Honda’s main exhibit at the Shanghai Auto Show is
the X-NV Concept, which previews a China-exclusive electric vehicle. Jointly developed by Honda Motor
China Technology and Dongfeng Honda, the X-NV is a crossover based on the HR-V. It is based on the XR-V which is the nameplate Dongfeng
Honda uses for the HR-V in China. Compared to the XR-V, the X-NV Concept
features updates to the front and rear ends, as well as blue accents
Despite the black windows that keep the interior
design hidden from sight, the concept vehicle looks ready to roll off the
assembly line. Inf fact, the finished item won’t look much different, as it’s
set to go on sale in China in the second half of 2019 as Dongfeng Honda’s first
mass-production EV model launched exclusively for the local market.
Honda didn’t reveal any details about the X-NV
Concept, but the electric crossover should feature a similar powertrain to the
Everus VE-1 which is yet another HR-V-based EV sold exclusively in China. Built
by the Honda-GAC joint venture, the VE-1 features an electric motor that makes 161 hp)and 280 Nm of torque and gets its juice from a 53.6
kWh battery.
Both the Everus VE-1 and the new Honda X-NV are part
of the company’s goal of introducing more than 20 electrified models to the
Chinese market by 2025. The automaker is also planning to introduce plug-in
hybrids starting from 2020.
At the Shanghai show, Honda will also reveal the
Odyssey Hybrid that will go on sale in China at the end of April 2019.
