Speaking of Honda's sports cars, I believe everyone thinks of Honda NSX. The latest news shows that the new NSX uses a mid-mounted V6 engine and Honda's latest Sport Hybrid SH-AWD (Super Handling All-Wheel Drive) system. Do you think hybrid sports cars have no soul? Don't worry, what's even more incredible is that Honda is planning to launch a pure electric sports car.
Recently, according to foreign media reports, Honda plans to launch its second pure electric car in Europe before 2022. This car may be a retro-style electric car like the Honda e. Honda European Market President Tom Gardner revealed: "The European region will soon welcome Honda's second pure electric model, which will be one of the four new cars launched in 2021-2022."
Cute pure electric sports car
The professor predicts that this model will be the mass-produced model of the previously released Honda Sports EV Concept. Combined with the relevant patent drawings, Let’s briefly review this car.
The new car adopts retro design elements in appearance. The round driving lights are similar to the Honda e, giving it a cute and cute style. Under the black hood are the charging socket and electric motor.
Because the new car is a sports-style sports car, the body posture will be relatively low, and combined with the wide wheels, it can reduce wind resistance and improve the driving control of the vehicle. The blue decoration on the side of the body further indicates that it is a new energy vehicle.
Considering that Sports EV is a concept car, the production model is expected to have more adjustments in details. Referring to the previous Honda Sports EV Concept and Honda e, it is not difficult to see that the theme of future new car design will be cute and cute retro style. If you are a sentimental person and like retro classic designs, I believe this car will be suitable for you, but a big guy like the professor will not catch a cold.
I believe that power is also something that everyone is concerned about. Refer to the Honda e. In terms of power, the car is expected to be equipped with the same power system as the Honda e. Its electric motor has a maximum power of 110kW (150Ps) and 300N· It has a maximum torque of m? and is equipped with a battery pack with a capacity of 35.5kW·h. It only takes 30 minutes to quickly charge to 80% of power, and the cruising range can reach 220km.
Taking into account the time node of 2022, it is believed that the electric capacity, cruising range and power performance of new cars in the future will be improved to a certain extent. It is reported that the car has applied for a design patent on the official website of the Japan Patent Office.
Or promote high-performance Type-R models
Speaking of Volkswagen's high-performance R department, everyone will naturally think of the Golf R. The new generation of Golf R will be released within the year. Volkswagen is obviously not satisfied with just one Golf R. Volkswagen Arteon (CC in China), Tiguan, and Touareg will also launch high-performance R series models, among which Touareg R is the first plug-in hybrid model in Volkswagen's R series models.
It can be seen that performance vehicles are not necessarily fuel vehicles. New energy vehicles are also feasible. Honda thinks so too.
Previously, Honda Type-R project leader Hideki Kakinuma publicly stated that electric Type-R models are feasible and Honda is considering launching electric Type-R models. If the Type?R electric car is confirmed to be launched, Honda e may be the first to have a Type-R model. The premise is that Honda's electric vehicle technology can meet all the needs of consumers.
According to Honda's plan, by 2030, two-thirds of Honda's global products will be electrified, including 15 pure electric models. This plan also implies that Honda's performance cars will take a new energy route in the future, and electrification is the future development trend of Type-R.
If it comes true, Honda will of course provide Sports EV with a more powerful Type-R model, and Sports EV will also be transformed into a pure electric sports car.
Honda is cautious in the new energy market
Compared with the fuel vehicle market, Honda has always been more cautious and conservative in the new energy market.
Unlike other brands, Honda's purpose of entering the new energy market is to reduce emissions, not simply to own pure electric vehicles. Therefore, hybrid power systems are Honda's key direction for future development. This is the view from a Honda spokesperson. Honda's new energy sector is more inclined to hybrid models rather than pure electric models.
From the perspective of product technical strength and sales volume, the Honda brand’s position in the market is obvious. However, since each company’s technology research and development, labor costs and capital investment are limited, While vigorously developing fuel vehicles or hybrid vehicles, it is difficult to take into account the research and development and production of pure electric vehicles at the same time. This is also one of the reasons for the slow development of Honda's new energy market.
Honda will not rush to launch a pure electric Type-R until at least the three issues of cruising range, ease of use (charging infrastructure) and cost are solved.
The second consideration is the market issue. Compared with the fuel vehicle market, new energy vehicles account for 1.26 million of the 86 million global vehicle sales, a ratio of about 1.5. The new energy market is still a niche market. The high-performance Type-R model is a niche in the niche market, and the market is undoubtedly more scarce.
Rendering of Honda e? Type-R
The Type-R model requires a lot of money from the research and development to production stages, but the money spent may not bring back the money. There are still many doubts about whether to produce pure electric Type-R models. But in terms of enriching the market product lineup, the pure electric Type-R series models will be a good supplement.
The sports cars and performance cars that everyone remembers are fuel-powered models. If they become new energy models, will they become boring and unlovable? It's hard to say, but I believe Honda has the ability to make you fall in love with "it" completely.
This article comes from the author of Autohome Chejiahao and does not represent the views and positions of Autohome.