2017 Tokyo Motor Show: Honda teases sexy Sports EV Concept

HONDA achieved something of a coup at the 2017 Frankfurt motor show when it pulled the silk off its Urban EV Concept.

Its all-electric reboot of the classic first-gen Honda Civic not only emulated that car’s compact dimensions and man-maximum, machine-minimum ethos well, but it also aced the tricky task of blending retro design cues with futuristic technology. It was a standout at Frankfurt.

But the Japanese company isn’t stopping there. The next major show on the motoring calendar occurs late this month in Tokyo, and Honda has revealed it’ll be premiering yet another electric concept. Called simply the Honda Sports EV Concept, the single teaser image that’s been released so far suggests that Honda may have another showstopper on its hands.

Honda is understandably keeping the finer details under wraps until the doors open at Tokyo on October 25, but the carmaker has mentioned that it will sit on the same electrified platform as the Urban EV concept.

That likely means front-wheel drive rather than a more enthusiast-appeasing rear-drive layout, but the styling appears to ape that of the classic S800 coupe (above) with wide rear haunches, a short rear deck and a comparatively long bonnet. Honda has a lot of heritage to draw upon, and its designers appear to be exploiting that.

While the Urban EV Concept is locked in for a 2019 production debut, it’s unclear whether the Sports EV Concept is destined for the showroom at this stage. That may well hinge on how well it’s received by the media and public at the Tokyo Motor Show, but if it draws anywhere near as much attention as its more utilitarian hatchback cousin did at Frankfurt, the future should look bright for Honda’s electron-burning sports car.