Honda’s Prologue Design Reveal Exhibits It Is Critical About Honda EVs

This 12 months, I’ve been paying much more consideration to Honda. Up to now, I’ve referred to as them “boneheaded” for doing issues like sending Readability vehicles to the crusher, not promoting the Honda e in the USA, and never even providing a hybrid Acura MDX. That final one is especially terrible as a result of my spouse is a big fan of the MDX and we actually wished to at the least see a plugin hybrid.

However, it’s changing into clear that in 2022, Honda is altering instructions. The corporate noticed that, at the least for the US and European markets, EVs are the place it’s going to be, and realized it wanted to do one thing to get again on monitor, and yesterday.

Honda’s Turnaround

In April 2021, world Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe detailed the corporate’s plans for gross sales of electrified vehicles as a part of its aim to carbon-neutral merchandise and operations by 2050. The target is for 100% of North American gross sales to be battery-electric and gasoline cell electrical autos by 2040. Curious readers might be taught extra about this announcement right here.

Final July, the corporate gave us a quick glimpse of its design studio and the work that was being completed on the Prologue EV. Not solely did it look as if they have been taking an creative method to designing their EV, but it surely appeared as in the event that they have been within the means of developing their very own model of Chevrolet’s Equinox EV-which is ready to be extra budget-friendly.

We found that the corporate was planning to launch an Acura Precision EV idea a month later. This confirmed that Acura Design Studio in Los Angeles clearly wished to indicate off their design and technological talents, in addition to give clients a style of what they will count on from future electrified autos. These vehicles will present drivers with distinctive handbook and full automation driving experiences.

Then, we noticed them launch an idea for the electrical Acura ZDX, giving us extra of a clue that they’re taking EVs significantly not only for just a few limited-production Hondas, however for the flagship model as properly.

Whereas partnering with GM, one other participant that’s fairly far behind Tesla, might not look like the easiest way to meet up with different gamers on EVs, appearances are deceiving. Over the previous couple of years, GM hasn’t completed many daring issues, however it was making ready to give attention to an under-served market sector, notably the $30,000-$35,000 value vary. By lowering the costs of its Bolt EV and Bolt EUV fashions, in addition to saying a $30,000 Equinox EV mannequin, GM is making it clear that it’s severe about competing with Tesla within the electrical automobile market.

With GM giving it a serving to hand, Honda has the chance to serve that essential market sector as properly, and do it rapidly relatively than having to begin from scratch with its EV program (and being significantly behind).

Honda’s current announcement of at the least one Honda-branded EV and at the least one Acura-branded ZDX EV helps to fill the corporate’s hole within the EV market. This buys the corporate time to develop its personal platforms (and be taught from GM) to turn into a severe participant within the long-term EV market. Future higher-end Acura and Honda autos will likely be 100% Honda, however I wouldn’t be shocked in the event that they nonetheless shared some elements and provide chains with GM as the corporate transitions to constructing out its personal impartial EVs.

All of it provides as much as substantial potential for Honda to return to the sport and succeed with electrical vehicles.

The Prologue EV Doesn’t Look Like A Rebadged Equinox

Honda has revealed the outside and inside design of its all-new Honda Prologue battery-electric SUV, which will likely be marketed in North America in 2024. The Prologue’s design is characterised by clear, purposeful “Neo-Rugged” exteriors and interiors that present loads of room for journey inside and past metropolis limits.

One of many issues I used to be involved about once I heard Honda’s first severe EVs have been going to be based mostly on GM autos was that they may cellphone it in like we’ve seen up to now with badge engineering. In all probability the worst instance of this was the Volkswagen Routan, which was a Chrysler minivan with modified headlights and a VW badge up entrance. It didn’t appear like a VW, and was clearly only a rebadged Chrysler.

Luckily, Honda did job of creating its Prologue SUV appear like one thing Honda would make, which can tremendously assist Honda’s loyal consumers comply with them into the electrical future.

“Our aim was to create a clear concord based mostly on a rugged SUV picture by coordinating the colours and supplies to specific neo-rugged design styling that’s acquainted to our clients and uniquely Honda,” mentioned Masaki Sumimoto, design lead for the Coloration, Supplies and End.

The outside and inside design of the all-new Prologue was developed by the Honda Los Angeles group, which is in command of heading up the look. A younger group of designers got down to create a up to date and contemporary SUV with clear and fundamental surfacing. The Neo-Rugged design language was created to carry nature’s parts inside and out of doors of Prologue into concord.

The rear of the automobile, with its panoramic roof and big 21-inch wheels, is a sign of this design course. The entrance fascia is influenced by the groundbreaking Honda e EV mannequin’s distinctive exterior.

Prologue was designed with a contemporary and contemporary really feel, much like current Honda SUVs. Its ample dimensions and spacious inside make it comparable in measurement to the Passport amongst Honda’s mild truck lineup. Prologue could have a 121.8-inch wheelbase, 8 extra inches of size, and 5 further inches of width compared to the all-new 2023 Honda CR-V.

The Prologue could have a big inside, with sufficient house for passengers and cargo. The Prologue will embrace a typical absolutely digital 11-inch driver show display and an 11.3-inch audio/connectivity show, showcasing a tech-rich cabin.

If you happen to’re aware of GM EVs like I’m (I personal a Chevy Bolt EUV), you’ll see straight away that there are a whole lot of GM issues occurring, particularly with the inside. However, they aren’t tremendous apparent to individuals who aren’t wanting intently the best way many previous badge engineering tasks have been. The commonalities are delicate typically, and the variations are sufficient to outweigh the visible similarities.

This exhibits us that Honda is prepared to not simply put an H badge on it, however can be prepared to make use of the corporate’s design language, staking its popularity on the automobile. If it wasn’t severe concerning the effort, Honda wouldn’t have completed that.

All pictures supplied by Honda.

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