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Honda E Prototype revealed

Will Honda’s pint-size E Prototype steal the show once again?


Scheduled to debut next week at the Geneva motor show in almost full-production trim, Honda has officially revealed its upcoming electric hatch. First shown in concept form at the 2017 Frankfurt motor show, there has been little change to the company’s much anticipated E car.

It will, however, be a five and not three-door hatchback, with added practicality coming from a longer wheelbase and extra doors. Outside, the flush pop-out handles remain, with the biggest change over the original concept being a lack of an LED screen in the grille and black sills running around the lower body panels.

Keeping with the retro theme are revised alloy wheels designed to be more aerodynamically efficient.

Underneath the bodywork is an electric platform powered by a single motor and lithium-ion battery. No details have yet been shared except that it will power the rear-wheels “delivering a fun and emotive experience, with the powerful electric motor driven through rear wheels for next-generation small-car performance.”

The charging port sits underneath a flap on the bonnet and Honda says the driving range will exceed 200km, with recharging time taking a claimed 30 minutes to reach 80 per cent capacity.

Inside, we see much of the interior already revealed last week, with more detail given on “melange-style sofa fabric” seats and the five-screen display. The latter sits three information screens in front of the driver and passenger and two smaller screens on the edges to replace conventional side mirrors - the new “Honda Camera Mirror System” which is similar to the Audi E-Tron setup. Below the dash are conventional buttons for climate control and a push-button gear selector in place of the traditional stick-shift lever.

Close to production, the Honda E will go on sale in Europe later in 2019 but there is no suggestion yet that it will expand beyond the region.

Tune in to Drive next week as we reveal further details live from the Swiss show.

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