Honda unveils new emblem and next-generation electric vehicle series at CES 2024!

At CES 2024, Honda introduced the Honda 0 Series, an electric vehicle series scheduled to be launched worldwide in 2026, and unveiled two concept models, Saloon and Space-Hub, for the first time in the world. The new ‘H Mark’, which will be used exclusively for Honda’s next-generation electric vehicle model, was also introduced for the first time.

Honda is developing its business based on its global brand slogan, ‘The Power of Dreams – How we move you.’ This slogan contains the message of providing mobility products and services that help people ‘transcend various constraints such as time and space’ and ‘expand their abilities and possibilities.’ It reflects Honda’s will to help more people realize their dreams through mobility products and services and to become a driving force in developing society.

Additionally, Honda aims to achieve carbon neutrality in all Honda-related products and corporate activities by 2050. To this end, we have established a goal of ‘expanding the proportion of global electric and hydrogen vehicle sales to 100% by 2040′ and are pursuing various electrification strategies.

The Honda 0 series is Honda’s new electric vehicle series, symbolizing Honda’s plan for a major transformation in accordance with its global brand slogan and electrification policy. The series name represents Honda’s determination to go back to the starting point as an automobile manufacturer and take on the challenge of developing a new electric vehicle series by creating a completely new electric vehicle from ‘zero’. Through this new electric vehicle series, Honda plans to further develop the ‘M/M concept’ and ‘the pleasure of driving’ that Honda values ​​in automobile manufacturing and strive to improve the ‘pleasure and freedom of movement’ to a higher level.

Starting in 2026, the first model of the Honda 0 series will be introduced worldwide, starting with North America, then Japan, Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and South America.

Honda will continue to pursue the M/M concept, the joy of driving, and the joy of freedom of movement, which are the basic spirit that Honda has always valued, and return to the starting point to create a new foundation for the next generation of Honda. In addition, based on the global brand slogan ‘The Power of Dreams – How we move you’, we always pursue ‘dreams’ and create new value from zero through creative thinking to provide customers with We want to provide an experience that will be a new starting point.

In addition, we have a grand plan to reduce the number of deaths from traffic accidents related to Honda motorcycles and automobiles to zero, with the goal of zero environmental impact throughout the vehicle life cycle, including corporate activities. I have it.

‘Thin, light and smart’ – a new approach to electric vehicle development and the five core values ​​that Honda electric vehicles will provide

The Honda 0 Series development team went back to the starting point and thought deeply about what kind of electric vehicle Honda wanted to make in the coming era. In order to secure sufficient driving range, battery capacity will increase, and as the body and platform on which it is mounted will also grow, we will strive to create new value for electric vehicles by overcoming the limitations of electric vehicles, which inevitably become ‘thick and heavy’ vehicles. To develop electric vehicles, Honda chose a ‘Thin, Light, and Wise’ approach.

First, design potential is increased by lowering the body height, and excellent aerodynamic performance is realized by making the floor low by using a ‘thin’ electric vehicle platform. Going back to the starting point as an automobile manufacturer, Honda’s proprietary lightweight technology was used to realize sporty driving and electrical efficiency that go beyond existing stereotypes about electric vehicles.

In addition, Honda utilizes the knowledge it has accumulated so far and makes cars smarter through the development of intelligent technology, realizing Honda’s unique software-defined mobility products. Based on this development approach, Honda electric vehicles with a dedicated electric vehicle architecture provide the following five core values.

1) Artistic design that evokes empathy – The design concept is ‘The Art of Resonance’. Under the theme of ‘Empathy with the Environment, Society, and Users’, Honda will provide sustainable mobility products that resonate with viewers and expand the potential of people’s daily lives.

2) AD/ADAS that guarantees safety and security – In 2021, Honda is launching an all-new Legend equipped with Honda SENSING Elite, which is equipped with cutting-edge technology for autonomous driving level 3 (conditional autonomous driving in a limited range). Legend) was launched and level 3 autonomous driving was commercialized. The Honda 0 Series will be equipped with an Advanced Driver-Assistive System (ADAS) using Honda Sensing Elite technology to provide the autonomous driving technology that Honda has accumulated to more customers around the world.

Additionally, in the late 2020s, the Honda 0 series models will be equipped with an Automated Driving (AD) system and electric vehicles with higher levels of autonomous driving functions will be released at a more reasonable price.

