Meanwhile, the company’s edgy new electric car has a “wow factor.”
Gone are the days when Chinese cars were the laughing stock of the auto industry. Not only has quality improved in recent years, but so has design. It took them enough time to stop copying global models and come up with something that doesn’t look like a rehash. However, Honda believes there is still room for growth.
In an interview with Autoмotiʋe News Europe, the director and general manager of Honda’s automotive electronics design division was brutally honest. Speaking about electric sedans, Daisuke Tsutamori said: “In China, you have seen a lot of further innovation in that design. But it’s very superficial. Subtle yet superficial. Honda wanted to come up with something simpler, more essential.”
He’s referring to this edgy electric car we saw earlier in the year at the Consumer Electronics Show. The wedge-shaped concept dubbed the “Saloon” will create a product expected to launch in North America in 2026. According to Tsutaмori, the CES show car from Las Vegas has a “wow factor” with its sleek shape eye.
According to a statement by designer Toshinobu Minahi in an interview with Autocar, although it is only a concept, the next road car will retain 90% of its design. Predictably, those spectacular gull-winged doors won’t make a statement, but that front display probably will.
If the Honda Saloon looks familiar it’s because the Kiwaмi has a similar shape. That doesn’t mean the two are related, as the other concept is more than 20 years old, having debuted at the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show. Tsutamori admits that iconic designer Marcello Gandini cited it as the source. inspiration. Turin-𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 autoмotiʋe automobile designer has created one of the most beautiful cars, the timeless Laмborghini Miura. He also worked on the Countach, Diablo and Lancia Stratos along with many other models such as the BMW 5 Series (E12), Fiat X1/9 and the original Volkswagen Polo.
Speaking about Marcello Gandini, Tsutaмori told ANE that “I love and respect him, but we wanted to reflect Honda’s values in a new way.” This Saloon concept heralds a production model based on a dedicated electric platform that will underpin the “0 Series” electric vehicle range. According to Honda’s press release, the low-slung sedan will serve as the flagship model and aims to offer an “incredibly spacious interior.”
A name has yet to be decided for the car but we hope to have something more unique than just “Saloon”. Designer Toshinobu Minaмi said it may have an actual name instead of the single alphanumeric symbol used for the e:NY1 cross. Meanwhile, the Japanese automaker recently killed off its cutest electric car, the little Honda e hatchback.
