The 21-year-old car shows Honda the way to the future

There’s still not much going on between Honda and the electric car. The range is limited, in Europe the brand currently offers only Honda e:Ny1 Turn on. But the cat in the corner bites, through the leading designer. Daisuke Tsatamori will study a different course with Honda.

From 2026, the Japanese will introduce a new series of electric models, under the name ‘0 series’. In doing so, Honda says it is returning to its roots, creating new cars from scratch. Zero also stands for ‘zero impact on the environment’ and ‘zero serious traffic accidents’ with Honda motorcycles and cars. But that new beginning began 21 years ago.

Honda Kiwami Concept (2003)

The Saloon concept car, which debuted at the CES technology show in Las Vegas in early 2024, shows what Honda has planned. Going into production almost unchanged, Honda promises that 90 percent of the design will be retained. Although the gull wing door probably won’t make it to the production stage.

The production version of the Honda Saloon will start in the US in 2026 and then it will come to Europe. The source of design inspiration is wedge-shaped structures by Marcello Gandini, such as Lamborghini Countach and Lancia Stratos. Yet Honda’s designers got the momentum in-house, and the concept car was forgotten. The saloon is quite similar to the Honda Kiwami Concept, which debuted in 2003.

The Honda Electric Saloon (2026) is based on Kiwami

The Honda Kiwami has not only aged with its looks. Technically, it was the cream of the crop in 2003, it was the very first car with a fuel cell. Honda already realized that gasoline and diesel do not necessarily have a future. Nobody was talking about battery cars at the beginning of this century, because their high weight and limited driving range were considered unsuitable for passenger cars.

Kiwami technology was installed on a lower, wider and lighter vehicle. Honda has translated that concept directly to the Saloon. The Honda company wants to get rid of the big and heavy electric car as it is now. The low and aerodynamic saloon gets a new EV system and the battery pack is light and compact. Although Honda does not want to say anything about the range yet, the brand promises that soon you will be able to charge the battery from 0 to 80 percent in 10 to 15 minutes.

At the same time, Honda has not completely lost faith in hydrogen, as one will be available in the United States this year
Honda CR-V and fuel cells on the market.