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Retro automotive design has gained significant popularity since the introduction of the Volkswagen New Beetle in the late 1990s. This trend led to the emergence of vehicles like the Chrysler PT Cruiser, the Chevy SSR, and the Dodge Challenger, as various car manufacturers sought to leverage their design legacies. However, Honda has largely steered clear of these retro gimmicks—until now.
At this week’s Frankfurt Motor Show, Honda revealed the Urban EV concept, which had been hinted at a few weeks prior with a cryptic image featuring the Honda logo. Interestingly, the logo serves as the car’s “grille,” capable of displaying messages and indicating the charging status.
As its name implies, the Honda Urban EV is designed as an all-electric city vehicle. Its aesthetic draws inspiration from classic models like the old Civic and N600 hatchbacks that established Honda’s popularity in the U.S. The design is minimalist, elegant, and nostalgic in an appealing manner. The Urban EV is compact, measuring about four inches shorter than the Fit, and features rear-hinged “coach doors” along with a charging port situated on the hood.
The interior of the Honda Urban EV is equally captivating. It accommodates four passengers with two bench seats, and the highlight is the wood-accented “floating” dashboard, which seamlessly integrates a panoramic display screen that spans nearly the entire width of the vehicle. Moreover, wrap-around screens in the door panels serve as digital representations of traditional side mirrors.
What’s particularly thrilling about this concept is Honda’s commitment to bringing it to life within the next two years. Honda CEO Takahiro Hachigo emphasized during the presentation in Frankfurt, “This is not a distant future vision. A production model of this car will be available in Europe in 2019.”
While the Urban EV concept may undergo several alterations before it hits the production line, this initial reveal is promising. If the production model mirrors this concept, we are optimistic that Honda will eventually introduce it to the U.S. market. This may well be the most enthusiasm we’ve felt for a Honda compact that doesn’t sport a “Type R” badge.
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