This AD system is being developed based on Honda’s ‘human-centered’ safety concept. We aim to provide autonomous driving functions that people can use safely and with confidence by applying cutting-edge AI, sensing, perception/decision-making, and driver monitoring technologies to improve the accuracy of risk prediction while being as natural as humans. These advanced AD technologies will enable autonomous driving to be used more actively on highways, and some hands-off functions that are currently only available on highways will be able to be used on public roads as well.

3) Realizing new value as a ‘space’ for people through the Internet of Things (IoT) and connected technology – The Honda 0 series model is a ‘driving’ vehicle through the Internet of Things and connected technology based on Honda’s proprietary vehicle OS. We aim to provide the value of ‘pleasure, enjoyment of use, and enjoyment of connection’. Using AI and big data, the vehicle learns the user’s tastes such as music, behavior while driving, and tendencies to provide various customized suggestions. In addition, it provides information on surrounding areas and routes for the ‘last mile’ to the final destination, where users must travel on their own even after getting off the vehicle. The more a vehicle is used, the more it adapts to the user’s characteristics and becomes more familiar, providing ‘connected pleasure’ in various situations in daily life.

4) The pleasure of driving as if you are one with the vehicle – The Honda 0 Series model, equipped with Honda’s unique electrification and dynamics technology, provides the pleasure of driving for a new era, the thrill of sporty driving, and the driver’s mental and physical connection with the vehicle. It provides a sense of unity as if they are one. In addition, the various aerodynamic technologies that Honda has accumulated in the motorsports field will be combined with the low body styling to achieve an excellent balance of dynamics, aerodynamic performance, and design.

5) Excellent electrical efficiency – Honda achieved high electrical efficiency by pursuing energy efficiency based on the electrification technology accumulated through development experience in hybrid vehicles and various fields. The Honda 0 Series is a model with e-Axles with excellent power conversion efficiency and packaging, a lightweight, high-density battery pack, and excellent aerodynamic performance, ensuring sufficient driving range while minimizing the battery capacity mounted on the vehicle. Aiming.

In addition, the Honda 0 series model secures battery performance that enables rapid charging and minimizes performance degradation even when used for a long period of time in order to resolve concerns about ‘charging time’ and ‘deterioration of battery performance’, which are considered obstacles to the popularization of electric vehicles. did. For the 0 Series models scheduled to be released in the late 2020s, the fast charging time from 15% to 80% will be shortened to approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Meanwhile, by applying improved battery system control technology based on extensive driving data from more than 1 million Honda electric vehicles, we are working to limit the performance degradation of battery capacity (driving distance) to less than 10% after 10 years of use.

Concept models representing the Honda 0 series: Saloon and Space-Hub

Saloon is the flagship concept model of the Honda 0 series, embodying a ‘thin, light, and smart’ approach. Design freedom has been increased through a dedicated electric vehicle architecture, and the M/M concept of the electric vehicle era has been raised to the next level. The Saloon is clearly differentiated from other electric vehicles with its low body and sporty styling, and provides more interior space than its attractive design and exterior suggest. The instrument panel implements a sophisticated and smooth user interface (UI) by applying the ‘Human-Machine Interface (HMI)’, which allows simple and intuitive operation. Saloon provides a pleasant driving experience that stimulates the driver’s emotions through its wide view and intuitive UI.

By adopting ‘Steer-by-Wire’, which has been accumulated through the development of Honda’s proprietary robotics technology, and further upgrading the motion management system, including posture control, it can be controlled according to the driver’s will in various driving situations. Let it happen. Saloon, the flagship model of the Honda 0 series, pursues the ultimate ‘pleasure of driving’ in the electric vehicle era. In addition, it is a unique model where users and the natural environment coexist, including the use of sustainable materials for the interior and exterior.

Space-Hub was developed under the common design direction of the Honda 0 series with the theme of ‘Bringing vitality to daily life.’ Space-Hub, which secures spacious interior space and excellent visibility based on a ‘thin, light and smart’ development method, provides a flexible space that can immediately accommodate what users want, and connects people to people and people to society. We aim to become a hub and create mutual empathy.

The current ‘H mark’ has a long history, having been renewed from the previous version in 1981. To commemorate the development of next-generation electric vehicles, Honda redesigned the H mark, which symbolizes Honda cars. This is to express Honda’s will to pursue change beyond Honda’s origins and Honda’s corporate spirit to constantly pursue new challenges and development. The design, which resembles two outstretched hands, represents Honda’s promise to expand the possibilities of mobility and truly respond to the needs of Honda electric vehicle users. The new H mark will be used on Honda’s next-generation electric vehicles, including the Honda 0 Series models.

Written by Road Test Editorial Department (dhseo1208@gmail.com)
Photo by Honda