Engineers and designers at Honda are hard at work on the company’s next-generation of electric vehicles. Opening its proverbial kimono, the Japanese automaker unveiled not one, but two sleek-looking concepts at CES in Las Vegas on Tuesday, vehicles that clearly show where the company is headed in the not-too-distant future.
Part of the “Honda 0 Series” range of EVs designed for global markets, the aptly named Saloon and Space-Hub models look like almost like something from a science fiction movie. As you might imagine, the former embraces the sedan formfactor and has racy lines and dramatic proportions; the latter is more minivan-like, with a boxy overall shape and cavernous amounts of interior room.
The Saloon concept is designed to be a flagship-caliber car, one that also has simple, intuitive controls including a steer-by-wire system. Beyond that, you can expect excellent outward visibility and even a sporty driving position. This concept follows the Honda M/M philosophy, that is, man maximum, machine minimum. The car is graced with a low and wide exterior and loads of interior room.
While the Saloon looks like some pie-in-the-sky design study that will never see the light of day, a car inspired by this concept will actually be built, and relatively soon, too. The production model is slated to go on sale at some point in 2026, hitting dealerships in North America first. The car will then arrive in other global markets like Africa, Asia (including Japan, of course), Europe, the Middle East and South America.
In contrast to the Saloon, the Space-Hub concept is more of a living room on wheels, one with a gigantic passenger compartment, lounge-like seating and acres of glass for unobstructed views of the outside world. The exterior of the Space-Hub is super clean, with minimal character lines and no apparent trim tacked on. The rectangular rear is essentially flat and nearly vertical, for a unique look.
“We have gone back to basics and formulated the Honda 0 Series with a design for the new era,” said Shinji Aoyama, global EVP of Honda in a media release shared by the automaker. “A bold and pure proportion that from the first glance is overwhelmingly different from other EVs to evoke a new perspective for people.” Indeed, if the production version of the Saloon looks anything like the concept, people will be shocked by the design, which looks like no other Honda ever offered.
In addition to the two concept vehicles revealed at CES, the automaker also used the occasion to debut a new EV-specific logo. For upcoming electrics including Honda 0 Series models, the company is redesigning its iconic H-mark logo, the current iteration of which dates back to 1981. This not-insignificant alteration is intended to “express the company’s determination to undergo a historic transformation as well as the ability to constantly pursue new challenges and advancements.”
The revamped H-mark logo appears somewhat retro, resembling the emblem used in the past on models like the S500 sports car. In this case, the new logo is designed to resemble two outstretched hands.
“We will create a completely new value from zero based on thin, light and wise as the foundation for our new Honda 0 EV series to further advance the joy and freedom of mobility to the next level,” said Toshihiro Mibe, the global CEO of Honda in a media release shared by the automaker. “The mobility we dream of is not an extension of the trend of ‘thick, heavy, but smart’ EVs.”
Leading the charge, Honda 0 Series models will debut new styling, feature automated driving technology and offer advanced battery designs that provide greater efficiency. In fact, the automaker is promising minimal battery degradation and DC fast charging from 15% to 80% in just 10 to 15 minutes for 0 Series models launching in the late 2020s.
Additionally, Honda 0 Series vehicles will feature a newly developed operating system that incorporates AI. The technology will allow vehicles to learn users’ preferences and behaviors, make informed suggestions and provide information about surrounding areas, so users are able to safely arrive at their final destinations.
Honda’s CES concepts look intriguing, though they’re not radically different from what other automakers have revealed in the past. The big story here, however, is that a version of the Saloon is slated to go on sale in the next couple years, and it will be fascinating to see how much (or how little) the production model resembles the concept.
