Honda reveals tech specs of its ‘e’ hatchback

Honda has released the principal technical specifications of its upcoming hatchback EV called simply ‘e’. The company’s first all-electric vehicle will enter the market in less than a year.

The Honda e takes advantage of a brand-new chassis that is largely composed of aluminum parts and comes with per-wheel suspension by default. The only electric motor is mounted on the rear axle, making the car an RWD model.

The traction battery lies under the cabin floor and holds 35.5 kilowatt-hours of power when fully charged. This may not be much, but it should be enough for the urban car, which is what the e is being marketed as. The nominal driving range amounts to 200 kilometers (124 miles), and charging only takes 30 minutes provided that the station is powerful enough.

In addition to the above, the manufacturer claims that the weight distribution across axles is ideal at 50:50, which should make the EV extremely responsive and maneuverable. That, and sports-oriented chassis settings along with a low center of gravity should improve handling even further.

In an earlier announcement, it was mentioned that the production car would come equipped with video cameras instead of the conventional side mirrors.

The final production version of the Honda e will debut at the 2019 International Motor Show Germany in Frankfurt this September. Sales will launch late this year in Japan, followed by Europe in early 2020.

Photos: Honda