This year’s 46th Tokyo Motor Show once again highlighted numerous concept cars exhibiting future possibilities for mobility and the society. Its theme “Open Future” simply represents our broad perspective on mobility in the future. Just like how the possibilities are as limitless as our imaginations.
Honda Motor Co. Ltd, for its part, highlighted its 2030 vision and passion, which is to serve people worldwide with the “joy of expanding their life’s potential.” Once again, no less than the company President and CEO Takahiro Hachigo spearheaded the media presentation of Honda’s 2030 vision along with the lineup of latest EV vehicles.
“The Tokyo Motor Show has a special place in our heart as a motor show held in the home market of Honda. We believe that the Tokyo Motor Show should be an occasion where the fundamental strengths of Japan and new value that only Japan can create get communicated from Japan to people all around the world.
“At the same time, we hope that a broader range of customers will grow their interest in cars and motorcycles through this Tokyo Motor Show, including young people who will forge the future,” said Hachigo.
Three vehicles took center stage representing mobility electrification and a new industry benchmark for compact cars. Unlike the other presenters who displayed concept vehicles, what Honda brought to the table this year were a future-oriented urban commuter along with two electric scooters, all driven by Honda e:Technology, plus a new-generation hatchback.
“Furthermore, we want Honda booth visitors to enjoy real-world experiences of how Honda mobility products can expand the ‘joy of mobility’ and ‘people’s life’s potential,’” Hachigo added.
The future-oriented urban commuter
During the 45th Tokyo Motor Show, Honda presented the Urban EV Concept vehicle representing the future direction of design and technology of mass-produced electric vehicles. Presented this year was the production version of Honda e. Early this year, the pre-production version was initially unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show. Interestingly, the exterior appearance pays homage to the original concept design. Wheels now look more appropriate and road-worthy.
Inside, more changes were adapted in order to make it more both driver and passenger-centric layout. Gone is the single long bench and replaced with conventional front seats. Still, those wooden trims are very much evident along with the straightforward horizontally laid out dashboard. Interestingly, the top portion of the dashboard have sectioned high-definition infotainment monitors, including view panels for side-view cameras (rather than mirrors).
This dedicated EV model was developed based on Honda’s vision of what cars should look like 10 years from now. The Honda e will be available in Japan starting 2020 as a mobility product that will expand people’s life’s potential.
Motivated by an electric motor, Honda e offers charging and feeding system compatibility so users can enjoy firsthand experience of the exchange of energy. There’s also Honda Personal Assistant, which utilizes Honda’s original artificial-intelligence technologies. This provides appropriate information through natural conversations with the user. The Honda e will give users the preview of a future life where cars seamlessly connect with society and daily lives.
Electrified scooters
Imagine scooters, aside from electric-powered, also capable of swapping power source. Sounds cool, right? Honda is also extending its electrification Honda e:Technology to its motorcycle lineup. Intended mainly for business-use and delivery services, presented were the Benly e: electric scooter and Gyro e: electric three-wheeled scooter. With Honda Mobile Power Pack, a portable and swappable battery motivates both variants.
“By electrifying business-use motorcycles we see a lot in our everyday lives, Honda wants to offer a quieter and cleaner environment for people’s daily lives and, at the same time, we want to contribute to the happiness of working people, as well,” Hachigo explained. “By connecting these electrified motorcycle and automobile products through our power products and energy, we can further advance our value creation for mobility and people’s daily lives, and Honda will continue proposing such a new world that only we can create with Honda e:Technology,” he added. Next spring, Honda will start offering the Benly e in Japan.
Introducing the all-new Fit/Jazz
Perhaps, what everybody was waiting for—the global debut of the latest generation Fit/Jazz. Since its introduction in 2001, its design evolution contributed to its global success with over 7.5 million units sold.
“What we strive to do with this all-new Fit is to establish the standard for compact cars suited to this new era. We believe this car will be able to become an industry standard for the new era only if it can win admiration in the Japanese market where fulfilling customer needs for compact cars is especially difficult compared to other parts of the world. Based on this belief, we squarely and sincerely faced our customers in Japan and perfected this all-new Fit as a global model that Honda will propose from Japan to the rest of the world,” Hachigo explained.
What’s really striking was the fresh design inside and out. Inspired by the new design concept “emotional value,” the innovative look is nowhere near our expectations, in a good way, of course. This new look, according to Honda, cannot be expressed numerically, and embodied four dimensions of comfort. Another different feature is a front pillar with a cross-sectional structure, which enables impact energy to flow to the vehicle body in the event of a collision. Moreover, this newly designed front pillar offers overwhelmingly wide and superior frontal visibility compared the predecessors.
As for the interior, the instrument panel features a flat-topped design emphasizing horizontal and straight lines. The latest generation also features enhanced usability, which supports people’s mobility. That includes ergonomic layout to ensure comfort for all occupants.
Motivation comes from a two-motor hybrid system. This powertrain will offer smooth driving thanks to the second electric motor. There were five variants introduced. There’s the Basic type with simple and endearing design including a front face design with a gentle look, and seamless and flowing exterior form. The Home variant, meantime, has that high visual and tactile quality by coordinating colors and materials. Next is the Ness, which features exciting color coordination. It is a sporty and fashionable type, which will enable customers to enjoy driving as if they enjoy fitness and sports.
Perhaps, the intriguing one was the Crosstar variant. With different front grille along with roof rails and matte trims all over, the overall look transformed into a crossover-type design. This type projects an enhanced image of compact and, yet, tough vehicle. Last is the Luxe variant, which features top spec trims and finishes inside and out. Safety-wise, the all-new Fit is equipped with the Honda sensing advanced safety and driver-assistive system. Further, this all-new model is the first to be equipped with the Honda connect on-board communication module developed exclusively for Honda vehicles.
“Honda will continue taking on challenges in various areas in order to serve people worldwide with the “joy of expanding their life’s potential.” And we hope that the Tokyo Motor Show 2019 will be an opportunity for many people to enjoy the broad range of products that embody Honda’s 2030 Vision,” Hachigo concluded.
Image credits: Randy S. Peregrino