Honda brings electric and plug-in SUVs to Shanghai

Honda brings electric and plug-in SUVs to Shanghai

The Breeze PHEV, arriving in China by the end of the year, and the SUV E: Prototype, electric concept, standard in 2022, make their debut.

After the city ​​car E, Honda's electric range is preparing to welcome a new model. It is called Honda SUV E: Prototype and its first appearance were made at the Shanghai 2021 Motor Show. A model created and designed for China, the most important car market and first for the diffusion of zero-emission cars.

A prototype flanked by another world novelty, this time plug-in hybrid and ready to arrive in Chinese dealerships in mid-2021: it's called Honda Breeze PHEV; once again, it's an SUV and will use the same powertrain as the last one as a base. Jazz generation.

First of a long series

The Honda SUV E: Prototype is very reminiscent of the new HR-V generation, of which it could therefore represent the zero-emission variant, taking advantage of its platform. A philosophy already followed by BMW, with the iX3 that replicates the aesthetics of the combustion X3, modifying a few minor details. A clean and, at times, sporty design, characterized by subtle bright lights joining the front and rear light clusters.

Technical specifications were not disclosed, and Honda was limited to talking about "dynamic performance" and "smooth acceleration." The instant torque, a typical trait of all-electric cars, could be limited to giving a classic car feeling and safeguarding the battery charge.

The company then emphasized the presence of the third-generation Honda Connect infotainment system, with over-the-air updates and voice assistant, as well as a new set of even more sophisticated driver assistance systems.

Its arrival on the Chinese market is scheduled for 2022, while we still don't know if and when it will also arrive in other markets.

Parallel or series hybrid

We also don't know much about the Honda Breeze PHEV: the manufacturer hasn't said anything about the technical specifications. We only know that the hybrid system will be the Sport Hybrid i-MMD, adapted to plug in and equipped with more powerful batteries.

It could also take advantage of the gasoline engine, the 1.5 Atkinson cycle, solely as a range extender, leaving the electric vehicle to move the SUV.