Honda e:Ny1 electric SUV breaks cover

Honda has finally revealed the production-spec e:Ny1, the brand’s first electric SUV that will go on sale in Europe and other international markets. This will be Honda's first volume product in the ever-growing all-electric SUV market that also has players like the Volkswagen ID4 and the Jeep Avenger EV. Previously previewed as a prototype in 2022, the e:Ny1 is one of the three important products that the brand will introduce globally this year in the SUV space.

1. New Honda e:Ny1 will have a range of around 412km
2. Will do 0-100kph in 8.0 seconds
3. Gets a 68.8kWh battery pack

Honda e:Ny1 is the EV equivalent of HR-V SUV

The e:Ny1 is the first of a line of new-era EVs with which Honda is aiming to capture a significant proportion of the family EV market globally. It's essentially an electric equivalent to the HR-V crossover launched in 2021 and looks very similar, but it's all-new inside and underneath, and it will be marketed as a completely bespoke model.

Underpinning the crossover is Honda's new e:N Architecture F, a front-wheel-drive, pure-electric platform designed to offer "the dynamic performance, exceptional comfort and refinement drivers will expect from Honda's latest EV". Honda says it has also used high-tensile steel for 47 percent of the e:Ny1's body in a bid to markedly improve torsional rigidity and points to the EV's low centre of gravity and optimised underbody aerodynamic elements as facilitators of improved handling.

Here, the platform hosts a single motor on the front axle with 199hp and 310Nm (significantly more than the short-range E supermini), which is expected to give it a 0-100kph time of around 8.0 seconds. Its 68.8kWh battery pack is good for a competitive 412km range on the WLTP cycle – roughly in line with rivals' and almost double that of the E. Honda has yet to detail charging specifications but said a 10-80 percent top-up can be achieved in 45 minutes on a fast charger.

Honda e:Ny1 exterior and interior

As for the design, as mentioned previously, the e:Ny1 looks largely similar to the HR-V, but gets a few visual differentiators to set it apart as the EV. That includes the usual blanked-out grille, slightly tweaked front and rear bumpers, new wheels and slimmer LED tail lamps at the rear with a connecting band.

Inside, the e:Ny1 is obviously marked out from the HR-V by the adoption of a large, 15.1-inch central infotainment touchscreen, mounted vertically, à la Ford Explorer and Tesla Model Y. Physical buttons and switchgear – a Honda hallmark – still feature, though, with a cluster on the centre console giving easy access to the most important vehicle functions.

Honda e:N models: what are they?

Honda’s new range of electric vehicles, which were earlier expected to be China-only, will now be seen in more markets globally. The all-new electric SUVs will use the new e:N Series branding. According to the brand, the 'e' in the name references the firm's e:Technology brand, while 'N' stands for now and next and represents "new value creation for the next-generation of mobility".

Apart from the e: series of SUVs, Honda had earlier also shown the e:N Coupé, e:N SUV and e:N GT, which it plans to use as the basis for production cars in the next five years. These machines show more aggressive and bold electric-only styling.

Honda in India

While Honda has no plans on the EV front for India as of now, the brand is gearing up to introduce its most important product for the market, the all-new Elevate midsize SUV. The global debut for the SUV will take place on June 6, 2023.