It looks like Honda has rediscovered its mojo. After years of producing worthy but not particularly interesting cars the big 'H' has recently put on a big push to reclaim some of the sporting glory it possessed during the nineties. The latest to represent a turn in thinking is the EV-STER that was unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show today (November 30).
Previously called the 'Small Sports EV Concept' we had surmised that it may signal the return of the S2000 but on closer inspection it looks like we have to go even further back in Honda's timeline to find a true predecessor. With dimensions more akin to the Japanese Kei-cars the EV-STER, an electric rear-wheel drive two-seat convertible sports car, might signal that a new Honda Beat is in the pipeline. The 58kW (78bhp) provided by the lithium-ion battery is certainly closer to the Beat's output than the S2000's.
Don't let the small power figure put you off though as thanks to extensive use of carbon fibre and other weight-saving technologies the EV-STER is a featherweight meaning a 0-62mph time of about five seconds and a projected range of about 100 miles on a single charge.
There is the usual concept wackiness with the EV-STER's steering being operated via twin-levers, but we do like the instrument panel that, in addition to showing the usual driver information, can also be used for the audio, navigation systems and internet access.
Paul Healy - 30 Nov 2011