By Breda Corrigan
Honda’s first fully electric vehicle for Europe, the Honda e, has been named ‘German Car of the Year 2021’, thereby becoming the first vehicle from a Japanese brand to do so. This prestigious award is just one of an envious tally of awards that the ingenious Honda e has picked up along the way. The Honda e continues to set new benchmarks for contemporary car design and advanced e-mobility in awards programmes across Europe and beyond.
Sleek & Modern Appearance;
Designed without compromise and with a focus on functionality and usability, the Honda e features a seamless, sleek and modern appearance, with cutting-edge technology and advanced intelligent connectivity to keep owners in sync with everyday life. The Honda e’s simple, uncluttered appearance has been achieved by integrating many of its external features. The front headlights, radar sensor and forward-facing camera are all contained within a single panel. Two compact high definition cameras replace conventional mirrors, and a dramatic black tinted glass roof completes the smooth, seamless feel. A combination of design simplicity and advanced technology can be seen in every detail. The front door handles fit flush to the bodywork, only extending out and illuminating when you approach the car; whilst at the rear, they are hidden within the window area. Front and rear lights are multi-functional and incorporate the indicators into one cohesive design, and the headlights even welcome you with animation when you unlock the car. The Honda e also features an innovative Side Mirror Camera System in place of traditional door mirrors, with a pair of screens on either end of the car’s dashboard providing clear images of the side view – even at night or in bad weather.
Power & Trim Options;
The Honda e comes with a choice of power outputs – 134bhp or 152bhp – but both have the same range of up to 220km, and the same amount of torque (314Nm) so the only noticable difference is how quickly the 0-100km/h sprint can be completed – 9.0-seconds and 8.3-seconds respectively. The entry-level Honda e comes with 134bhp, with the 152bhp unit reserved for the ‘Advance’ model. While the entry-level Honda e comes with a long list of standard safety, comfort, convenience and infotainment features, the ‘Advance’ model also includes a heated steering wheel and windscreen, Honda Parking Pilot, Blind-Spot Information, Centre Camera Mirror System, Cross Traffic Monitor, a premium audio with 8 speakers, 230V electrical outlet and a multi-view camera. A variable ratio steering system is fitted to the Honda e and this provides the car with a hugely-impressive 4.3-metre turning radius, which can be very useful when nipping through urban traffic or performing a u-turn on a narrow city street. With the added assistance from the Honda Parking Pilot in the Advance model, you can make the most of the city and enjoy every drive.
Smooth Urgent Progress;
The Honda e responds instantly to a tap of the accelerator pedal, and because it never jolts or hesitates, the result is confidence-inspiring smooth urgent progress. The fully-independent suspension makes the Honda e feel like something a lot bigger, and the silence in the cabin, even when you get up to and beyond 100km/h is remarkable. Thanks to its 50:50 weight distribution and a
low centre of gravity, the Honda e delivers a sporty yet comfortable
drive, and if you’d like a more exhilarating experience, switching to Sport mode significantly increases acceleration response. Turning on Single Pedal Control, allows you to drive with even more enjoyment and ease. Using just one pedal, you can accelerate and decelerate by pushing your foot down to go and taking it off to brake. It really is that simple. Cabin space in the Honda e is quite good for a car with such a small footprint, and it can easily accommodate 3 passengers and a driver (with four seat belts in total, the Honda e is strictly a four-seater). The boot is similar in size to a Fiat 500 – 171-litres with the rear seats up, but 861-litres with them down, which is a decent amount if you can occasionally use it as a two-seater.
Inspirational Interior;
A calm, spacious and contemporary interior welcomes you and your passengers. The uncluttered and beautifully simple design provides maximum room and total comfort in which to enjoy the premium sound system. Tactile surfaces and refined materials insulate you from the hustle and bustle of the city streets.
The unique full-width digital dashboard features five displays and keeps you informed, entertained and connected to the things you love; giving you intuitive control over a range of intelligent applications and services. Two central 12.3″ touchscreens allow multiple information to be accessed simultaneously by the driver and the passenger, with the ability to switch screens by simply swiping from one to the other. You can even personalise them with your favourite pictures, so wherever you are, it will always feel like your space.
Charging Options;
In a practical move on Honda’s part, they have positioned the car’s charging point centrally into the bonnet. It features an integrated LED light, which clearly indicates the status of the charge, and a safety lock to prevent the power cable from being removed whilst the car is being charged. Charging times vary depending on the type of charger utilised but you can quick charge to 80% capacity in as little as 31 minutes with a rapid charger, which is less time than it takes to charge a smartphone. A 100% charge from a home wall charger will take just 4.1 hours, while the less common option of charging from a domestic three-pin plug socket will take 18.8 hours for a full charge.
Pricing & Warranty;
The funky new Honda e is such an easy car to drive, and with a sense of agility, enthusiasm, refinement and maturity, it is an easy car to fall in love with too. Currently, an SEAI grant of €5,000 for private customers is available for Honda e buyers, along with a home wall charger grant of up to €600 (t’s & c’s apply). The entry-level Honda e is priced at €29,995 with the ‘Advance’ model priced at €32,995 – inclusive of the €5,000 reduction. For total peace of mind motoring, the new Honda e comes with a 3-Year/100,000km warranty and an 8-Year/160,000km warranty on the lithium-ion battery.
