The Honda Urban EV Concept debuts at the Frankfurt Motor Show and its arrival in production is confirmed

We believe Honda has hit the mark perfectly, we love its retro design and if it reached production just as it is, it would be absolutely fantastic, but for now, the Honda Urban EV Concept serves as a preview of what the electric future of Honda will look like in terms of technology and design. But this is not the only news, since Honda has also advanced its immediate plans for the electrification of its vehicles.

Starting with the Honda Urban EV Concept, we are looking at a fully electric compact built on an entirely new platform, resulting in a vehicle 100mm shorter than the current Honda Jazz. Aesthetically, what catches the eye most is its striking styling, which recalls models of the past, but which hides features we had not seen until now: its front can display interactive multilingual messages (greetings, advice for other drivers or battery charge status updates).

To get into its interior we have to open its doors in the opposite direction to the usual, which allows greater accessibility, while once seated on its bench-style seats we have excellent visibility thanks to its slim A-pillars. It seats four people, who can enjoy peculiar contrasts, such as the fabric of the seats alongside the wood present on the armrests and the dashboard. It is on the latter that the wide panoramic screen stands out, showing plenty of vehicle information, and on the sides the image of what we would see in the conventional mirrors is projected.

It will also learn, and, to be honest, at first glance this is a bit unsettling, since the Honda Urban EV Concept comes equipped with a personal assistant called Automated Network Assistant. This assistant is capable of learning from the driver, detecting the emotions they express after making decisions, so that it can suggest alternatives and offer recommendations. As for the type of powertrain it could carry, nothing has been revealed so far.

Finally, Honda has explained its immediate plans regarding the electrification of its models. All new models launched in Europe from 2018 onwards will have some form of electric propulsion, the first to arrive being the 2018 hybrid version of the Honda CR-V Hybrid, while the production version of the Honda Urban EV Concept will follow the year after. New hybrid or electric models will continue to arrive in Europe, with the aim of having two-thirds of its sales be of these models by 2025.