Tokyo show: Honda reveals Sports EV concept

HONDA has unveiled its second all-electric concept vehicle in as many months, with the Sports EV breaking cover at the Tokyo motor show today.

Following the reveal of the Urban EV concept at the Frankfurt motor show last month, the two-door Sport EV borrows heavily from its Frankfurt sibling, with similar styling and powertrain but a clear intent to provide a sportier edge.

Visually, the Sport EV has the same simple, ringed headlight design of the Urban EV, as well as the Honda badge which is projected onto the front grille in a blue hue – a styling touch that is reserved for Honda EVs.

The Tokyo concept also uses the same platform as the Urban EV, however Honda is yet to disclose details on powertrain output or range, other than mentioning it will “include a high-density, lightweight battery pack, integrated heat management and the evolution of energy transfer functions”.

It will likely use Honda’s Power Management EV charging system, which can distribute charge between a vehicle, domestic residence and the power grid as a fully integrated energy transfer system.

Honda has also called the powertrain a “highly responsive electric power unit”, boasting “powerful, smooth acceleration … with serene quietness”.

While featuring similar dimensions to the diminutive Urban EV, Honda has given the Sport-badged version a more aggressive look by dropping the centre of gravity and providing a wider and lower stance than the earlier hatch concept.

The performance-honed styling is enhanced by large five twin-spoke alloy wheels, short overhangs, a long bonnet and sloping roofline.

Other design cues are borrowed from the Urban EV concept, including slimline cameras in place of door mirrors, black bonnet, cream exterior colour and the black sill stripe with glowing blue element.

Round headlights are contrasted by similarly minimalist square tail-lights, with the car’s rear quarters adding to the squat, low, sporty stance.

The Sports EV is also said to use Honda’s latest artificial intelligence (AI) technology, in the form of the Honda Automated Network Assistant, which communicates between driver and car.

Given its small dimensions, the Sports EV could be seen as a possible precursor to a new-generation model such as the diminutive Japan-only S660 or discontinued S2000 convertible.

Using electric technology in sports-focused vehicles is a familiar exercise for Honda given its current range-topping model, the $420,000 NSX supercar, teams a twin-turbo V6 to three different electric motors for a combined output of 427kW/646Nm.

Honda has confirmed that the Urban EV concept will reach production by 2020, making the prospect of a Sports variant being sold alongside it quite likely.