- Honda is determined to keep driving excitement alive in its upcoming electric vehicles.
- Replicating the thrills of ICE performance with an EV is a major challenge for Honda.
- The new 0 Series of EVs could eventually include an electric Type R performance model
Like many automakers, Honda is diving into the the world of electric vehicles. But unlike some, Honda seems determined to ensure its future EVs still pack enough excitement to get your heart racing. This could eventually lead to an all-electric Type R. Does that prospect excite you, or does the idea of a Type R EV make you cringe?
Toshihiro Mibe, head of Honda’s BEV Development Center, admits that crafting an electric vehicle that captures the spirit of a Type R is no easy task. But Honda appears ready to tackle the challenge head-on.
Read: Honda’s 0 Saloon EV Looks Like A Lambo Gallardo Sedan From The Future
A New Type of Thrill?
“A battery and motor have different characteristics so we can’t come up with something exactly the same as before,” he told Auto Express at the unveiling of the new 0 Series EV prototypes in Las Vegas. “As an EV, how can we provide the joy of driving? We haven’t given up of course, but it’s not just about power, it’s about the sound, vibration, acceleration and the human experience. These are the joys of driving.”
Honda will continue to sell the current FL5-generation Civic Type R for quite some time, but its long-term future is a little unclear. Honda will likely launch a 12th-gen Civic before the end of this decade and, given its history, we expect to be a high demand for a hotted-up Type R version. As it’s to early for the company to speak in detail about its future plans, we wouldn’t be surprised if it morphs into a hybrid, but there’s always the chance that it will cling on to an internal combustion engine alone.
If Honda needs to look for inspiration about how it can make the Type R nameplate relevant in the EV era, it’d be wise to look at Hyundai’s N division. While N also made its start with fiery hot hatches, it unveiled the all-electric Ioniq 5 N back in 2023 and proved to the world it’s possible to build an EV that’s fun to drive and largely mimics the thrills of an ICE alternative.
Review: What’s It Like Living With The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N?
As part of its 0 Series, Honda plans to launch seven EVs in the coming years. Could one of them bear the Type R badge? Or would it be better to let the iconic name retire gracefully along with the era of roaring combustion engines?
Note: The lead photo is a rendering by John Halas for Carscoops
