0 Sequence EVs purpose for lean efficiency, tech extra

• Honda’s personal mass-market EVs are taking type, previewed in an Accord
• Sequence 0 EVs will probably be inbuilt Ohio beginning late 2025
• Sequence 0 has been designed from the beginning for lighter weight and decrease rooflines

The Honda Accord sedan I’m piloting round a small course on the automaker’s Tochigi, Japan, R&D facility accelerates faster and corners flatter than any Accord I’ve ever been in. It’s additionally the quietest. 

Whereas this can be Honda’s midsize mainstay in look, it’s one thing very totally different from the bottom up. It’s one among just some prototypes performing as a growth proof level for the 0 Sequence platform, Honda’s devoted EV platform—with no GM enter—set to underpin seven totally different 0 Sequence EVs by 2030 globally. An Acura and Honda primarily based on the platform are each due for U.S. deliveries throughout the subsequent couple years. 

Honda has confirmed {that a} yet-unnamed manufacturing mannequin primarily based on the Saloon idea, which itself is sized within the neighborhood of the Accord, will arrive in 2026. It’s additionally confirmed that an Acura EV primarily based on the Efficiency EV Idea proven at Monterey Automobile Week in August is headed to manufacturing in late 2025 and should technically be the primary of the brand new sequence produced. 

Honda Saloon EV idea

Whereas that Acura idea follows a rakish “crossover coupe” look that impresses as an evolution of what that luxurious model has proven earlier than, the Honda Saloon idea itself is seen because the poster automotive of the 0 Sequence. It’s additionally the talisman of a brand new Honda, refocused for the age of EVs. 

Inside, the interface of this harbinger in hiding is usually customary Accord. Except for a skinny instrument display fitted above the steering wheel, there’s no signal of the unique Saloon idea automotive’s yoke-like steering wheel or huge display house. 

Simply seconds earlier than, a brief distance into the preliminary straight of a brief street course, I’d famous that the accelerator is tuned linearly. A deeper prod faucets into propulsion Honda would possibly beforehand have reserved for the NSX hybrid sports activities automotive. As I roll again on with my proper foot on the identical straight a second time, I’m pinned again with Gs that felt proper on par with the quickest mainstream AWD EVs—all besides these with the likes of Plaid, Efficiency, or N badging. 

Honda Sequence 0 prototype (Accord)

After getting a way of the flat cornering across the again, my development-engineer passenger offers me the nod to peg it slightly longer, and earlier than I get to a quiet “four-one-thousand” rely, I hit someplace round 75 mph, earlier than braking shortly for the tight left-hander on the finish of it. 

The sounds and sensations coming from beneath don’t really feel like these from a cobbled-together prototype. I hear no considerable motor or gear whine, and torque supply from the motors (every at 241 hp, mounted entrance and rear right here) is vibration-free. Physique management feels in sync with the instantaneous torque supply from the electrical motors, and whilst I purpose to impress the physique out of line, the motor controls, stability system, and suspension all really feel like they’re working collectively as a unified piece. 

0 Sequence provides as much as greater than a 480-hp Accord EV

That’s proper; the suspension is a key side right here. To place it bluntly, this can be a near-500-hp electrical Accord with an air suspension—and a few additional weight, which I’ll get to later. However the way in which every thing performs collectively, you wouldn’t realize it. 

The 0 Sequence makes use of air-spring struts in entrance, with a multi-link setup for the rear, with these springs on a separate pressure path than the air suspension. The e-axle items, air suspension, and a stability system incorporating 3D gyro sensors from the corporate’s ASIMO robotic household—a world first—are all linked in order to react collectively. 

Honda 0 Sequence platform

It comes all the way down to easier physics as properly, and preserving weight low and close to the middle of the automobile as a lot as doable.  For instance, newly developed compact e-axles have an inverter that’s about 40% smaller than these presently provided by OEM suppliers, serving to obtain a decrease profile. The profile of the battery pack—the product of 6,000-ton “megacasting” machines that will probably be put in in Ohio—has been lowered by the smaller pouch cells to be equipped by companion LG. 

