Accelerating the transition to electrification has become the consensus of the global automotive industry, and Honda, which has always been known for its engine technology, is also actively taking action. In 2030, Honda will stop selling conventional fuel vehicles in major markets such as China; from 2040, Honda will only sell pure electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles. Looking at the entire automotive industry, Honda's electrification transformation strategy is very radical.
In China, the world's largest electric vehicle market, Honda has already begun to exert its strength. In 2018, Dongfeng Honda released the "Seeing the Future" new energy brand strategy and successively launched a series of electrified models, covering all categories and all fields of products. In October 2021, Honda officially launched a new pure electric vehicle brand e:N, as well as the brand's first model, the Dongfeng Honda e:NS1.
On April 26, 2022, Dongfeng Honda e:NS1 was officially launched, launching a total of 4 models, priced at 175,000 yuan to 218,000 yuan after subsidies. As Honda's first pure electric vehicle in China, e:NS1 shoulders the heavy responsibility of "reshaping EV driving fun", can it continue to write myths for fans like classic models such as The Civic Type-R and NSX?
The e:N brand takes "movement", "intelligence" and "beauty" as its core values, corresponding to Honda's "e:N Architecture", "e:N OS" and "e:N Design" developed specifically for electric vehicles. These three parts are fully reflected in the e:NS1 and are another demonstration of Honda's technology, innovation and quality.
First of all, looking at "moving", as the first model of the e:N brand, Dongfeng Honda e:NS1 was born from the e:N Architecture F intelligent and efficient pure electric architecture. The architecture integrates a high-rigidity pure electric vehicle frame, a three-in-one high-power motor and a large-capacity battery to achieve the driving performance of the combination of man and vehicle, light and fast.
e: NS1 has two motor and battery combinations: a 134kW motor with a 53.6kWh battery, CLTC operating range of 420km; 150kW motor with a 68.8kWh battery, CLTC operating range of 510km. No matter which model, it can meet the daily travel needs, and the power reserve is very sufficient, which can continue to bring a sense of pushback.
Honda's pursuit of driving pleasure has always been consistent, and in order to achieve better driving quality, the e:NS1's motor control system has more than 20,000 built-in scene algorithms, which is 40 times that of ordinary electric vehicles. The three driving modes of Economy, Standard and Sport meet the needs of different groups of people, and the Sport mode is also equipped with Honda EV SOUND acceleration sound to make driving more exciting.
The e:NS1 is also equipped with a three-speed adjustable energy recovery system, which is very gentle even at the highest gear, allowing users to better adapt to the driving characteristics of electric vehicles. The output curve of the accelerator pedal has been specially optimized, and the vehicle starts more softly and linearly, not being too direct like a common electric vehicle, thus effectively avoiding passenger motion sickness.
The battery has brought an increase in weight, but it has also reduced the center of gravity of the vehicle, and the vehicle is still flexible, and it is very calm to deal with various corners. The suspension has been carefully tuned by Honda, so that e:NS1 not only has the leading control of the same class, but also its comfort performance is also very good, very Honda's characteristics, that is, dynamic and take into account the family.
"Smart" is an indispensable part of the current new electric vehicles. The e:NS1 not only reinvents EV driving, but also brings a smarter cockpit. e:NS1 is equipped with Honda's latest full-stack intelligent control ecosystem e:N OS, providing users with a more secure and intelligent mobile space.
In terms of hardware, the e:NS1 is equipped with the largest ultra-thin bezel 15.1-inch central control screen and unobstructed 10.25-inch LCD instrument, and the physical buttons are greatly reduced. In terms of software, e:NS1 is equipped with a pure electric special version of Honda CONNECT 3.0 intelligent guidance interconnection system, AI voice assistant communication is smooth, and supports more than 20 functions such as OTA online upgrade and mobile phone remote control, and the advanced nature has reached the top level of the same level. In addition, e:NS1 is also equipped with the DMC driver state perception system for the first time, which can effectively identify the driver's state, and even detect emotional changes and actively remind, making the driving experience smarter and safer.
And "beauty", as the name suggests, is related to the design style. The "e:N Design" design language brings new designs such as luminous Honda "H" standard and closed network, so that e:NS1 has distinct characteristics of the electric era, and the heartbeat interaction lamp language reflects the charm of light and comfortable electric travel. The rear design is also refreshing, with penetrating taillights and a new letter style Honda brand logo showing a distinct layering.
In terms of body size, the e:NS1 has a length, width and height of 4390/1790/1560mm and a wheelbase of 2610mm. The simple design style of the electric car makes this car look larger and very temperamental. Honda has always been a space magician, and the e:NS1 is no exception, bringing the space experience of a compact SUV with a small SUV size. The seat cushion and backrest part of the seat are made of high cushioning characteristic materials, which conform to the human body and absorb road bumps, resulting in better comfort.
summary:
Dongfeng Honda e:NS1 is an important step in Honda's electrification transformation in China. Through this car, we can feel Honda's vision for the future, and we can also understand Honda's car-making concept in the era of electrification. Once upon a time, Honda's driving pleasure and technical madman image was deeply rooted in people's hearts; when it entered a new era, the e:NS1 still retained enough Honda characteristics, practical and fun. This makes us firmly believe that no matter what changes in the form of power in the car, Honda will be the Honda we are familiar with.