New Honda HR-V EV could come to Europe – Report [Update]

Update: ‘Release Date’ section added.

Honda’s all-new hybrid SUV, the third-gen Honda HR-V, arrived in Europe in 2021, and there could be more to follow from the Japanese brand in the electrified SUV market. All-electric HR-Vs called the Honda e:NS1 and Honda e:NP1 were unveiled on 13 October 2021, and will enter Chinese showrooms in the first half of this year. And the interesting part? One of the Honda HR-V EV derivatives could sail to Europe in the foreseeable future.

Chinese HR-V electric far from being ruled out for Europe

Christophe Decultot, President, Honda Benelux (Honda Motor Europe), has confirmed that Honda will expand the European line-up with another EV. Speaking to autovisie in October 2021, Decultot said that he’s not allowed to say how the expansion is setup but “it is certain that there will be an (a new) electric model.” The new Honda EV will have a different positioning than the Honda e, the Honda Benelux boss added.

The Honda e:NS1 looks a tad sportier than the Honda e:NP1 thanks to its spoiler above the rear combination lamps. Image Source: Honda

It’s interesting that Decultot talked about the Honda SUV e:prototype (pictured above) that debuted at Auto Shanghai 2021 during the interview. The production SUV has two versions, a Honda e:NS1 for the Dongfeng Honda JV company and a Honda e:NP1 for the Guangqi Honda JV company. Decultot said that although Honda has developed the electric car for China, it could bring it to Europe.

At the Shanghai car show earlier this year, there was a concept car. Although that model has been developed for the Chinese market, there is a chance that the car will also come to Europe. Officially, the car is not intended for Europe, but we cannot say that it will not come.

Christophe Decultot, President, Honda Benelux, in 2021 (Translated)

Brand new electric Honda SUV for Europe in the making

In August 2021, Jean-Marc Streng, President and Managing Director, Honda UK, told Auto Express that the UK will welcome a new Honda EV in 2023. According to the British publication’s intel, it is likely to be a compact SUV similar to the Honda SUV e:concept. The report stated that Honda’s engineering chief had previously confirmed that the Honda e’s RWD platform will underpin the upcoming European electric SUV. The Chinese HR-V EV, on the other hand, is a front-wheel drive model sitting on the ‘e:N Architecture F’ platform developed for small and medium-sized EVs.

While China will get the production EV as the Honda e:NS1 and Honda e:NP1, in Europe, it could arrive as Honda HR-V e or Honda HR-V electric, complementing EVs that are developed exclusively for the European market.

On the Honda e:NS1 & Honda e:NP1 (Honda HR-V based EVs)

Dongfeng Honda will launch the HR-V electric as the Honda e:NS1 in China. Image Source: MIIT China

Design

The e:NS1 looks largely the same as the SUV:e prototype. It has revised headlamp and taillamp clusters, narrower DRLs, regular front fog lights, non-backlit Honda logos, including a block-lettered one at the rear, traditional side mirrors, and regular front door handles instead of flush-fitting ones.

The Honda e:NP1 features the same design and should have the same specifications as the Honda e:NS1. A minor difference is that it doesn’t get the sporty spoiler above the tail lamps. Inside, the electric SUVs feature a Driver Monitoring Camera, a 15.2-inch HD portrait touchscreen infotainment system, a 10.25-inch fully digital instrument cluster, and Honda Connect 3.0 with 20+ connected vehicle functions. The vehicle comes with a sound system that simulates the acceleration of a combustion engine.

Guangqi Honda will produce and sell the Honda e:NP1 in the Chinese market. Image Source: Honda

Interior & Features

Specifications

The Honda e:NS1 is 50 mm (2.0 in.) longer and 22 mm (0.9 in.) lower than the all-new HR-V Hybrid, but it has the same width and wheelbase. It measures 4,390 mm (172.8 in.) in length, 1,790 mm (70.5 in.) in width, and 1,560 mm (61.4 in.) in height. The wheelbase spans 2,610 mm (102.8 in.).

The Honda e:NS1 and Honda e:NP1 feature a fully digital instrument cluster and a portrait touchscreen infotainment system. Image Source: Honda

Dongfeng Honda would offer the e:NS1 in four variants. Customers would be able to choose from two Lithium-ion battery packs, a 53.6 kWh unit that offers a 420 km of range (CLTC) and a 68.8 kWh unit that provides 510 km of range (CLTC). The standard-range variant would have a low-output permanent magnet synchronous motor generating 134 kW and 310 Nm of torque. It would achieve a top speed of 150 km/h and consume 13.60 kWh/100 km. The long-range variant would have a high-output permanent magnet synchronous motor producing 150 kW and 310 Nm of torque. It would be just as fast, but consumes slightly more energy – 13.80 kWh/100 km.

As you can observe in the graph below, like the Honda e:NS1, the Honda e:NP1 will have a range of more than 500 km (311 miles). Both models will accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in just under 8 seconds.

The Honda e:NS1 looks sportier than the Honda e:NP1. They will offer a range of more than 500 or 311 miles (CLTC) in the higher configuration. Image Source: Honda

In January 2022, autohome.com.cn reported that the e:NP1 will also be available in 134 kW and 150 kW variants. According to the Chinese site, the e:NP1’s range will touch 510 km or 317 miles.

Chinese media review the Honda HR-V EV derivative

Dongfeng Honda held a media drive for the e:NS1 at the Zhuhai International Circuit on January 6, 2022. Autohome test-drove the 150 kW e:NS1 and reported that the electric SUV accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.74 seconds. The Chinese publication said that motor output is more than sufficient for everyday use. The e:NS1 handled well around the corners. Overall, it is a fun product, Autohome concluded.

PC Auto also found the e:NS1 to be engaging during its spirited drive at the racetrack. The steering is precise and allows cornering with ease, this portal noted. The driving dynamics are similar to ICE Honda models. The NVH levels are good, so cruising on the highway should be comfortable, the Chinese review notes.

Release Date

The e:NS1 and the e:NP1 will go on sale by June 2022 in China. Pre-orders for the e:NS1 began on March 18, 2022, Dongfeng-Honda had confirmed through a post on its Weibo account. Given that the e:NS1’s media drive was conducted first and pre-orders are open, it could beat the e:NP1 in entering production and reaching customers. The Honda electric SUVs will compete with models like the Hyundai Kona EV, Kia Niro EV, and the MG ZS EV.

Honda China EV strategy

Honda sold 10,000 EVs in China in 2021, and that’s meager in what is one of the world’s leading EV markets. However, it’s taking sustained efforts to become a big player. In October 2021, the company announced the launch of 10 Honda EVs in the country within five years, starting in spring this year. The e:NS1 and e:NP1 are the first, and the next two models will be displayed in their respective concept versions at Auto China 2022 (2022 Beijing Motor Show) in April.

Katsushi Inoue, Honda’s chief officer for regional operations in China has told Nikkei that the company plans to sell 800,000 EVs in the country in 2030. The company will source battery packs for the future EVs from CATL, which has guaranteed a stable supply over the next five years. Both Dongfeng Honda and Guangqi Honda will get a new factory for EVs. The new plants will become operational in 2024 and offer a combined annual production capacity of 240,000 EVs.

Featured Image Source: Honda

Keyword: New Honda HR-V EV could come to Europe – Report [Update]