By reconceiving the physique construction across the priorities of offset collision forces and occupant safety, and benefiting from the higher-strength steels and lack of an engine beneath the hood, Honda has been capable of omit the crossbeams on the prime of the cowl. 

This frees up Honda to carry the hoodline decrease, making one thing near that very low, aerodynamic profile of the 0 Sequence Saloon idea a manufacturing actuality.

The super-low battery pack, slimmed-down e-axles, and lower-profile physique construction all assist 0 Sequence EVs—seemingly the manufacturing model of the Saloon—to be lower than 55 inches tall total. 

Honda 0 Sequence EV platform

Questions like weight await the 0 Sequence

My takeaway, primarily based on the way in which this particular Accord delivers its energy, corners, and maintains its pose, is that it feels each decrease and extra assured and “glued to the street” than an Accord. My growth engineer passenger informs me that my seating level is definitely a slight bit larger than that of the Accord, and vaguely confirms the plain—that it’s certainly heavier than an Accord. 

Regardless of my finest efforts to reframe and rephrase questions in varied methods to get a ballpark reply, Honda wouldn’t but reveal some primary weight-related questions: what are the battery sizes of the primary 0 Sequence merchandise (two pack sizes are initially deliberate); what measurement pack is put in on this prototype; or about how a lot heavier it’s versus an Accord. 

On condition that, it’s a stretch to leap to another true takeaways fairly but, particularly when not every thing on this Accord prototype is from the Sequence 0 platform. These upcoming EVs could have a totally new steer-by-wire system, together with all of the redundancy wanted for future larger ranges of driver-assistance techniques. They’ll additionally get a reengineered regenerative braking system, which Honda stated wasn’t production-representative on this prototype. 

Honda 0 Sequence EV platform

Honda 0 Sequence EV platform

Honda 0 Sequence EV platform

0 Sequence summons AI,  bidirectional charging

Among the many options Honda goals to incorporate within the 0 Sequence fashions are a Summon function, in addition to one that can, with prolonged actuality (XR) tech—and a great deal of out there bandwidth, do you have to be fortunate—enable buddies or household to just about trip alongside. It additionally guarantees common over-the-air software program updates, and is contemplating plans to supply purchases and options over-the-air. 

The automaker plans to include studying functionality for its assisted-driving system from U.S.-based Helm.AI, and it says that it “will attempt to be the primary firm on the planet to develop the applying of eyes-off features to all driving conditions.” Honda can even function a voice assistant customized to every person. 

Honda didn’t particularly tout the 0 Sequence’ bidirectional charging capabilities, nevertheless it’s planning a sensible residence charging system to go together with these merchandise, enabling future V2H and V2G capabilities—so infer what you’ll in regards to the rollout of such tech. 

Honda Sequence 0 prototype (Accord)

0 Sequence EVs will begin in America

Though I traveled to Japan to get this early take a look at the 0 Sequence platform, Honda’s Ohio EV hub will probably be on the core of its manufacturing—and so will manufacturing flexibility of those fashions with gasoline automobiles, all on the identical line. 

Honda has a battery three way partnership with LG there, finally probably reaching 40 gigawatt-hours yearly. That’s sufficient for a whole lot of 1000’s of long-range EVs yearly. Sony’s Afeela model EVs will share the platform however not the entire identical parts, Honda says. 

Preliminary 0 Sequence fashions received’t be low cost, and reasonably priced Honda EVs are farther off, Honda says. However primarily based on this primary style of what’s in retailer in these upcoming fashions—particularly a smooth flagship—they could show to be the total reset Honda wants, simply in time.

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Motor Authority accepted journey bills, lodging, and meals from Honda with the intention to facilitate this report.