Honda Next EV Project Imagines A Two-Seater, Three-Door Sub-Compact

The Honda e shows that it’s possible to produce a cute, retro-inspired electric city car and the brand’s Sports EV Concept, which is also expected to hit production, further proves this point. However, can this packaging be applied to a larger, sub-compact sized model with a unique body style?

Russian transportation designer Nikita Pavlov recently published a project named the Honda Next EV, which was completed during his internship at Honda R&D Tokyo in fall last year. Pavlov tells CarScoops that, “The main challenge of this project was to create a different class of the vehicle, using the Honda E package. The main idea was to create a small, but roomy car, for traveling in Scandinavia”.

The Next EV adds to the size of the Honda E retaining only some of its retro design elements and packaging them together into what Pavlov dubs a ‘Shooting Brake’ style body.

Watch Also: First Drive In Honda e Prototype Leaves Reviewer Genuinely Impressed

The overall shape of the Next EV is slightly softer than the Honda E with more curved shapes and smooth edges. Whereas the Honda e and Sports EV Concept have simple round LED headlights, the Next EV has a more complex lighting array that sits behind a transparent wooden panel and circles around the fascia. The Honda logo is also backlit.

While the study could theoretically be considered a Shooting Brake, it is more upright and taller than most, with the three-door layout being reminiscent of the Hyundai Veloster. The designer says this allows for improved cargo space. Speaking of the interior, the passenger seat is more of a reclining lounge chair than an ordinary car seat. A host of nice wooden surfaces are also found throughout the cabin.

While the Next EV is only a two-seater, it does have three doors. On one side, there’s a single door while on the other, there are Rolls-Royce style suicide doors. Found at the rear is an LED light bar tracing around the edge of the fascia and extending up to the roofline. The concept also sports a solar roof.

Thanks to Nikita Pavlov for sharing his project. You can check his Instagram page here