Honda has announced that Dongfeng Honda, one of its joint ventures in China, will begin sales of the new Honda e:NS1 electric vehicle (EV) model today, April 26. GAC Honda, the Japanese carmaker’s other JV in China, will take orders for the twin e:NP1 EV next month. The e:NS1 and e:NP1 are essentially EV versions of the third-generation 2022 Honda HR-V, which has gone on sale in Thailand and Indonesia and is coming to Malaysia. The EVs first surfaced in October 2021 along with a range of electric concepts under the “e:N Series” banner.

Honda says that these e:N Series cars – the first Honda-brand EV models in China – combines Honda’s monozukuri (art of making things), which includes the pursuit of originality and passion, with the cutting-edge electrification and intelligence technologies of China. They were developed with the concept of “inspiring EVs people have never experienced before”. The e:N Architecture F consists of an electric motor that “delivers both instantaneous output and delicate control in various driving situations” and a “large-capacity battery” (exact number unspecified) that delivers a healthy 510 km of range in the Chinese CLTC cycle. Its maker claims that the “HR-V EV” delivers a “sporty and exhilarating driving experience unique to Honda”.

 

There have been reports that the base e:NS1 will be powered by a 182 PS/310 Nm electric motor, which derives its power from a 53.6 kWh lithium-ion battery, providing a range of 420 km (nearly double the Honda e’s 220 km) on the Chinese cycle. The 510 km range is from the more powerful 204 PS model, which has a 68.8 kWh battery. Tech and connectivity is very important in the Chinese market, and the e:NS1/e:NP1 will feature the latest that’s available there, including Honda Connect 3.0 developed exclusively for EVs, shown on a huge 15.1-inch Tesla-style portrait central touchscreen. New in the safety department is the Driver Monitoring Camera (DMC), which detects inattentive driving and signs of driver drowsiness.

The e:NS1/e:NP1 body is clearly the new HR-V’s, but the ICE car’s wide six-point grille has been sealed up – the EV features a luminescent ‘H’ emblem instead, and the charging port is behind it. At the back, there’s no H – instead, Honda is spelled out between the full-width LED signature and the number plate. Script logo at the back is also a thing now on Lexus SUVs.

Along with the market introduction of the e:NS1 and e:NP1, Honda will launch its online stores in China, where the entire process of ordering can be done online through one-on-one direct communication. Honda will also “guide customers into the world of the e:N design concept of ‘perceiving the future at a glance and by touch’ and offer customers a completely new purchasing experience,” it is claimed.