Honda's new Tron-style EV concepts showcase a radical electric near-future

Amongst a field of competitors that include domestic rival Toyota  (TM) - Get Free Report, as well as Elon Musk's Tesla  (TSLA) - Get Free Report, renowned Japanese automaker Honda  (HMC) - Get Free Report seems to be showing up late to the EV party. Aside from the Prologue SUV; which is set to release sometime this year, the brand does not feature any EVs on its lineup.

Related: Sony and Honda's new EV is an AI-powered wake up call for Tesla

However, its new concepts at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) prove instead that the automaker had a plan and took its time. 

In a presentation at the Las Vegas show, Honda unveiled a pair of EV concept cars as a preview of a new line of cars. 

Dubbed the "0 Series," the name is meant to symbolize Honda's "fresh approach to design and engineering," while adhering to its core principles of automotive engineering, according to the company. 

Honda's "Saloon"

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The first of the two concepts is simply called the "Saloon," a wide, low-slung, retro-futuristic styled four-seater that looks absolutely sleek in black. Featuring gullwing doors and borrowing design cues from 70's and 80's wedge-shaped cars like the Lancia Stratos and the Lamborghini Countach, the Saloon is a stylish representation of Honda's unique approach to EVs, which deviates from what the automaker finds to be the norm.

“The mobility we dream of is not an extension of the trend of ‘thick, heavy, but smart’ EVs,” said Honda Global CEO Toshihiro Mibe. “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.”

On the inside, Honda says that the Saloon has a spacious cabin with "excellent visibility and a sporty driving position," while maintaining the use of sustainable materials throughout the vehicle. Honda also says that the instrument panels will feature what it calls a "human-machine interface" that enables "simple and intuitive operations" in the car.

Honda's "Space-Hub"

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In addition to the Saloon, the brand also revealed a concept called the Space-Hub, a unique approach to the family car that applies the same "thin, light and wise" principles to a minivan-shaped vehicle. 

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The party trick of the Space-Hub lies inside the futuristic minivan, where passenger-facing lounge seating and a full-glass roof makes for a unique experience for its occupants. Honda says that the vehicle provides "a flexible space that immediately accommodates a variety of passengers and becomes a “hub” that connects people to each other and the outside world."

New Tech

Honda says that its 0 Series of cars will feature a range of new technologies such as a new advanced driver-assistive system (ADAS) that utilizes tech already found in its current Honda Sensing Elite system in Japan. Additionally, the automaker says that it'll use AI to power new automated driving features, including a user interface that learns about driver's preferences and driving behaviors. 

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The automaker also said that the new line of vehicles will offer "stress-free charging," allowing for fast-charging from 15% to 80% to take as less as 10-15 minutes, while using minimizing battery degradation to as low as 10% after 10 years of use. 

Honda plans to introduce a model of the Honda 0 Series based off of the Saloon concept in North America in 2026. 

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