter
News
29 Nov 2024

2025 Toyota Yaris announced with minor upgrades

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
21 Oct 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024