Honda is working on a Tesla Model 3-rivalling saloon as one of seven radical new electric cars it will bring to market by 2030.
The saloon is part of the firm's new 0 Series, which represents a total reset of how Honda develops EVs. The seven 0 Series cars will prioritise weight reduction and aerodynamic performance and stand out for “the joy of driving”, the company said.
Honda is developing the models with a “thin” ethos, minimising the number of parts used in each model and adopting lightweight aluminium chassis structures. Those chassis will eventually be die-casted – a technique pioneered by the Tesla Model Y – to reduce part complexity, and therefore weight and costs.
The firm also hailed the development work enabled by its line-up of hybrids, such as the Civic, in reducing the weight of its next-generation electric powertrains. These ‘e-axles’ will comprise a motor, inverter and gearbox within a single unit, providing a claimed weight saving of around 100kg compared with Honda’s existing EVs.
The company added that its EVs will have all-wheel drive, suggesting that each model will use a pair of e-axles.
Heavy components such as the power unit and battery will be mounted low and centrally, Honda said, which indicates that the cars will use a skateboard platform. This will have a reduced floor thickness, further saving weight and providing a more sporting driving position.
Complexity will be further reduced by the deployment of a central computer, rather than the array of chips deployed on more conventional cars. The 0 Series’s systems will be controlled by this 'brain', reducing costs and improving the speed of digital functions.
This more powerful computer hardware will also enable level-three assisted driving technology, in which the car takes full control in limited conditions, such as a traffic jam in clear weather.
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Is so laughable it's frankly embarrassing!
Where do they think Tesla is going to be in 2030?
A further decade ahead of Honda and all, with Tesla FSD Autonomous driving and Robotaxi fully developed and outselling all the competitors who still haven't got round to licencing Tesla FSD technology for their own vehicles..!
Honda are sadly dead in the water along with many other Legacy Automakers..
Elon, is that you, or just another Tesla cultist?Tesla has been selling essentially the same cars for several years with barely any changes (with the Model S going on 12) with only very marginal improvements to their substandard quality. They've squandered the lead they had when they disrupted the industry, and Elon's shenanigans have soured the brand for a lot of people. I prefer ICE vehicles but given a coice would take a much more interestingly designed and better built Honda over a Tesla that looks like a computer mouse and comes standard with many promises it can't deliver.
Boring. Tell us about the one in 2040.
In other news I will make a car to compete with Mercedes in 7 years time and it'll be almost as good as their current cars.
Bye Honda, you almost had me with your EV sports coupe that never arrived....
Do ya think Honda is planning to compete with the 2024 or 2030 Model 3? Go back to licking the Musk-Hole.