Honda debuts three EV concepts… for China only 🤦

Honda has unveiled a trio of electric vehicle concepts at the 2023 Shanghai Auto Show, but they’re destined for the Chinese market only.

The Honda E:NP2 and E:NS2 are ‘second-set’ prototype electric models crossing between SUV and sedan body styles, destined for production in early 2024.

Judging by the pictures, both incorporate distinctly different thin LED lighting signatures at the front, with illuminated badging, slim camera-based wing mirrors, and dark-finished alloy wheels.

While interior pictures weren’t published, the Japanese carmaker boasts of a “clean, uncluttered, yet pleasantly rounded” design.

• What is Honda doing about EVs in Australia? Jump ahead...

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In the cabin, there's a new touchscreen powered by the Honda Connect 4.0 operating system, connected services, and latest safety assistance suite. Again, though, no images of the interior have been released.

Meanwhile, the Honda E:N SUV 序 (xù) is a concept model using the brand’s ‘E:N Architecture W’ for the first time with a focus on driving performance.

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It’s worth noting that the E:N SUV 序 concept is a different vehicle to the forthcoming North American Honda Prologue electric SUV, which adopts General Motors’ Ultium battery packs and a co-developed platform.

A Honda Australia spokesperson re-confirmed to Wheels that there are “no current plans to bring these vehicles to the Australian market”.

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Honda: An electric health check

In Australia, the carmaker launched series-parallel hybrid versions of its new Civic hatch and HR-V SUV last year, and aims to have hybridisation across its vehicle line-up.

However, Honda Australia director Carolyn McMahon recently admitted to Wheels that it won’t sell a pure battery-electric car Down Under until at least 2028.

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Honda introduced the dedicated E:N sub-brand back in 2021 for China with SUV, GT and coupe concepts.

It already sells the E:NP1 and E:NS1 small SUVs in China – which are essentially an all-electric HR-V with a smoother grille – and are produced by its Dongfeng Honda and GAC Honda joint ventures.

The automaker aims to introduce 10 Honda-badged EV models by 2027, with an all-electric line-up by 2035 in the world’s largest and rapidly growing car market.

Meanwhile, besides the upcoming Prologue EV in North America, the Fiat 500e-rivalling Honda E electric city car remains the only western-market full-electric Honda today – albeit as a Europe-only proposition.

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