What's all this about?
Honda is planning a 'fresh start' with a series of dedicated, high-tech, futuristic-looking electric vehicles (EVs), which it is calling the 0 (zero) Series. And at last year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, it showed off two dramatic concepts for these vehicles: one was a big, wedge-shaped affair called the 0 Saloon; and the other was a vaguely van-like creation called the Space Hub. Well, they've been refined from weird and wacky concept cars into only marginally less weird and wacky prototypes of the production versions, and shown at this year's CES event over in Las Vegas.
Cool, so what are they called?
Well, the 0 Saloon remains the 0 Saloon, but to tie it in better to this philosophy, the Space Hub has become the 0 SUV. It has also changed shape a little more from the Space Hub concept, but both it and the 0 Saloon still look largely unlike anything else we've seen yet. Remarkable, and most refreshing from Honda, given that both of these are slated to hit the market in 2026.
Next year? Really?
Indeed. Fascinating, given we don't know much about them, certainly in terms of drivetrain, battery spec and range, but we're excited nonetheless. The 0 SUV will land first, mainly because it's going to be the more lucrative option. Both it and the 0 Saloon will use Honda's advanced new onboard operating system, called Asimo after the company's famous little humanoid robot, and the 0 SUV will also have onboard 3D gyro sensors (developed from Honda's work in getting Asimo the 'bot to walk autonomously) that will aim to keep the vehicle's body on the level during driving. We have to say, we're also big fans of the distinctive styling, which is at its most outré at the rear. It looks like something out of a Judge Dredd movie (yes, probably more the rubbish Stallone film, which at least had those decent cars in it, than the brilliant Karl Urban vehicle of 2012... but we digress).
Switching to the 0 Saloon, it will be the flagship of the series and promises more interior space than even its swooping exterior. Honda's ethos behind the 0 Series is 'Thin, Light and Wise', and on the last of these aspects the 0 Saloon will be capable of Level 3 autonomous driving, as well as 'ultra-personal optimisation' that will allow each occupant to set up their own areas of the cabin just as they want them to be.
OK, do we have exact launch dates?
Both the 0 SUV and the 0 Saloon will land in North America before Japan, with the SUV slated for the first half of the year; the Saloon will come later. Europe will get its version of each at the same time as Japan, in both instances.
Matt Robinson - 8 Jan 2025