What's the news?
Honda has issued a first sketch of the production version of its Urban EV electric car, and the good news is that it's keeping the styling more or less intact. Honda clearly listened to all of those who, at the Frankfurt motor show in 2017, suggested that the cute-as-a-button Urban EV concept was perfect as it was, and please would Honda just build it like that?
From the looks of this sketch, that's exactly what has happened. Honda is only showing the car from a dead-ahead front view for now (hiding the fact that the production model will gain rear doors, unlike the concept's rear-hinged two-door layout) but the face, with its cute round headlights, and the overall shape appears to have survived productionisation intact.
The car on which this sketch is based will be shown at the Geneva motor show in March, but it won't quite be the final production-ready model. Instead, Honda is calling it a prototype for now. The proper on-sale version should arrive in dealerships in 2020, ahead of a move by Honda to bring electric power to one-third of its car range by 2025.
In a statement, the company said: "Honda has confirmed the global premiere of a prototype version of its new electric vehicle at the Geneva motor show in March 2019. Honda's new electric vehicle is developed with a focus on functionality and purpose and the prototype sketch demonstrates this through its clean, simple and unique design. The image highlights a clear link to Honda's Urban EV Concept initially shown at the 2017 Frankfurt motor show."
What don't we know yet? Well, we don't know if the black panel between the lights will be, as on the concept, a digital display screen. We don't know if the interior will keep its minimalist layout, with one massive digital display screen. We don't have a clue about its potential range or performance. But it sure does look cute....