The wave of electrification is unstoppable.
According to the latest data from the Association, in March this year, the domestic retail sales of new energy vehicles were 445,000 units, an increase of 137.6% year-on-year. Retail penetration has reached 28.2%.
In other words, one out of every 3.5 new cars sold on the market today is a new energy vehicle.
In this context, even Honda, which has profound achievements in the fuel vehicle market, has begun to transform in the direction of electrification.
It is said that Honda is "buying an engine to send a car", so when Honda began to build electric vehicles in a serious way, without the advantages of the engine, how competitive was it?
Moreover, as a brand that has created classic "driver's cars" such as the Civic Type-R, NSX, S2000, etc., and engraved the driving pleasure in the genes, after Honda changes the power source from the engine to the electric motor, can the new car continue the magic of the H standard and bring outstanding driving pleasure?
On April 25th, Honda China held the Honda e:N Brand Night Conference, which explained Honda's understanding of electric vehicles:
Since 70 years ago, Honda has been guided by the concept of respecting people, and through technological innovation, it has continuously presented mobile fun that exceeds expectations, which is Honda's belief.
In the era of electrification, Honda will continue to "create unique mobile fun".
Honda's electric car will not be a simple parameter stacking, but people-oriented, the moment you hold the steering wheel, people and cars are integrated, and every intention is fully responded to.
Then on April 26, Dongfeng Honda e:NS1, which shoulders the mission of "reshaping EV driving fun", was officially listed, and the price after subsidies was 175,000 yuan - 218,000 yuan.
e: The NS1 is Honda's first pure electric vehicle in China and an important milestone in Dongfeng Honda's comprehensive electrification transformation.
In it, we can verify Honda's ideals and persistence.
Driving pleasure that lives up to expectations
Affordable electric vehicles, almost no car company has mentioned "driving pleasure" before, and everyone competes in assisted driving and other aspects.
Indeed, unlike assisted driving, where there are suppliers to provide a complete solution, the driving pleasure cannot be obtained without a little foundation.
Behind it is the test of a manufacturer's ability to grasp the power, the level of chassis tuning, the precise control of steering...
Therefore, when they heard that Honda was going to build an electric car, an expectation arose in everyone's hearts!
Honda did not disappoint everyone. In the development of e:NS1, Honda engineers did not put the parameters first, but focused more on improving the user's driving experience.
Their goal is to develop a pure electric vehicle with a distinct Honda style, so that Honda's old users have a very familiar feeling when driving.
Therefore, the e:NS1 adopts an intelligent and efficient pure electric architecture that integrates high-power motors, large-capacity batteries, exclusive frames for pure electric vehicles, and chassis platforms.
This architecture does not blindly pursue the acceleration of starting, but combines brisk and rapid power, flexible and accurate steering, and a calm and solid chassis to bring the driving pleasure of people and cars.
In other words, electric vehicles that pursue start-up acceleration, like American muscle cars, are only suitable for jumping straight. And the e:NS1 is like a small sports car, able to navigate all kinds of corners.
For a more stimulating driving experience, the e:NS1 activates the futuristic Honda EV Sound acceleration in Sport mode, bringing a passion similar to Honda's high-speed engine.
With a "shrimp catcher" BGM, it must be very smooth when cornering.
While pursuing driving pleasure, Honda has not forgotten the comfort of the occupants.
Because of the large torque, the electric vehicle accelerates more sharply, and the frequent deceleration with the energy recovery function makes the passengers in the car easily motion sickness. The last time I went to test drive a new car of a new force, the little sister who was traveling with me threw up.
In the previous research and development of hybrid vehicles, Honda has accumulated a large number of motor control technology and stabilization technology.
Apply it to the e:NS1 so that whether it accelerates, decelerates or turns, even if it is riding in the rear seat, there will be no sense of vertigo, so that the pleasure of driving and the comfort of riding can be balanced.
Fish and bear paws have both, is not this feeling ~
A new breakthrough in design and intelligence
If there's one thing that's great driving pleasure, it's the e:NS1 that keeps Honda at consistent level. Then its performance in appearance and intelligence is a new breakthrough.
On the e:NS1, Honda adopted a new design language.
Fully enclosed in the middle of the net shape, the headlight groups on both sides are sharper, and the "H" logo in the center of the front will also glow, with the upper penetrating light strip, which is very futuristic.
The side of the body is simple, with a sharp waistline extending from the hood to the blackened taillights. The rear handle of the door is hidden in the C-pillar, and the wheel hub is also shaped with multiple spokes, which can effectively reduce the wind resistance.
The rear of the car adopts the shape of a penetrating taillight, which echoes the front LED lights, and the tail LOGO activates a new "Honda" logo.
This design has both heritage and breakthrough.
Inside the car, the interior is completely different from the style of the previous Honda. The full LCD instrument is equipped with a three-frame sports steering wheel, which looks young and sporty.
The center console C bit is a 15.1-inch ultra-narrow bezel center control large screen, which integrates almost all intelligent elements. However, the physical buttons are not blindly removed, but are greatly simplified on the basis of ensuring practicality.
The "MM" concept guarantees maximum ride space for the e:NS1, which is a clear advantage in its class.
There are also a large number of high-grade materials such as suede, canopy glass, Bose speakers, high resilience seats and other configurations to improve the texture of the car.
Previously, the level of intelligence has always been the short board of traditional car companies, but in e:NS1, the situation has reversed.
Honda is a pure electric model, and has specially created a pure electric version of the Honda CONNECT 3.0 system.
In the new car-making forces models, we can experience the intelligent functions, it basically has, such as voice recognition, car home interconnection, OTA, AR navigation...
You can even remotely control the doors, windows, air conditioners, etc. through your mobile phone to achieve a true "keyless start".
It also has a DMC driver state perception system that can detect driver fatigue, distraction, and other dangerous behaviors (such as talking on the phone, eating, etc.).
When the driver's attention is detected and cannot be maintained on the driving behavior, the driver is reminded in time to make the driving experience smarter and safer.
Today's software is worth 10%-15% of the entire car, but in the era of software-defined cars, the pattern will change, and it is expected that by 2025, 40% of the value of the entire car will come from electronics and software.
The intelligent performance of the NS1 shows that Honda has seized the ticket to the future of "software".
The continuation of the glory of the "H" mark
In the field of consumer goods, whenever there is a change in products, it is the time of the industry reshuffle.
In the transformation from feature phones to smart phones, brands such as Ericsson and Nokia have completely withdrawn, and Apple Huawei has become the new leader.
But not all brands will be eliminated, and Samsung, which has transformed in time, has gone from the past glory to the present.
Today, it is a critical moment in the transition from functional cars to smart cars, and Honda's transition time is just right.
Although the engine that used to be proud has now become an electric motor, the e:NS1 still retains honda's traditional genes, while making up for some of the shortcomings of the past.
With a minimalist exterior interior, a decent level of intelligence, a perfect balance between driving pleasure and ride comfort, the e:NS1 has become Honda's latest masterpiece in the electric age, and has a strong appeal to young people.
Judging from the outstanding performance of e:NS1, the brilliance of the "H" target is bound to continue in the field of electric vehicles.
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